We understand how much small details matter, especially when it comes to sports gear that can get expensive pretty quickly. Climbing shoe closures fit into this category perfectly. Some prefer the slip-on type of climbing shoes, whereas others would rather tie their shoes themselves. Here are the three most frequently met kinds of closures and their best uses.
– Laces
Jamming rock climbing and lace-up shoes go hand in hand for a reason – they allow you to customize the fit according to your preferences and keep them on for long periods of time. Velcro closures, for instance, would not work great with repetitive jamming as they tend to come undone quite quickly. Laces, on the contrary, will secure your feet and ensure your safety throughout the entire climb.
– Velcro
Bouldering and indoor/outdoor sport climbing pair the best with Velcro closures more than with anything else. They are the most convenient to quickly take on and off without wasting a lot of time on such a minuscule task. The only scenario when Velcro closure might let you down is during steep climbing and cracks jamming. This is simply due to the closure not being designed for toe hooking or any other intense feet movement.
– Slipper
If you are unsure as to which closure meets your needs the best, opt for the slipper type of climbing shoes. They are considered to be the most comfortable out of all and go well with almost any kind of climbing. The only thing we have to mention is that their stretchiness is both a blessing and a curse. While it’s good to have a stretchy pair of shoes, this also means that they will lose their shape over time. Oh well, it can’t be all sunshine and rainbows.