The evolution of climbing shoes is very interesting. People used to wear boots with spikes around their toes to climb. Now, most climbing shoes are made to be flat with a compact fitting. But, do you wear socks with climbing shoes? The answer depends on what you want. You can wear socks or not.
However, there are pros and cons to both choices, which we will get into. But climbers are definitely judged based on whether they wear socks or not. These days when you put on socks with serious climbing shoes, people consider you a noob or worse an imbecile.
Beginners get a free pass. Serious climbers are expected to go barefoot. But if you ask me, that’s unnecessary bias. As I already said there are some reasonable and significant benefits of wearing socks. That’s what we’ll explore here along with a little history lesson on climbing shoes and socks. Buckle up!
Evolution of Climbing Shoes & The Norm of Wearing Socks With Them
Going ‘commando’ inside your rock climbing shoes is actually a recent phenomenon that started in the mid-80s. Before that people wore socks inside their climbing shoes. This fashion trend is to be blamed on the spectacular improvement of rock climbing shoes. Most manufacturers today design their products to be worn barefoot.
But let’s recap and take a look at how things changed. Even though most of the past century, climbers scaled their rocks in hiking boots with the shoe’s toes nailed for traction. Later, hiking boots were replaced by tennis shoes, a more lightweight option.
In the 70s the first specialized climbing shoes hit the market. People wore them with socks throughout the decade. During that time Boreal Fire and La Sportiva Mariacher were big hits. But they still didn’t offer the skin-tight build of today’s climbing shoes.
Big climbers like John Bachar, John Long, and Peter Croft all wore socks. John Bachar was the most famous of them all and was famous for his calf-high, white tube socks. He wore them with his Boreal Fire.
In 1985 that all changed and the first slip-lasted shoe, Boreal Ninja hit the market offering the best fit ever. At first, people resisted giving up their socks but it wasn’t long before going sockless became the new norm. That’s what the cool kids do even today, regardless of the practicality.
Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes?- Pros of Wearing Socks With Your Climbing Shoes
There are some reasons to consider wearing socks with your climbing shoes. We really can make a strong case for wearing socks. But to be honest, no situation is perfect here. There are cons we’ll get into in a bit as well. So, it truly depends on your preference whether to wear socks.
Let’s take a look at the pros.
1. More Hygienic
The inside of climbing shoes is lined up with a soft, non-slip material to keep one’s feet securely planted. But when you have the climbing shoe on for a long time and are exerting yourself, your feet are likely to sweat.
Over time, your shoes can develop mold and fungi from the moisture. When you put those shoes back on, your feet are stewing in microbes. This can result in conditions like Athlete’s foot.
Wearing socks soaks up this layer of moisture, keeping your shoes’ interior dry. You can just wash your socks and the germs are gone. Keeping your shoes clean in the same way after each wear is much harder. So, socks keep things hygienic overall.
2. Prevents Blisters
Chaffing and blisters may seem like a prerequisite for climbing. But that’s simply not true. Usually, sweat and a too-big shoe are to blame for blisters. But sizing down won’t help your cause if you’re getting blisters at the top of your toes.
Such blisters are caused by your feet constantly rubbing against the skin on your feet. An additional layer is all you need to protect your feet from this friction. You’ll also be protected from blisters from excessive moisture. It’s an easy solution.
3. Makes The Experience More Comfortable
A pair of socks give you an added layer of cushioning and protect your feet from jabbing at any sharp stitches or other interiors, seam tape, etc.
This may seem like a small thing but when you’re wearing your climbing shoes for hours, the difference is huge. Somehow we have been tricked into accepting discomfort when we don’t have to. It makes perfect sense to wear socks, especially, on day-long climbing trips. You shouldn’t be afraid to wear socks just because it’s looked down upon by snobby crushers.
4. Easy On & Off
When you’re climbing your feet swell up a bit and it becomes harder to take off your shoes. Wearing socks prevents your feet from swelling up as much. So, your shoes don’t tighten up too much and you can slip them off.
Also, socks cause less friction against the interior of the shoe than your bare feet. So, they slide out easier.
5. Prevents Bad Odor
When it comes to climbing shoes bad odor is a major cause of replacement, after worn-out rubber and the glue on the outsole losing its stickiness. Sweat gives a chance for odor-creating bacteria. Wearing socks soak up your sweat. Hence, bacteria don’t get the chance to fester.
If you don’t like your shoes smelling like cheese after each climbing session, wearing socks is the way to go especially if you’re sweaty.
6. Keeps Your Feet Warm
When you’re climbing outdoors in chilly weather, socks can be an added layer of protection against the wind. They keep you warm and comparatively comfortable. Some people tend to get cold around their feet and hands more easily.
7. Helps Breaking In a Pair of Climbing Shoes
Wearing thick socks during the breaking-in period stretches out the material of your shoes just a bit so that they get comfortable. Moreover, that’s when your shoes are the most uncomfortable, so you need socks to prevent blisters from excessive friction.
8. Fills Out Shoes Slightly Big For You
This one isn’t applicable unless you have slightly loose shoes or your shoes are old and stretched out a bit. A pair of thick socks can secure the shoes to your feet better due to the extra bulk. That’s a big help as climbing shoes are meant to be hugging your feet snugly.
Cons of Wearing Socks With Your Climbing Shoes
There are some reasons why you shouldn’t wear socks with your climbing shoes. Obviously, climbers don’t discourage wearing socks for nothing. There are some major cons. Let’s get into them.
1. Reduced Sense
When climbers talk about feeling the rock, they are rather referring to the sense of the rock they can perceive through their shoes. No one can feel an object through an inch of rubber. But the sense is there and it is super important.
Since wearing socks increase the distance between the rock and your feet, your senses will be reduced. But you can always minimize this loss, with a lightweight pair of socks.
Try climbing with and without socks. If there’s no significant difference between the performance levels, you should be fine even with socks.
2. Increases The Chance of Slipping
Slipping inside your shoes when you have socks on is the biggest issue in climbing. You can’t deny that it happens. Especially, it’s hardest to keep the heel stable.
When you’re making a climb that requires a heel hook, wearing socks can significantly make your task harder. However, to minimize slipping, go for a tight pair of climbing shoes. In that case, if there’s no room for slipping, your feet won’t slip.
3. Your Shoe Fits Different With Socks
Climbing shoes have a very precise fit. Wearing socks, especially thick ones can make them uncomfortably tight. This can also impact your performance, leaving your toes too sore.
The fit of your shoes has a great deal of impact on your performance. But it doesn’t have to be painfully tight as most climbers used to believe. Torturing yourself with shoes that curl up your toes used to be the norm as people believed that was best. But studies have debunked this theory.
So, if socks make your shoes too tight, that’s a negative in terms of performance.
Best Socks for Climbing Shoes- Our Top Recommendations
If you’re wondering what socks to wear with climbing shoes, here are the ones that can get you the top results you’re looking for.
1. La Sportiva Climbing Socks
La Sportiva makes top-notch mountain climbing socks. You should try this brand. Their no-show socks provide an ergonomic, and ultra-light fit. These are the perfect pair of thin climbing socks that won’t tighten your shoes much.
They give you extra protection around the ankle heel and toe, where you need it most. It’s been treated with anti-bacterial compounds. Made with microfiber, the socks are perfectly breathable and reduce sweating.
2. Nike Unisex-Adult Spark Cushion
Nike is great at producing high-quality sports socks. These lightweight, knitted, no-show socks are exceptionally good as climbing socks.
The socks are made of sweat-wicking fabric that allows constant airflow as it is knitted. There is added cushioning in high-impact areas of the feet. Your heels and toes will be extra-comfortable.
The socks are soft and will offer your feet all the protection they need. Moreover, they will be concealed underneath your climbing shoes, so you won’t have to face the social pressure around wearing socks while climbing.
This is one of the best lightweight climbing socks you can get. The toe is seamless and yet you get the snug feel that every climber dreams of. You’ll love the way these socks mold to your feet even around the arches and heel.
They offer targeted compression at the arches and ergonomic design to reduce the chances of getting blisters. They’re made of nylon and are breathable. The iWick fibers are great at wicking away sweat. You can enjoy moisture-free climbing shoes for a long time.
FAQs
How to break in climbing shoes?
The break in period lasts as long as it takes for your new shoes to mold to the shape of your feet. As long as you get the right size and wear socks to reduce friction when putting the shoes on, you can easily slide into a new pair. All you have to do then is climb!
How tight should climbing shoes be?
Your shoes need to fit you snuggly with no extra room where your feet can slip or wiggle. You don’t want your shoes to be uncomfortably tight but you should feel a slight compression. Your feet should be right up against the inside of your shoe.
Do you wear socks with indoor rock climbing shoes?
You can wear socks with indoor rock climbing shoes as well. The same benefits apply. Your feet will slide in and out easily. You’ll be more comfortable with less chance of blisters. Your feet will have an additional layer of padding.
What kind of socks do you wear with climbing shoes?
We recommend you get lightweight, well-ventilated, sweat-wicking, and no-show socks. Thin climbing socks are the best as they give you the benefits without creating too much distance between the rocks and your feet. Thus, your sense will remain the same.
Do you wear socks with rental rock climbing shoes?
Yes, you should. This is by far the most socially acceptable reason to wear socks with climbing shoes. Even though gyms disinfect their shoes after every wear, it’s still better to be safe with additional protection from germs. Wearing socks is overall more hygienic.
Final Words
Do you wear socks with climbing shoes? Yes or no depending on your wish. In general, climbers like to discredit those who wear socks with their climbing shoes as noobs. But that isn’t true. In fact, there are a lot of practical reasons why you should give wearing socks a chance at the very least.
For example: wearing socks prevent blisters, sweating, and the creation of mold, fungi, and bad odor. It also adds a layer of padding which gives more comfort and makes slipping shoes on and off easier. When climbing outdoors, they keep your feet warm. Breaking into new shoes is also easier with socks.
That being said there are major cons that can affect one’s performance. For one, socks can make you slip into your shoes, they also reduce your sense of the rock and alter the fit of your shoes.
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