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crimper
Jan 13, 2003, 1:37 AM
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I've recently been experimenting at my home wall and at local gyms, the art of "barefoot-climbing." It's a difficult trial, but i've been climbing better with shoes (now) than before i trained barefoot.
Query: anyone try it, if so... results?
[edit: typpo]
[ This Message was edited by: crimper on 2003-01-12 17:37 ]
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onemistakebigpancake
Jan 13, 2003, 1:56 AM
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i don't have a home wall... climbed a couple times on real rock. As long as the crack is not too big, ie bigger that hand, then it doesn't seem to hurt too bad. I would guess that it would strengthen (muscels) your feet
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clymber
Jan 13, 2003, 2:15 AM
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i have a strange custom that whenever i goto a new place to climb ihave to do atleast one route barefoot. There are some climbs that I think are actually easier with out shoes on. After awhile you will be able to crimp with your toes. It sounds funny but trust me it works. A word of caution though I was doing a route in the Gunks barfoot and got a HUGE flapper on my big toe. Was the first day out. Lil tape and all was good
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philbox
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Jan 13, 2003, 2:16 AM
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Nearly my whole childhood up until high school was spent running around barefoot. I did an awful lot of climbing barefoot, mostly trees and palm trees with the occassional rock scramble thrown in.
When I first went to do a lead climbing course I did a few of the climbs with shoes and then just for a laugh I ran up a crack in bare feet, all the other guys winced but I loved it.
Shoes definitely stick better than skin but hey if it all came down to it I wouldn`t have a problem running up easy climbs in my bare skin shoes.
There was a famous Australian who put up a bunch of bold routes in the Warrambungles who only climbed barefooted. This was way back in the olden days, 1930 or something.
...Phil...
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alvchen
Jan 13, 2003, 2:18 AM
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Smearing with bare feet is a cake walk, but standing on little holds is quite a feat. My big toe isn't strong enough to do that yet.
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galt
Jan 13, 2003, 2:41 AM
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I found my chalk ball smells a little funky after I chalked up my toes. (J/K)
I share the same curse as you (living in Florida) but yea I climb barefooted often. I usually wear Chaco's or Berk's EVERYWHERE I go so whenever I see a climb (buildering, in line at Islands of Adventure, Put-Put golfing...) I lose the sandals and give it a go. Ahh what I do to keep myself amused.
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flying_dutchman
Jan 13, 2003, 2:51 AM
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climbing gyms dont take to kindy to barefoot climbing. It feels so natural though. They say something about holds becoming greasey from ur feet. Common, ur hands are greasier.
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esimhs99
Jan 13, 2003, 3:22 AM
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i have pretty rough feet from walking around barefoot most of the summer, so i tried bouldering barefoot a few times. i found it hurts a lot, but it makes you more aware of the rock and the small formations on it
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blackstripe
Jan 13, 2003, 3:28 AM
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I hate shoes,especially climbing shoes since you have to wear them so small so I enjoy climbing without shoes on. i can't feel some of my toes that well so they are perfect for smearing and just putting total pressure on them plus i can grip things a lot better with my toes than with my shoes. My feet are so rough and gross looking though so if you want good feet I wouldnt recomend climbing w/o shoes but there is a plus if I forget my climbing shoes i just climb w/o them. and I do chalk up my feet lol
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number7
Jan 13, 2003, 3:58 AM
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Screw that. But these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30106&item=2700508271&rd=1 . . . please
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camhead
Jan 13, 2003, 4:13 AM
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I'm starting to mess with barefoot crack climbing a little. handcracks are pretty mellow, but finger cracks are fricking painful.
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climber_dude
Jan 13, 2003, 4:21 AM
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i climbed without shoes before i could afford shoes and it was pretty cool because you can crimp holds and shove your toes in finger pockets
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fachri220
Jan 13, 2003, 4:55 AM
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I did my first big wall climbing with barefoot. Result: 6 pitch, but did not reach the peak.
[ This Message was edited by: fachri220 on 2003-01-12 21:33 ]
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stann
Jan 19, 2003, 7:56 PM
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if it's in a gym don't go at it barefoot. athletes foot is rife and, digusting, and hard to get rid of.
the first time i did it was my local gym and it it was the last time i did it. took me 3 weeks to recover.
that meant i could not climb.
gasp! yes! you heard right.
no climbing for 3 whole weeks. but don't worry i pulled through.
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one900johnnyk
Jan 19, 2003, 8:02 PM
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this guy did okay w/it
http://www.palatinum.scubavideo.de/WebTeasers/Gambaxplosion.mpg
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rockram
Jan 19, 2003, 8:51 PM
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oh yeah, bear-foot climber all-the-way, baby!! WHOOO!!!! but not in the gym, that would be disgusting! barefeet actually seem to be very sticky on the rock, and perform quite well with smearing and crimping too! and it feels good except for this one time when i totally sliced my toe wide open on a sharp little edge when i was rappeling down.
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grundleson
Jan 19, 2003, 9:36 PM
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climbing barefoot is a different experience. i like it personally, just not in the gym. outside it is way fun.
i havent tried climbing indoors with barefeet, but i might try it out sometime. that whole training idea sounds like it might work
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crimper
Jan 26, 2003, 5:55 AM
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I know that in the gym is not appropriate, i did hear of a YMCA getting shut down, because little kids we're getting athlete's "hand!" yuck! I've only done it a few times! Thanks for the input, though!
Mike
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bandycoot
Jan 26, 2003, 6:07 AM
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I've climbed outdoors barefoot. It's all about forgetting your shoes at home and just climbing anyways. I recommend it. Also, I climb barefoot sometimes in the gym to make my feet STRONG LIKE BULL for feet damaging climbs like Prince of Darkness.
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climbergirl
Jan 27, 2003, 11:53 PM
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Barefoot may not be the most comfortable thing, but if you want to earn respect, go for it! I was having my shoes re-randed and found that a mellow 5.10 was easier barefoot than in running shoes! A few words of advice though...don't be afraid to chalk your toes, ignore the pain on the crimpers, and don't let you feet slip off. I still have a scar on my big toe!
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misha
Jan 28, 2003, 12:12 AM
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bob murray, one of americas most succesful boulderers did the majority of his hard probollems barefoot. It was actually benneficial because most of his problems had small pockets and huecos.
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rocks4jules
Jan 28, 2003, 12:29 AM
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Barefoot is great. However, I find that I get a better "hold/grip" not going barefoot.
Now coming down from a route is a whole different story. It is a blast going barefoot when downclimbing!
JULES
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lox
Jan 28, 2003, 1:12 AM
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This practise seriously opens you to injury.
If you do it, be careful... especially in deep dropknees.
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mshore
Jan 28, 2003, 1:34 AM
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I Had a run-in with really terrible blisters and went out to do Royal Arches one afternoon. From the pitch below the swing, I finished barefoot and we were still swapping leads. Kinda enjoyed all but that small layback bit three or four pitches from the top.
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