What to Expect at a Climbing Shoe Demo

So you're thinking of heading to a boot demo? 

If you've never been to a climbing shoe/boot demo and are wondering what is happening or going to happen, don't worry, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you navigate the wonderful world of demos! 

Commonly referred to as boot demos, they originate from the fact that rock climbing shoes evolved from leather walking (mostly brown) boots. Despite modern rock shoes now bearing more resemblance to a rubber sock, we still hold the tradition of calling them “boot demos”. 

Basically, boot demos are an event where you can try on and climb in rock shoes before buying. This gives you a chance to test the rubber, the fit and whether they suit your style of climbing.

Often there are also extra discounts to take advantage of, so you can walk away with the perfect pair of shoes and get a bargain in the process!

How Do They Work?

Climbing shoe brands will bring down a massive range of their shoes, with one in each size and all laid out in the climbing space. You can head over to the table at any point there and have a chat to the team about your climbing style, experience and shoe requirements. 

They will then be able to match you with a pair to try. Then it's on you to head to the wall and put them through their paces by doing a few climbs. At that point, you can then hand them back and try a different shoe or size.

There are no limits on how many you can try, but as there is only one pair of each size, it's best practice to return them after a few climbs.

Once you've found your perfect match, you can then head to the shop to buy them. If that size isn't in stock, don't worry; at Depot boot demos, you can back order the pair you want, and you will still get the demo discount when they arrive on site. 

And it really is as simple as that! If you want to head down to a demo, check your local walls' social media for the latest dates on when they will be running.