Narrow rock and approach shoes

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Trailboss88

 
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Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Trailboss88 » Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:09 am

I've been climbing in some La Sportiva Tarantula rock shoes I bought recently, but I'm having difficulty edging because they are too wide. They are size 46.5 and the right length but too wide even with socks. I have long narrow feet (12.5A) which means I can't find any women's shoes long enough. I need a new pair of regular shoes so I was looking at getting approach shoes. The only pair that were even close to being narrow enough at the local outdoor store were Scarpa Crux in size 46, but they were even a little wide. Any recommendations from people with long narrow feet?

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Autoxfil

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Autoxfil » Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:16 pm

The Tarantula is not really a great edging shoe, which might be part of your problem. It's also a velcro shoe, which generally won't cinch down as tight.

Anasazi V2 lace-ups have a reputation for being narrow in the toe-box, which might be perfect for you. They also might be the best edging shoes ever. Muiras are lace-up and while not exceptionally narrow, edge quite well and stretch about half a size. So, you could size them down a little and let them stretch more lengthwise.

TC Pros are another contendor based on what I've heard about fit, but I haven't used them. If you can find them they are worth trying on.

I'm surprised you found the Crux to be narrow. Usually Scarpa are rather wide.

Used Guide Tennies (with the X on the back, not the 5.10 block logo) had a narrow fit. Newer ones are more of a regular D width.

What are you using the approach shoes for? It's easy to find running shoes in narrow widths (NB), and you can get a worn-down pair and put C4 rubber on the bottom. Or, just approach in running shoes.

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Trailboss88

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Trailboss88 » Wed May 02, 2012 8:10 pm

La Sportiva Muiras and TC Pros are only made up to size 46. Since my Tarantuals in 46.5 and just long enough, that's not going to work. I will check out the Anasazi VCS V2 in 13 but I'm thinking a lace up might hug my narrow feet better. I tried on a 5.10 Coyote at REI and couldn't even begin to fit my foot into a size 12; not sure what's up with their sizing.

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Sierra Ledge Rat

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Sierra Ledge Rat » Sat May 05, 2012 1:03 pm

I just bought a pair of Mad Rock Hustler approach shoes, size 46.

They're on sale now.

http://store.madrockclimbing.com/hustler.aspx

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Autoxfil

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Autoxfil » Mon May 07, 2012 5:35 pm

LaSportiva sizes by actual length. That means shoes meant to be worn short (like Muiras) need to be sized way down. I'd be shopping for 44.5 or 45 for a 12.5.

FYI, I wear Muiras in a 40, and usually wear a 42 in shoes/boots from LS. They are not sized that aggressively, and I keep them on comfortably for 7-8 pitch routes.

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Trailboss88

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Trailboss88 » Fri May 11, 2012 7:00 pm

The folks over at mountainproject.com with narrow feet recommended the Scarpa Techno in size 45 for a 12.5 narrow. I could only find a 45.5 available, so that's what I ordered for a new rock shoe. I looked at a review of the Mad Rock Fury approach mid-top shoe which said it has about a B width, so I think I'll give a size 46 Fury a try since they're not too expensive.

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Trailboss88

 
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Re: Narrow rock and approach shoes

by Trailboss88 » Fri May 11, 2012 7:20 pm

Sierra Ledge Rat wrote:I just bought a pair of Mad Rock Hustler approach shoes, size 46.

They're on sale now.

http://store.madrockclimbing.com/hustler.aspx


Is the size 46 you ordered the same as size 12.5? I don't see the euro sizes on their store.


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