Even beginners can benefit from climbing shoes, this is especially true for outdoor rock climbing, where climbing shoes can be considered a necessity.

Some indoor climbing gyms also require all climbers to climb in climbing shoes, even beginners and first-timers, so climbing shoes would be a must in that situation.

To make a point about climbing shoes and getting used to them – it's better to start earlier than later. Climbing shoes are very different from your everyday shoes. They are tight and uncomfortable, at least in the beginning until you get used to them. That's why it's better to just get it out of the way and start wearing them. The sooner you get used to them, the better.

Most climbers prefer not to wear socks with climbing shoes, though, there is no rule against it.

Many climbers do in fact wear socks with climbing shoes for different reasons. Their shoes may be slightly too loose, and wearing socks could give them that extra layer that tightens things up.

Wearing socks could also help prevent blisters, or reduce pain if there are already blisters or other wounds on your feet as well.

So just because most climbers don't wear socks with climbing shoes, it doesn't mean there are no cases where it can be very helpful. Some people also just prefer sock in climbing shoes. It's up to you in the end.

Climbers wear small sized shoes because climbing shoes are meant to be very minimal and snug. When climbers wear climbing shoes that are slightly smaller than their actual shoe size, these attributes are slightly enhanced, as is the performance a climber can gain from wearing smaller climbing shoes.

This can be a double-edged sword, though. If a climber wears climbing shoes that are too small, they may not gain any of the benefits climbing shoes provide, and may actually worsen their performance, not to mention injure or damage their feet.

Finding the right climbing shoes and the right size are not as simple as some may think. It takes going through a few shoes and trying new ones out until you find the right pair for you.

Your toes should be slightly curled inside the shoes, though, this depends on how aggressive the shoes are, the size of the shoes, and the shape of them.

If you have wide feet, you should try to find shoes that are wider and have a wider toe box. If you have narrower feet, you should find shoes that fit a narrow foot shape. This all makes a difference in how your foot will look and feel inside the shoes.

Climbing shoes should be snug enough to not have dead space in them, but not so snug that you feel throbbing pain and can't even walk or climb in them.

Climbing shoes are designed for being snug and minimal to help with footwork, this includes standing on tiny holds, and pulling your weight with your feet. If your climbing shoes are not snug and tight enough, your feet may move inside of them, which can make it much more difficult to pull your weight and stand on small holds.

Listen to your body and your feet, if it's too painful, go up a size or find different shoes that fit your feet. Having extremely tight shoes is not the answer if it reduces your performance.

Climbing shoes should be snug, with as little to no dead space in them as possible. They should not be painful though. Slight pain when they are new is normal, but pain that lasts even after their break in period and after you take them off is not supposed to happen.

If you want to clean your climbing shoes by brushing them, make sure the brush won't damage your shoes. Using wire brushes or steel brushes could damage the fabric, rubber, and other materials used in the climbing shoes.

For most situations, a damp cloth is enough to clean climbing shoes very well, but if you have something a little bit more stubborn, a climbing brush could also do the trick.

Climbing doesn't really target your chest muscles that much. There are situations in which you will need to push your weight up with your hands, which will utilize your chest muscles, but not really to the point where it will strengthen them that much.

It's best to supplement your climbing with chest targeted exercises, such as the bench press, so that when you get to climbing moves that you need to push your body up, you will have the strength to do it.