Rock Climbing

[SmackD]

So I've been rockclimbing at a local place around here (sport rock - indoor rockclimbing gym), and had a lot of fun. Is anyone else into this? I'm thinking about looking into getting gear cause the shoes I used hurt my feet really bad towards the end. Any suggestions or tips on gear or rock climbing in general.

 

[Pliablemoose]

All those shoes hurt:disgust:

 

[Juice Box]

its a lot of fun, and helps build strength. If you are really into it after a few times, id recomend getting a year membership to your local climbing gym, cause it can get quite expensive

 

[chrisms]

I never understood the point of indoor... most of the time its like climbing a ladder. Go to places like Yosemite or southern Utah for some fun climbing

 

[bdjohnson]

I've been doing rock climbing at a local climbing gym in town for about six months. I mostly do bouldering and right now I am climbing V3's. A couple months ago I bought a pair of La Sportiva Katanas and they are great. I found them on froogle for $97 with no tax and free shipping. They are great shoes and I would reccomend them to anyone.

 

[SmackD]

Well I would like to transition to real rocks eventually but don't think I'm quite there yet. Climbed a 5.9 my second time around but going up from there seems pretty hard. I am looking into getting the year membership cause the day passes do add up.

 

[Koing]

I indoor rock climb . Thinking of entering a few comps sometime next year when I can.

Don't get cheap gear. Get well known brands and pay the extra £5 to get the 'better' stuff.

Go with a belay device that you LIKE to use. Don't always get the greatest belay but it is personal preference.

The rock climbing shoes are a b!tch after 2hrs of climbing either way you cut it. Just get one that fits your level and styling. Level as in the more advanced people will have the shoes that are SERIOUSLY bent but that is better for the harder climbs then the ones that are less bent. Your foot isn't in as a strong position.

Koing

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: Koing

The rock climbing shoes are a b!tch after 2hrs of climbing either way you cut it. Just get one that fits your level and styling. Koing

Thats why the katanas are so good. They are velcro and are really easy to take off for a few minutes. I usually rip them off as soon as I get off the wall. That way I can wear them really tight and do better edging.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: chrisms
I never understood the point of indoor... most of the time its like climbing a ladder. Go to places like Yosemite or southern Utah for some fun climbing

Well for me it is just easier to get to an indoor place then it is to travel to an outdoor place. So I'll take what I can get.

Not so much a ladder on the harder climbs. You have some really good opportunities for some acrobatics and bid dyno's I tried to climb up this one climb upside down only using my feet. Didn't quite have it but it can be done apprently.

I just get a sweet feeling from climbing a hard climb that no one else has done. Love big over hangs.

Koing

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson

Originally posted by: Koing

The rock climbing shoes are a b!tch after 2hrs of climbing either way you cut it. Just get one that fits your level and styling. Koing

Thats why the katanas are so good. They are velcro and are really easy to take off for a few minutes. I usually rip them off as soon as I get off the wall. That way I can wear them really tight and do better edging.

Nice.

I just tough it out and it doesn't feel 'so bad' after climbing now as I have climbed much longer. You just get use to the shoe over time but dam the shoe bends my foot!

Koing

 

[SmackD]

Velcro shoes sound like a good way to go, any specific brand names I should look for other than the one already mentioned?

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: SmackD
Velcro shoes sound like a good way to go, any specific brand names I should look for other than the one already mentioned?

you should go to a gear shop where they have a wall that you can try the shoes on. My gym has a shop and they let you try shoes out on the wall. I've also seen REI's that have small rock walls to try gear on. Just decide based on how the shoes feel to you. You should get them as small as you can because after you break them in they will be a bit looser than when you first buy them so at first they might be a bit painful.

 

[SmackD]

Cool there's an REI nearby here so think I might try that out. I appreciate the tips.

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: SmackD
Cool there's an REI nearby here so think I might try that out. I appreciate the tips.

One more piece of advice: If you find a pair of shoes and a size that is good for you, before you buy them at a store you should check froogle. I didn't really expect to find any deals on rock climbing shoes since they are usually the same price everywhere but I found one store that was having a crazy deal and I saved about $40 bucks.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Anasazi Velcros by 5.10. Best shoes ev4r. I got my first pair about 3 years ago and I can't imagine switching to another shoe.

 

[SmackD]

Wound up getting the anasazi velcros by 5.10. They fit great gonna give them a test run this weekend. Hoping that I can do a 5.10 climb for the first time.

-Brandon

 

[CVSiN]

STEP OFF GEORGE!!!!
sorry Seinfeld Rock climbing episode comes to mind =P

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: SmackD
Wound up getting the anasazi velcros by 5.10. They fit great gonna give them a test run this weekend. Hoping that I can do a 5.10 climb for the first time.

-Brandon

sweet let us know how it goes.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Great choice, I don't think you'll be sorry. I remember my first 5.10, I just felt so accomplished that day. Good luck, man.