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Gross shoes

Original Post
Ian Brown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

I'm a new climber, and I started out not wearing socks in my climbing shoes. They started feeling really nasty, so I now wear a pair of thin, low-profile socks. So, two questions:

1. Does wearing socks noticeably limit performance? It feels the same to me, but my footwork isn't remotely technical.

2. If you eschew socks, have you found a good way to keep the shoe slime at bay, or should I stop being a wuss and embrace funky footwear?

justgoodenough · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 41

1) For beginners, wearing socks shouldn't really affect you that much as long as they're thin. I can wear socks and feel comfortable at Yosemite 5.9. It might affect your upside down climbing a bit.

2) I use desiccant packs that I bought off Amazon . You put them in the shoe after climbing. Unfortunately, once the stink does start it's difficult/impossible to get rid of it. Drying them out after wearing is the best way to keep them from getting funky in the first place. Don't store them in your bag or car trunk.

Synthetic shoes tend to stink more than leather. I don't know what kind of material Evolv uses but I swear it's specially formulated to stink the worst.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

I get horrible cracks and splits in my toes. When this happens, I spooge up the wound, bandage it, and keep a thin sock over it until it heals. The sock keeps the bandage from peeling off.

It don't like it as well as barefoot but it seems to work just fine.

Paul H · · Pennsylvania · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

At the highest level, I could see wearing socks impacting your climbing ability. If your foot is shifting in the shoe because of the sock that could cause you to slip off a hold. As a new climber, I doubt you'd be impacted that much.

I have a pair of FiveTen shoes that just flat out stink. They're disgusting. I make sure to dry them out after each climbing session but it doesn't seem to help. I'll throw them in the washing machine every two months or so for a deep clean and that seems to help. Like others have said, once the stink starts, it's hard to get rid of.

The washing machine has not had any noticeable negative impact on the shoes condition or performance.

Tyler S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0
germsauce Epstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 55

I just put my climbing shoes in the wash, on gentle cycle. just a touch of detergent, warm, not hot water then cold rinse setting... sit out in a shady breezy spot to dry and they are good as new. I usually do this 2-4 times per pair before I wear out rubber and a resole. It's like getting a new pair of shoes every time.

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

I have never worn socks with my climbing shoes so I don't know what their impact is on the stink and what not.

I have a old pair of evolv defys and used then for some dws over the summer. I threw them in a shopping bag when they were still wet and left them in the trunk of my car for a few months. The day I opened that bag up my life changed forever. I couldn't wear them in the gym or even have them in my apartment because they smelled so bad. I threw them in the washing machine and hosed them down with frebreeze. Let them sit outside for a couple days and they were good as new.

Brad Gone · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 5

If your shoes are synthetic I'm not sure the funky smell will ever go away. Maybe if you dowse them in Lysol or let them bake outside as mustardtiger mentioned you may be able to avoid the funk. Assuming you're using shoes made of synthetic textiles, leather shoes may be a world of difference for you. The funk-resistant properties of leather are pretty amazing.

I could never climb comfortably in socks - I felt like my feet would be slipping, even if it was just a millimeter or two.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Ian Brown wrote:Does wearing socks noticeably limit performance?
Well, here's a photo (from Supertopo) of Jim Collins leading Kloberdanz, (5.11c R, Eldorado Canyon) sometime in the 70's:



And those don't look to be particularly thin. Actually, a lot of us wore socks in the 70's, well before sticky rubber, on a lot of things that get modern grades in the 11's and 12's.
Christina kalb · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 886

I use DryPointe shoe inserts. They absorb moisture to help dry your shoes out quicker and prevent the shoe funk from forming. You can even recharge (dry out) the inserts once the silica has reached its moisture capacity, so they are reusable!

ChadR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 90

I use the spray used in bowling alleys. Not a lot of it, just enough to kill the bacteria responsible for the smell. Works great! I've used it in synthetic and leather with no side effects to the shoe. I suppose you could find it on amazon, but a good friend of mine runs one so he's always kept me stocked. :) good stuff.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Beginning Climbers
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