climbing shoes

I have taken a few breaks from climbing here and there, sometimes for a few months at a time, and each time my shoes felt more like plastic than I remembered. It's not to the point where it's a whole new break-in process, but, it usually takes about a session or two to get used to them again. It's really about getting my feet used to climbing shoes again, the shoes usually keep the shape they had before I took my break, it's my feet that need to re-adapt to the tightness of the shoes.

As Joshua answered, you really dont need to downsize beginner shoes, because they are beginner shoes. Once you get past the beginner stage and get to the point where downsizing can actually contribute to your climbing, then its worth considering downsizing.

I wouldn't. Downsizing isn't really meant to be a beginner thing, it's really not beginner friendly. The whole point of downsizing is to have better control and performance for the more difficult and advanced routes, beginners don't climb on advance routes that require high performance shoes or downsizing.

I would hold off on downsizing and only do it when you get to the higher grades and are more knowledgeable in climbing and climbing shoes, it's a whole world out there!

I don't have any lace climbing shoes, but so far I know quite a few people who have Velcro shoes that have torn and the Velcro strap is no longer attached. My shoes are actually very close to tearing it seems as well.

I have never seen anyone whose lace shoes have torn though, but I'm sure it happens, I just don't know at what rate compared to Velcro shoes.

There may be some brands that have similar sizing, most likely by chance, but overall brands can have very different sizing to their shoes. Even different shoes from the same brand tend to have different sizing.

I believe he said in one of his recent videos, or just in a video he was in, that he downsizes his shoes a few sizes less than he used to a few years ago. I can't remember the reason why he said he does it.

I would say you should always try them on and see what works for you. The same principles apply to choosing neutral climbing shoes as they do to choosing aggressive climbing shoes - try them on and feel what feels best for you.

I would keep in mind the intended usage of the shoes though, since if you are getting neutral shoes, you may be climbing longer routes such as in sport and trad climbing, in which case, downsizing to something very tight may feel very painful and uncomfortable due to wearing the shoes for so long.