Boulder, Colorado is well known for having great spots to climb, and there are many! One of the
advantages of being a climber in Boulder is there are many indoor and outdoor places to climb. There
is Boulder Rock Club & Colorado Mountain School, as well as Colorado Athletic Training School,
Movement Climbing & Fitness, and The Spot just to name a few indoor places. As far as outdoor climbing
spots, there are places like Bastille Crack on the north face of the Bastille in Eldorado Springs, The Three
Tiers of Avalon about 8.2 miles up Boulder Canyon, and The Flatirons with 3 climbs and over 1,000
feet of slab on each climb! Here in Boulder anyone from the novice to advanced climber can always find
something to do!

Before climbing, you have to make sure you have the right equipment, and part of that equipment is having
the proper shoes. There are a lot of factors to consider when buying the right climbing shoe for you. Just
like we mentioned in the blog for hiking, personal preference is a huge factor in finding the correct shoe.
We do have some general guidelines to get you started.

If you are buying your first pair of climbing shoes, the most important thing is to ask questions. So, you will want to talk to someone knowledgeable, like the staff at the Pedestrian Shops, who can answer any questions or concerns you may have.

A stiff sole for optimal foot support is extremely important. You will need that support as you become a
more advanced climber. The tougher the terrain, the more support you will need.

Look for a shoe that has a high cut upper. It can be extremely important to have ankle support when in
sticky situations. You will especially need the ankle support if you are just starting out.

You will also want a shoe that has a snug, but comfortable fit. The rule of thumb is, if it feels like the
shoe was specifically made for your foot, then it’s probably the one you want to get. You don’t want any
blisters, or to lose a shoe while climbing. If you’re climbing indoors it’s probably not a big deal, but when
out in the mountains that shoe would be lost forever.

The final big thing you will want to look for is that the shoe you get doesn’t stretch width wise. If it does
this, there is a good chance you could experience either blisters or losing your shoe forever. As I mentioned
above, I am sure that is something you would want to prevent.

Pedestrian Shops #1 recommended shoe for climbing is the Vibram Trek Sport. We carry this particular
shoe in both men’s and women’s sizes. The Trek Sport was designed for outdoor sports. One look at
it and you can plainly see why we recommend this one for climbing! It is lightly cleated for a good
grip, it’s breathable, lightweight, and is specifically designed to promote a more natural foot strike.
It as close to climbing barefoot as you can get without taking your shoes off! How cool is that?!

So, come to Pedestrian Shops and let our friendly, knowledgeable staff help you find the right shoe for
whatever sport, or occasion you may need them for.

Part 3, walking…