Climbing shoes aren’t cheap.

And when you finally break in the perfect pair, the last thing you want is to trash them early because of bad habits. Whether you're bouldering indoors or sending routes outdoors, these common mistakes can kill your shoes fast. The good news? They're all easy to avoid.

1. Wearing Them to the Bathroom (or Anywhere That Isn’t the Wall)

Yeah, we get it — you're just walking to grab water or hit the loo. But every step on rough concrete, dirt landing, dusty floors is grinding away at your precious rubber. Your climbing shoes are made for sending, not strolling. Stick to flip-flops when you're not on the wall.

2. Leaving Them in a Hot Car

Think your climbing shoes are fine chilling in your trunk? Think again. Car heat can melt (some, not all) adhesives, warp your shoes, and dry out rubber and leather, turning them into crispy, cracked sadness. Treat them like a burrito — keep them out of the sun and away from the oven.

3. Climbing With Dirty Feet

Got dirt, or beach sand on your feet? Congrats — you're sandpapering the inside of your shoes with every step. Dirty feet wear out the inner lining faster and ruin fit. Quick rinse or wipe before you climb = longer shoe life. Respect the rubber.  Respect the leather.

4. Stuffing Them in a Sweaty Bag

Just finished a sweaty sesh and shoved your shoes in a chalky, humid backpack? Classic. Moisture + no airflow = bacteria, stink, and breakdown. Instead, let your shoes air out. Clip them to your pack or use a mesh bag. Your feet (and your mates) will thank you.

5. Ignoring the Signs They Need a Resole

If you wait until your toe pokes through, it’s probably too late. Catching wear early — especially on the sole and rand — can save your shoes (and your wallet). Don't know what to look for? Check out this guide: How to Tell If Your Climbing Shoes Need a Resole.

6. Washing Them Like Sneakers

Please — don’t throw your climbing shoes in the washing machine. No soaking, no harsh scrubs. That kills the shape, glue, and rubber. If they’re funky, wipe them down with a damp cloth and air dry. Keep it simple.

Final Thoughts: Send Hard, Treat Shoes Better

Your climbing shoes are your connection to the wall. Take care of them, and they'll keep you locked into micro-edges and toe hooks for longer than you'd expect. Abuse them? You'll be dropping cash on replacements way sooner than you need to.

Treat your gear right — and your gear will return the favor.   Words of wisdom from La Sportiva.