Climbing shoe
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A climbing shoe or kletterschuh is a piece of foot wear that is specifically designed and worn for climbing. To increase the grip of the foot on a climbing wall or rock face due to friction, the shoe is covered with a rubber layer. Usually, the shoes are only a few millimeters thick and will have a very tight fit around the feet.
High performance shoes are soled with a special vulcanized rubber that becomes flexible as it gets warm due to friction. This vastly increases the surface area between the shoe and the rock thus providing a better grip for the climber. The rubber extends up the sides of the shoes for still more gripping opportunity, though as a very thin layer since it does not bear any loads. The rubber being relatively soft, it is prone to being worn away by rough rock surfaces, and it is not unusual for a favorite pair to be resoled periodically; this may be done by a service, or with a kit.
Some of these shoes are asymmetrically shaped so climbers can stand on smaller ledges than with symmetrical shoes. Climbing shoes are not suitable for hiking, so outdoor climbers usually carry them to the base of the rock.
Manufacturers of climbing shoes include: Acopa, [SCARPA], Boreal, Five-Ten, La Sportiva, Millet, Rock Pillars, [Mad Rock], Red Chili and Evolv.
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