La Sportiva Climbing Shoe Guide 2019

 
La Sportiva rock climbing shoes

 

Which rock climbing shoe is your favourite?

 

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La Sportiva make the best climbing shoes out there, in our opinion. The Italian company has been based in the same mountain village in the heart of the Dolomites since 1928.

Today, the La Sportiva continues to produce the best climbing shoes in the world. At Bogong, we've selected the best, time-tested, staff-tested climbing shoe models that excel in rock climbing in Australia and abroad.

Here's an introduction to our range.

Need help choosing a pair? We've made a Climbing Shoe Guide (that includes both our brands – La Sportiva and Red Chili). Also, check out our breakdown of Climbing Shoe Types, where we talk leather vs synthetic, and laces vs Velcro.

Still have questions? Give us a call or drop into our store to quiz one of our knowledgeable climbing staff.


Performance Climbing Shoes




La Sportiva Genius

The Ferrari of climbing shoes. Aggressive lace-up climbing shoes with La Sportiva's famous No-Edge technology. These highly featured kicks are all about performance for hard climbing.

  • No-Edge® technology
  • Sensitive heel
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Genius >>








NEW! La Sportiva Futura

The best indoor climbing shoe, according to some. The Futura has the same No-Edge™ technology as the La Sportiva Genius, but fits more like a La Sportiva Python. Unlike the Python, though, it has support in the metatarsal region that helps with edging power. It's also a Velcro shoe – easy on/off.

  • No-Edge® technology
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Futura >>








NEW! La Sportiva Testarossa

These top-of-the-range climbing shoes are aggressive, asymmetrical beasts. Best suited to a wider foot, this performance climbing shoe has one of the best heels we've seen. An unlined suede middle wraps your arch nicely.

  • New heel
  • Technical lacing
  • Unlined middle
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: Pacific toe and heel
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Testarossa >>








La Sportiva Solution

A boulderer's secret weapon. Worn by the best of the best – athletes such as Nalle Hukkataival, Adam Ondra and Sasha DiGiulian. A soft, powerful shoe for advanced climbers.

  • Deep heel cup
  • Lock Harness®
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Lycra®
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Solution >>








La Sportiva Women's Solution

Our women's version of the Solution is an updated model with a new closure. Narrower and lower volume than the men's version, it also suits guys with skinny feet. It's also slightly less rigid than the men's version.

  • Deep heel cup
  • Lock Harness®
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Lycra®
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Women's Solution >>








La Sportiva Skwama

A rare beast that can tackle both overhangs and slabs. Soft, flexible; yet, a powerhouse on steeps. LaSpo went to town with new innovations: "camel toe" forefoot rubber notch, which helps spread your foot over surfaces. And, the sole is constructed in two parts, enhancing flexibility.

  • S-Heel™
  • Split forefoot sole for better slabbing
  • Two-part sole creates longitudinal flexibility
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: Dentex in the back
  • Rigidity: Low
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym, slabs

See the La Sportiva Skwama >>








La Sportiva Python

Fits like a sock on a foot. Soft, aggressive, super-sensitive and super-sticky. With super-thin rubber, these are the ultimate extension of your feet for next-level sensitivity. Also, the heel sticks to holds like glue. The Python is ideal for indoor competitions and sending hard projects.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Very low
  • Sensitivity: Very high
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing

See the La Sportiva Python >>








La Sportiva Miura VS

The Velcro version of the classic Miura excels on both micro edges and smears. This is a performance all-rounder that is equally at home on the steeps of Taipan and techy faces of Arapiles.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Low
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, technical face climbing

See the La Sportiva Miura VS >>








La Sportiva Miura VS Women's

The women's version of the Miura VS is lower volume and built on a female-specific last to accommodate for a more slender foot. Also a good choice for men with slighter feet.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (3.5mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Low
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, technical face climbing

See the La Sportiva Miura VS Women's >>








La Sportiva Otaki

Popular with fans of the Katana, the Otaki seems to be everybody's favourite new climbing shoe. It's a sweet balance between comfort and performance. It has a downturned toe and it's edgy, yet it's also supportive. Perfect if you're entering the world of performance shoes.

  • S-Heel™
  • Rubber: Vibram XS® Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Dentex
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: High
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, technical face climbing

See the La Sportiva Otaki >>








La Sportiva Otaki Women's

The La Sportiva Women's Otaki climbing shoe, like the men's version, is the perfect blend of performance and comfort. Technical enough to see you up sport routes and boulders, yet not so severely downturned and compact. Women's Otaki climbing shoes are perfect for climbers looking to progress into a more aggressive shoe.

  • S-Heel™
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Dentex
  • Midsole: Thinner than men's version
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, technical face climbing

See the La Sportiva Otaki Women's >>





Technical Climbing Shoes




NEW! La Sportiva Miura

The ultimate performance all-rounder. Grampians bouldering, techy Arapiles faces – the Miura does it all, with style.

  • Double-tension rand to guarantee maximum foot wrap
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Dentex
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, technical face climbing

See the La Sportiva Miura >>








La Sportiva Kataki

The Kataki is what you'd get if you cross an Otaki with a Katana Lace. Basically, it's a spec'ed up Katana, with laces and a slightly narrower fit. Because of the low-profile toe, it's a really good shoe for climbing cracks. But, thanks to the Vibram XS Edge, it also edges like a demon.

  • S-Heel™
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Crack climbing, face climbing, technical single-pitch, bouldering

See the La Sportiva Kataki >>








La Sportiva TC Pro

"TC" stands for Tommy Caldwell (Dawn Wall). Built for long Yosemite cracks, techy blank faces and big-wall climbing. The high cuff protects ankles from coarse cracks. There's more rubber rand than usual, serving the dual purpose of protection and durability. Could also be classed as All-Round or Comfort.

  • High cuff for ankle protection in cracks
  • More rubber for durability and protection when jamming
  • Low profile for comfortable jamming
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: Very high
  • Sensitivity: Very low
  • Ideal terrain: Crack climbing, face climbing, big walls

See the La Sportiva TC Pro >>








La Sportiva Katana Lace

Quietly excels at most things. The Katana Lace is not a climbing shoe you hear a lot about. It sneaks under the radar as a very capable shoe. It's aggressive enough to edge tiny nubbins, yet flat enough to handle thin cracks. It's a true middle-ground all-rounder.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Technical face climbing, gym climbing, crack climbing

See the La Sportiva Katana Lace >>








La Sportiva Katana

Bogong's best-selling technical rock shoe is a classic. It's known to excel at edging, but lots of people use the Katana as a "middle-ground" all-rounder – a shoe that you can wear on a longer route, but can perform when you get to a tricky section. For many climbers, it's the perfect balance of performance and comfort.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Dentex
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Technical face climbing, gym climbing

See the La Sportiva Katana >>








La Sportiva Katana Women's

The women's Katana has a smaller heel cup, lower volume and softer rubber. Like its men's counterpart, it's a classic all-rounder perfect for Australian stone.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific and Dentex
  • Midsole: Thinner than men's version
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Technical face climbing, gym climbing

See the La Sportiva Katana Women's >>





All-Round Climbing Shoes




La Sportiva Finale

Italian quality and comfort in an all-round shoe. Suede, unlined leather and a neutral fit makes the Finale a good shoe for wearing for several hours. Yet, it's snug and tensioned enough to be supportive. It makes an excellent gym shoe or all-round shoe.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (5mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Low
  • Ideal terrain: Long routes, gym climbing

See the La Sportiva Finale >>








La Sportiva Finale Women's

Like the men's version, the women's Finale is a comfortable, snug-fitting lace-up. It's got slight downturn, and super edging powers. That gives it the ability to perform when needed. Like the men's version, it features Vibram XS Edge rubber.

  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (5mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: High
  • Sensitivity: Low
  • Ideal terrain: Long routes, gym climbing

See the La Sportiva Finale Women's >>








La Sportiva Mythos

Hands down, the most comfortable climbing shoes you'll ever wear. (There's a reason it's been in production since 1991.) Unlined leather, relaxed fit... somehow, the Mythos is capable of performing above its category. (When they were first released, they were actually competition shoes used by the best.)

  • Unlined leather upper adapts to all foot shapes
  • Patented lacing system for the perfect fit
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Long routes, multipitches, all-day climbing, big-walls, face climbs, slabs

See the La Sportiva Mythos >>








La Sportiva Mythos Women's

The women's classic. It has all the features of the men's version, including a unique lacing system that wraps around your heel.

  • Unlined leather upper for maximum adaptability to all foot shapes
  • Patented lacing system for the perfect fit
  • Rubber: Vibram® XS Grip 2 (4mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Medium
  • Sensitivity: Medium
  • Ideal terrain: Long routes, multipitch climbing, all-day climbing, big-wall climbing, face climbing, slabs

See the La Sportiva Mythos Women's >>





Comfort Climbing Shoes




La Sportiva Tarantulace

It's affordable, it's comfortable, it's good quality. This is an ideal "first shoe". But, it's not a lousy el cheapo – it's made of quality leather with a synthetic overlay, and it uses La Sportiva's FriXion rubber.

  • Rubber: FriXion® Black (4mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Very high
  • Sensitivity: Very low
  • Ideal terrain: Gym climbing, outdoor climbing

See the La Sportiva Tarantulace >>








La Sportiva Tarantulace Women's

Like the men's shoe, but created with a narrower, lower-volume foot in mind. La Sportiva also uses lighter weight materials for their women's shoes, creating a shoe that better fits the typically slighter, smaller-heeled woman's foot.

  • Rubber: FriXion® Black (4mm)
  • Lining: Pacific
  • Rigidity: Very high
  • Sensitivity: Very low
  • Ideal terrain: Gym climbing, outdoor climbing

See the La Sportiva Tarantulace Women's >>








La Sportiva Tarantula

The Velcro version of the Tarantulace. Velcro = easy on, easy off. Like the Tarantulace, it's a good quality shoe for climbers just starting out. It's comfortable enough not to make your feet feel like they're breaking, yet snug enough to perform.

  • Cross-over Velcro for support and stability
  • Anti-perspirant padded tongue
  • Rubber: FriXion® Black (4mm)
  • Lining: None
  • Rigidity: Very high
  • Sensitivity: Very low
  • Ideal terrain: Gym climbing, outdoor climbing

See the La Sportiva Tarantula >>





Kids' Climbing Shoes




La Sportiva Gripit

Not your average clunky kid's shoe. Small feet move freely – unsquashed – thanks to flexible materials and a wide toe-box. No-Edge technology gives them sensitivity and encourages little ones' sensory development.

  • Fast Lacing System® (borrowed from the adult La Sportiva Mythos!)
  • Zero-Press™ Construction (gets rid of pressure points on metatarsal bones)
  • Rubber: FriXion® White
  • Fit: Customisable
  • Ideal terrain: Gym climbing, outdoor climbing

See the La Sportiva Gripit >>






See our range of rock climbing shoes here.

Questions? Visit us, email us or call us (03 9600 0599).


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