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Climb in better boots The right boots make all the difference when mixed climbing. Ankle f lexibility is key to effectively using your feet when the rock is steep or the footholds are small and technical. Lightweight boots will create less fatigue for your whole body. On the approach you will burn less energy. When you start climbing your arms, core and legs will all benefit from lighter footwear. Comp boots (a.k.a. fruit boots) are both lightweight and offer full-range ankle movement. Not surprisingly they are also much more fun to climb in over traditional mountain boots. While they may seem expensive upfront, once you consider that you’re buying a high-end boot as well as a set of high-end crampons, the pricing for the full assembly is actually reasonable. On nontechnical approaches you can use less expensive footwear, reducing wear on your mountain boots.