Rock Shoe Rant

I’m feeling like ranting today, but instead of going off on this video I just saw about how if we all rode bikes then global warming would go away (a huge crock of sh%t), I’ll focus on something a little more relevant: trying on rock climbing shoes. A common problem I’ve run into whenever I want to get some new shoes is that most stores don’t carry much of a selection, making it difficult to try before you buy.

Now, I did once successfully get the right size based on a recommendation from a friend with the same size feet, but most of the time this feels like a crap shoot. Each model usually has such a different fit that you really need to be able to try it on yourself, in my opinion. Maybe this is only an issue for us because we live in a small town, but it seems like no matter what store I go into, they hardly ever have much of a selection other than the really popular models.

Case in point. I’d like to take a look at the new FiveTen Copperheads (sorry, can’t link to them thanks to their crappy flash website). They are supposed to be great for cracks and look like good shoes for the Creek. However, I have yet to find a place that has them in stock. Not even the esteemed Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, maybe one of the best climbing shops in the country, had them last time I was there. I also ran into this problem when I wanted to get some La Sportiva Barracudas. No local shops had them, not even the Yosemite Mountain Shop. Sheesh!

Now I understand that it can be tough for these stores to keep a big inventory of shoes that they might not sell many of, but I also know it’s in the best interest of the shoe company for people to be able to try on your stuff so they can then make a purchase. I suppose for now the best option is ordering a couple different sizes from a place that allows returns, and sending back the ones that don’t fit. Sucks to have to use all that extra shipping though just to dial down your size.

Anybody else run into this problem?