Comments on: Rock Shoe Rant

By: Jake

Jake — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:32:21 +0000

Yep. I’m actually getting to the point in my climbing where I want different shoes for different disciplines. I’d like a technical downturned shoe for indoor and bouldering. I want something like the TC by La Sportiva for all day trad climbing. I also want to get a new pair of general purpose super comfy Mythos. The only thing that any store has are a few lace ups that don’t fit my wants/needs, and of course, the Mythos (everyone has those). I feel your pain.

By: Lil' Pete

Lil' Pete — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:11:25 +0000

Pretty lucky here in Bristol, UK, got a good local shop with a good enough range for me – http://www.dicksclimbing.com – guy’s really sound, had shoes all over the floor last time I was in there dialing in the sizes. Got the size so close though that i had to go back a few weeks later when the summer started to get the next half size up, coz my feet puffed passed the point of endurable!

By: Tom Markiewicz

Tom Markiewicz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:42:17 +0000

I always have this problem. The other thing I try is to test new models whenever I see them at climbing shops and events. If I find a good fit, I just write down the model/size and keep it on my computer.

This obviously doesn’t solve the problem of finding the shoes you want to try on in the first place, but if you hit enough climbing events and stores on road trips you an eventually build up a list of what fits.

I’ve also found that even among the same model, same size, there can be variances so I try to never order online and always try on in a store before buying.

The main issue is inventory costs and I’m not sure there’s any solution to this problem.

Maybe Zappos as Ben mentioned in the first comment with their free shipping and returns is the solution? But how long before they cut us off with so many returns…

By: pete

pete — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:02:25 +0000

Hopefully dave downing doesn’t have kids. Because even one vegan kid growing up in the US is the more environmentally unfriendly than owning a Hummer.

As for rock shoes, brick and mortars haven’t made a profit on them in a decade. If they are good about watching the numbers and picking hot models, they are lucky to break even. If they don’t pay attention to turn rate, staff time, early-buy discounts, etc, then it’s a sure thing that stores will lose money selling rock shoes. Hopefully, shoppers buy other stuff when they visit or the smart stores will simply drop rock shoes entirely. The truth is over half the shoppers just use the brick and mortars for fit and then hunt discounts on the net.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:37:36 +0000

Dave, mix in a bit of work buddy, it looks like you are just trolling here at splitterchoss So far the new neighbors have no bikes and they leave there cars running all night:)

By: jess d

jess d — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:17:02 +0000

I think this is the longest conversation you two have had in months… Its like we never left.

By: BJ Sbarra

BJ Sbarra — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:02:34 +0000

you are a man ahead of your time. truly.

and the proper designer is on the list right after the programmer…

By: dave downing

dave downing — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:00:34 +0000

to the topic at hand now…selection.
You see this all over, bike shops, ski shop, etc. It sucks when you want to support the local economy and shop, but they don’t have what you want. They’re always quick to offer to order it for you, but that defeats the initial point of trying something on first. This then comes down to companies spreading their product lines so thin. There is a sub-category between every sub-category between every category. The question is, why? Are we as consumers really buying into such specification? I think on a blog like this, in most core circles of athletes and participants, no. However, we all know about pro-forms and steep and cheap and every other method of not paying full price. So the everyday joe that never wears anything out, but only buys to get the latest in greatest is driving the who thing, right? If everyday joe would stop, then the shop would only have a few pairs of each brand to carry and we could just try them all on and be happy. So the obvious solution is we much kill the everyday joe. All of them. And that would solve over-population and global warming too…

By: dave downing

dave downing — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:52:44 +0000

though i do like the comment numbers.

By: dave downing

dave downing — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:52:25 +0000

don’t forget to hire a proper designer too!!!!!!!!!