Mountain Project Logo

climbing with barefoot shoes

Original Post
Michelle S. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

Hey guys.

I have a minor case of bunions, and it is very painfull for me to climb with my La sportiva solution shoes. recently I bought really nice barefoot shoes, not for climbing but I did try it in my local boulder gym. I most say that it was really fun! the shoes have great grip and it's really enjoyable to actually incorporate my foots into climbing. but those shoes are not intended for climbing. So I'm now looking for good, strong barefoot shoes that I could climb with. I'm not looking to replace my "professional" climbing shoes, but to add another pair for warm-up and for easy routs. I am thinking about the sport/running models of vivobarefoot, or Xero shoes.

Have anyone ever tried those shoes or others and can give me some information or recommendations, or just share some thoughts??

Thanks in advance:)

Mike Collins · · Northampton, MA · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

I'm not an expert on this area of climbing shoes because I have not had the problem but why not try a different climbing shoe? There has got to be something out there that is good for that kind of problem. As far as recommendations just climb barefoot! I started doing this on easier routes the past couple of seasons and it is definitely different but it certainly helps become more aware of your footwork.. Just a thought. Good luck!

John Sullivan · · Portland · Joined Feb 2017 · Points: 0

I've scrambled in my Merrell vapors some, they did fine but I wouldn't want to actually climb in them. Have you considered just getting a comfy/larger pair of climbing shoes? Something like the Mythos are going to be at least as comfortable as a barefoot shoe and climb infinitely better 

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

I've seen one person climb in those barefoot shoes outdoors and I don't know how he did it. Like others have said, look for a climbing shoe that is a symmetric, or mostly symmetric lasted with an unlined leather upper to stretch to the shape of your foot. La Sportiva Mythos is a good option. Other options might be La Sportiva Tarantulace/Tarantula, Scarpa Force X (old model) or V (new model), Evolv Royale and Addict, Fiveten Moccasym, possibly Mad Rock Drifter. 

Kevin Mcbride · · Canmore AB · Joined Jan 2017 · Points: 505

I saw someone try to climb in barefoot shoes before, they tweaked something in their foot and were on crutches for two weeks. Wear climbing shoes.

Derrick Keene · · Kentucky · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 95

I"ve climbed just a little barefoot and it surprisingly felt good. I don't know of any barefoot shoes made for climbing or if it's even possible to but I would just go with the barefoot shoes you have and make the best of it. I've seen a guy climb without a hand. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. 

reboot · · . · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125
anotherclimber wrote:

Like others have said, look for a climbing shoe that is a symmetric, or mostly symmetric lasted...

Who has ever said symmetric climbing shoes are good for bunions? Those will just make the problem worse.

As for the OP, you can try soft approach shoes (Sportiva TX2, etc), as those have sticky rubber to smear well, but your toes will probably slip inside the shoes. Vibram five fingers allows a lot less toe slippage, but the rubber on those are decidedly un-sticky.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

I assumed they would be much less painful and finicky than asymmetrical ones. Am I that far off base?

amarius · · Nowhere, OK · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 20
Aleks Zebastian · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 175

climbing friend,

do you even troll?

Brian Banta · · Pacifica, CA · Joined May 2012 · Points: 50

Dear OP,

I think you would find much better results with a dedicated approach shoe with sticky rubber, such as the Scarpa Crux, 5.10 Guide Tennie, or La Sportiva Boulder X.  These typically have much wider foot boxes than climbing shoes but provide good stiffness and surprisingly good performance.  

-Brian

Michelle S. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

Thanks for your replies! it's very helpful.

First of all, yes, I considered trying other climbing shoes, and maybe even take a bigger size in the foot that has bunion. But I also want to train my feet anyway, so why not doing it while in climbing? Also, as someone here wrote- it makes me think more of footwork and it is also very fun!

Second, thanks for advising me for some other shoes, but I am looking specifically for barefoot shoes. It feels differently- you can kind of feel the holds. And my shoes have amazing grip, I can smear with them, I can stand on small holds etc. And it holds my feet very well so I'm not afraid from injuries. The only reason I'm looking for another one is because climbing might ruin them. So I prefer a pair specific for climbing. I guess that I'll buy new climbing shoes and I'll also buy a sportive barefoot shoes. and I recommend you to also try it :)

By the way, these are the shoes: https://www.vivobarefoot.com/eu/womens/everyday/gobi-hi-top-womens?colour=Black

Jeff Lichty · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 5

why not just get another pair of the same if you like them and are working for you

Glenn Schuler · · Monument, Co. · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,330

I have no input for you, but no barefoot climbing thread should be without a picture of Skip Guerin!

And WTF are barefoot shoes?!? You're either barefoot or you have on shoes, which is it? 

Nonce One · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

The La Sportiva are like slippers and will stretch, like most leather shoes, to your feet. Being lace-ups you could accommodate different sized feet and maybe use, forgot the correct term where you pass the laces twice through the same eyelets to lock the tension in? Then have the show tight where it can be and loose where it needs to be for the bunion. Maybe... you could find a pair of "bare foot" shoes and send them to be resoled with climbing rubber? I just wonder how they'd perform for something like a heel hook or when you climb upside down or a steep incline and have to use the top of your foot as well.

simplyput . · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 60

The idea of barefoot shoes is the opposite of climbing shoes. Barefoot shoes are meant to spread your toes in a more 'natural' manner. Conversely, climbing shoes (especially a more aggressive shoe like the Solution) is designed to keep your toes close together focusing their purchase power more directly.

From your post, it seems Solutions were never the right shoe for you and a flatter, more symmetric (though this attribute seems debatable) model would be.

I had a pair of Merrel barefoot shoes years ago. The Vibram was absolute SHIT on wet anything and put really bad pressure on individual toesies while scrambling/climbing.

I'm anti.

cragmantoo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 175

Andrew Rice · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 11

I'm with the person above. A barefoot shoe is designed to perform totally differently from a climbing shoe. To oversimplify, a climbing shoe is really intended to focus all your foot's strength on the toe area. Because that's what we climb with a huge portion of the time. "Barefoot shoes," and I own some, are designed to leave each toe individually free. I think you're asking for toe injuries climbing in them. I'd rather climb barefoot than with barefoot shoes. But it sounds like your problem is just a poorly fitting pair of shoes. 

Jon Nelson · · Redmond, WA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 8,196

Some folks here seem to be mistaken on what the OP means by "barefoot shoes". If you click on the link she gave, you will see regular-looking boots. So, it seems the OP is just referring to boots meant to be worn without socks. The pair in the link looks quite comfy. 

chris vultaggio · · The Gunks · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 535

Another vote for going bareback - barefoot climbing is less painful than you think, with the exception of crack climbing.

Andrew Rice · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 11
Jon Nelson wrote:

Some folks here seem to be mistaken on what the OP means by "barefoot shoes". If you click on the link she gave, you will see regular-looking boots. So, it seems the OP is just referring to boots meant to be worn without socks. The pair in the link looks quite comfy. 

Ah, I see that now. So that changes my advice a bit. If you like those vivobarefoots take a look at some of the high-top climbing shoes. For example, my all-day trad climbing shoe is a pair of Evolv Astromans. Get something like that in a size that's not too tight. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "climbing with barefoot shoes"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.