FiveTen Men’s Gambit Climbing Shoe
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Posted by admin Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Categories: Rock Climbing Shoes
Tags: Climbing, FiveTen, Gambit, Men's, Shoe
I had rented leather beginner shoes for a couple of clinics and wanted my own pair for a 2-day foundations class. I chose Gambits, even though they’re not as comfortable as the ’rounder’ beginner shoes, because I wanted something that I could grow into as my climbing progressed.
I wore them around the house a couple of hours at a time for two weeks to grow a few extra layers of skin, as the seam of the top mesh and rand fall across the top of my toes and felt like it was digging into my flesh. I was initially worried I bought the wrong size style for me, but when it came time to get on the rock I knew I made the right choice.
The toe box felt much more comfortable latching into micro edges or smearing dimples than the rentals & I could feel the rock under my feet.
Come the 2nd day of class, the top seam faded away & I was smearing and edging with the best of them. I encountered a few “opportunities” to latch a hold with just my big toe, which is a bit painful for my newbie feet, but a very cool option to have when climbing an otherwise featureless face route.
If you’re new to climbing & want absolute comfort from day one then pick a different shoe, but if you’re willing to take the time and make the effort then go for a shoe that you’ll outwear before you outgrow.
Rating: 4 / 5