Who should buy the La Sportiva Skwama Vegan

The La Sportiva Skwama Vegan is a highly downturned climbing shoe that's animal-free. Buy it if: 

  • You're one part serious climber and one part vegan advocate.
  • Climbing shoes that let you conquer steeps are what you prefer.
  • You're after aggressive climbing kicks that provide a from-the-box comfy fit.

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan buya

Who should not buy it

Edging is not the Skwama Vegan's strongest suit, so it might not be for you if your go-to routes are peppered with ledge-type footholds. In its place, check out the Chimera from Scarpa. There's also the Five Ten Hiangle ($150), which is way cheaper than the featured climbing shoe.

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Premium comfort in every box

The La Sportiva Skwama Vegan one-ups its predecessor when it comes to plushness. A gear pundit attests to this by saying that it's "more comfortable than the traditional leather version."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan comf

The Skwama Vegan's familiar and versatile fit

Climbers find the featured kick's fit quite adaptable. One of them says that it's a "great shoe for people with wide feet."

Its interior gets broken in pretty quickly, too. A footwear critic has this in his report: "some of the shortest break-in periods I’ve experienced in a shoe." A regular climber, on the other hand, says, "there was virtually no break-in time."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan fit

It specializes in overhanging problems

Reviewers are astonished by the Skwama Vegan's prowess on overhangs. "They excel at steep roofs," says a gear maven. "I love overhanging climbing, and these excel there," says another.

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan overhang

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan: A smearing superstar

Among the Skwama Vegan's notable highlights is its fantastic ability to smear on smooth surfaces. A professional reviewer said that the shoe "inspired confidence when smearing on glassy and polished holds."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan smear

But it's forgettable in terms of edging

The Skwama Vegan struggles on ledges and similar holds. A blogger says that, compared with the Solution, the featured rock climbing shoe "doesn’t edge quite as masterfully."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan edge

Takes the big W in heel-hooking

One of the main attractions of the La Sportiva Skwama Vegan is its magnetic heel. A professional shoe tester said that it "always felt very snug and secure when doing hard heel hooks."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan heelb

Near-skin responsiveness in the Skwama Vegan

You'll be able to sense your way quite well in this La Sportiva shoe. This statement is supported by an experienced climber who says that the Skwama Vegan is an "accurate shoe with great feedback."

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan feedback

Shades that turn heads

It's been reported that the La Sportiva Skwama Vegan has the power to reel in those glances and compliments. One climbing buff says that "you cannot beat the color scheme" of this bad boy.

A heart-raising asking price

This La Sportiva kick is nowhere near budget-friendly. Case in point: Compared with the average price of climbing shoes, the Skwama Vegan is $57 pricier. If you're looking for other inexpensive pairs, click here.

Facts / Specs

Weight: Men 8.1oz /
Base model: La Sportiva Skwama
Construction: Vegan, Slip lasted
Closure: Velcro
Fit: Performance fit

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Author
Teddy Dondanville
Teddy Dondanville

Teddy is a professionally trained Apprentice Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Besides guiding outdoor rock climbing, Teddy also has years of experience in route setting and coaching climbing indoors. Through his guiding, route setting, and coaching, Teddy has experimented with climbing shoes for over a decade.