How to Store Climbing Shoes 2026 — Australia & New Zealand

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Table of Contents

• Why Proper Storage Matters
• What to Do After Every Session
• How to Dry Climbing Shoes
• Odour Control
• Storage Position & Closure
• Bags & Containers
• Storage Environment
• Long-Term Storage
• Rubber Care
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Climbing Shoe Storage in Australia & NZ
• FAQ

Why Proper Storage Matters

Climbing shoes are precision tools. The rubber compound, rand tension, and last shape that make your shoes perform on the wall are all vulnerable to degradation from heat, moisture, UV exposure, and compression. Most Australian and New Zealand climbers who complain about shoes losing their edge, developing odour, or delaminating prematurely are experiencing the consequences of poor storage — not shoe quality issues.

Proper storage habits can extend the functional life of a pair of climbing shoes by 30–50%. For a pair of Castiron Grip N23s or PR23s, that’s the difference between resoling once and resoling twice before the upper gives out.

What to Do After Every Session

The 10 minutes after your climbing session are the most important for shoe longevity. Australian and NZ gym climbers — especially those training at Bloc, Gravity, The Climbing Hangar, or Hangdog — often make the mistake of throwing sweaty shoes directly into a gym bag and leaving them there until the next session. In Australia’s warm climate, this accelerates bacterial growth and odour significantly faster than in cooler climates.

1. Remove shoes immediately after your last climb — don’t walk around in them post-session.
2. Open all closures fully — unlace lace-up shoes completely, open velcro straps fully.
3. Wipe the inside with a dry cloth or paper towel to remove excess moisture.
4. Place in a breathable mesh bag — never a sealed plastic bag or the bottom of a sealed gym bag.
5. Air dry as soon as possible — ideally within 1 hour of finishing your session.

How to Dry Climbing Shoes

The Right Way to Dry Climbing Shoes

• Room temperature air drying with good airflow is the gold standard. In Australia’s warm climate, shoes often dry faster than in cooler countries — but airflow is still essential.
• Hang by the heel loop if your shoes have one — this allows airflow inside the shoe.
• Stuff loosely with newspaper to absorb moisture and maintain shape — replace after 30 minutes if very wet.
• Cedar shoe inserts absorb moisture and control odour simultaneously — highly recommended for AU/NZ climbers who train multiple times per week.

What to Avoid

• ❌ Hot car boot — the biggest AU/NZ risk. Car interiors in Australian summer can exceed 70°C, melting rand adhesive within hours.
• ❌ Direct sunlight — UV degrades rubber rapidly in Australia’s high UV environment. Never dry shoes in direct sun.
• ❌ Clothes dryer — even on low heat, tumble drying destroys rubber and rand adhesive.
• ❌ Leaving in a sealed gym bag — in Australia’s warm climate, bacteria multiply faster in sealed, warm environments.

Odour Control

Climbing shoe odour is caused by bacteria thriving in the warm, moist environment inside the shoe. In Australia’s warm climate, odour develops faster than in cooler countries — AU/NZ climbers who train 3–5 times per week will notice odour within weeks if shoes aren’t dried and treated properly.

Prevention (Most Effective)

• Wear clean socks or toe socks — even thin socks dramatically reduce bacterial buildup. Many AU gym climbers have switched to toe socks for this reason.
• Air dry immediately after every session — bacteria can’t thrive in a dry environment.
• Cedar inserts — natural antibacterial and moisture-absorbing. Leave in shoes between sessions.

Treatment (If Odour Has Developed)

• Bicarbonate of soda — sprinkle inside, leave overnight, shake out. Repeat 2–3 times.
• Rubbing alcohol spray — lightly mist the inside, allow to fully air dry. Kills bacteria without damaging rubber.
• Freezing — seal in a plastic bag and freeze overnight. Kills odour-causing bacteria. Allow to fully thaw and air dry before use.
• Specialist climbing shoe deodorisers — available at Climbing Anchors, Bogong, and most AU climbing retailers.

Storage Position & Closure

• Store with closures fully open — laces loosened, velcro open. This allows the toe box to relax to its natural shape.
• Store flat or heel-down — avoid storing with the toe compressed against a wall or the bottom of a bag.
• Don’t stack heavy items on top — compression deforms the rand and toe box permanently.
• For aggressive downturned shoes (like the PR23): storing flat allows the downturn to partially relax between sessions, which is normal and desirable.

Bags & Containers

Storage Environment

The ideal storage environment for climbing shoes in Australia and New Zealand:

• Temperature: Cool to room temperature (15–24°C). Avoid garages and car boots in summer — AU temperatures can exceed 40°C outdoors and 70°C inside cars.
• Humidity: Low to moderate. Coastal AU/NZ climbers (Sydney, Auckland, Brisbane) should be especially careful about humidity in storage areas.
• Light: Away from direct sunlight. Australia’s high UV index means UV damage to rubber is faster than in most other countries.
• Airflow: Some airflow is better than none. An open shelf beats a sealed box.

Long-Term Storage

If you’re storing climbing shoes for more than a few weeks — end of season, injury recovery, or between climbing trips — follow these additional steps:

1. Clean thoroughly before storage — remove chalk, dirt, and moisture from the sole and upper.
2. Treat for odour before storing — bicarbonate of soda or cedar inserts.
3. Store with closures fully open and toe box relaxed.
4. Wrap loosely in a breathable cloth — not plastic wrap or sealed bags.
5. Store indoors in a cool, dark, dry location — a gear cupboard is ideal. Avoid garages in AU summer.
6. Check monthly for any signs of mould, delamination, or rubber degradation.

Rubber Care

Do’s and Don’ts

Climbing Shoe Storage in Australia & New Zealand

Australian and New Zealand climbers face a unique storage challenge: heat and UV. Australia’s summer temperatures mean car interiors regularly exceed 70°C — enough to melt rand adhesive and permanently deform rubber in a single afternoon. This is the single most common cause of climbing shoe damage among AU climbers, particularly those who drive to outdoor crags and leave shoes in the car.

At Australian climbing gyms from Bloc (Melbourne, Brisbane) to Gravity (Sydney) to The Climbing Hangar (Perth) to Hangdog (Auckland NZ), the most common shoe damage seen is heat-related delamination from shoes left in cars, and odour from shoes stored in sealed gym bags. Both are entirely preventable.

For AU/NZ climbers who climb outdoors at the Blue Mountains, Grampians, Arapiles, or Castle Hill NZ, wet rock sessions after rain are common — making proper post-session drying critical. Never store wet shoes in a car boot overnight after an outdoor session in any season.

Castiron Grip ships to Australia and New Zealand with free shipping on orders over $150 AUD. If your current shoes are beyond saving, the N23 and PR23 are available with standard 5–8 business day AU/NZ delivery.

FAQ

How should I store climbing shoes after a session in Australia?

Remove shoes immediately, open all closures fully, wipe out excess moisture, and place in a breathable mesh bag. Air dry at room temperature as soon as possible — within 1 hour. Never leave in a sealed bag, gym bag, or hot car boot.

Can I leave climbing shoes in my car in Australia?

No — this is the biggest AU climbing shoe mistake. Car interiors in Australian summer can exceed 70°C, which melts rand adhesive and permanently hardens rubber within hours. Always bring shoes inside after every session.

How do I get the smell out of climbing shoes?

For mild odour: cedar inserts left in the shoes between sessions. For established odour: bicarbonate of soda overnight, rubbing alcohol spray, or freezing in a sealed bag overnight. Prevention is far more effective — air dry immediately after every session.

Should I store climbing shoes with laces tight or loose?

Always loose — fully open. Storing with laces tight or velcro closed permanently deforms the toe box and rand over time, changing the fit and reducing performance.

Can I dry climbing shoes in the Australian sun?

No — Australia’s high UV index degrades rubber faster than in most countries. Never dry climbing shoes in direct sunlight. Air dry in the shade with good airflow instead.

How long do climbing shoes last if stored properly in Australia?

With proper storage and care, a quality pair of climbing shoes like the Castiron Grip N23 can last 2–3 years of regular gym use before the upper wears out, with 1–2 resolings in that period. Poor storage — particularly leaving in hot cars or direct sun — can cut that lifespan significantly.

What is the best bag for storing climbing shoes?

A breathable mesh bag is the best option for both transport and short-term storage. For home storage, an open shelf or hook with good airflow is ideal. Never use sealed plastic bags or airtight containers — especially important in Australia’s warm climate.

External Resources

• Climbing Australia — national climbing federation, gym finder, and gear advice
• Climbing New Zealand — NZ climbing federation and crag guides
• Climbing Anchors — Australia’s leading climbing gear retailer
• Bogong Equipment — Melbourne-based climbing gear specialist
• theCrag — AU/NZ crag database and route guide

Written by T-K