Is velcro or laces better on climbing shoes? For indoor and outdoor. I am a beginner and I am looking for some shoes that aren't toooo expensive but will last. Any thoughts?

newbee

I have heard that laces are better than velcro from a climber I know.

http://www.rock-climbing-for-life.com/laces-vs-velcro/

awesome thanks

That's an opinion, velcro rocks for getting your shoes on and off quickly!

Goto a climbing store, try lots of shoes on and compare prices.
Buy the ones that are comfortable and in your price range.

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Climb ZA - Administrator

"Goto a climbing store, try lots of shoes on and compare prices.
Buy the ones that are comfortable and in your price range."

I agree.

I wear a size eight normal shoe and I buy a size eight climbing shoe. I don't pesonally believe in torturing yourself just because they say if the shoe is half size smaller it will help you climb better. The shoe I am climbing in which is size 8( I wear a size 8 everyday shoe) hasn't disadvantaged my climbing in anyway. I have a climbing partner whose shoes are too small for them and the shoes causes them pain.

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/article ... shoes.html

Laces has the advantage that you can adjust the tightness from the toes all the way up for a tight fit - but it is a much of a muchness...

I agree with the rest - try many shoes on, it will either feel right or not and no foot / shoe is the same.

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Who Dares...Wins (SAS)
Jacques

@Drifter: I wear a size 6 (39) normal shoe. My LaSportiva Muiras & Cobras were size 4 (37). My Evolvs are a size 6 (39). It all depends on the make.

@Faffy: Laces/Velcro/Slip-ons?
Firstly, you get 2 kinds of lace-ups. The speed laces (e.g. Muira) or the more traditional boot-type laces. The latter is not so quick to put on/ take off.
Speed laces, compared to slip-ons and velcros are very similar wrt the time they take to put on/off.
Try on as many shoes as you can find, and go for the most comfortable pair, considering the shape (how much it's bent/curved) and what you want to use it for.
As a rule of thumb, the flatter shoes are mostly used for trad/longer routes. The highly curved shoes are for more technical climbing and especially bouldering. If you do mostly sport climbing, go for something inbetween.
Happy climbing!

If you're a beginner, go for the velcro man. When you're starting out, comfort and ease is much more important than performance.
In fact when you're starting it's fair to say that it doesn't really matter what shoe you use - so get the most comfortable/diverse one of the lot.

If you are looking for an awesome pair of shoes that wont break the bank look good and are Very comfortable. I recomment the Boreal Falcon.

Stu is right- get something quick and comfortable. When you're starting out, your footwork is shoddy and you twist instead of lift and replace (unless necessary to do otherwise). This chowes the rubber off your shoes. Check out the bottom grips at any climbing gym, and all see all the wasted grip. So, don't get anything expensive because it's not going to last you a long time anyway.
Secondly, if your feet sweat a bit, then slip-ons are a bad idea- they just twist out of place when you're sweating the most, trying to clip the second draw...off a slimper.
If you have flat, wide feet, then you'll be looking for either 3 strap velcro, or lace-ups. The sole of the shoe seems to suite climbers with narrow feet and the overhang of the side of your foot protrudes further than the nice sharp edge of the sole. Being able to tighten the shoe all round brings in your foot and exposes the side for a nice solid in-step. It sounds a bit hectic and sore, but it isn't at all- try it by doing it with your hands... do it now- I know you want to...

So anywayz....

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I'm not here for a long time,
I'm here for a good time!