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dkeltner
Feb 2, 2006, 4:36 AM
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My 3 year old granddaughter is just getting into indoor rock climbing with her dad in Portland, Oregon. I'm looking for climbing shoes for her. She wears a size 8 street shoe. I think that translates as a size 24. Does anyone make a rock climbing shoe this small? Thanks!
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macherry
Feb 2, 2006, 5:11 AM
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macherry moved this thread from Community to Gear Heads.
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doogle
Feb 2, 2006, 5:24 AM
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I would doubt that a 3 year old would get that much out of the improved performance of a climbing shoe. I have no idea if they even come that small!
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nudge_nudge
Feb 2, 2006, 5:36 AM
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Find the podclimber episode about climbing with kids. I remember them talking about using "aqua socks"/"water shoes" as climbing shoes for kids because they're cheap to outgrow.
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carter
Feb 2, 2006, 5:52 AM
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There is a very young girl that climbs at my local gym in Mad Rock Mad Monkeys. They are a neat shoe, but the smallest size they come in is a 29. Check the rc.com gear section that is dedicated to childrens shoes.
I hope this helps.
Carter
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billcoe_
Feb 2, 2006, 6:10 AM
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Why not rent them at the gym. Bests buying a new pair every week when she grows out of them! :P
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romperroom
Feb 2, 2006, 7:11 AM
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My 2.5 yr old son has a pair of Five Ten Kids Velcro shoes. THey have a removeable insole that will make them fit longer.
THey were only $50 Canadian
IF he grows out of them I probably will be able to sell them for at least half the price if they are in good shape.
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joebuzz
Feb 2, 2006, 9:42 AM
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I second the Aqua-Socks response. My daughter started at two and a half years old and they work perfectly for what technical ability they'll have at that age. The shoes are only a few bucks at Payless Shoe Source or whatever your local equivilant might be. They also work great for just messing around in the sandbox/ mudhole or whatever.
Peace... Joe
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jammer
Feb 2, 2006, 1:21 PM
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I bought both my granddaughters the Mad Rock Monkeys and they really don't care for them. They would rather climb barefooted, but this is on my wall. Maybe by the time it warms up outside and they get to climb on real rock, they'll use 'em. I wonder if they'll grow out of them before they get a chance to really use them???
Alan
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shiggetyshiva
Feb 2, 2006, 1:22 PM
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In reply to: I would doubt that a 3 year old would get that much out of the improved performance of a climbing shoe.
I second doogle's opinion. Even without the cost factor of replacing shoes regularly, seems like the motor skills of a 3-year-old (no disrespect to your grandchild here) are not going to be at the level at which technical climbing that begs for sticky rubber is happening.
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talons05
Feb 2, 2006, 1:36 PM
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Performance or not, kids love new gear just as much as we do. And, if she starts learning good technique at an early age, all the better! Check out the 5.10 kids shoes -- they are adjustable so you won't be constantly buying new pairs! I think the Mad Rock monkeys have a bit of adjustment built in as well.
Cheers,
A.W.
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ericbeyeler
Feb 2, 2006, 2:46 PM
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Another vote for water shoes
Eric
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elvislegs
Feb 2, 2006, 3:19 PM
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my 3 1/2 year old son climbs in spiderman water shoes because he knows that spiderman is the best climber.
my 8 yr old daughter climbs in the little montrail kids velcros and loves them.
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qtm
Feb 2, 2006, 3:30 PM
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My son started around age 4, and I've been buying shoes for him ever since. It's got a little pricey for a while when there was only one company producing kids shoes, and expensive ones at that... spending $70 for a kid's shoe seemed a little bit much. But I would sell them on ebay once he grew out of them, so I got some money back and some other kid got a good pair of shoes.
Buy them one size large and wear socks until they're too tight, then barefoot, and that should last a year.
Water socks might work for a while, but once they start smearing, stemming, backstepping, using some real technique, real shoes are in order.
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bighigaz
Feb 2, 2006, 3:54 PM
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Dude, two words:
Indian Feet.
In other words, NO SHOES AT ALL. Most active little kids can climb just about anything, and it doesn't matter what they have on their feet! Save some $ and go the indian route for a bit...
Just my .02
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mother_sheep
Feb 2, 2006, 4:02 PM
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double post
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mother_sheep
Feb 2, 2006, 4:03 PM
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I wrote an article a while back. See here: http://www.rockclimbing.com/articles/?id=2026
Under preparation I list a few companies that make kids shoes. I would visit their websites for more information. My younger son started in climbing shoes when he was 4. I purchased the Montrail Grommet for him. He wasn't climbing anything harder than 5.6 so maybe the shoes were not necessary but I tell you what, they sure did make him feel cool. Getting to wear something climbing related helped spark the interest a little bit more.
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lewisiarediviva
Feb 2, 2006, 4:22 PM
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We went with the aqua socks for a year. My kids were older (8 & 6 I think) then your grandkid at the time and we found that the shoes would slip around their feet and the souls were inferrior on the rock. It was amazing how much their fear level went down once we bought them "proper" shoes and they tried them out. This year they both need new shoes, but it's worth the money (cheaper then going to the movies- and better quality family time).
But for a toddler/preschooler in a gym I'd say the aqua socks, as long as they are snug, are a good first shoe.
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duppyc
Feb 2, 2006, 4:38 PM
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I got Mad Monkey's for my 8yr old daughter and Motrail's for the 5yr old son. I think they help them look cooler.
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danieladaniela
Feb 2, 2006, 5:15 PM
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My kids, 3 and 6, own four pair:
one each of the natural leather bare feet; they love that, but keep in mind that my children walk barefoot regularly. If your grandchild is not used to walk barefoot in the road, then the rock will hurt. They are the best and most loved
a pair of the smallest boreal ninja that my older uses
a pair of the smallest the la sportiva ... cant remember the name... maybe fuego, they are yellow, those are shorter than the other pair, although width is not very different, that my younger uses, or my older if she wants a tight shoe
the rubber works even if the shoe is not tight, especially if the foot is placed correctly, and in bare feet it WILL be placed correctly :)
some gyms insist on shoes and no one have small ones to rent
avoid socks IMHO
last but not least the best ratio strength to weight is achieved around 2and half years, so, she'll have the best.
I also have a petzl ouistiti harness for my younger son and a petzl simba harness for my older daughter.
In France, and recently also in italy, they mAKE easy routes with bolts near to each others so kids can learn leading. The anchor is a chain with a locking carabiner. I hope USA follows soon this trend.
ENJOY!!!
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andrurok
Feb 2, 2006, 6:12 PM
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yes there are shoes made by MadRock, Sportiva and others....
get them! get those kids using their big toe early, then by the time they are 6 they'll be cranking 12's!
sweet!
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lewisiarediviva
Feb 2, 2006, 7:32 PM
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In reply to: older uses a pair of the smallest the la sportiva ... cant remember the name... maybe fuego, they are yellow,
With velcro? My daughter loves hers.
In reply to: In France, and recently also in italy, they mAKE easy routes with bolts near to each others so kids can learn leading. The anchor is a chain with a locking carabiner. I hope USA follows soon this trend. ENJOY!!!
My Daughter belaying (After her first lead):
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...ist_start=0&id=58791
My Sons first lead:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...ist_start=5&id=34938
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danieladaniela
Feb 2, 2006, 10:19 PM
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yes the lasportiva are exactly like hers. Both pair of shoes have velcro.
Compliments to the future of climbing :D :D :D
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