WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CLIMBING SHOES?
Climbing shoes are the most important part of a climber’s kit, because they are practically the only
thing that helps improve the climber’s performance. Depending on the styles, they can be rather comfortable and versatile, or suitable for a specific use. Thanks to the
rubber, they boost
grip on both
natural and
artificial surfaces and, thanks to their
shape, they allow you to place your weight on
very small edges.
CAN I WASH MY CLIMBING SHOES?
Absolutely! You must clean them. As they are in direct contact with your feet, climbing shoes require
regular cleaning in order to keep them comfortable, keep the material feeling nice against your feet and maintain their suppleness and performance. In any case, our first recommendation is:
never put them in the washing machine!
HOW DO I CLEAN DIRTY CLIMBING SHOES?
Climbing shoes should be cleaned using a
soft brush and
water, combined with
mild soap. As the first step, you should
remove all
foreign materials (mud, earth, magnesite)
from the outside and then move on to the interior. Once damp and soapy,
brush lightly and then
rinse off. As the last step, my general advice is to let them
air dry, far from sources of heat and light, then
store them in a
dry place at a constant temperature.
SHOULD I CLEAN MY CLIMBING SHOES WHILE USING THEM?
Keeping your shoes clean
during an outdoor day or gym session is a good routine to get into. The most important part to keep clean is the
sole, which ensures grip thanks to its porosity. Removing earth, mud, magnesite and any foreign bodies from the sole is crucial for maximum performance. Especially during long sessions, it’s a good idea to
clean your feet before putting on your shoes, always remembering that they should
only be worn for climbing; keeping them on your feet with just your heel out, will damage them in the long run.
DO I NEED TO PUT MAGNESITE UNDER THE SHOES?
The practice of putting magnesium carbonate under the sole is
not recommended, mainly for two reasons. The first is mechanical in nature and has to do with the porosity of the sole: the grip is created by the empty spaces in the sole, so
filling them with magnesite powder is
counter-productive. The second reason is related to duration: magnesite will make a
layer that over time becomes
glass-like - hard and slippery - which is definitely disadvantageous when climbing.
HOW CAN I STOP BAD SMELLS FORMING IN MY CLIMBING SHOES?
To prevent bad smells forming, in addition to the cleaning and care described above, you need to follow a few simple steps:
- Do not leave climbing shoes in your backpack after use;
- Do not leave them in the trunk of your car or in hot places;
- Dry any sweat from your feet before putting them on;
- Leave them to air between uses, even on the same day;
- In the case of prolonged training, wear very thin socks, which can be washed after every use;
- Use natural scents
SHOULD I RESOLE MY CLIMBING SHOES?
Resoling your climbing shoes is
highly recommended. Restoring the sole to its
original gripping condition and having shoes that are already
moulded to the shape of your feet is a big plus. SCARPA offers a
resoling service on its styles with high standards, to care for the
environment and guarantee maximum
performance for its climbers.
