climbing shoes
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.
Rock climbing shoes are designed to be worn without socks, to have as little wiggle room and dead space in them as possible. Socks can cause your feet to slip and move around a little bit inside of the shoes, which could reduce your performance.
Most climbers don't wear socks with climbing shoes, but many do. If your shoes are a little bit too big, a thin pair of socks can help fill in that extra dead space. A thin pair of socks can also help reduce friction in new climbing shoes, which could help reduce blisters and other sore spots.
To mention rental shoes, while I have never worn rental shoes and will chose to never wear them if I have the choice due to not wanting to wear something so many sweaty and stinky feet have been in, socks could be a great choice. If you are like me and are more than slightly grossed out by rental shoes, wearing socks can give an nice extra layer between you and the shoes.
They are tight to help you use your feet better. That tightness is what allows you to keep your feet and weight on small holds, to pull your weight with your toes and heel, and to stand on difficult holds on terrible slabs.
The tightness allows you to just use your feet in a much more efficient way, maximizing you precision and foot power.
Climbing shoes are designed to fit tightly to provide maximum precision and support while climbing. A tight-fitting shoe can help you better feel the rock and make more precise movements. Additionally, a tight shoe can help you use your toes to push against the rock, providing more power and control.
However, it's important to note that the tightness of your climbing shoes is a personal preference and can vary depending on your foot shape and the type of climbing you're doing. When trying on climbing shoes, look for a snug fit that's not painfully tight and allows you to wiggle your toes a bit.
When you get a new pair of climbing shoes, it's important to find the right fit. You want them to be tight enough to provide good support and precision, but not so tight that they're painful. It's normal for new climbing shoes to feel tight, but you should still be able to wiggle your toes a bit. Keep in mind that the shoes will stretch a bit with use, so you don't want them to be too loose to begin with. Overall, finding the right fit for your climbing shoes is a personal preference, so try on different sizes and brands to see what works best for you.
To stop your toes from hurting in climbing shoes, you can try the following tips:
- Make sure you're wearing the right size of climbing shoes.
- Consider getting shoes with a wider toe box or stretch your existing shoes to make more room for your toes.
- Take breaks and remove your shoes between climbs to allow your toes to rest.
- Gradually build up the amount of time you spend in your shoes to allow your feet to adjust.
- Try wearing thinner socks or no socks at all to reduce friction and pressure on your toes.
- Use foot tape or pads to cushion and protect your toes from rubbing and pressure.