so... shoes

[truelove]

Actually, more, lack thereof?

How actually batshit would it be, to climb barefoot at an indoor gym? I basically prefer to do everything barefoot whenever possible -- especially anything that requires precision balance. (Legacy of my primary athletic background being gymnastics, followed up by a smattering of martial arts as an adult. I've always *been* barefoot when doing athletics.)

I mean, I'm not particularly worried about hygiene, considering my bare hands are going on those same holds and frankly my own feet are probably cleaner than most people's shoe soles, just... wondering if there are compelling reasons why it's a terrible idea?

Comments

[cofax7]

My gym expressly forbids barefoot climbing. Probably for the possibility that a barefoot climber might have athlete's foot or some other type of problem that could be conveyed to other climbers who are using their hands.

And, frankly, the bare foot unsupported by a climbing shoe has a much more difficult time with the little holds one finds on a gym wall.

[truelove]

A quick trip to the googles in fact showed me that, heavens, some people have some strong opinions about the cleanliness of the notion.

I find it baffling and a chunk of it misguided or misinformed, but probably not worth the time and energy to argue over.