Fruit boots?

Wanting to dry tool more. Gone out a few times with my tools and climbing shoes but feel like its not the full experience. Are fruit boots worth it? Seem expensive but if its going to change the game for my training I'll make it happen. 

Pat Marrinan wrote: Wanting to dry tool more. Gone out a few times with my tools and climbing shoes but feel like its not the full experience. Are fruit boots worth it? Seem expensive but if its going to change the game for my training I'll make it happen. 

If you arent climbing double digits or close to them it probably isnt worth it to buy a pair, I dont really notice a major advantage over regular boots untill it gets into the higher grades. If you wanted some fruitboots but didnt want to drop tons of cash you could always make your own, just find an old pair of 3 season mountaineering boots (trangos or similar boots work well), grind the sole off, and bolt a crampon on that. If you get way into it later you could always buy a real pair.

IMO, fruit boots are only “worth it” if:
- You are climbing mixed routes that require heel hooks or figure 4s.
- You are not training for alpine climbing.

I suggest you use the same equipment on your training climbs that you plan to use on your goal climbs.

On pure drytooling routes you can use rock shoes or mountain boots for heel hooks and safer figure 4s.  You also will not scratch the rock as much.  I encourage beginners to start out drytooling in rock shoes or boots to minimize their impact on the rock, reduce wear and tear on crampons, and reduce chance of injury.  

 I encourage beginners should start out drytooling in rock shoes or boots to minimize their impact on the rock, reduce wear and tear on crampons, and reduce chance of injury.  

These are good points. I am by no means a mixed climber pushing double digits, they probably would sit in my closet in the winter. It was mainly just for not wanting to wear my ice boots in the summer (I have Mammut Nordwands so they would be pretty hot) and wanting to practice with crampons. But I will dial in with rock shoes first and then maybe play around with making some!

This is like asking if a full carbon frame on a road bike is "worth it".

It will make riding more pleasurable and more comfortable. It's lighter so you will probably go a bit faster. It's also expensive.

Fruit boots will make climbing drytooling routes way more fun. At the lower grades they won't offer a huge performance upgrade, but they will likely increase your confidence as they allow for better foot work. I wear them on easier grades (M7, M8) because they make climbing more enjoyable.

Basically, if like drytooling and they fit into your budget, they are worth it.