How hard can we climb in "beginner" shoes??

This week we ditch our performance climbing shoes and slip on “beginner” shoes. Does all the toe squeezing and suffering we usually endure really give us an edge? Or could we be paying half the price for shoes and climbing just as hard? We liberate our toes at @bloc.11 to find out.
This episode is supported by Vertigo Gear 💥 A huge thank you to them for supplying us with Madrock Drifters! Check them out in Cape Town or online for all your climbing gear needs!
vertigogear.co.za
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[@wimmeltje]

This is a very interesting and entertaining video! And the videos are all very well edited too. Subbed to the channel and looking forward to seeing more!

[@f8bouldering]

Thanks so much for the support Joris 🙏

[@christians6974]

When I bring new people with me to the gym they wear the worn down rental shoes with socks. That would be another cool video to watch!

[@naadirahmoola110]

The aggression in the intro 😂! We missed you Trav!

[@f8bouldering]

❤️❤️❤️

[@zwei2084]

Such a cool concept! I've climbed in a pair of oversized hand-me-down drifters from my first sends at Bloc 11 to my first reds and yellows so this feels so close to home.

[@jt_climbing]

it's such a cool concept, every climbing youtuber on the internet has done it!

[@f8bouldering]

Wow I can’t believe they’re still intact! That’s a properly loved shoe 😀 Awesome to hear you’re still crushing in them

[@chrisembryclimbing]

I can see the progression as you got more and more comfortable and trusting of the 'beginner' shoes. But I also noticed it comes down to proper technique and muscle memory as experienced climbers. As a new climber, definitely appreciate seeing that us newcomers don't NEED to spend $$ on shoes, but focus on technique and the 'how-to' first. Love the content and will be looking forward to more.

[@f8bouldering]

Thanks so much Chris! Such a great comment - I completely agree :)

[@BenjaminStiller]

Great job gang! Loved the video :) Gonna go buy me some Drifters ASAP haha

[@f8bouldering]

Haha thanks Ben 😛

[@wijn1008]

Anything from black and above (6a) becomes a pain with flat shoes. You notice beginner shoes lack with overhang grip, crimpy footholds and smearing on volumes.

[@vertigogear4768]

🔥🔥🔥

[@ghostcatcher1279]

Do the different colors have grades to them, or are there a range of grades like V0-V1 for the "easiest" color?

[@f8bouldering]

Yeah they are grade brackets… something like this (though always taken with a pinch of salt): White 4+ Orange 4/5+ Blue 5+ - 6A+ Black 6A+ - 6B+ Pink 6B+ -6C+ Purple 6C+ -7A+ Yellow 7A+ - 7B+ Red 7B+ - 8A+

[@Nixthyo]

Are performance shoes just aggressive downturned? Or asymmetric?

[@f8bouldering]

They aren't necessarily super downturned. A downturn is incredibly useful on steeper routes, but aggressive shoes could be a hindrance on something like a technical smeary slab. Performance shoes are pretty much asymmetric across the board through. The asymmetry helps squeeze your toes together, creating a single point of pressure against the rock. This means more precision, better edging etc. Hope that helps? :) Sorry for the slow reply!

[@justintan7548]

What's the equivalent of a red on the V scale?

[@f8bouldering]

About V9-12 (it’s a wide bracket)