The climbing and bouldering market is growing steadily, driven by the rise of indoor gyms, sport climbing's Olympic debut, and a booming community of boulderers and outdoor climbers. As more athletes and hobbyists enter the market, shoe fit expectations are evolving.
Today’s climbers expect more than just durability or grip—they want climbing shoes that feel tailor-made to their feet, offering both performance and comfort straight out of the box. And as direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales increase, the challenge of providing a perfect fit—without in-person try-ons—is more urgent than ever.
Climbing Shoe Fit Is About More Than Just Size
For decades, climbing shoe sizing has been guided by general shoe size charts and the familiar rule of sizing down. But anyone who climbs regularly knows: a few millimeters off in the wrong place can make or break a session.
That’s because climbing shoes are precision gear. A shoe that’s too roomy can reduce edging control. One that’s too tight in the wrong area can cause pressure points or misalignment that affects performance and long-term foot health.
Yet despite all the focus on sizing, one key factor often gets overlooked: foot shape—especially toe shape.
Perfitt’s Technology Analyzes Toe Shape for Precision Fit
Climbers’ toe shapes vary widely—some have a dominant big toe (Egyptian), others a long second toe (Greek), and some have a square-shaped toe line. These differences significantly affect how a foot sits inside a climbing shoe—especially in aggressive, downturned designs.
Perfitt solves this with AI-powered fit technology that analyzes foot data using computer vision. Perfitt’s foot scanner captures not only the length and width of the foot, but also the morphology and shape of the toes.
By identifying each customer’s toe profile, Perfitt’s algorithm recommends the best-fitting model for both performance and comfort.
The result? A personalized climbing shoe recommendation system that dramatically improves customer satisfaction and reduces costly returns.
How Climbing Shoe Brands Can Benefit
For climbing shoe brands, Perfitt delivers measurable value:
Reduce return rates by improving size and shape accuracy
Increase conversion rates through personalized fit experiences
Enhance brand loyalty by eliminating frustration from poor fit
Leverage fit data insights to inform product development and inventory planning
Perfitt is already powering smart fitting tools in 18+ countries, helping performance footwear brands scale their DTC efforts and improve the customer journey.
Partnering with NELSON SPORTS: Launching First AI Climbing Shoe Finder
The first climbing shoe fit recommendation service, now available for SCARPA and MADROCK shoes at
👉 NELSON SPORTS
This isn’t just a plug-and-play integration. The service was co-developed in close collaboration with the NELSON SPORTS team, who brought valuable insight into the unique needs of climbers and the fitting characteristics of high-performance climbing shoes. Their on-the-ground experience helped us refine the recommendation engine—not just based on Perfitt’s technology, but with real feedback from climbing gear specialists.
Through this partnership, climbers can now experience AI-powered foot scanning and toe shape analysis, specifically tuned for SCARPA and MADROCK models.
Ready to Offer the Perfect Fit Experience?
Whether you're launching a new climbing shoe line or improving your digital retail experience, Perfitt’s toe-shape-based AI fit recommendation system can help you deliver a fit your customers can trust—no matter where they are.
👉 Contact us to schedule a demo or learn more about partnering with Perfitt.
Let’s bring precision fitting to every climber, one foot at a time.
