Kicks for the tower

I'm making a trip to devils tower next month, and I'm definitely in need of a new pair of sticky rubber shoes! Question is, "what are the best shoes for climbing this awesome chunk of stone?" I understand that a really aggressive downturned bouldering shoe probably won't be my best bet, but should I go with a stiff shoe for stepping on edges and reducing pain while jamming my foot sideways in cracks, or should I go with a softer, more sensitive shoe?? I know everyone's feet are different, and some brands don't work for some people, so I'd like to know a few different possible brands/ models that people who have climbed devils tower have used.

Just wear something comfortable enough for all day, depending on what you are doing. You'll see all kinds of shoes being used. Somewhat depends on your route also - small crack - big crack etc.

I wore katana velcro last time i was there, and that worked pretty well.

La Sportiva TC Pros are the only shoes to wear on The Tower. At Devil's Tower you can cheat the crack climbing by stemming on dime edges. Make sure your shoes can edge as well as jam and heel toe cam all day long. If you can wear them about a fourth or half size bigger than you normally would. It gets hot as hell there and your feet will swell.

Brent Larsen wrote:At Devil's Tower you can cheat the crack climbing by stemming on dime edges.

Find a pair of high tops that are comfortable to you.

TC Pro
Grandstone
Anasazi High Top

Any of those three would be a fantastic choice. I wore a super comfortable pair of basic low top Red Chili's on the tower last labor day and that prompted my purchase of the 5.10 Grandstones. The scrapes on my ankle bones were horrendous. I love the grandstones for jamming my entire foot and ankle into big gaping cracks now.

Two main types of footwork you need at the tower: Jamming and Smearing.

Personally I wouldn't go for a stiff edging shoe. Last time I was out there I bought a pair of the older Scarpa Forces. They worked out really well. Something like a pair of Katanas would be good too.