Cragbaby’s Big Boy Climbing Gear – Part 2 (La Sportiva Stick-It)
Since Cragbaby was an especially good boy this year, he not only scored a Mad Rock Chalkbag, but also his very own pair of rock shoes – the La Sportiva Stick-Its! Although the chalkbag is both fun and functional, C is absolutely in love with his rock shoes. As soon as we get to the crag, C demands to be geared up so that he can get to sending his own projects in the area.
Here’s what Cragbaby likes about his new shoes…
1. They are fun colors.
2. He can velcro the straps off and on all by himself.
3. They make him look like a big boy.
Here’s Cragmama’s thoughts…
Almost all the major brands of climbing shoes sell a kids shoe, but we ended up going with La Sportiva for a few reasons. First of all, our family hearts La Sportiva. My old pair of Barracudas held on through years of hard use and 2 resoles before I finally retired them. At first I was devastated that they’d been discontinued, but was relieved to find the Miuras to be of equal, if not better, quality.
 Hurry Mommy, put MY shoes on! |
 Almost ready! |
And my husband swears by his Mythos for everything but the really hard stuff. When we first began researching kid’s climbing shoes, I was disappointed to find out that the smallest size available is a Toddler’s 11…except for the Stick-Its, which came in an 8/9. Considering that C currently wears a 6, he’s still got some growing to do to make them a true “performance fit,” but when it comes to efficiency, they’re perfect!
Not only do I think the new shoes make C feel more of a part of the gang, they actually help him get around the cliffbase a lot faster/better. We put C in his Stick-its pretty much the minute we get to the crag, and he happily keeps them on all day. Even a couple of sizes too big they enable him to get more purchase on the rock and use smaller footholds.
 On the trail... |
 ...and on the rocks. |
So if your tyke is ready for his/her first pair of rock shoes, give the La Sportiva Stick-its a try. Size generously for the most wear, and don’t forget to brush up on your spotting technique, because once your little one gets a taste of sticky rubber, there’ll be no stopping him/her!
11 Responses to “Cragbaby’s Big Boy Climbing Gear – Part 2 (La Sportiva Stick-It)”
Of course I’m no expert, but I must say that the CragBaby has excellent form, AND based on this, it might be time for a new moniker… Cragbaby? not so much anymore! 🙂
I want a cragbaby, he’s so cute! “Cragbaby’s Big Boy #climbing Gear – Part 2 (La Sportiva Stick-It) http://t.co/pzVpuYbC” via @cragmama
I am SMITTEN with your adorable cragbaby. I always refer to them as ‘boulder babies’ but really, I think any term will do. I am light-years away from having my own, but your beautiful crag kiddo made my heart grow a few sizes this morning. He looks so natural in that last photo, that kid is gonna crush! 🙂
Katie – My Mommy’s heart grew a few sizes reading your comment 🙂 Thanks for saying such sweet things about C!
Hey there!!
Just wanted to say hi! I love the stick-its!! Naomi would totally enjoy a pair of those!
My kiddos loved the Mammut Minifant shoes, but I need to buy them new ones this year and can’t find them so I’ll definitely check out the stick-its 🙂
Hi there! My husband and I are climbers, we live near Boulder, CO, and I have a little one I am about to get on the rock! He is just getting into size 8, so when I found your post I was excited! C looks great, and I know my 3-year old boy will too!
Yay for climbing kiddos! Hope the stick-itts work out for you guys 🙂
When did other people start their kid climbing? My daughter is only 18 months but she is already skiing on her own. I’m pregnant with a 2nd, but wondering if she can try indoor climbing at 2?
Our little guy has grown up in an around the crags/climbing gyms ever since he was a few weeks old. He got his first harness at around 15 months, and he really liked just swinging around in it. We always offered whenever we were there but never pushed, and he was really hit or miss with whether or not he would actually climb, swing, or just play around while we climbed. Right before he turned 2 he learned how to climb up the area that the grown-ups use to downclimb after doing a problem on the free-standing boulder. But again, he was really hit or miss with whether he would want to do it or not for quite awhile. Ever since 3 or so, he’s been a lot more consistent, and now climbs several pitches in the gym almost every time we go – he’s also just recently begun getting to the tops of routes outside (he’ll be 4 in just a couple of months.) Anyway, I say all that to say – why not try it out at 2? Physically she can probably do some of it, but the real issue will be the toddler attention span 😉 Have fun with it!
-Erica
Hey there people, a chalky greeting from the land down under! My two year old daughter will start ‘harness’ climbing in a few weeks time and I’m keen to get ‘A’ her very own pair of climbing shoes just like dad has.
I’ve done a bit of good old Googling and I can find any shoes that might be able to fit her. Australia imports all its climbing gear as we don’t have any of our own brands. We can only buy kids harnesses down here so I’m stuck for climbing shoes. A little help would really go a long way here.
Thanks in advance
Brendon