What kind of shoes do l need to buy to start with the sport?

you do not need any specific shoes for rockclimbing.
as long as the grip underneath is not worn out.

For beginners, climbing shoes are a good investment as are chalk bags and a comfortable harness. Before anything, however, I'd highly recommend taking some climbing classes so that you know how to safely climb (i.e., tie in, belay, climb, etc.).

Happy climbing!

climbing shoes, harness, belay device, locking caribeaner, and u can also get chalk and a chalk bag if u want to.

mad rock pheonix are great shoes.

mad rocks r very comfortable- they were my first pair. l was able to get my on sale for only $50!! :) Shoes, harness, chalk & bag. That is enough to get u started. l would recommend that u take some lessons from u local gym first. Some gyms will let u borrow shoes & harness if u become a member- some still charge for rentals even if u r a member- ask. l think that trying it out for a month or two before u start dropping the bucks is a good idea. (you do not want to buy 200$ in gear & then decided that u r afraid of heights!)

Rock climbing is the best sport, u will have fun. anyway. Buying rock shoes is very important. You should go to a G. l Joe is or an R.E. l store, & then go to the liming section, (like my step by step instruction?). The person there will most likely try to sell u the most expensive brand, but l like the brands evolve, mad rock, or 5.10. They r all relatively inexpensive. If u really want to splurge La Sportiva is really nice. For beginners, u want ur toe to be touching the end of the shoe. Climbing shoes r not meant to be comfortable, they help u grip to the rock, & r really essential to climbing! Next u will want a harness, l would recommend black diamond, they have good ones. And if u r climbing indoors, u will need nothing else, they will supply the ropes & the belay devices, but if u r climbing outside, u will want to purchase a rope, ($$) & some quick draws ($) & a belay device ($). l would recommend starting indoors, & taking some classes, it is hard to explain stuff over the internet, & the classes r not really all that expensive. It is imperative that u stay safe while climbing, it is a dangerous sport, but well worth the risk! Hope that this helped, good luck!
Lily K