Breaking In Your Climbing Shoes: Myths vs. Facts

Climbing shoes are notorious for feeling tight and uncomfortable at first, but how much of that discomfort is necessary? There are plenty of myths about breaking in climbing shoes—some helpful, some downright harmful. Let’s separate fact from fiction so you can break in your shoes the right way.

Myth #1: “Climbing Shoes Should Always Feel Painful at First”

Fact: A snug fit is important, but pain isn’t.

While climbing shoes should fit tightly to provide precision and support, they shouldn’t cause extreme discomfort. If your toes feel crushed, your circulation is cut off, or you can’t stand in them for a minute without pain, they’re too small.

How to Fix It: Look for a size that’s snug but doesn’t cause unbearable pain. Some shoes stretch over time, but they won’t magically become comfortable if they’re way too tight from the start.

Myth #2: “You Should Wear Your Shoes in the Shower to Break Them In”

Fact: Water can weaken the shoe’s structure.

Some climbers believe that soaking their shoes in water and wearing them until dry will speed up the break-in process. While this can soften the material slightly, it also risks weakening the rubber, stretching the shoe unevenly, and reducing overall durability.

A Better Method: Instead of soaking, wear your shoes around the house for short periods. This allows the material to mold to your feet naturally without compromising performance.

Avoid getting your climbing shoes wet! This will damage the rubber, causing it to lose its durability.

Myth #3: “Leather Shoes Stretch a Full Size, So Always Buy Smaller”

Fact: Stretching depends on the shoe’s construction.

Unlined leather shoes can stretch up to a full size, but lined leather or synthetic shoes stretch much less—sometimes only about half a size or less.

What You Should Do: Research the specific model before choosing a size. If your shoes are synthetic, don’t expect them to stretch much. If they’re unlined leather, you can size them a bit tighter, but still avoid extreme discomfort.

Myth #4: “Heat Helps Stretch Your Climbing Shoes Faster”

Fact: Excessive heat can damage the rubber.

Some climbers try using a hairdryer or placing shoes in the sun to stretch them. However, high temperatures can degrade the rubber, making it lose its stickiness and durability.

A Safer Alternative: If you need a bit more stretch, wear thick socks with your shoes for short sessions around the house or while warming up at the gym. The pressure will gradually help loosen them without causing damage.

Breaking Them In the Right Way

Want your new shoes to feel comfortable faster? Follow these steps:
✔ Wear them in short sessions – Start with easy climbs or just walking around at home.
✔ Use socks temporarily – A thick pair can help ease the tightness during the first few wears.
✔ Be patient – It takes a few sessions for the shoes to mold to your feet properly.

If your shoes still feel unbearably tight after a few climbing sessions, they might just be the wrong size. At Boulder Planet Showroom, we can help you find the right fit so you can focus on climbing, not foot pain. Drop by and try on different models to find the perfect pair!