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cxbeaudoin
May 31, 2013, 12:23 AM
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Registered: May 30, 2013
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I have just bought a pair of La Sportiva Tarantulas 37 1/2 (I wear 8.5 Canadian women's street shoe). The half size up was too loose according to the staff at the store (could move my toes some) so I ordered the half size down online. I have one foot longer than the other so with the half size down, my left foot is tight but will be fine. My right foot is in a bit of pain. Mostly at the ankle - which I assume will stretch a bit, so I'm not concerned. I am definitely up to wearing through the pain of breaking in the shoes. My main concern is that the second knuckles from the tips of my right toes (except for the big toe) are crushed and in horrible pain. (My toes seem to be close to the same length all the way instead of shortening towards the outside of my foot.) When I take the shoes off, there are deep marks on the knuckles even just after a few minutes of wearing. It is really at the edge of the rubber and the leather so I'm worried that part won't stretch as much. I'm planning on going to try the half size up again because it just seems way too painful on those knuckles. I am a beginner boulderer (2 months at an indoor gym, v0's to easier v3's) and I read a lot about fitting shoes and there seems to be two mentalities a: get painful shoes right away/tough it out b: not too painful shoes for beginners, work more on technique/don't impair enjoyment of the activity Not sure what to do since the only concern is really those toe knuckles on the right foot; I'm ready to have tighter shoes for the rest of my foot and work through that pain. Has anyone else encountered this problem with shoe fitting? Are some brands better for this kind of foot? (ps. My foot is closer to the square shape shown)
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geezergecko
May 31, 2013, 12:41 AM
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Registered: Mar 26, 2002
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cxbeaudoin wrote: ... b: not too painful shoes for beginners, work more on technique/don't impair enjoyment of the activity ... I'd go with Plan B if you want to avoid long term foot ailments. Just sayin'...
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SE_climber
May 31, 2013, 12:52 AM
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Brands don't matter. Each brand makes a variety of shoe shapes. What you will want to look for is a shoe that has the right amount of symmetry or asymmetry, dependent upon the shape of your feet. Trying on lots of pairs will help you determine what feels right or wrong. That said, the tarantulas are unlined leather, which means once you get warmed up, they will stretch--potentially a whole size up--which is probably why the person fitting you at the store recommended you size down. I tend to size my shoes aggressively and couple pairs gave me callouses on my toe knuckles. I'll soften the callouses up in warm water and file them off occasionally. It really doesn't bother me anymore. I've resigned myself to the fact that if I want to climb, I won't have pretty hands or feet.
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acorneau
May 31, 2013, 1:43 AM
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Registered: Feb 6, 2008
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I also have a square-ish foot so finding climbing shoes that don't crush my pinky toe is difficult, however... I just got a pair of the new Five Ten Stonelands VCS (velcro) and they fit and perform beautifully without having to be painful. I had to go a full size up from my normal street shoe but the few people I've seen with them have had to do the same thing. Try them out if you can. Also, you may have to do split sizing to get a perfect fit for both your feet. Some folks do, so don't consider it an "out of the ordinary" situation. Good luck.
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shockabuku
May 31, 2013, 3:27 AM
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Registered: May 20, 2006
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Evolve will let you order different size left and right shoes.
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