Would you buy this product? Walk Offs - protect your rock shoes

I'd spend $15, maybe $20.

I can't say I understand the need (or even the existence of a market) at any price.

If the walk off is mellow, I go barefoot. If it's super gnarly, I wouldn't want to wear these, I'd opt for actual shoes.

The 10' between sport routes? Barefoot or $5 sandals.

Spotting boulderers? Again, barefoot or $5 sandals.

The only market I can see is casual climbers who think 'Oh, that's a neat idea', buys a pair, uses them once, and forgets they have them/stops climbing 10 minutes later anyway. Not likely to be good for repeat business or word of mouth.

Also, I'm not really sure who the average climber in your mind is, even the folks climbing 5.7 at the sport crag seem to be doing it in at least slightly aggressive shoes these days.

In a word, no. If I'm belaying, the (uncomfortable) rock shoes aren't on. And if it's a long walk-off, I'm taking comfortable shoes for it.

Sorry, but solution looking for a problem. :-(

they gotta be step-ins for me..If I gotta bend over to add these, I might as well change to comfy shoes to belay or hike...Sorry...

Sorry - but no from me too for nearly all the reasons already mentioned above.

Ditto. It's already easy to just change shoes.

like the idea but don't know if i would buy them. Keep up the work man.

I size my climbing shoes to be pretty snug. Hate the thought of hiking down anything in them (and have) not as much due to wearing out the soles, but, baggin' out the uppers.

I clip a pair of approach shoes on my harness. Win win.

Interesting idear, though.

No thanks. The real problem for me isn't needing a more durable sole, it's needing a more comfortable shoe to wear when I'm not climbing.

Nope. Would not buy. I don't need shoes for my shoes.

I bought some used toms that I use for "in between" (not approach) times. Work well. I'd probably buy the cheaper rack room ones next time though

Nope. For a long walk-off, I'm carrying comfortable shoes.

I just use a snug but comfortable pair of water slippers that have knobby treads and just enough padding - super light.

nope- climbing shoes aren't nice to walk in - flip flops baby.

In all honesty, this seems like an idea worse than the ATC sport.

I hope you're also getting feedback on this idea from other sources. The inmates over at rc.com would even be better than getting advice from this crowd of gumbies and over inflated egos.

Not sure if this idea is a winner but I like the way you're headed with it! Keep at it, something will pan out!

The fact that these would only work for non-aggressive, flat, multipitch shoes kind of defeats the purpose for me. I already don't care about a bit of wear on multipitch shoes, and so would not need these covers; the shoes that I would want to protect with covers like this would be tighter, downturned models, which I would not be walking in anyway.

I wouldn't buy these, but if you made a super-lightweight approach/descent shoe, (like the old Sportiva Superfly) I'd buy that.

Reginald McChufferton wrote:I hope you're also getting feedback on this idea from other sources. The inmates over at rc.com would even be better than getting advice from this crowd of gumbies and over inflated egos. Not sure if this idea is a winner but I like the way you're headed with it! Keep at it, something will pan out!

I appreciate your comment Reginald. I figured as soon as we posted the idea we'd get comments from people whose chests puff out behind a keyboard...... The bottom line, which most people seem to be missing, is that the target demographic is not an aggressive climber. The idea is for your weekend warriors and moderate climbers who wear shoes they can leave on for more than one route. At a recent visit to Shelf we commented how much of a pain it was to have to remove your climb shoes and put on socks/shoes just to walk wall to wall. Whether your a hardcore climber or a moderate one, you most likely spent 80+ bucks on your shoes and would like to save them from pebbles and dirt while moving around. Although I do agree with a lot of you that more than 30 is too much for something that just protects your shoes, you also need to realize the Walk-Off, in theory, is a universal product which would fit many shoe sizes and you could use for years to come. Thanks to those who are giving us legitimate, helpful feedback.

Lawrence Housley wrote: I appreciate your comment Reginald. I figured as soon as we posted the idea we'd get comments from people whose chests puff out behind a keyboard...... The bottom line, which most people seem to be missing, is that the target demographic is not an aggressive climber. The idea is for your weekend warriors and moderate climbers who wear shoes they can leave on for more than one route. At a recent visit to Shelf we commented how much of a pain it was to have to remove your climb shoes and put on socks/shoes just to walk wall to wall. Whether your a hardcore climber or a moderate one, you most likely spent 80+ bucks on your shoes and would like to save them from pebbles and dirt while moving around. Although I do agree with a lot of you that more than 30 is too much for something that just protects your shoes, you also need to realize the Walk-Off, in theory, is a universal product which would fit many shoe sizes and you could use for years to come. Thanks to those who are giving us legitimate, helpful feedback.

Seriously though, have you thought about these things??? Why is your idea better then these or a pair of closed toed sandals like a Keen?

I commend you guys on a good idea. But in response to your comment about it being for gumbies... why would I even care about covering the rubber on my shoes if my shoes are loose comfortable beginner shoes that likely cost little and oh yeah I'm a beginner and don't really care enough about the rubber on my crappy beginner shoes?