Rock Shoe Conundrum

I have bought the La Sportiva Tarantulace size 42. I climbed in them once at the gym. They stretched and felt too roomy. I took them back to REI and scaled down to a 41.5, when I got home I put them on for about 30 minutes. When I took them off my left big toe was completely numb. Turns out my left foot is 1/2 inch bigger than my right. This issue makes the 41.5 perfect for my right, and the 42 perfect for my left.

Any suggestions on my dilemma?

PS At the moment money is an issue, I'd like to keep it under $100

I have a half size difference between my feet, which is not unusual. Your options are pretty obvious:

1. Climb with one shoe too large or one too small (my preference).

2. But another pair of shoes and mix the two together, so each foot has the correct size. But money is limited.

3. You could attempt stretching the small shoe or some other hokey fix.

4. Climb barefoot. :)

Another option: scour the earth for another climber who has same size feet but different sizes in the opposite feet and trade one shoe from the pair. Also you can add socks to the loose shoe.

A shoe repair shop can stretch shoes. If funds are limited that seems like a good alternative. Maybe Google shoe repair shops in your area, bring it to them, and see what they say.

kcradford wrote:snag your old hoes and have a mixed pair

Daniel Winder wrote: Great advice!

One other option is to go to REI, figure out your size in Evolv Defy or another Evolv shoe, and order them directly from Evolv, who, for an additional $30, will sell you a pair of mis-matched sizes.

Another one other option is to buy a pair of shoes that will stretch more than the Tarantulace, which really won't stretch much...so I'm thinking the 5.10 Rogue, maybe even a 5.10 Moccasym or LS Cobra, all of which stretch from some (Rogue) to lots (other two). Buy for your small foot, give it a week and the other shoe will catch up.

Good Luck!