Holiday Shoe Demos at Touchstone!
This holiday season, Touchstone will be hosting a series of rock shoe demos at each of their gyms. La Sportiva, Five Ten, and Evolve shoes will be presenting a number of different shoes. A representative of the shoe company will help you find your size and the ideal shoe. Find a new shoe to make you crush that steep boulder problem, fight through the pumpy sport route, or get tradical on a long Yosemite crack climb. The demos will be from Dec 13 to the 16th. The best part is that shoes bought at the demos will be 20% off for members and 10% for non-members. All sales are final. The demos are:
Monday- Dec 13- DRG
Tuesday- Dec 14- BIW
Wednesday- Dec 15- GWPC
Thursday- Dec 16- MC
FiveTen
HornetsThere is no better shoe for high-end sport climbing, bouldering or competition climbing. The Hornet is built on a new state-of-the-art low volume last, with a downturned toe and an asymmetrical lacing system that allows for a perfect, custom fit. The upper is synthetic Cowdura™ with a 3-D Polytechnic™ coating that increases durability and abrasion resistance without adding weight. The Mystique™ outsole offers unparalleled grip, precision and durability.
Blackwing mens/women'sThink Dragon with a Velcro® closure. We made our latest state-of-the-art shoe even more user-friendly. The padded-tongue has a super-soft, fleecy microfiber lining. It wicks sweat and gives the top of your foot support and comfort, no matter what the angle. The new Blackwing fits like a glove, but slides on easily. The team shoe heel cup is extra snug and the Mystique™ outsole is specifically designed for ultimate friction on overhanging rock.
Anasazi lvThe Anasazi LV (Low Volume) excels on climbs of 5.11 and higher, both indoors and out. This performance climbing shoe is built on a women’s-specific last, and is designed for medium volume feet. The heel design offers an excellent, no-slip fit. Five Ten®’s proprietary “Power Toe” and a unique midsole provide the support for extremely technical climbs. Outsoles are Stealth® C4™ with extremely high friction, indoors and out.

Five Ten will also have the Arrowheads, the Coyote Velcro, the Super Mocc, and the Quantums.
SportivaSolutionsA high performance shoe purposely built to provide the solution for modern bouldering problems
Miura VS for Men and Women-A high performance shoe for amazing edging control and pocket climbing performance
La Sportiva will also shoe the Testarossa.
EvolvPontas LaceA much stiffer version of the Pontas, the Pontas Lace is a sporty outdoor shoe that performs brilliantly at edging. With the added rand rubber around the toe box, it can also be used as a more technical traditional climbing shoe.
TalonVertical terrain need not apply. The Talon has always been the weapon of choice for serious steep sends! New for 2009 is the toe box rand layout, fully perforated upper, rigid heel cup, black mesh trim and green TRAX rubber in the arch. Ideal for bouldering, gym, and sport.
PredatorThe Predator just got a serious upgrade in the cosmetic department and is ready for your steepest projects! New for 2009 is a deeper heel cup with more tension, rigid heel cup, moderately perforated upper for breathability, higher toe rand, and black mesh pull straps. Ideal for sport, gym, and bouldering.
Optimus Prime Chris Sharma designed this versatile down cambered shoe for front point edging and climbing vertical to overhanging climbs. It offers high performance in a comfortable fit.

Evolve will also be showing the Kaos, the Defy, the Pontas, the Royale, and the Elektra.
Stop by the Shoe Demos and get a
GREAT deal on shoes out this winter season!
Labels: Chris Sharma, Climbing Shoes, Demos
Top 10 Rock Climbing Shoe Buying Tips

For the last two weeks we've been giving you some pointers and tips on how to go about equipping yourself with some of the proper and basic necessities of rock climbing. We already mentioned the importance of a good helmet to protect you from falls indoors, and falls and falling debris when you're doing outdoor climbing. We also talked to you about the need for a great pair of climbing shoes, but we just found an article packed with 10 tips on how to go about selecting the Perfect pair for you.
So you know you need shoes and want some help figuring out what to keep in mind as you look? Glad you asked,
thanks to About.com, here are 10 tips to help you pick the perfect pair, and get you climbing in no time at all:
- Buy at a Reputable Mountain Shop
- Buy an All-Around Rock Shoe
- Get a Snug Comfortable Fit
- Rock Shoes Will Stretch
- Improper Sizing is a Common Problem
- Great Deals Can Be Found Online
- Buy Used and Save Big
- Buy Last Year's Models Cheap
- Do A Test Run at a Shoe Demo
- Rent Before Buying Rock Shoes
There you go! Keep those simple tips in mind the next time you're in the market for a great pair of climbing shoes and you'll avoid the hassle of having to return them, or worse, having to climb in shoes that don't fit. Ouch.
Labels: Climbing Equipment, Climbing Gear, Climbing Shoes, How To
How To Buy Rock Climbing Shoes

When it comes to rock climbing, indoor or outdoor, one piece of equipment that is worth its weight in gold, is a good pair of rock climbing shoes. If you've never climbed in proper shoes, you'll be shocked how much better you are, feel and how much higher your confidence will be once you get into them. They are vital, but many people aren't aware just how important they are.
We just found a good post that offers up
a brief primer on what to look for, and why you should be looking, when it comes to rock climbing shoes. Basically, rock climbing shoes are specially made and designed
"with a special kind of rubber that provides friction when climbing on rock. They also are formed so that a climber can jam their foot into a crack, or smear on a flat slab. Thus, they have a significant advantage over sneakers or boots."
When doing the actual shopping around, here are a few things you should look for:
"...consider doing so at a specialty climbing shop. It’s easier to make an informed purchase after trying the shoe on for fit and comfort, and the sales staff can help finding a particular shoe for different kinds of climbing (for instance, sport climbing on short routes versus trad climbing on long routes). The shoes should fit snugly, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. The store might have a simulated climbing surface to try out the shoes on."
Our advice, come into one of our Touchstone Climbing gym locations. Our staff can help you make the best decision possible, and you can even try them out right there on our walls. Remember, don't neglect the shoes, they'll take your climbing to new levels.
Labels: Climbing Equipment, Climbing Shoes, How To, Touchstone Climbing