We all know that feeling you just finished a climb and taken off those stinky sweaty shoes and your up on belay. You usually have two choices slip on the approach shoes or rock the barefoot. With the range of dingy rocky quarries and middle of buttfuck nowhere that climbing spots seem to grace I like most, tend to opt for slipping on the approach boots without tying the laces like in the picture above.
While quick, it’s not really very practical as no one wants to trip on laces while belaying or ruin the arches of their boots not to mention these are probably sweaty from the hike approach anyway.
But you might be left wondering what’s the alternative?
Best Belay Shoes Alternatives
While it might sound like a joke one of the best belay shoes are Crocs. Don’t worry that’s not a typo these slip on’s make amazing shoes to belay in. They are easy to put on and are extremely comfy.
While you won’t get style points for turning up to the crag with a pair of crocs hanging off a beener you will get a much easier time belaying.
The croc allows for easy slip ons and slip offs along with providing a little bit of toe protection which is always welcome.
Great for wandering around the crag and due to having no fabric it’s super easy to clean after a day climbing as you can just hose them down and they are good as new.
Best Belay Shoe
The Crocs Classic Clog has been around long enough to be the hottest shoe around, to unfashionably out of style, to back en vogue as the “cool kids” shoe.
In our expert opinion, this simple shoe is the best belay shoe option around. Easy, stylish (again for now) and relatively comfortable!
All sorts of “Swag” buttons to personalize with your own unique flare. Belay in style with your own look in some vintage classic Crocs.
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Non-Croc Belay Shoe Option
If you’re slow on jumping back on the Crocs bandwagon, here’s a hybrid option for you to consider.
Keen Newport H2 Closed Toe Sandal
The Keen Newports are a great hybrid sandal/slip-on that are perfectly suited to post climb activities or your turn on belay.
They are easy to slip-on, lightweight (although not as light as the Crocs).
These are very comfortable and offer great support for situations when you are on your feet for longer periods.
- Full Toe coverage
- Great Traction and support
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Sandals – The Fools Mistake
While you might see the croc and be like hey sandals are similar Ill wear those instead! This is what we call the fools mistake.
As you can see you cant slip on a sandal and that’s where the big difference lies After you finish a route you need easy access to belay shoes, not fiddley straps!
More importantly, most sandals offer no toe coverage which makes them vastly inferior to the mighty croc.
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