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

Original Post
Enasser · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 5

Hey Everyone,

We came up with a product that slips on top of climbing shoes so you can belay, walk around between climbs, and walk off multi pitches without having to take off your rock shoes.

Walk offs

This product is not meant for agressive climbers with curled toes. This product is meant for the average climber who HATES having the sole of their shoe destroyed by pebbles, twigs, and dirt when their walking between sport routes outside. This can also be used as an approach shoe that you can wear without your rock shoes.

The Walk Off would have an elastic type strap that can adjust to fit multiple size climbing shoes snugly. There will be easy access to put it on and remove it. The toe cap will be a mesh nylon that breathes will but can still hold up to rocks if you happen to catch it on something.Finally, the sole will be similar to a hiking shoe tread so it can take a beating.

We are looking to start a crowdfunding campaign to create our product and bring it to market. It would retail from $30-$60. Please fill out the survey and let us know what you think!!!!

All feedback good and bad is appreciated!!

Thanks,

Elliot and Lawrence

Founders
Walk Offs - rock shoe skins

TWK · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 160

Probably wouldn't buy them, but I'd have to see them to be sure. "Slipping into something more comfortable" for approach and descent is more important to me than protecting climbing shoes. I also don't think they'd be secure enough on climbing shoes to be anything other than a pain in the ass.

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

I feel like boulderers would buy them maybe. big maybe. definitely don't think they'll ever replace approach shoes for walk offs

Wilson On The Drums · · Woodbury, MN · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 940

I use an oversized pair of $10 slippers from walmart that I use when I'm working boulder problems. Keeps my feet warm and I can move the pads around easily if the problems are close... Works so far.

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

It's a creative idea.

I wouldn't buy it, though, because I wear shoes tight enough that I don't want to wear them any longer than the climbing requires. Come to think of it, I don't know anyone who wears shoes that they would want to wear around at the base of the crag.

And, if it's a short enough walk off that I can handle wearing my shoes, it's also short enough that I'm not all that worried about wearing down my shoes.

Jaime M · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 85

My gut feeling is the market would be limited to multipitch trad. I could see this as a lightweight alternative to carrying an extra pair of shoes for a rappel.

Some stuff you may want to think about/address for marketing:
1. I'm sure these would still create some wear on the climbing shoes--not at much as bare climbing rubber, it's true, but it would still soften the forefoot sole and possibly wear down the rubber/round the toe--similar to walking around on a padded gym floor.

2. My climbing shoes aren't comfortable enough to make me want to walk around in them. And if I have to sit down and go through the action of putting something on my foot, I may as well just slip my climbing shoes off and my chacos on.

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

Also they would NEVER EVER EVER EVER sell for more than $18

Enasser · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 5

I appreciate all the comments so far. Thanks for the tips and the feedback also Jaime.

Em Cos · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 5

It's a creative idea, but if a descent is too long or tough for barefoot, and I'm going to go to the trouble of clipping something to my harness and carrying it up a climb, it would be sandals or actual shoes. I just don't see the point in carrying a pair of something, and sitting down to put them on, and still having the discomfort of hiking in climbing shoes.

Evan Sanders · · Westminster, CO · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 140

+1 to the lightweight rappel shoes. Would i buy one? Maybe, but for not for 30-60 bucks. Maybe at 10-15.

Erik W · · Santa Cruz, CA · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 280

I wouldn't buy them. Main walkoff issue isn't wear on climbing shoes, it's discomfort in climbing shoes (paired with weight of approach shoes during the climb). Bought a pair of the Evolve Cruzer shoes this year... perfect for the application. Merrell barefoot shoes would be perfect too. Both quite pricey, but no more so than entry level climbing shoes.

Keep up the innovation though.

Jim Titt · · Germany · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 490

There was something like that on the market 10 or 15 years ago, Boreal perhaps?
Anyway no thanks.

reboot · · . · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125
Enasser wrote:This product is not meant for aggressive climbers with curled toes. This product is meant for the average climber who HATES having the sole of their shoe destroyed by pebbles, twigs, and dirt when their walking between sport routes outside.
Let's be honest here, this is a kind of luxury item w/ very few practical uses. As a luxury item, you don't want to market it as for the average climber (is that a nicer way than saying gumbie?) The average flat-soled climbing shoe is not expensive enough for this product. But you know what is? the TC Pro. It's the most expensive climbing shoe. It's used by Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honold, etc. It's not particularly durable. And best of it all, it's widely popular w/ the gumbies. So whatever you do, make sure to feature a pair of TC Pro in your advertisement: a $30-$60 investment (that doesn't insult your gumbie status) to protected a $180 pair of shoes you didn't need, all of a sudden doesn't sound so bad, does it?
Dave Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 14

average climber, tc-pro, gumbie...
damnit I hate that when that happens.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346
reboot wrote: But you know what is? the TC Pro.
The TC Pro may cost $180, but every rock shoe costs the exact same to resole (which is generally $30 w/o midsole). Walking around in a climbing shoe will not typically damage it beyond repair, it just means you have to resole it sooner. So no, I dont think this product is any more valuable for the TC Pro than it is for the Evolv Defy.
Kid Icarus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 15

The plus side is that a whole new category of spray for sending climbs in your Walk Offs could be created.

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

A for effort, but no. If it's a long walk off then you probably took your approach shoes with you on the route because the walk off doesn't pass back by the base of the route. If it's a short walk off then you just do it in your climbing shoes. If you are a sport climber you don't wear your climbing shoes between routes and if you are a boulderer you are too cool for anything like The Walk Off.

rogerbenton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 210

would not buy this product regardless of cost.

for me wanting to swap shoes for the walk off happens due to comfort issues long before "wear" is a concern.

and this is true even in flat comfy "all day trad " shoes.

doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 264
Enasser wrote: We came up with a product that slips on top of climbing shoes so you can belay, walk around between climbs, and walk off multi pitches without having to take off your rock shoes... It would retail from $30-$60.
That shoe has already been invented and retails at your target price, they're called Sanuks. I suspect you could get an oversized pair and slip them over your rock shoes, but why? And no, I could never justify to pay retail for Sanuks. For long and/or technical walk offs I'd want something sturdier.
Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 342

The first thing I want to do is take my shoes off, not keep them on and put something over them to make my feet even hotter and more uncomfortable. Props for the idea but I just dont see it getting wings.

Brendan Blanchard · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 590

Same as above: At that price-point, they're less versatile, but similar in price to Sanuks, Evolv Cruzers, or people just prefer their approach shoes for comfort.

+1 to you for: Not creating the product, THEN advertising it. Also, taking criticism and not defending your "cam extractor" indignantly. And finally, for not coming to beg for money for your project. Proper crowd funding is the way to go.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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