That's what I gotta talk to the store manager about. (now, years ago this wouldn't've been an issue... ah, how things change...) I really think I'll just putter around barefoot like I used to, then see about buying shoes. The ones I liked best were the La Sportiva Cliff, though I'd like to try the 5.10 Spire. The Spire is what my REI rents out on the climbing wall, but they didn't have any in my size on the shelf that I could try on.

Tomorrow is my first day "off" on my new 4x10 shift clinic schedule. Gotta million things to do, REI might end up low on the totem pole.

And I agree; my feet don't do well with velcro. I end up with wads of leather here and there and strangled toes. I like the full-laceups, too.

Slippery soles: do folks still use wire brushes to freshen up their rock shoe soles? Or is that something from long ago that no-one does anymore?