In reply to ultrabumbly:
> Most people who bought shoes frequently twigged to the fact that S&M sessions with your feet in plastic bags inside the shoe stopped being ever necessary around the time 5.10s and evolv type designs became the norm. Those that got through shoes less quickly carried on for a few years going too tight.
> Aside from the tightness I have nearly always seen people that mainly climb indoors go for a way too technical shoe.
It's about balance.
I don't really disagree, but just to offer a counterpoint, my current pair of shoes were sized too tight, after being advised by the shop that their unlined construction was liable to seriously stretch. A couple of weeks down the line they've gone from deeply unpleasant to comfortable.
I also mainly climb indoors in downturned, technical shoes. Partially because between the heat and the fact that pretty much every wall in my local wall is overhanging, my super comfortable, utterly practical for mid-grade and multi-pitch bumbling moaccasyms don't really perform. it's also because, when I do get on stuff that overhanging outside, I tend to switch to more technical shoes. It's also about training with the tools I actually use. I do take the point that this isn't the same for everyone.
I agree with the OP about his main point though. I had the reverse situation - sold shoes 'too tight' on first use, but with good reason. I was well advised. These days I also tend to google "How much do X stretch" as I'm trying them on just to double check what the shop assistants are saying.