#7

Ah sorry, Never looked at what this thread was about. I have my Keyword Alert program running and wanted to know every time someone mentioned shoes/boots/feet. I thought they rented All their shoes. :slight_smile:

1 Like
#8

Whats the deal with this joke account?
i’m not sure I get it.

#9

Sorry, thought you meant all your shoes that your wear you rent. Makes a bit more sense now it is just your climbing ones. Sorry to confuse and embarrass you

#10

Not very nice saying someone is a joke. I am in the market for some new shoes and wanted to see if anyone here had mentioned shoes lately so ran my program that finds anything to do with it and this was the first ‘hit’.

#11

i have some shoes i am willing to rent out to you if you would like? very reasonable rates!!!

#12

(it’s Foley)

#13

My feet are different sizes (genuinely true) one is a 12 and the other a 13 so it is a bit of an issue shoe buying for me so would actually be good to rent them first to try them out.

#14

my shoes are not those sizes but i can offer you a discount rate?

#15

How far off my size are they?

#16

Reporting for duty!

First rule - you don’t want to go overly tight with your first pair. They need to be tighter than you would go for with trainers, but not so tight that you want to take them off every 5 minutes. Some climbers selling you shoes will try to make you go super tight - don’t listen to them - that’s not needed until you’re using teeny tiny footholds. Try to buy from somewhere you can have a practice climb.

These are a classic entry shoe
http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/evolv-elektra-vtr-p-58.html
As are these

Maybe. I’ve been climbing for 5 years now. My fear of heights has definitely improved during that time (it’s not gone completely though!). The main thing to do is to practice falling safely. Whenever I’m trying a hard move relatively high off the ground, I’ll practice falling safely from it before committing, particularly outdoors, but I’ll do this indoors occasionally as well if I know my head is getting the better of me.

I am much less scared bouldering than climbing on ropes, but that’s mainly because 95% of my climbing is bouldering. Conversely, my wife is really fearless on ropes but can’t get her head around bouldering.

Depends how hard you work at it :wink:
Climbing itself is a terrific workout - better still, it’s fun so (unless you’re actually doing specific training) it doesn’t feel like, say, going to the gym.

Which centre(s) have you been to? Let me know if you ever fancy a DiS climb :slight_smile:

Climbing :heart_eyes:

#17

Hard to recommend climbing shoes as they’re so many out there and how they fit is 100% the most important factor.

You see the same brands in most places and they’re all decent, just find some shoes that fit your feet (and your budget). No way you need to be paying more than £60. Also, don’t be seduced in to buying some super hardcore shoe that you think will make you climb better: it won’t.

These are a classic: http://www.rockrun.com/boreal-joker

Look for ‘all day’ or multipitch shoes as they’re likely to be more comfortable. Avoid asymmetric and down-turned stuff until you actually need them.

2 Likes
#18

not too far - i can mix up different shows to get closer to your different sized feet - so one shoe will be a running shoe and the other will be a more formal work shoe

how does that sound?

#19

Excellent advice, thank you!

I was thinking around the £60 mark would be about right. I’ll have to find a shop I can go to and try them out as I don’t just wanna order online.

I have been to the Castle to do like a day thing where I did bouldering and the rope stuff and abseiling. My boyfriend used to be into it and he wants to get back to it too so it’ll be good for us to go during winter as we’re trying to give up booze more now and want to have something other than just sitting indoors. I’m not sure where else we can go in North London as don’t think there are other places?

Defo up for a DiS climb when i’m into it and better at it! I’ve met you before haven’t I? We were sitting next to each other at Sufjan? (or was that someone else)

tbh I don’t think i’ll ever be confident doing ropes and crazy shit like that but I want to build up my core and sort out my arms. I get all my other stuff from my HIIT workouts and running but I can’t seem to properly tone up or want to bother. I like that is fun and you don’t think it’s exercising. A little (kind of) climbing on holiday inspired us to do it more.

#20

I thought it reeked of him

#21

Hiya!

My starter shoes were Scarpa Velocity and they were mint; very comfy whilst still being grippy enough.

I’m bad with heights and it’s not going away. When I get to a certain height, I grip everything like my life depends on it (which is bad technique) so I stick to bouldering. :slight_smile: My GF is bad with heights too, but she feels safer and more comfortable on ropes.

I usually boulder three times a week, have done for about a year. I’m loads stronger and I’ve lost a lot of weight. It’s surprising how quick it starts to have an effect.

#22

Brills. Cheers crisps!

#23

That’s not true. I started going just once a week, then upped it to twice a week at the start of the year. Been going three times since the summer.
Just for boring clarity, like,

1 Like
#24

going to go next week
PROMISE!

#25

Yes, that was me at Sufjan :slight_smile:

There’s Arch North way up in Burnt Oak - bit of a trek but a good centre - it’s normally much quieter than The Castle as well. The two Arch centres (Biscuit Factory and Building One) in Bermondsey are fantastic (obvs not North London, but easy enough to get to). Pretty crowded at peak times, but that’s where I do the vast majority of my climbing.

Let me know if you fancy sorting something - I’m always happy to climb with people, experienced or beginner.

#26

Arch North could be ok as bf has a car and normally drives like 25 minutes to Barnet to a driving range so can’t see why he wouldn’t do it for this too! It looks good on the video. God people make it look so bloody easy!

Will do. We’ll probably try to go this week/weekend and see how we get on and then i’ll keep you posted and we’ll sort something. I live relatively close to the Castle (I’m in Harringay).