Climbing shoe
More traditional climbing shoes tend to be stiff, but modern performance oriented models are often quite soft with a flexible midsole.
[2] Synthetic materials are more rigid and provide ventilation for the shoe; they are often used in the liner, heel loops, and the closure system.
A benefit of this close fit is a higher sensitivity to the climb, allowing the wearer of the shoe to use smaller holds for their feet.
[4] Modern climbing shoes are typically subdivided into three different profiles based on their shape: neutral, moderate, and aggressive.
[10] Neutral shoes, similar to everyday sneakers, feature a flatter outer sole that allows the foot to rest flat during use.
This enables climbers to climb different types of routes, including slab, crack, slight overhangs, and multi-pitch.
According to REI, they are shaped asymmetrically to allow for climbers to place greater weight on their big toe in footwork techniques.
Shoes that are downturned aggressively and have a pointed toe allow the climber to utilize their feet on smaller foot holds.
An advance on this for dry rock, were boots with Vibram soles, with a pattern of rubber studs developed by Vitale Bramani in Italy in the 1930s.
[17] In postwar Britain, a new generation of climbers like Joe Brown began to climb harder routes wearing plimsolls (rubber-soled canvas sneakers),[18] sometimes with woollen socks over them to improve grip.
Fellow French climber Edmond Bourdonneau later introduced "EB" boots in 1950 after purchasing Pierre's company,[20] which had softer rubber soles and became very popular in the 1960 and 1970s.
In 1982 Boreal, the Spanish company located in Villena, produced the "Firé" style of shoe with a revolutionary sticky rubber sole.
[9] The sole may wear down or delaminate from the rand, and important seams can fray which endangers the structural integrity of the shoe.
[9] A study done on consumer practices suggests that users will either repair or purchase new objects when faced with worn materials that affect service.
[9] If a shoe that experiences wear is left unrepaired for too long, it may reach a point where it can no longer be mended and a new pair must be purchased.
The smaller fit has been shown to stunt bone growth in younger climbers and have lasting injuries and deformities.
[13] The findings from this prototype show that different shoe designs can help reduce the risk of injury while maintaining climbers’ ability level.
[23] Adults who frequent these gyms inhale more RDCs than the average person, and this raises potential health concerns about rubber additive levels in climbing shoes’ soles.
