How to know when to resole climbing shoes?

To know when to resole climbing shoes, the primary indicator is when the rubber at the toe starts to get rounded. This is the optimal time to ensure your shoes can be repaired effectively and prolong their lifespan.

Resoling your climbing shoes at the right moment is crucial for maintaining performance and saving money in the long run. While climbing shoes are made of just a few millimeters of rubber, recognizing the early signs of wear can prevent more extensive and costly repairs, or even the need for a completely new pair.

Key Signs It's Time to Resole

Catching wear early is key. Here are the most common indicators that your climbing shoes are ready for a resole:

• Rounded Toes: As mentioned, when the sharp edge of your shoe's toe rubber begins to lose its crispness and becomes visibly rounded, it's a clear signal. This means the vital climbing surface is wearing down.
• Thinning Sole: Feel the sole, especially under the ball of your foot and toes. If the rubber feels noticeably thinner or shows significant wear compared to when the shoes were new, it's time.
• Loss of Edge: You'll notice your shoes struggling to hold small edges or smears as effectively as they once did. This reduced performance is a direct result of the worn-down rubber.
• Visible Rand or Small Holes: Even if you've gambled and ended up with a tiny hole in the toe, don't worry! You're not past the point of repair yet. However, if you start to see the lighter-colored rand (the protective rubber strip above the sole) peeking through the main sole, or if small holes develop in the toe, you are at a critical stage. Resoling at this point is still possible, but waiting longer could damage the rand, making the repair more difficult or even impossible without a full rand replacement.
• Rubber Delamination: If parts of the sole or rand begin to peel away from the shoe's upper, it's definitely time for a resole or repair.

Why Early Resoling Matters

Waiting too long to resole can significantly impact the repair process and cost:

1. Protect the Rand: The rand is a critical structural component of your climbing shoe. If the main sole wears through and you start climbing on the rand, it will quickly wear down. Resoling often replaces just the sole and sometimes a small part of the toe rand. If the rand itself is severely damaged, a more expensive rand repair or toe cap replacement will be necessary, or the shoes might become unresoleable.
2. Maintain Shoe Shape: Resoling performed before significant damage helps maintain the original shape and fit of the shoe, ensuring continued performance.
3. Cost-Effective: Resoling is typically much more affordable than buying a new pair of climbing shoes, especially for high-quality or specialized models.

Actionable Steps

• Regular Inspection: After each climbing session, quickly inspect your shoe toes and soles for any signs of wear.
• Compare to New: If you have a newer pair or remember what your shoes looked like new, compare them to gauge the extent of wear.
• Consult a Cobbler: When in doubt, a reputable climbing shoe resole specialist can assess your shoes and advise on the best course of action. They often have experience with various brands and types of climbing shoes.

By paying attention to these signs, particularly the rounding of the toe, you can ensure your climbing shoes stay in top condition and last for many more climbs.