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Shrinking climbing shoes

Original Post
Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115

I have a pair of Scarpa technos that just got resoled for the 2nd time. They seem to have stretched a fair bit over their lifetime, now they feel much looser than I would like. I was wondering if I washed them, dried them in the dryer if they would shrink at all? They are synthetic... Or would I just ruin them?

Jeff Johnston · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 110
Paul-B wrote:I have a pair of Scarpa technos that just got resoled for the 2nd time. They seem to have stretched a fair bit over their lifetime, now they feel much looser than I would like. I was wondering if I washed them, dried them in the dryer if they would shrink at all? They are synthetic... Or would I just ruin them?
Do I dare say do I dare...

Dare!

Dare!

wear a pair of socks.

AHHHHHH!!! no, not socks!!!!

no really I dont think you can shrink a pair of climbing shoes.
coldatom · · Cambridge, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 70

Synthetic ... I don't think so.

I just washed my Miuras (leather) and let them air dry. They hurt like a MF to get on at first. They quickly stretched out, but are still tighter than before the wash.

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115

Socks.... I don't think my ego could take it. I may try washing just to see if there is any effect. I had a dream about it last night and it worked, so that's positive.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

short little tennis socks; nobody will see the tops so you can get away with it and save your pride.

A Smith · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 95
Jeff J wrote: Do I dare say do I dare... Dare! Dare! wear a pair of socks. AHHHHHH!!! no, not socks!!!! no really I dont think you can shrink a pair of climbing shoes.
+1 blazing saddles
Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

Pretty sure my technos are leather.
Wish they'd stretch a 1/4 size more, actually.

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115
Matt N wrote:Pretty sure my technos are leather. Wish they'd stretch a 1/4 size more, actually.
They're Lorica, not leather. There is some suede, but most of it is Lorica. The reason it won't stretch is because its not leather, however, mine definitely have... Not sure if that's due to multiple reasoles, or just using them for a really long time.

John- That was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing. Going to do that tonight!
Allen Corneau · · Houston, TX · Joined May 2008 · Points: 80

I was sent a couple pairs of "climber's socks" to review a few months back.

One of the things I found interesting/impressive was that even though they're very thin I could wear my stretched-out/sloppy shoes with much less of a sloppy feel, not by adding bulk but by creating better grip between my foot and the shoe. Still not as precise as my high-performance shoes but much better with the socks.

Definitely try the wash/dry trick (not too hot in the dryer though or the rubber could delaminate!) but also give a thin sock a try.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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