I guess you could call me a bit of a climbing nut at times, or maybe a big kid.  However recently I’ve been neglecting the monkey within, and it’s about time I got back to it.  I always smile when I’m getting my climbing kit on… Why?  Well every time i get ready I always get really quizzical looks from people. Usually when they are looking at my shoes.

The shoes (which I love) are the Mad Rock Mad Monkey shoes shown in the picture.  They are actually children’s climbing shoes!  Yep you heard me right, I wear kiddies climbing shoes… But why?  (Because I’m a big kid at heart!) Well for a start I have wide feet.  Most other brands are incredibly (and I do mean like really, really!) uncomfortable.  And yes I know climbing shoes are supposed to be tight… but not that tight!  Anyway these shoes are the only ones so far that I’ve fallen for completely.  They are like slippers rather than shoes… They have a flexible base and very soft suede top.  The rubber us uber-sticky and is actually much harder wearing than you might think at first.  They are great for technical climbing especially those little delicate fingery routes.  I wouldn’t recommend them for heel hooks though… If you want to do that you really need a sturdier middle section.

They come is a range of childrens sizes, up to a 4.5 (UK sizing).  My ordinary daytime shoe size is a 5 but for these shoes I have 2 pairs… a very snug 2.5 which is great for those really delicate climbs, and a much larger 3.5… Interestingly I would be drowning in a 4.5 and really I find the 3.5 is a bit big (unless I’m jumping down from a bouldering problem and then I’m glad for the extra bit of room).

Over the years I’ve struggled to get hold of these shoes with so many high street suppliers not stocking them in the larger sizes but these days I know just the place to go and get them!  Bowldro! They have them in all sizes and at a great price.  You could pay a lot more than that in most shops!  Anyway I thought I’d share one of my little climbing secrets.   My favourite climbing shoes.  I just hope Mad Rock don’t stop making them or I’ll be on the prowl for a large quantity to keep me in climbing shoes forever!!!

Something I have noticed is that a lot of software engineers seem to be into climbing… I wonder if anyone on my twitter feed or who reads this site is also into climbing…. What is it that they find so fascinating with the sport and why do so many climbers also do an engineering style role….