How To Repair Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoe rubber is not exactly like rubber on the bottom of a regular pair of shoes. While rubbers have similarities, climbing shoe rubbers are special compounds that are relatively softer and 'stickier'.

Like all shoes, your climbing shoes take soles that wear downward with employ. Because climbing shoe prophylactic is relatively thin (3–five.5mm thick), it can clothing down completely, exposing the material underneath – and, in the worst cases, your toes!

Hence, climbing shoe soles tin last anywhere from 2 to three months to a couple of years.

How frequently should I resole my climbing shoes?

It depends on several factors. For example, if you lot're light and your footwork is extremely delicate, you may never need a resole before wanting a shiny new pair of climbing shoes. If you're heavier, or long mileage sessions at the climbing gym are a thing for you, or you climb five days a week, or y'all tin't milk shake the addiction the ol' foot drag, you may need several resoles over the lifetime of your climbing shoes.

Shoe Type Matters

Beginner climbing shoes typically accept thick rubber (ordinarily around four.5–5mm, e.one thousand. La Sportiva Tarantulace, Red Chili Sausalito IZ). The type of rubber that's used is also typically of the harder and more durable variety, eastward.one thousand. FriXion® and RX1 condom.

Rubber on ambitious climbing shoes doesn't necessarily last longer. In fact, information technology'south often softer and sticker for improve grip (e.1000. Vibram® XS Grip) and in some cases thinner for more than sensitivity (take a expect at the La Sportiva Python).

The advantage of ownership more expensive and improve built shoes ways higher quality uppers, which have the potential to exist resoled more times.

Indoor Climbing

The nature of gym climbing accelerates wear on rubber. Climbing gyms typically have textured walls. This sandpaper-similar surface literally wears down rubber.

The footholds on an indoor climb are more often than not the same shape and size, too, which means that clothing ofttimes gets full-bodied on the same spots on your shoes.

Projecting Routes or Boulders

Similarly, 'working' a sequence tin habiliment soles downward faster, considering the wear happens repeatedly in the same spot on your shoes.

Your Climbing Fashion

Pay attention to how you use your feet. Avoid scrabbling upwards the wall. Also, if you tend to flag a lot (lean one human foot confronting the wall as a counter-residue), this can speed upward vesture on the rand.

How Often You Climb

Call up, if you're climbing four times a calendar week, you'll go through soles four times as quickly as a person climbing once a week.

Exped sleeping mats — *Image: Get-go thinking virtually a resole.*

When Should I Resole My Climbing Shoes?

Climbing shoes don't need to look hacked before yous consider a resole. In fact, it'due south better to resole them before the harm is irreparable. It'due south too tardily for a resole if you've worn a hole through the toe box, the upper fabric, and y'all tin see your own skin. Information technology's earlier this happens that you demand to get your climbing resoled.

Pay Attention to Worn-downward Areas

When you're because a climbing shoe resole, don't merely look for overall wear. You need a resole when the expanse of rubber with the heaviest wear is 20% of its original thickness. Typically, this happens in the toe-box area, though not e'er.

"When I offset got my climbing shoes resoled, it was when I'd been living at Araps for a month," says Bogong staff fellow member, Georgia. "They were starting to feel thin under my foot. I could experience bumps in the rock, and climbing was hurting my feet because the rubber was thinning."

FAQs

How much does a climbing resole cost?
Look to pay around $60–$lxx if you're replacing the sole. If you've worn through the toe rand, expect to add around $thirty-$forty per shoe for a toe cap.

How long does a climbing shoe resole take?
Usually around three to six weeks.

Recommended Climbing Shoe Resolers

Gummy Rubber Resoles: 0450 490 197; Gwynneville, NSW; https://world wide web.stickyrubberresoles.com/

Did yous know? Bogong Equipment is a Store Drove Indicate for Viscous Rubber Resoles. You tin can notice out more about dropping off your shoes for resoling at the Sticky Rubber Resoles website.

Demand help chosing a climbing shoe? Bank check out our article, here.

Questions? Visit us, e-mail u.s. or call us (03 9600 0599).

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