Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes?

By Deidre

Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes? www.walkjogrun.net

Wearing socks while rock climbing or bouldering can indicate how green you are to the sport. But, some serious climbers do not climb by that idea.

Wearing a pair of socks with rock climbing shoes definitely has its benefits of providing:

Protection
Warmth
Less odor
Shoes to fit better

Rock climbing shoes should fit your feet snug to prevent slippage while climbing and have thin soles to help with the sensitivity in detecting the different surfaces.

So, do you wear socks with climbing shoes?

Rock climbing shoes

A shoe’s essential function is to protect and support your feet while you move through the world. Whereas rock climbing shoes not only protect your feet, they also allow you to sense the textures beneath your feet while climbing and provide you with extra grip.

But, if you are wearing a pair of shoes on your bare feet/sockless, it could cause:

Blisters
Your shoes to smell/sweaty feet
Slipping
Allow your feet to get cold
The shoe to not fit well

And this is where socks come in handy!

Socks with rock climbing shoes?

The question remains, “Are you supposed to wear socks with climbing shoes?”

The short answer is you should do whatever feels good for you!

Although, experienced climbers do not recommend wearing climbing socks while edging. For crack climbing, socks will keep your feet safe and away from pain. Oh, and stinkiness.

What type of socks should you wear?

When searching for the perfect socks to wear with your rock climbing shoes, you want to keep a few things in mind.

Want the socks to be moisture-wicking/breathable
Want a thin pair of socks
Do not want the socks to be too tight/tight fit
Do not want the socks to slide down your feet while climbing

Wearing socks with your rock climbing shoes can help make your shoes easy to put on and take off, preventing odor and blisters on hot spots. But, if you find that wearing ankle socks with climbing shoes is not comfortable for you and you still want some added protection and comfort, you can always try nylon socks.

Or, if you find that socks do not give you what you want, but you are having problems with odor due to sweat, try out rock climbing chalk. Put the chalk in your shoes to help reduce sweat.

7 Keys When purchasing rock climbing shoes

Shop for them in the evening
Remember, all brands do not have the same sizing
Try them on
Know what fit you want
Make sure there is no dead space in the shoe
Your toes are flat and comfortably curved
Want a snug fit at your heel

When you purchase a good pair of rock climbing shoes, make sure you do it in the evening after being on your feet for a while. Doing so will give you a good idea of how your feet will swell during your climb. This way, your climbing shoe fit will be on spot.

If you cannot go into a store to try on the rock climbing shoes, order multiple sizes, including a half size up and down, to try on at home. But, make sure you know the return policy. You do not want to be stuck with shoes that you cannot wear.

Getting a climbing shoe that is slightly curved at the toes knuckles will give you more performance. But, make sure your toes are not bunched up against the top of the shoe. The rock climbing shoes should be tight but not painful.