Equipment / Gear Reviews - (5) Scarpa Thunder rock climbing shoe

This was my very first purchase following on from my first rock climb at Dalkey quarry, I discovered that if I wanted to progress and do some more challenging climbs I would have to invest in a proper pair of rock climbing shoes.

I tried my best to read up on the internet about the best pair of shoes to buy, lace ups versus velcro, half size too small, two sizes too small etc. There is a raft of information out there and I was a little unprepared for the task of going into the shop and trying a pair on, after all how will I know which ones are right for me?

The first element I can comment on is the price, just short of €95 euro for the pair. There are cheaper options out there but these are few and far between, also the brand Scarpa is well known to me so it had a bearing on my choice.

I chose a pair approx a half size smaller for my foot on advice from some members in my mountaineering club, other advice (such as the net) suggest the tighter the better, this may be true but if they are so tight that they restrict blood flow then there will be no fun in it whatsoever so for some sound advice, go a half size for beginners.

A major benefit I found with these shoes (although I have to admit I did not do this on purpose) is the carrying loops on the back of the shoe, these allow you to hook a Carabiner onto the shoe for attaching to your harness for the sometimes long walk back to your gear (This will make sense to climbers) The main advantage of these however that I love is it makes it so much easier to put the shoes on, just grab a hold of the loops and pull.

The friction that I noticed compared to the runners I had been using was almost unbelievable. I still sometimes wonder just how the smooth sole sticks to the rock but all I know is it works and the performance is super. It has been mentioned to me that the soles are not as flexible as shoes from more experienced climbers, this is the case but in all honesty I am so way off that stage yet so for now the Scarpa Thunder will do me fine

Rating 4 out of 5

New Shoes

My first pair of rock climbing shoes. I couldn't help myself from buying these less than 24 hours after my first rock climb was over. I am getting the feeling that at €95 this will be some of the cheapest piece of equipment I will be getting for my new hobby.

Nevertheless I am chuffed to have finally made a start and cannot wait to get out there again, only this time properly kitted out for the task at hand. I will have to wait a couple of weeks however as next week is Laura' birthday and I do not want to miss that. So the 16th June will be my next foray into Dalkey Quarry

Introduction to rock climbing

I have been a member of Club Cualann since September 2009 and since then have been trying to go out rock climbing with them for the first time. I think it is something I would love but lack a little bit of confidence and motivations to actually say right, I am going tonight.

Last night however (June 2nd) and the night before my 24th birthday I finally managed to get out with the climbers and complete my first climb. The exhilaration when I got to the top of the rock was unbelievable. I am a complete novice to the sport, they do not come much greener than me but I threw myself into the challenge full on. Jim, who has been climbing for years and whom I know from several hillwalking excursions with the club was my teacher on the night and I could not have asked for a better one. Knowing as little as I do I hadn't even invested in climbing shoes so turned up wearing my gym runners, not ideal but the best of a bad lot for the task. Luckily too Jim has all the equipment and patience needed with a greenhorn and started at the very beginning with me.

The harness is something that will take getting used to, that is a tight fit! We meandered our way over to the starting point in Dalkey quarry, a rock face called Eliminate A, a grade VD*** (v diff which is an entry grade for most beginners) It took a while before we actually got into the climbing but I learned by watching Jim lead and Julie seconding an invaluable insight into the world of rock climbing. Eventually I had my chance and Row (another group member) showed me the ropes (literally) on how to tie the figure of eight knot.

This was very much a throw you into the deep end type of climbing but I relished the challenge and set off eagerly up the rock face feeling confident. The only difficult element is about half way up the wall, you are standing on a narrow ledge, hands above your head on some other narrow holds and you must get your feet into the area where your hands are. This was where I had the most difficulty, I try to drag myself up using upper body strength when poise and delicate moves are all that is required, I am sure I will learn this as time goes on. It took me less than ten minutes to climb the wall but I felt ecstatic when I got above the crux and onto the ledge above where Jim and Julie were waiting.

My first rock climb was complete and I am now hooked