| Why is this shoe suitable for women’s feet? |
After taking scans of hundreds of female climbers’ feet, we have taken into account the anatomical features of women’s feet to ensure comfort and precision.
As a result, this shoe has a smaller metatarsal perimeter and heel volume compared to the Men’s Vertika Soft.
This shoe is also a great option for men with narrow feet. |
| How does it provide precision and comfort? |
The slightly arched, asymmetrical shape, combined with moderate heel tension, gives greater precision and power to the big toe.
The 3-part construction of the toe box provides plenty of volume over the top of the toes. This ensures comfort and excellent sensitivity. |
| What is the shoe’s sole made of? |
XS GRIP Vibram® 4 mm sole. A soft rubber with good grip.
Combined with the flexible construction of the shoe’s upper, this gives the foot excellent sensitivity on the holds and very good grip, particularly on flat or rounded holds. |
| Does this shoe get bigger over time? |
To prevent the shoe from stretching over time, we designed the shoe’s upper with lined synthetic leather (thickness: 2.5 mm).
For breathability and foot comfort, we’ve designed a wide tongue at the front made from stretchy and highly ventilated 3D PET mesh. |
| How long does the sole last? |
The better a rubber’s grip, the faster it wears out, especially in indoor climbing.
That’s why we’ve chosen to work with Vibram, a renowned specialist. We selected the rubber that offers the best balance between durability and grip.
Our tests show that on average, rubber wears away in 6 months. This can vary depending on how you place your feet. |
| How does the wear indicator work? |
To help you know when to resole without risking damage to the shoe, our engineers have developed a wear indicator in the liner.
The wear indicator appears when 2/3 of the lining has been worn away, which will give you time to make an appointment to have your shoe resoled. |
| Where to resole your shoes when the soles are worn? |
Is your sole worn out? Do not throw away your shoe.
Visit our Decathlon stores to find out where to resole your shoe.
With your sole changed, you can climb once again with the shoe already moulded to your feet. |
| Any advice on choosing the right shoe size? |
If you are a climber working to improve your skills, you can buy them tighter (1/2 -1 size below normal, for example), but it’s important they don’t hurt, so that your foot can develop mobility, proprioception, and strength.
If you are an advanced climber, we suggest you take the time to try different sizes (1 to 2 sizes below normal) to find the best compromise between comfort and compression for more force when pushing off. |
| How to care for your climbing shoes |
Our first piece of advice is to never (under any circumstance) machine wash your shoes. Thermal and mechanical stress could damage them. We recommend that you wash them by hand, either with a sponge soaked in clean water or with a sponge soaked in soapy water (Marseilles soap), being sure to air-dry them at a stable temperate and avoid drying them on a radiator or in direct sunlight. |
