barefoot shoes for climbing?

[flushcut]

My first rock climbing was at Devil's Lake, WI in 1991, senior year in HS.

Had a teacher who was a trad climber who taught and took us in a weekend trip.

Climber there a little more.



Really cut my teeth on Southern Illinois sandstone while living in Carbondale for about 5 years, making trips from North Carolina's Looking Glass Mountain and West Virginia' Seneca Rocks and New River Gorge, T-wall and KY's Red River Gorge to Colorado, WY, NV, and CA.

Done a little up here in Wetshington since moving from 3 years in Lake Tahoe.

Mississippi Palisades?

 

[cory]

Thanks so much for starting this thread! And thanks to everyone else who recommended. I got some of the vivo trackers and used them 5 long days last week, I haven't felt better in years. I hope that I never have to wear regular shoes again.

What made you go with them, have regular, heeled shoes been beating up your feet?

 

[Matias]

It's hard to comprehend until you try it

 

[Treezybreez]

I grew up barefoot, climbed trees barefoot went to school barefoot. Unfortunately I decided to weight lift bare foot back in high school. The arch collapsed in my left foot while I was curling dumbbells. Had to wear shoes with good arches for years until the tendons healed. Just a word of caution.

 

[Matias]

Once I had the vevo trackers for a few weeks my feet stretched out and I'm now needing to upgrade to a bigger size. I bought some 'Lems' locally, they're a bit more like a work boot but not as crazy comfortable as the trackers. I also started running in these kind of shoes, it's been amazing. Thanks again folks for this info here!

I love my Lems

 

[Treemuel]

Lems Chelsea boots are my go to for all around footwear

 

[Matias]

So, I am gonna be doing a lot of lot clearing on a huge contract, and I will wear out the HAIX Airpowers doing that, but after the last six months of my Lems and Earthrunners, I am going all in on some pruning shoes that will double as my trail shoes for family hikes. About to order these https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-switchback-boot.html

 

[Treezybreez]

Let us know how durable they are for you.

 

[Matias]

Let us know how durable they are for you.

Yea, that is the only worry. Fingers crossed.

 

[islandarb]

So, I am gonna be doing a lot of lot clearing on a huge contract, and I will wear out the HAIX Airpowers doing that, but after the last six months of my Lems and Earthrunners, I am going all in on some pruning shoes that will double as my trail shoes for family hikes. About to order these https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-switchback-boot.html

Damn those look promising. Not that goofy either. I will try the mixed color pair. Thanks for the link. Irie out bruv...

 

[Friedrich]

so i kinda switched back to pretty stiff lasportivas for pruning. for alot of my work i have to stand in tight crotches (reduction) and that is quite painful with my vivos. also i like that i can strap on my spikes without changing footwear. the vivos are great and when i wear them i would say i am a 15-20% better climber. long sprawling limbwalks, footlocking…

 

[Suuz]

I wear barefoot shoes for 15 years now. My feet don't like wearing protective chainsaw boots/shoes, but it's just what it is.

Tree climbing for fun I do on my every day, barefoot shoes (and without rope and saddle). I like it much better, as I can feel so much more with my feet. It gives me a better understanding of where to place my foot and how.
Same goes for walking. The first days in chains boots I stumbled over branches or my own feet so many times. It's like walking with your eyes closed.

 

[treebing]

A downside of barefoot shoes is that after wearing them for a long time, my feet just don't fit in normal shoes without instant discomfort. It's kind of a bummer because it definitely limits your style options.

 

[Matias]

A downside of barefoot shoes is that after wearing them for a long time, my feet just don't fit in normal shoes without instant discomfort. It's kind of a bummer because it definitely limits your style options.

I am trying to figure out selling mine and my wifes old boots and shoes. So many pairs that had barely any wear, and were not inexpensive.

I definitely can't go back though. My foot pains are gone!

 

[Boomslang]

I am trying to figure out selling mine and my wifes old boots and shoes. So many pairs that had barely any wear, and were not inexpensive.

I definitely can't go back though. My foot pains are gone!

Donate them to homeless shelters, transition houses, women's shelters.

I know your in a spot right now, so if an outright donation isn't an option come up with a number and I'll pay you to donate them.

 

[islandarb]

You guys are trying the wrong boots. No way will I wear those shoes to do treework. That is rediculous.

 

[Suuz]

My feet have changed a lot. Even for barefoot shoes they are wide. There're only a few bands that I fit. Exept for my chainsaw boots, I don't wear regular shoes anymore.

I'm glad barefoot shoes are more fashionable than they were 15 years ago. (My first pair I ordered at Soft Star Shoes. At the time it was one of the few barefoot brands.)

 

[treebing]

You guys are trying the wrong boots. No way will I wear those shoes to do treework. That is rediculous.

Why?

 

[colb]

I tried barefoot shoes and couldn't use them because the intertoe area pressed against the webbing between my toes like a dull knife when my foot was oriented downbranch. Also, they're a pain in the ass to put on (socks too) and the socks are a pain in the ass to take off and then reverse each toe to right side out.

 

[colb]

Sounds like toe shoes, colb. Personally I used to think that was what people meant by barefoot shoes but it turns out there is this whole other world of shoes popping up.

Yes, I was describing my experience with toe shoes. Thanks for catching me up.