Rock climbing can put strain on your feet, but whether it causes damage depends on various factors. The repetitive pressure and friction can lead to calluses, blisters, and even corns. However, these issues are typically temporary and can be managed with proper foot care and footwear. The use of climbing shoes, which provide a snug fit and a specialized rubber sole, can help improve grip and protect your feet. It's important to listen to your body and take breaks if you experience discomfort or pain.
For me, after climbing for about a year, I noticed that my toes are more squished together, especially the tips of my toes. They have a sharper square shape rather than a round shape.
It for sure can if you wear the wrong shoes! It would also likely be a combination of other things such as wearing climbing shoes that are too small and landing badly, which could be bad regardless of the shoes, but wearing shoes that are not good for you would most likely increase the risk of bad landings.
Even without combining shoes and other factors, wearing climbing shoes that are not right for you, such as shoes that are too small, can cause damage by itself if you wear them for too long and if they are really too small.
Being well educated about how well sized climbing shoes should feel, mindful of if you got it wrong, and disciplined enough to listen to your body should help prevent damage to your feet though.
