NCKU CLIMBING WALL

"These climbing shoes are SO tight…"

My toes are curled and my arch is pushed up. Is that normal?
Did I get the wrong size?

✅
Yes — it's completely normal.

Why are they so tight?

Main job: help you climb better

  • No gap between your foot and the shoe, so your toes can stand precisely on tiny footholds.
  • Curled toes and a raised arch focus your power at the tip of your foot, so you stand more securely.
  • The soles are sticky, high-friction rubber that grips both the holds and the wall.

Side job: protect your feet

  • Holds and wall surfaces are rough, and the shoes keep your feet from getting scraped.
A pair of SCARPA climbing shoes on the mat, with a narrow, pointed toe box
The toe box is narrow and pointed — that's what lets you stand on tiny holds
See how shoes stand on tiny holds ↗

What if they really hurt?

Only wear them while you climb

Take them off as soon as you're down. Switch back to your own shoes while you queue, belay or rest — your feet will thank you.

Still can't stand it? Go one size up

Tight, snug and curled toes are all normal. But if it's genuinely painful or your feet go numb, tell a manager and swap for a bigger pair.

Climbing shoes and harnesses laid out on the mat with a foot-measuring chart in front
Not sure of your size? There's a foot-measuring chart on site

Two last things

  • Climbing shoes stay on the mats.
    Please don't walk on grass or dirt — it makes the rubber slippery, wears it down, and ends up on the holds.
  • They are shared gear, so please take good care of them ❤️
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