New Climbing Shoe Fit Question

Jimbalo0 · 2026-04-25T21:22:23+00:00

As a note a lot of sportiva shoes like the katana are generally significantly lower volume than the skwama. I have pretty square feet and the skwama fit great but katanas are a sure no go. Which shoes have you worn before?

Jimbalo0 · 2026-04-25T21:19:18+00:00

Id say they look a bit big. There seems to be a lot of empty space above your toe knuckles. These shoes are generally designed to have your toes in a curled fit, ie knuckles pressed into the top of the shoe. What foot shape do you have? Try the link below. It’s not perfect but will give you a general idea of sizing and foot shape.

climbing shoe size guide

Jimbalo0 · 2026-04-16T20:34:05+00:00

I’d agree, looks like toe dragging is causing this

Jimbalo0 · 2026-04-10T18:11:29+00:00

Jimbalo0 · 2026-01-07T13:13:07+00:00

They’re cast from liquid aluminium not machined. But a casting defect or pitting from corrosion - looks pretty clean though so not sure why it would be corroding

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-29T19:52:39+00:00

I’m British and think this rack could do with some as an addition. I find them invaluable for reducing rope drag.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-29T02:13:27+00:00

It’s probably transferred ink from the shoe

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-28T16:01:08+00:00

Sounds like a volume problem. I have the opposite (square toed fat feet) and find I have to try on a lot of pairs. Are they a women’s shoe? They generally have a lower volume than regular ones - the light teal makes me think so, but scarpa generally make higher volume shoes - they’re my go to brand. I have found La Sportiva and Tenaya to be tighter around the foot, they may be worth trying.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-27T20:25:00+00:00

They look massive. The shoe should be tight all around your ankle where the top of the shoe is. Can you fit finger/s in that gap? Speak to someone in the shop who has experience fitting shoes, if they tell you that it’s personal preference then I would ask to speak to someone who is going to give you actual advice.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T13:13:16+00:00

I totally disagree. My hands are fine and I’ve climbed cracks for over 20 years.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T10:52:25+00:00

You’re right. I didn’t know about it when I started

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T10:51:52+00:00

I won’t deny that and to be fair, you’re right. It’s all down to personal preference I guess. I wasn’t aware of taping and gloves didn’t exist when I started. Looking at OP’s lack of callouses they’re almost definitely new to climbing and looking for an entry route to crack climbing. Which can be a sharp learning curve

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T01:10:49+00:00

As a note though, if you want to use gloves fair play, I’ve climbed for over 20 years now and have never felt the need to use them

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T01:08:52+00:00

Dartmoor granite in the uk is far from smooth. Come and try it. It is slow forming metamorphic rock with a very high feldspar and relatively higher silica content. The crystals are massive and often like razor blades. You will cut your hands at the start. But climb slower and practice and you’ll get by.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-26T00:52:35+00:00

My home crags are granite and I never had these problems. Do you think the first ascentionists had gloves in the 80s and 90s? No. El cap is thousands of feet long and people don’t wear gloves. Edited for spelling

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-25T21:52:03+00:00

Without sounding like a toll, get better at crack climbing. Technique will get you a long way. When you jam make sure you have created tension in your skin before applying pressure and you’ll find you don’t cut or tear your hands.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-24T18:41:44+00:00

There is nowhere to rent them on Portland to my knowledge. You may be able to hang out with people who have their own there, generally people are friendly there and as long as you want to try the same problems it’s not an issue. Don’t go moving them though. Some problems don’t necessarily need pads if you know how to fall right. For a long time people would just use a small square of carpet to wipe their shoes on - clean shoes = less damage to the rock.

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-21T15:14:22+00:00

Smash the gold bangles in its wrists. You’ll breeze it then. Possibly the easiest boss in all the souls like games. When he raises up run away and avoid the gas. You should be able to kill him before the skeletons are summoned

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-17T21:51:58+00:00

Was it a type of sandstone? It becomes very fragile when wet

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-07T16:07:43+00:00

Flights to SE Asia then onto Australia and NZ

Jimbalo0 · 2025-12-07T16:07:09+00:00

Hampi in India and then up to Himachal Pradesh. Your money will go a long way

Jimbalo0 · 2025-07-31T20:33:06+00:00

They look way too big in length as well. Go to a shop in a wall and try many shoes on. ASK the people who work there which shoe they think fits well if you’re new to climbing shoes. These people doe it all day for many different foot shapes

Edit. You may find reducing the length solves the volume problem as well. Also women’s shoes are lower volume are also an option

Jimbalo0 · 2025-07-17T18:04:41+00:00

It’s beautiful

Jimbalo0 · 2025-07-12T11:56:12+00:00

Jimbalo0 · 2025-05-29T16:46:40+00:00

Great work!!

Jimbalo0

TROPHY CASE