top of page

Advantages and Disadvantages of Climbing Shoe Type

  • climbingshoes
  • Feb 21, 2018
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 13, 2021


Among neural, moderate and aggressive rock climbing shoes while choosing a climbing shoe much depends on what kind of rock climbing buyer aims to do. The selection is important because rock climbing becomes a great pursuit when you have the right type of shoes in place.


Neutral Climbing Shoe – For full-day comfort, wearing these shoes give a relaxed fit by allowing the toes of the users to lie flat when they put their feet inside the shoes. Choosing these shoes for the beginners who have started climbing are great as neutral shoes usually tend to be feeling more comfort. If “comfortability” and all-days shoes are the issue for “multi-pitch climbing” on long path, these rock climbing shoes are suitable for skilled climbers.


Advantage – These shoes give all-day comfort to the users when they put their feet in them. These shoes provide them with excellent support since they are usually featuring with medium to stiff midsoles as well as thick rubber soles. They are good for slotting into cracks because the relatively flat design of these rock climbing shoes makes them fit for the challenges.


Disadvantage – The soles of neutral shoes are stiffer and thicker than their counterparts as they are made of thinner ones. That is why the neutral shoes are less sensitive than those of aggressive or moderate ones. While climbing rocks with strenuous overhanging route, the design will not make users feel comfortable and relax.



Moderate Rock Climbing Shoes:

The camber shape of moderate shoes can separate them from their counterparts. This shape is also known as the slightly downturned shape which is suitable for technical climbing. These climbing shoes are made for all-purpose and can handle long multi-pitch climbs, crack climbs and slab routes as well as slightly overhung routes for sport.


Advantage – Camber shape helps to put users’ feet into more stable and more powerful position than neutral shoes. When users feet are in a sturdier position, it becomes easier to climb more difficult and more difficult routes. The soles of these shoes are stickier and thinner than neutral shoes allow you a better grip and make users feel more comfortable than aggressive ones.


Disadvantage – Moderate shoes are less performance oriented than aggressive shoes. That is why these shoes are less suitable for challenging boulder problems and long overhung routes. Users will not feel as much comfort as neutral shoes.

Stickier rubber and thinner soles wear faster than rubber on neutral shoes


Aggressive Rock Climbing Shoes – Aggressive shoes has downturned toes to a great extent along with much heel tension allowing users to put their feet in a sturdier and powerful position so that users can challenge the overhanging climbs. The asymmetric shape of these shoes bend towards the big toe that helps to focus the strength on the toe for accurate placement on small holds.


Advantage – The shoes have a very downturned shape so that users can put their feet in a sturdier and stronger position. The shoes fit best for challenging boulder problems, routes at the gym and overhanging climbs sport. For better grip and feeling comfortable than neutral shoes, the shoes have thinner and stickier rubber soles typically.


Disadvantage – The aggressive shoes feel less comfortable than neutral and moderate shoes. The downturn shape of the aggressive shoes does not fit into cracks or smear as well like the neutral or moderate shoes. The shoes have thinner and stickier soles which damage quicker than neutral shoes.


These are the pros and cons of using different rock climbing shoes. Choice is yours to pick one that suit you best.

Comments


Featured Posts
Check back soon
Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter Social Icon
  • Google+ Social Icon
bottom of page