It's time for new climbing gear! We headed to Climb Aloha. The Climb Aloha store is located inside Uloha. I never shopped there, and walking in, the store seemed devoid of shoppers. Upon entering Uloha, we were promptly greeted by an employee and passed through, making a B-line towards Climb Aloha and the climbing shoes. I was so excited!
Finally, after 8 years, I was back and surrounded by climbing gear and equipment! Heaven!
I used to purchase my climbing gear and equipment at Climb Aloha back when they were up St. Louis heights. I had taken an 8 year haiatus from climbing and was stoked to have decided that it was my time to return.
I visited for replacement of my old harness, helmet, chalk, chalk bag, and shoes.
This location is off of Ward Avenue on the Makai side. A short distance from Ala Moana. It is also a few blocks from HiClimb...
Convenient location, and there was plenty of free parking.
The selection of climbing gear is impressive. There aren't too many places to purchase gear on the island. Other than here, I have only seen climbing gear being sold at the climbing gyms. Online is the next best option.
I was able to try on a few harnesses until I found a Petzl in my favorite color. It fit like the ones I've had in the past. I picked up a matching Petzl chalk bag, matching Evolv shoes, and a white petzl helmet in size S. I also picked up some overly priced chalk. I love the matching teal set!
I was pleased with the knowledge, attentiveness, and helpfulness of the employee, Patrick. Prices are slightly higher than what I have seen online, but that's to be expected in Hawaii, so overall, (besides the chalk), pricing was fair. Service, good, prices, good!
My total came to about 300. There was some hang-up about one of the cash registers not being able to process my card. Patrick eventually sought help from another employee. As they tried to figure things out, I waited patiently. I couldn't help but wonder the reason their CC acceptance was faulty and how the employee rang me up, was not aware of that fact. We moved my order to another register...
We waited patiently while they figured it out. I do not believe I was given a receipt, but I was pleased with my shopping experience.
Here's where I feel they can improve: assure the quality of the merchandise they sell.
I purchased my pair of men's Evolve shoes and loved them at first. My wider feet fit Men's size well.
3/31 at about 430pm I made the purchase. By the end of May, the seam of the tongue on one side of my shoe was tearing. In the past. when I purchased 2 pairs of shoes from them, they fell apart pretty quickly, but not this quickly. This pair of shoes was about 169. It is now June 6th, and the tear is getting worse, plus a small part of the rubber is separating from the leather. Booo! I store my equipment properly and take the shoes off between climbs, so I was confused about how this could be happening.
Before writing this review. I asked several people in the climbing gym for their thoughts about the shoe damage. The consensus was that the shoes should not have been falling apart.
I'd chosen to deliberately spend a little more on climbing shoes this time around in order to get better a quality pair that would last. That was not what I received.
I'm greatly dissatisfied with my shoes falling apart so quickly. I have been getting my friends into climbing at HiClimb and outdoors. I have sent them there to rent equipment too. Unfortunately, when asked for recommendations on where to purchase equipment, I can no longer recommend them.
I'm unsure what to do now that they are ripping more quickly... but 169. for this quality? No way.