Free Sole-O Program

The Problem

A photograph with shallow depth of field showing black and tan climbing shoes resting on a red rock.

Climbing is expensive. Climbing gear and membership prices are rising

The average cost of a climbing shoe is around $150 and rentals can cost up to $350 a year

An icon depicting a dollar sign with an exclamation mark, symbolizing financial issues or problems.

A majority of climbers stated that climbing shoes are the first piece of gear they want to buy

An icon showing a pair of shoes with an exclamation mark, indicating issues related to footwear.
An icon of a pair of socks with scent lines representing problems or concerns with socks.

Rental shoes are extremely difficult to climb in and can be unsanitary

An icon featuring a lightbulb with an exclamation mark on top of a book, denoting issues or challenges related to ideas or solutions.

Getting the right fit for your shoe can be difficult without the education needed

Buying your first pair of climbing shoes can be both intimidating and inaccessible

Ill fitting rental shoes cause issues:

50%

rental shoe rubber is non-sticky

100%

rental shoes are too big and too rounded

But with properly fitted shoes, climbers improve:

25%

technique refined due to better toe accuracy

30%

improved their climbing grades quicker

A close-up photograph of a climber finding their footing on a boulder, emphasizing precision and balance.

Free Sole-O

By providing climbers with their own pair of climbing shoes, we help people feel connected and included in the climbing community

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More shoes are kept out of landfills by being resoled or recycled

An icon depicting a climber ascending with the aid of a rope, symbolizing effort and progress.

Participants are more likely to continue climbing and stay in climbing

An icon featuring a lightbulb and a human head, representing ideas and intellectual thought.

Climbers are educated on properly fitted shoes, how to care for shoes and resoling

We offer every participant access to the sport, free of high upfront costs and membership fees

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Every participant gets 1-on-1 attention by an experienced climbing mentor during their fitting

An icon of a climber scaling a wall, symbolizing perseverance and overcoming challenges.

NY3C provides climbing access to test your shoes right then and there to ensure proper fit

An icon depicting a carabiner, often used in climbing, symbolizing security and connection.

Participants also have access to other donated gear such as chalk bags, inspected carabiners, and unused chalk

A photograph of black and orange climbing shoes resting on a mat in front of an indoor climbing wall.

The Impact

Since being founded in 2020, this is our impact

Three circles showing the shoe program's impact: "420+ Shoes Given Away," "150+ Shoes Resoled," and "1,000+ Shoes Recycled."
A photograph featuring bright blue climbing shoes with green laces resting on a grey rock, casting a hard shadow.

Donate Your Shoes

Have old climbing shoes you'd like to donate? Find our drop box at any of these locations!

BROOKLYN BOULDERING PROJECT

575 DEGRAW ST BROOKLYN, NY 11217

METROROCK BUSHWICK

321 STARR ST BROOKLYN, NY 11237

MOVEMENT GOWANUS

242 BUTLER ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11217

MOVEMENT LIC

11-11 44TH DR QUEENS, NY 11101

In Search Of Shoes?

Fill out our shoe request form and a team member will set up a fitting for you! This program is completely free of charge.