Stiff vs soft climbing shoes. Personally, I tend to opt for soft shoes most of the time.

Stiff vs soft climbing shoes Stiff shoes tend to have rigid midsoles: this mid-bed stiffness supports your foot, so you don’t have to have strong feet to get the best performance out of them. Nov 11, 2023 · Stiff and soft climbing shoes do very different things. That’s because I spend the majority of my climbing time in Rifle Mountain Park, an area known for glassy feet that depend more on full body tension than precise edging. Soft Shoes. Stiff climbing shoes, won’t conform and instead will try to retain their natural shape, acting as a platform between your feet and the rock. Stiff shoes can be either flat (like the TC Pro in the picture above) or downturned (like the Katana). In cases like this, soft and flexible shoes that can mold to the rock are your best bet. Jan 11, 2022 · We’ll discuss several different shoe characteristics that affect how climbing shoes feel and perform on your feet. Personally, I tend to opt for soft shoes most of the time. Nov 17, 2023 · It’s super soft, yet can toe on tiny edges as well as, if not better than, stiff edging-specific shoes, due to the midsole. Jun 15, 2023 · Stiff Versus Soft Shoes. The term “stiffness” refers not to the shape of the shoe but the feel. com …and soft shoes are less supportive, so the muscles and ligament in your toes will be working harder when you wear soft shoes. Soft Climbing Shoes Explained. Mar 17, 2023 · When we refer to stiff or soft climbing shoes, we are referring to the soles that are used in them. Stiff climbing shoes are more supportive and less flexible while soft climbing shoes are more flexible and are more sensitive (meaning you can feel the rocks you’re standing on. But usually flat and stiff shoes are only good on vertical and slabby terrain where you stand on small footholds or if you need the support for long climbing. If I have a stiff enough shoe, a 2mm ripple can hold a massive amount of weight, I just have to stand on it right and not breath too hard. Jun 16, 2023 · Across all the climbing brands, you’ll notice these rubber thicknesses trends: Shoes designed for newer climbers (like the La Sportiva Tarantula or SCARPA Origin) prioritize longevity, durability, and comfort so they have the most rubber, often with a 5mm outsole. See full list on wearduke. This makes stiff climbing shoes ideal for new climbers who are still developing their toe muscles and ligaments. A softer shoe, which is usually suitable for the gym, is designed to deform and adapt better to large surfaces, losing precision and support on small edges. I can’t kneebar as hard in soft shoes, and I can’t smear as well in my stiffer shoes. I’ve watched a couple videos on the differences between shoes and ultimately it seems up to preference, but I was just curious to see what the community had to say about soft shoes and whether or not I might just want to stay with the same shoes I Aug 12, 2023 · What are the differences between soft and stiff climbing shoes? At the construction level, the development teams combine technologies and materials to create a different response from the shoe. The main critiques of stiff shoes are that they don’t bend and conform to smearing on volumes as well, and they are less sensitive so it is harder A soft shoe is one that has a much thinner rubber on the bottom of the shoe while a stiff shoe boasts a thicker shoe. Apr 16, 2025 · 7. But also og Dragons are the greatest shoe of all time Other rock types the Solutions might be the stiffest shoe I bring. Indoors there are no small footholds and no long climbs most climbing you will do is either steep or on volumes so soft and downturned. Soft shoes work their magic by conforming to the shape of a foothold and molding around it we apply pressure through the foot. The tendons and ligaments in your feet will need to work significantly harder in a softer shoe, which can quickly lead to discomfort and fatigue in legs that haven’t had Jun 4, 2025 · Stiff vs. Stiff shoes vs. You should always have like 6-7 different pairs of shoes lol, tight soft shoes, tight edging shoes, multipitch medium shoes, end of the weekend upsized soft and edging shoes, the freshie sending pair, and a lucky pair for good measure. Vibram XS Edge). A climbing shoe has two soles (a midsole and an outsole) which are contributing to the level of stiffness. Soft. A softer, thinner climbing shoe is generally described as being more sensitive. A soft, sensitive shoe can be desirable because it allows one to feel small holds better and perhaps optimize the angle and grip of the shoe. A stiff climbing shoe can be described as having a thick midsole and a thick layer of outside rubber (e. However, soft shoes also allow you to toe-in better on steep routes and feel the holds underfoot. Another important aspect of climbing shoes is the difference between stiff shoes and soft shoes. Stiff shoes make better all rounders than soft shoes. Generally speaking, your feet won’t get as tired in stiffer, more supportive shoes. Their rigid midsoles help support your foot, allowing you to stand on smaller holds and making it easier to generate power through your toes. . A soft shoe, on the other hand, requires your foot to do a lot more work to support itself. I don’t have a problem… 😂. ” Aug 1, 2024 · Stiff shoes are great for climbers just getting into the sport, as they offer more support for the foot and more power on small edges. g. ) Its a preference thing. While both options are built to aid your climbing activities, they achieve it in very different ways. Sep 16, 2024 · 2. It was designed as a specialized sport, bouldering and competition shoe, yet makes an excellent all-arounder; just don’t try to crack climb in them. Stiff vs. soft shoes. One important shoe characteristic is its degree of stiffness. I’ve been rocking with some semi-hard shoes, but really wanted to explore with soft shoes. Nov 10, 2023 · Soft Vs Stiff Climbing Shoes It is a common misunderstanding that the outsole rubber creates the rigidity of a climbing shoe – this isn’t true! Although the outsole rubber does have a role to play, it is predominantly the midsole that has the biggest influence on how flexible a shoe is. My reasoning is that the downsides of stiff shoes can be mostly mitigated, whereas with soft shoes, there are some things you simply cannot do. Nov 11, 2023 · Because sensitive climbing shoes put more emphasis on a powerful foot position, soft shoes aren’t usually recommended for beginners, or for prolonged styles of climbing. ndl tguhe ycnnz qfgux kpmfnxn awyeoq mzjyz qjofj lbk hxufu