When attending your first session of bouldering it is good to have two bits of kit to hand, first the proper bouldering shoes and the right chalk.
How Bouldering Shoes Should Fit
Bouldering shoes should be quite fitted with little space between your toes. It’s also good to wear thin socks or no socks at all. Your toes will be curled up slightly in the shoes but that’s alright, it’s when they start to hurt that you know it’s too tight!
Neutral Versus Downturn Profiles
Neutral is better for a beginner. It has a flat sole so is much better for standing on small footholds as opposed to a downturn shoe which has a very aggressive downward lean and is only really for very overhanging climbs.
Chalk Formats Explained
Chalk is typically brought in a loose form to outdoor bouldering problems. This is also the most common form of chalk used indoors too. Chalk balls are a very popular choice of chalk as they can be dipped into to produce the perfect amount of powder for your hands, and they keep your bag very tidy. Liquid chalk is another form of chalk that is often used before climbing on problems indoors. The liquid is applied to the climbers hands before they start to climb and then dries to a fine even layer of chalk on the skin of the climbers hands. Many venues such as our bouldering in Cheltenham use liquid chalk or chalk balls as they produce a lot less dust than loose chalk. See also Bouldering Cheltenham.
How Much Chalk to Use
Don’t apply too much chalk. A light dusting is fine to apply before each climb, but a thick coating will actually reduce the amount of grip you have with your hands and with holds. Dip your hands in the chalk, tap off the excess and climb.
Looking After Your Shoes
After your session, pop the shoes out of the bag and allow them to breathe some air back to air. Don’t put them near a radiator or in direct sunlight as the rubber soles can quickly deteriorate in heat. Also, store your shoes in a cotton bag as opposed to a sealed plastic one. This will also stop your shoes from getting all squished up in between climbs and aid in drying if they do happen to get wet.
Good kit doesn’t have to be costly – just well fitted and looked after.
