Can You Wear Socks With Climbing Shoes

Authored By Trekking Expert

Are you a climber looking for the best way to approach your next bouldering session? Have you been wondering if you can wear socks with your climbing shoes for extra comfort?

The answer is yes. Both men & women wearing socks with your climbing shoes can benefit your climbing experience, providing extra cushioning and warmth in colder temperatures.

From thin, breathable socks to thicker wool socks, various styles and materials are available to suit your needs.

Not only will wearing socks with your climbing shoes make your feet more comfortable, but it can also help protect your feet from injuries.

In this guide, I’ll explain why wearing socks with climbing shoes can be beneficial and provide tips on choosing the right sock for your feet.

Why wear socks with climbing shoes?

Climbing shoes are designed to fit like a glove, giving you optimal control and grip while climbing.

However, they aren’t designed to keep your feet warm, so wearing socks with your climbing shoes is a great way to address this problem.

You don’t want to wear full-length socks because they will make it impossible to fit your climbing shoes, but a thin pair of socks can keep your feet warm, provide extra cushioning, and help reduce the risk of blisters.

You may also want to wear socks with climbing shoes to protect your feet from injury. If your feet get too warm, you risk developing blood blisters, and small pockets of fluid that form under the skin.

Climbing shoes tend to be very tight-fitting, so socks provide an extra layer of protection to help reduce the risk of developing blood blisters.

Types of socks for climbing shoe

Depending on your desired level of warmth and cushioning, there are different types of socks designed to be worn with climbing shoes. These include:

Thin wool socks A thin wool sock is designed to provide warmth and comfort while being lightweight and breathable.
Wool socks Wool blend socks are designed to provide warmth and moisture-wicking and odor-reducing properties.
Wool socks are designed to keep your feet warm without making them too friendly.
Thicker wool socks Thick wool socks are designed for extra warmth and added cushioning and protection.
Woven socks are designed to provide warmth and breathability, making them an excellent all-around option.
Compression socks are designed to provide warmth and support, but they are much thicker than the other options.

Benefits of wearing socks with climbing shoe

Comfort – Perhaps the most significant benefit of wearing socks with climbing shoes is increased comfort. Climbing shoes are designed to provide optimal grip and control while climbing but aren’t intended to be the most comfortable. Wearing a thin pair of socks can help make your climbing shoes more comfortable and reduce the risk of pressure marks on your foot.

Protection – Climbing shoes aren’t designed to protect your feet from injury, but wearing socks can help protect your feet from scrapes and cuts and help prevent blisters. A pair of thin socks can help control foot movement inside the climbing shoe and provide an extra layer of protection against injury.

Protection from the elements – If you’re climbing in cold weather, wearing a pair of thick wool socks can be a great way to keep your feet warm. Climbing shoes tend to be made from synthetic materials that don’t offer much warmth, so adding a pair of socks can help boost your warmth and comfort.

Tips for choosing the right socks

You’ll want to keep a few things in mind when shopping for socks to ensure you get the best pair for climbing. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Opt for a breathable material – You don’t want to wear a material that will trap moisture and cause your feet to be too warm. This can increase your chance of developing blisters and other foot issues while climbing.

Choose a sock that reduces odor – If you’re climbing regularly, you’ll want to wear a sock that reduces odor and is machine-washable. This will help maintain the quality of your socks, keeping them smelling fresh for longer.

Choose a comfortable sock that fits your foot – You don’t want your socks to be too tight or loose. This can result in blisters or discomfort while climbing.

How to pair socks with climbing shoe

When pairing socks with climbing shoes, choose a sock that is neither too tight nor too loose.

If you wear a looser sock, you may risk developing blisters or cuts, while a tight sock may result in restricted circulation and discomfort. To ensure you’re pairing the right socks with your climbing shoes, follow these tips:

Make sure your climbing shoes fit correctly before pairing them with socks.
Start with a looser pair of socks and gradually tighten them until you find the ideal level of smugness.
If you have larger feet, you may want to consider a thicker pair of socks to compensate for the extra space in your climbing shoe.
If you prefer to wear two pairs of socks, ensure they don’t add too much extra space to your climbing shoes.

Advantages of wearing socks with climbing shoes

Added warmth – Wearing warm socks can make your climbing shoes much more comfortable in cold weather, which is particularly important if you have larger or cold feet.

Protection from blisters – Wearing a thin pair of socks can help protect your feet from blisters, particularly if your shoes don’t fit properly.

Protection from the elements – If you’re climbing in wet or muddy conditions, wearing a pair of waterproof socks can help protect your feet from getting wet and keep them warm.

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Disadvantages of wearing socks with climbing shoes

Reduced flexibility – Climbing shoes are designed to provide optimal flexibility, but adding a pair of socks can reduce this, making your shoe feel stiffer and less comfortable.

Reduced grip – If you wear a pair of thick or wool socks, they can make your climbing shoes feel less grippy and make it harder to feel the wall or rock you’re climbing.

FAQS

Are you supposed to wear climbing shoes without socks?

No, you are not supposed to wear climbing shoes without socks. Climbing shoes are designed to be worn with socks to protect your feet from blisters and other issues. Wearing them without socks can cause your feet to slip around in the shoe and create a lot of friction, leading to blisters and other foot problems. Additionally, wearing climbing shoes without socks can cause them to stretch out and reduce the support they provide. It’s important to make sure that your socks fit well in your climbing shoes. You want them to be snug but not too tight so that your feet can move freely in the shoe and you don’t feel uncomfortable. Too loose or thick Socks can cause your feet to move around in the shoe and create more friction. The best socks for climbing shoes are thin, low-cut socks that fit snugly against your feet. When putting on your climbing shoes, ensure that the laces are tight enough to give you good support but not so tight that they cause discomfort or restrict movement. You also want to ensure that there is no extra fabric or material inside the shoe that could cause friction.

Do you go barefoot in climbing shoes?

No, you never go barefoot in climbing shoes! Climbing shoes are designed to provide traction and support while climbing, so they don’t work as well if you’re going barefoot. Plus, it can be dangerous – without the right protection, you could scrape your feet, slip, fall, or otherwise injure yourself. Instead, make sure you wear socks with your climbing shoes for a comfortable and safe fit. They’ll provide some extra cushioning and prevent you from getting blisters or other injuries.

Do you wear socks with athletic shoes?

Yes, I do wear socks with my athletic shoes. I find that wearing socks helps keep my feet comfortable, which is important when running or playing sports. They also help to protect my feet from blisters and keep them warm and dry. Plus, they help absorb sweat, reducing the chances of athletes’ foot and other fungal infections. I recommend buying a good pair of socks specifically designed for use with athletic shoes. Look for a sock that is made from breathable fabric and has a snug fit. Avoid cotton socks, as they tend to hold onto moisture and can make your feet feel hot and sweaty. Socks made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, spandex, and nylon are best because they wick away sweat and keep your feet cool and dry. Also, ensure the right size of sock for your shoe. If the sock is too big, it can bunch up inside your shoe and cause discomfort. And if the sock is too small, it can feel tight and restrict circulation in your foot.

Uttam Kapri

Uttam Kapri is a highly experienced trekking guide with over 10 years of experience in the tourism industry. He holds a Master's degree in Sociology and a Bachelor's degree in various fields, including English Literature and Travel and Tourism Development. Uttam is passionate about welcoming people from all over the world for trekking trips in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.