Jump to content
Shoe Repairer Forum

sheeting for rock climbing shoes


Recommended Posts

There are quite a number of material types for this work and they mainly go by the name of "Sticky Rubber" (so that it grips).

 

Very difficult to work with for a start.

There are also different thicknesses.

My honest advice to you would be to steer well clear unless you have a club near to that has a lot of menbers making it worth while pursuing.

 

You need the manufacturing type lasts to stretch the soles around the uppers, dont think you can scour the sole bottom level and put a flat layer on top as the edges will come adrift in use and you dont want a guy halfway up a sheer rockface when his sole comes off.

 

You may of course know all this but the advice is also given for those who know nothing about it.

 

Most of the guys who carry out this work will not give away trade secrets on this one but I would ask Charles birch as I seem to remember that they did some of this material but it was many years ago, good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never heard of it Hugh.

I think I may be thinking of a different type of climbing boot. I've done hundreds of these in my time.

 

These aint normal Climbing boots, these are Rock Face climbing boots, a sort of glove on your foot with a sole that will grip like shite on a shovel.

If you want to see these folks i8n action get to know the name of the female french rock climbing champion then put this into you tube, this gal is effing awsome. You just would not believe what she can do on a sheer rockface. Speed climbing is also a good one to watch, sorry cant provide any links but worth the effort to find them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never heard of it Hugh.

I think I may be thinking of a different type of climbing boot. I've done hundreds of these in my time.

 

These aint normal Climbing boots, these are Rock Face climbing boots, a sort of glove on your foot with a sole that will grip like shite on a shovel.

If you want to see these folks i8n action get to know the name of the female french rock climbing champion then put this into you tube, this gal is effing awsome. You just would not believe what she can do on a sheer rockface. Speed climbing is also a good one to watch, sorry cant provide any links but worth the effort to find them.

 

I see, you mean these man made indoor rock faces.......... sorry I was in the wrong bunk :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rock climbers need to feel their feet so don't put any thing to heavy & thick on them.

 

Rock climbing shoes usually have a very thin soling material of around 4 - 5 mm thick, with very little tread but as hugh says very grippy & a high rubber randing for scrambing which is often part of the moulding. there are shoes with a separate randing which can have the soles replaced, but as hugh comments

 

Speed climbing is also a good one to watch, sorry cant provide any links but worth the effort to find them.

 

Having now watched my boy Ross, develop into a climbing wall fanatic & watched the skills of others at the club I am now realising just how much work these shoes do, I think I would be thinking very seriously before taking them on for repair.....

 

Its funny how the whole house becomes a playground for rock climbers! I even spotted Ross going up the stairs via the stairwell the other day, he didn't get away with it! nutter......

Lee

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I`ve got a pair of rock climbing shoes in my shop, the sole and edging is all about 0.75mm - 1.00mm thick.

It looks very possible to repairs these shoes, as the meterial is very thin and durable.

 

Charles Birch say they don`t have any sheeting, so says the girl who answered the phone, may try them again, with that one.

 

If none of you lot know, I`ll have to contact the people who make the climbing shoes.

 

Thanks for helping :lol: :lol: :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I`ve got a pair of rock climbing shoes in my shop, the sole and edging is all about 0.75mm - 1.00mm thick.

It looks very possible to repairs these shoes, as the meterial is very thin and durable.

 

They look easy but are far from it. That very thin edge is a taper from a 4-5mm centre and not only is it difficult to scive the edge to a uniform thickness all round it is also very difficult to stretch the sole around the uppers. There are different techniques for doing this that cant be written about, you have to be shown, it is like getting a Tennis ball and drawing a line around the middle, then getting a stick-on-sole to wrap around the bottom half up to the line without getting creases in it.

Try and scour the skive on this rubber (providing that they will let you have some) and it will melt due to the heat, thats why its called sticky rubber and is like slick tyres for car racing, the hotter they get the stickier they become to give more grip which is just what the outdoor rock face guys are after.

 

I have experience of doing these and will tell you quite openly that you could be playing with fire and could get your fingers well and truly burnt.

Things are not what they seem. Proceed with extreme caution.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Klazykobbler

Hi

 

I was using some stuff last year it was supplied bu t colledge i think it was called Crepalina could be spelt crepaliner. It i was supplied in sheets really flexible and had the same feel as vibram. I was using it to do toepieces with. i'm sure its a availabe in further sizes could be worth giving t colledge a ring to see if they can send u a small sample.

 

KLazy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

THE RAND IS TO STOP THE UPPER FROM WEARING AWAY ON THE ROCKS AND IS SOMETIMES NOT ON PARTICULAR SHOES AS THE SOLE IS EXTENDED TO FORM A ONE PIECE UNIT.

(sorry about the capitals but I aint re-typing it)

It is interesting work and there should be a lot of opportunities within your catchment area including Buxton.

The ones that have the contracts with the climbing schools and private climbers hold their secrets very close to their chests and use blackmail tactics with suppliers (or did), sort of "if you supply Dave Jones at Glossop we will stop dealing with you" Like most sports there are always changes in materials to get the best possible grip and performances, they wont tell what the latest fad is and may send you off on a trip to purchase material that is not used any more.

 

It is interesting and if you can get enough punters it is very lucrative as no-one does a very quick service.

I got into it by offering a free repair to a club member in return for word of mouth publicity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...