The future of climbing shoes

Where do you guys think climbing shoe technology is heading? New material choices? Easier entry / exit? Lets hear some thoughts on this!

I don't know about the future, but I've noticed a trend recently. It seems that the "slipper with a single velcro strap" design is becoming quite popular. For years we've had lace ups, velcro, and moccs, but within the past few years every big shoe brand has begun offering (or has plans to offer) a slip-on with a velcro strap.

Maybe in the future we'll see more radical closure systems? Who wants a half lace up, half velcro shoe? Or how about boa? Seems like boa is popping up everywhere these days. You could stick the reel on the heel of the shoe, to provide extra grip for heel hooking. Yeah, I think I'm on to something here. Who knows how to file for a patent?

Finn the Human wrote: Or how about boa? Seems like boa is popping up everywhere these days. You could stick the reel on the heel of the shoe, to provide extra grip for heel hooking. Yeah, I think I'm on to something here. Who knows how to file for a patent?

Boa is a cable closure system used mainly on snowboard boots. I've had boa systems explode beyond repair. Lots of shit going on that would not be kosher to have flying around.

I think we will see some super low volume, ultra sensitive, thin rubber bouldering/sport shoes.

Or cheaper copies of Tc pros (I hope)

Oh and hi tops, lots of hi tops

It's probably not in the stars but TC Pros and others in sizes big enough for my monster feet would be nice.

Living gheko's will be attached to the sole of the shoe and make for some awesome footwork but lots of bitchin' from PETA.

Vibram 5 finger climbing shoes, with little edges for each toe.

Good lord Vibram 5 fingers are lame, what a great way to break toes by stubbing.

The advancement to climbing shoes will be in adapting the micro structures (lamellae) found on gecko feet like they've done on robots that can climb glass.

SavageMarmot wrote:Good lord Vibram 5 fingers are lame, what a great way to break toes by stubbing. The advancement to climbing shoes will be in adapting the micro structures (lamellae) found on gecko feet like they've done on robots that can climb glass.

Finn the Human wrote: Geckos are aid.

I'd like to see the boa systems integrated! I'd have a feeling the adjustment knobs would get In the way. (Especially for crack)

Size 14 shoes. Please.

Synthetic materials seem to be taking over. More and more people want 'vegan' shoes (I'm only reporting what I hear--don't shoot the messenger) and synthetics are much easier to size for climbers who aren't going to go thru 6 pairs in their first 2 years finding the right size.

Personally, I hate synthetics--dead cow shoes stink way less, ironically enough. But 5.10 just launched a new series at the bottom of their range (Oxygym, Hydrogym, and ??gym) that are synthetic and machine washable. Machine washability is pretty cool. Now, I know that many already do machine wash their shoes, but nice to have a manufacturer designing for it--especially for rentals.

Matt Roberts wrote: But 5.10 just launched a new series at the bottom of their range (Oxygym, Hydrogym, and ??gym) that are synthetic and machine washable. Machine washability is pretty cool. Now, I know that many already do machine wash their shoes, but nice to have a manufacturer designing for it--especially for rentals.

It's really not something new per se, but I think it will continue to gain traction in the future--low volume shoes. It seems like a lot of low volume shoes have been more entry or mid level. Now companies are starting to release regular and lv versions of very technical/downturned shoes--like the shamans and now the solutions.

Applying the van der Waals interaction to the bottom of shoes so we can walk up vertical glass like Geckos. Research on adhesion at the sub-atomic level is being done on it (by climbers). You out there Tonia?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_d…

I'm hoping someday someone will start offering width options.

Sucks to only be able to squeeze into a handful of models. Sucks even worse that my right foot is a good bit wider than my (already wide) left foot -- we're talkin like a 4E width here, folks.

From everything I hear, the sport is growing and they're selling more shoes than ever. So fingers crossed that demand finally reaches the point where they can make shoes for people like me.

You guys and your gecko shoes... Your feet are holding you back!
vimeo.com/66473915

Wow,
I've never done a double pinkie mono cantilever without ankle weights or plastic boots before.
I'll have to try it without since this guy makes it look so much easier lol.

Offset sizing would be awesome, albeit hard to implement. My right foot's probably 1/2 size bigger, and I feel like a lot of people have similar situations.

Evolv offers offset sizing. Albeit for an extra $30. FYI.