Can you put climbing shoes in the washing machine?

Do not machine-wash climbing shoes unless the manufacturer explicitly permits it for your model. Start with gentle brushing and a damp-cloth wipe instead. For deeper cleaning, follow the specified hand-washing method, if one is provided. Avoid assuming that instructions for ordinary athletic shoes also apply to climbing shoes.

How often should you clean climbing shoes?

Remove visible dirt as needed and air out your shoes after every session. Give them a more thorough clean when surface wiping is no longer enough, following the manufacturer’s instructions. There is no universal washing schedule: how often you climb, how much you sweat, and the conditions all matter.

How do you get bad smells out of climbing shoes?

Begin by unpacking and airing out the shoes after every session, and keep your feet clean before climbing. If needed, clean the interior using the manufacturer-approved method and let it dry fully. Avoid masking odor with fragrance or applying household disinfectants without confirming they are suitable for the shoe.

When should climbing shoes be resoled instead of replaced?

Ask a specialist resoler to assess shoes when the sole becomes thin or the toe edge shows substantial wear, ideally before a hole develops. Resoling suitability depends on the shoe and its condition. Torn uppers, damaged closures, or extensive rubber damage may change whether repair is practical.

How to clean and care for climbing shoes

Clean climbing shoes by brushing off loose dirt, wiping them with a damp cloth, and air-drying them away from heat, while checking the manufacturer’s care instructions before washing.

Research-based article drawn from our 19 climbing gear reviews. Updated September 2026.

Short answer

To clean climbing shoes, remove loose dirt with a soft brush, wipe the rubber and uppers with a damp cloth, and let them air-dry in a shaded, ventilated place. Check your model’s care instructions before using soap or washing the interior. Between sessions, unpack and air out your shoes, avoid heat, and inspect the toe rubber for wear.

Our picks for “how to clean and care for climbing shoes”

Start with a gentle surface clean

For routine cleaning, start with the least aggressive method: remove loose grit, then wipe away remaining dirt. You need a soft brush, a clean cloth, and water. Check your shoe’s manual or manufacturer care instructions first, particularly before applying any cleaner or wetting the upper extensively.

Loosen the laces or open the straps, and shake out loose debris. Brush dried dirt gently from the exterior without scrubbing seams or fabric aggressively. Wipe the sole, toe, and heel rubber with a damp cloth, moving to a clean part of the cloth as it gets dirty. Avoid spreading mud from the sole onto the upper.

Spot-clean the upper rather than soaking the entire shoe as a first step. If the manufacturer permits mild soap, use a small amount and wipe away the residue. Let the shoes dry completely before climbing; do not use a wet sole as a shortcut to better grip.

Handle sweaty interiors and odor without harsh treatments

Make airing out your shoes the first response to odor. After each session, take them out of your climbing bag, open the closures, and leave them somewhere shaded with good airflow. Keep your feet clean and dry before putting the shoes on, and avoid storing them while damp.

If the interior needs cleaning, consult the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding. Where permitted, wipe accessible interior surfaces with a lightly dampened cloth. Use mild soap only if approved, remove the residue, and avoid saturating areas that will be difficult to dry. There is no single washing method that should be assumed suitable for every climbing shoe.

Do not default to bleach, solvents, disinfectant sprays, or fragranced household cleaners. Check compatibility before using any odor treatment. Unless your manual explicitly allows machine washing, stick to gentle hand cleaning. Persistent odor is a reason to review your cleaning and drying routine, not to increase the strength of an unapproved chemical treatment.

Dry, store, and inspect shoes between sessions

After cleaning, leave your shoes open in a shaded, ventilated place until both the exterior and interior are dry. Avoid clothes dryers, radiators, hair dryers, and hot car storage. Follow the manufacturer’s drying instructions where they differ, and do not force the shoes into a different shape while they dry.

Between sessions, store them somewhere dry rather than leaving them sealed in a gym bag. At the crag or gym, keep the soles off muddy or dusty ground when practical, and wipe off debris before stepping onto a climb. Change into other footwear for approaches and unnecessary walking.

Inspect the toe edge, sole, surrounding rubber rand, seams, and closures regularly. If the sole is getting thin or the toe edge is noticeably worn, ask a climbing-shoe resoler for an assessment before a hole develops. Do not assume every shoe can be resoled. Separating rubber, torn uppers, or damaged closures also warrant professional advice about repair or replacement.

Choose replacement shoes for your climbing, not cleaning claims

You do not need new shoes simply because your current pair is dirty. Clean them, inspect their condition, and consider repair first. If replacement is necessary, choose fit, downturn, and stiffness to suit your climbing rather than buying a more aggressive shape by default.

Among our reviewed options, the Black Diamond Momentum shoe scores 8.1/10. Its breathable engineered knit upper and neutral profile suit beginner indoor climbing. The Tarantulace scores 8/10 and has an unlined leather upper, a lace closure, and neutral geometry. Those material descriptions are not washing instructions: consult each model’s manufacturer guidance before cleaning.

The Tarantula scores 7.1/10 and offers a supportive, flat base with a two-strap closure for quicker removal between climbs. Its stiff sole provides less tactile feedback on small footholds. These are choices for different fit and closure preferences, not verified easy-clean recommendations. Our supplied review data does not establish machine-washability, odor resistance, or cleaning performance for any of them.

Read the reviews: Men's Momentum Lace or Strap Rock Climbing Shoes, Mens Tarantulace Rock Climbing Shoe, Mens Tarantula Rock Climbing Shoes

Frequently asked

Can you put climbing shoes in the washing machine?: Do not machine-wash climbing shoes unless the manufacturer explicitly permits it for your model. Start with gentle brushing and a damp-cloth wipe instead. For deeper cleaning, follow the specified hand-washing method, if one is provided. Avoid assuming that instructions for ordinary athletic shoes also apply to climbing shoes.
How often should you clean climbing shoes?: Remove visible dirt as needed and air out your shoes after every session. Give them a more thorough clean when surface wiping is no longer enough, following the manufacturer’s instructions. There is no universal washing schedule: how often you climb, how much you sweat, and the conditions all matter.
How do you get bad smells out of climbing shoes?: Begin by unpacking and airing out the shoes after every session, and keep your feet clean before climbing. If needed, clean the interior using the manufacturer-approved method and let it dry fully. Avoid masking odor with fragrance or applying household disinfectants without confirming they are suitable for the shoe.
When should climbing shoes be resoled instead of replaced?: Ask a specialist resoler to assess shoes when the sole becomes thin or the toe edge shows substantial wear, ideally before a hole develops. Resoling suitability depends on the shoe and its condition. Torn uppers, damaged closures, or extensive rubber damage may change whether repair is practical.