Indoor Rock Climbing Basics : Renting or Owning your Indoor Rock Climbing Gear

[KyleandTate]

can you use your own gear in gyms?

[CarniverousBubblegum]

@KyleandTate yep! unless, of course, they dont like the color of your shoes in which case they throw you out head first through the window and never let you back in. :D nah, you can, or at least all the gyms i've been to have let me, i cant imagine why they wouldn't. :)

[KyleandTate]

@CarniverousBubblegum Thanks!

[CarniverousBubblegum]

@KyleandTate welcome!! :)

[chillout010]

Hey guys, one question: is it better to use socks or not (i have my own shoes, no rentals)? Does it make any difference?

[whitehouse534]

using socks will allow your foot to rotate more in the shoe so its not desirable, people usually use socks in their shoes once the shoes have stretched out a bit, so they dont move around as much.

[chillout010]

Makes sense, i'll give it a shot. Thanks for your advice!

[vkelsov]

@whitehouse534 It's not a great day when your shoe pops off while heel-hooking either...

[smeghead666]

No socks, too much movement, how on earth does it make sense that your foot will move less when the shoe has stretched more? Plus socks will destroy your feeling on the rock

[whitehouse534]

depends what kind of shoes you have, some climbing shoes will stretch far more than others, depending if they are synthetic and how they have been stitched, what i said before was worded badly however, ideally you never want to wear socks, but after your shoes get older and have had a resole or two, they may not be as tight, wearing socks, will help in that situation, all the best

[njw918]

If it's rental shoes, you should wear socks since a number of people probably worn the shoes before you did. If you have your own shoes, you don't wear socks or else your feet will be hot and sweaty. No one else will wear your shoes. And it's more comfortable without socks after you worn in your shoes about 3 or 4 times. :)

If you plan to climb often (at least 10 times or so), it makes more sense to buy your own pair.

Hope this helps.

[aelw23]

I recently bought shoes, and I highly suggest it. Even though they're tight, they don't have the random pressure points rentals always did. Plus, they smell a lot better...

[MaxieNator]

im think to gunna buy shoes. im now climbing for 1 month

[skymont]

want a cookie?

[MaxieNator]

haha! YES :D

[elliottjameshumphrey]

idiot