How To Choose Ice Climbing Shoes

They say ice climbing is not for the weak of hearts but the brave. There is something about ice climbing that makes your heart beat faster and faster. For most of us, adrenaline junkie, ice climbing offers the right amount of adrenaline to live. So if you are considering going for an ice climbing trip, then you should always buy the right ice climbing shoes. Having the right ice climbing shoe will ensure that you reach your destination in one piece. Here at Pursuing Outdoors, we have listed several factors that you should consider before buying a particular set of ice climbing shoes. Choosing the right ice climbing shoe can be broken down into three parts;

1. Material

Every great ice climbing shoe is made from a different material. Each element comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Picking the right one will depend on your personal preference and the area you intend to ice climb. It is a must for anyone who wishes to pursue outdoor activities, which involve ice climbing to understand the different ice climbing materials. These include;

Leather Material

Before the advancement in technology, people used to ice climb mountains using ice climbing shoes made from leather. Over the years, these leather boots have withstood the test of time and are still being used. The significant aspect of leather shoes is that they are tight, stiff, and reliable. Due to these features, they can withstand the harshness of ice, rock, and snow, yet still very comfy.

Synthetic

Advancement of technology has lead to the creation of synthetic boots. Synthetic boots are lighter in nature and more comfortable. They also dry faster as compared to their counterparts, leather boots. However, they are less durable as compared to their peers, leather boots.

Plastic Upper

Another ice climbing material is plastic. Plastic upper material offers a wide range of advantages. These include; waterproof properties and very warm. Even though plastic boots do perform well on snow and ice condition, the performance cannot be compared to leather or synthetic boots.

2. Stiffness of the Boot

While choosing an ice climbing boot based on stiffness, you do have to know and understand the conditions you are likely to experience. Stiffness of boots can be grouped into three groups.

These include;

Rigid; For areas of high snow and ice.

Medium Flex; These boots are for areas with less demanding snow and ice routes

Flexible; these are for trekking through snow, ice, and streams

3. Crampon Compatibility

Ice Climbing is no joke; one wrong mistake can lead to your ultimate demise or severe injuries on your body. You should always check the crampon compatibility of the shoe you have as it will ensure your safety while ice climbing. https://pursuingoutdoors.com/ is your go-to website for getting several tips about ice climbing shoes.

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