Skip to content

Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes

Climbing is a fun and challenging sport that people of all ages can enjoy. However, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, it’s essential to have the right gear to make your climb as safe and enjoyable as possible. In this article, we’ll discuss do you wear socks with climbing shoes. Keep reading to learn more!

Climbing shoes are one of the essential pieces of equipment for a climber. Climbing shoes are made specifically to help climbers grip and stick to steep or slightly overhanging rock formations. The shoe’s sole is covered in small rubber nubs called “sticky rubber.” These rubber nubs provide extra traction between your foot and the rock, allowing you to toe into boulders and dimples with ease and not slip off!

Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes

The Pros & Cons of Climbing Socks

Socks help absorb sweat, prevent damage to shoe materials, prevent slipping inside your shoes! Climbing socks come in many different thicknesses, ankle-length to knee-high cuffs.

The Pros of Climbing Socks:

  • Make shoes fit better. That snug fit feels excellent, and socks prevent the shoe from stretching out over time.
  • Keeps your feet dryer. Sweaty feet are slippery feet.
  • Protects your shoes! Some socks are made of materials similar to the soles of performance shoes, preventing rips and tears by protecting against abrasion on rough surfaces.
  • Keep feet drier and warmer. If you’re spending all day in the cold, doing laps on plastic, socks can help keep your feet cozy.
  • Different thicknesses make them more versatile. While some climbers don’t need the extra warmth of thicker socks, that’s not the case for everyone! Do what works for you.
  • Do not damage shoes. Socks reduce friction, therefore protecting against wear and tear.
Do Not Damage Shoes

The Cons of Climbing Socks:

  • Do not breathe well. This is probably the biggest con. Do not wear socks if climbing outside on a hot day or any other time you are sweating profusely.
  • Do not dry fast. Please do not wear them to your favorite sandstone crag.
  • Feet may smell worse after wearing them all day, making it challenging to go sockless for the first mile of your next climb! Also, some climbers choose to wear the same pair multiple days in a row, which can be equally as bad. No matter what, expect feet to smell after wearing climbing socks all day long!
  • Do not wick moisture away from feet well (like compression socks do). Also, do not wear socks on multi-pitch routes if you’re stuck waiting for your partner to fix the rope halfway up.

A Detailed Guide on Do You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes

In the past few years, rock climbing has been introduced to a broader audience, and it seems that everyone is getting into this sport. As a result, socks have become a big trend in footwear today, but not all people who wear them know when or where they should be worn.

Well, if you are planning to take up rock climbing as an activity, or if you are already practicing it regularly, here is some information for you. Read on for more details about do you wear socks with climbing shoes.

Here Are Tips When Should You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes:

1. If You Are Using Hire Shoes

The first time you went rock climbing, chances are that you were given hire shoes to use. If not, then most likely, the next pair of shoes that you bought is your very first pair. Do not worry if this happens as it usually does because there is nothing wrong with it.

Wearing Socks With Hire Shoes

Do not think that wearing socks with hire shoes is somehow inferior. While it may seem like a good idea to wear them for comfort purposes, they can be dangerous to your feet.  If you plan on hiring shoes again after your first outing or if you want to save money in buying new shoes now and then, make sure to use socks when using hire climbing shoes.

2.  If You Do Not Have An Appropriate Pair of Climbing Shoes

There are some instances when wearing socks with climbing shoes is recommended. This is especially true if you do not have a pair yet and intend on buying one soon. Do not use your regular pair of socks or athletic footwear while rock climbing because these kinds of shoes do not offer the correct type of protection for this kind of activity.

However, if you still want to get a feel for how it’s like before you buy a new pair of rock climbing shoes, make sure to go for comfortable and thin socks that will prevent discomfort during your activity.

3. If Your Feet Sweat A Lot

When using socks, you can prevent many foot problems brought about by the accumulation of sweat and moisture. If you have sweaty feet, the chances are that your feet will constantly be slipping around inside the shoes. Do not worry if this happens, as it is common for beginners to experience sweaty feet, especially when climbing in high areas where the temperature is higher.

Prevent Many Foot Problems

However, wearing socks can help ensure that this does not happen because these fabrics absorb moisture better than other materials. Do not wait until you have cuts and bruises on your feet to save a few bucks. Do not risk your safety just because you want more savings.

4. Big Wall & Crack Climbing

For some people, there are particular climbing shoes that they will only use for specific activities. Do not let this happen to you because it will be a pity if you have bought an expensive pair of boots and are not using them most of the time. Do not limit your shoes’ use just so you can save money on purchasing new ones, especially when you are paying for monthly installments.

Do not restrict yourself from wearing climbing socks with crack climbing shoes or extensive wall climbing footwear to provide more comfort than usual. Do Not Let Your Expensive Shoes Collect Dust.

You Can Check It Out to Can You Put Hand Warmers in Your Shoes

5. If You Want Extra Comfort

Aside from preventing injuries, another reason why you should wear socks with rock climbing shoes is to make them feel more comfortable for you. Please do not underestimate the significance of wearing socks because they will protect you from blisters and other similar foot problems that significantly affect your climbing performance.

Do not wait for these issues to stop you from enjoying your sport, as it is better to be safe than sorry. Do not let your feet be the reason why you stop climbing. Do not push yourself too much to use the shoes as well. Do not spend thousands of dollars on shoes and let them stay in your shoe cabinet all year round.

You Can Check It Out to Shoes for White Water Rafting

What Should I Look for When Buying a Pair of Climbing Shoes?

It’s essential to buy climbing shoes that fit your feet properly. As a general guideline, you should be able to get your index finger between the heel of your foot and the back edge of the climbing shoe. Do this test while standing: Try a tighter size if your foot slides forward in the shoe when you curl your toes. If there is no wiggle room at all, or if you can see some space at the front of the shoe–between the toe and where it ends behind your big toe-then go with a larger size.

Climbing Shoes Feet Properly

Most climbing shoes will stretch about half a size after repeated use so keep that in mind when buying them—the stress of constant stretching on synthetic materials can affect performance and longevity regardless of quality. It’s also essential to make sure you can comfortably bend your shoe at the ball of the foot—you shouldn’t be able to fold the toe down with your hand, but after wearing them for a few climbs or walks around town, they should soften up and mold to fit your feet.

If you’re getting new shoes, buy yourself an extra pair of thick “second skin” socks designed for rock climbing. The sock will reduce friction inside the shoe and prevent blisters forming between your toes. Do not wear cotton socks as they absorb moisture from your feet which causes maceration/blistering. Do not wear liner socks–they increase friction between your foot and sock, leading to more blistering. Finally, do not try to size down a shoe to make it fit better.

It would help if you got climbing shoes that are snug but not painful, allow your feet to breathe, and get circulation. Do not use them if they injure your feet in any way. Do not size up, Do Not size down, Do Not stretch, Do Not try to break, Do Not buy too many pairs because you will waste money on shoes that do nothing for you. This is the only thing you need to know about purchasing climbing shoes!

Conclusion

We hope you have learned do you wear socks with climbing shoes. As we wrap up our blog post, it’s important to note no correct answer. Some people wear socks with climbing shoes, and some don’t. Experimentation may be the best way to find out what works for you! If you’re curious about this topic but not ready to experiment yet, let us know we have a plethora of articles on different topics related to outdoor recreation and adventure sports, so check back soon!”