On the furniture at home and on the tree in the schoolyard: children have a natural urge to climb. So it makes sense that the little ones with climbing shoes discover the vertical world - at the latest when they make their first attempts in the hall or on the rock. Well-known manufacturers now have specific climbing finches for kids on offer. And these differ significantly from their adult counterparts.
A contribution by Fabian Reichle - Bächli Bergsport
Choosing the perfect climbing shoe is a science in itself for adults. Asymmetry, pretension and downturn play a decisive role, especially for performance-oriented athletes. The rigidity of the sole and extra rubber for hooks get the maximum power and grip out of your feet. With children, however, it is quite different.
Children's climbing shoes: comfortable, soft, grows with the child
Children's feet are growing, it would be foolhardy to force them into tight, uncomfortable shoes. In addition, motor development at a young age is still in the development phase. Therefore, the creed applies to children's climbing shoes: They have to be comfortable, they should fit loosely and have a soft sole. Another factor is shoe size. It would be a pity if the shoe purchase is already too small after a few weeks. Renowned brands accommodate this with sophisticated systems that allow the shoe to grow with you.
The credo for children's climbing shoes: they have to be comfortable, they should fit loosely and have a soft sole.
Children's climbing finches for the little ones
For shoe sizes from 27 (sometimes even smaller). Scarpa with the Piki, La Sportiva with the Stickit or Black Diamond with the Momentum Kids Children's climbing shoes on offer that are perfect for very young climbers. All shoes are particularly soft with a flat sole. In addition, the focus is on easy entry and a comfortable fit without pressure points. The closure system is partly designed to cover two shoe sizes.
Despite everything, high quality materials are used and in particular the rubber compound of the sole is usually the same as in adult models. In this way, kids can literally win the climbing sport step by step in a very authentic manner.
The Badile north ridge for a moment: this is how children climb with Leo Houlding
Children's climbing shoes for the slightly older ones
When the first steps on the wall are successful, many children and early adolescents really start to enjoy vertical fun. These demands should also be met with specific climbing finches. From a certain age, the shoes may pick up sporting elements.
Slight bias and asymmetrical cuts come into their own. Of the Drago Kid by Scarpa or the Tarantula Jr by La Sportiva belong in this category. Nevertheless, even with the more ambitious models, the focus is still on easy entry.
If you see your children growing up in climbing, you should make sure that the footwear grows with them. Then nothing stands in the way of a truly steep scrambling career.
The entire range Children's climbing shoes at Bächli Bergsport:
Children's climbing finch Piki by Scarpa
Children's climbing finch Stickit by La Sportiva
Children's climbing finches Momentum Kids by Black Diamond
Children's climbing finch Drago Kid by Scarpa
Children's climbing finches Tarantula Jr by La Sportiva
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Credits: Cover photo Angel Balashev
About Bächli mountain sports
Bächli mountain sports is the leading Swiss specialist shop for climbing, mountaineering, expeditions, hiking, ski touring and snowshoeing. Currently offering 11 locations in Switzerland Bächli mountain sports its customers expert advice and high quality service. LACRUX publishes in collaboration with Bächli mountain sports Articles on the topics of climbing and bouldering.