8 Best La Sportiva Climbing Shoes in 2022

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
| Reviewed using methodology 1.4
8 Best La Sportiva Climbing Shoes in 2022

Being in your best element is always the way to go when sending routes of varying difficulties. For such an objective, you can rely on La Sportiva and their roster of amazing climbing shoes.

We have tested dozens of La Sportiva’s climbing shoes just to come up with this selection of top picks. So, whether you’re after the best all-rounder, a shoe that can surmount multiple routes, or a champion in cracks, this selection is for you.

Best overall
La Sportiva Theory La Sportiva Theory
£200 £110 From Amazon
Best moderate
La Sportiva Katana Lace La Sportiva Katana Lace

No offers available

Best bouldering
La Sportiva Zenit La Sportiva Zenit
£130 £80 From Amazon
Best indoor
La Sportiva Geckogym La Sportiva Geckogym
£120 £74 From Amazon
Most popular
La Sportiva Solution La Sportiva Solution
£190 £113 From Amazon
See all 26 la sportiva climbing shoes

Overview of this guide

How we test climbing shoes

The finest kicks making up this lineup were funneled in from over 20 pairs of La Sportiva climbing shoes. How did we do it? Here’s our approach:

  • To make our reviews on La Sportiva kicks as objective as possible, we buy climbing shoes using our own funds.
  • Out testers wear-test these climbing shoes to know each one’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of expertise.
  • We include in the mix hundreds of reviews from climbing experts and regular senders alike.

As a result, every reviewed La Sportiva climbing shoe receives a 0-100 score, also known as CoreScore. This rating system played a big part in realizing this climb-centric selection.

Best La Sportiva climbing shoes overall

La Sportiva Theory
La Sportiva Theory
£110
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

83
Good!
4.3 / 5 from 35 users
92 / 100 from 7 experts

Pros

  • Accurate sizing
  • Mighty adhesive
  • Ace sensitivity
  • Heel-hooking champ
  • Cranked-up flexibility

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Durability issues (upper)

Verdict

When the climb demands enhanced sensitivity, the true-to-length Theory is a great choice. This exemplary La Sportiva piece is also nothing short of brilliant in the areas of heel-hooking and surface traction. That said, everything that makes it a compelling climbing product is hidden behind a towering price tag. Overall, the La Sportiva Theory is, in practice, a truly motivating rock shoe. Fans of budget-friendly kicks, however, are advised to look for a cheaper alternative.
See our full review and facts
La Sportiva Solution Comp
La Sportiva Solution Comp
£119
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

86
Great!
4.4 / 5 from 110 users
91 / 100 from 4 experts

Pros

  • Heel-hooking prowess
  • Incredibly soft
  • Very adaptable
  • Plenty sensitive
  • Brilliant precision
  • Short break-in period
  • High-quality product
  • Unbelievably light

Cons

  • Ultra-expensive gear
  • Difficulty slipping into the shoe

Verdict

Where there are heel hooks to perform, the super-precise Solution Comp is a great shoe to bring along. This offering is also an easy pick for most climbs, thanks to its high shoe-to-surface adaptability and exceptional sensitivity. That said, this climbing shoe could be considered a tough sell by some for being a little too pricy. Nevertheless, with its collection of remarkable traits, the Solution Comp is yet another worthy addition to La Sportiva’s growing library of exemplary climbing footwear.
See our full review and facts

Best moderate La Sportiva climbing shoes

La Sportiva Katana Lace
La Sportiva Katana Lace
Top pick

Corescore

91
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 100 users
90 / 100 from 14 experts

Pros

  • Edging genius
  • Incredibly comfy
  • Surface magnet
  • Crack climber
  • Ace durability
  • Intimate confines

Cons

  • Smearing issues
  • Unsatisfactory toe hooks

Verdict

In terms of edging, it is safe to say that the Katana Lace is among La Sportiva’s finest climbing shoes. It aims to deliver a multi-faceted performance, making it one of the brand’s most versatile offerings yet. Although this piece has some shortcomings, its combination of comfort and well-rounded utility speaks volumes. Its overall sticking prowess is also bound to impress.
See our full review and facts
La Sportiva Kubo
La Sportiva Kubo
£109
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£112
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

88
Great!
4.8 / 5 from 7 users
100 / 100 from 1 experts

Pros

  • Great for mounting on edges and similar features
  • Grippy heel
  • Smearing genius
  • Durable
  • Comfortable for all-day wear

Cons

Verdict

As far as climbing creativity is concerned, particularly on boulder-type ascents, the Kubo is a scene-stealer of a performer. Whether you need stronger forefoot-to-feature adhesion or a platform that will not give in wherever you place your toes on, this climbing shoe seems to do it all. And this is without mention of its mighty sensitive and plush confines yet, which should last for many months.
See our full review and facts

Best bouldering La Sportiva climbing shoes

La Sportiva Zenit
La Sportiva Zenit
£80
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£103
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

73
Good!
3.7 / 5 from 14 users
92 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • Comfortable straight from the box
  • Grippy
  • Precise fit
  • Edges like a champ
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Too slippery

Verdict

For a semi-downturned climbing shoe, the Zenit favors easy to moderate routes. Armed with a sufficiently rigid sole unit, this La Sportiva piece provides more than enough footing security and exceptional comfort, whether in the gym or out in the wild. Past its rather demanding asking price, the Zenit is a boon for entry-level climbers and intermediate senders alike.
See our full review and facts
La Sportiva Speedster
La Sportiva Speedster
£115
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

89
Great!
4.8 / 5 from 12 users
92 / 100 from 7 experts

Pros

  • Snug-at-the-heel fit
  • Sticky outsole
  • Superb edging capability
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Elastic panels loosen quickly

Verdict

Fit-wise, the La Sportiva Speedster may be considered a truly bankable rock climbing shoe. It is also a remarkably versatile piece many can rely on when it comes to surface adherence and smearing capability. This edging genius, however, might come loose too soon. Overall, the Speedster is yet another La Sportiva gem, thanks to its collection of pros quite worthy of the send.
See our full review and facts

Best indoor La Sportiva climbing shoes

La Sportiva Geckogym
La Sportiva Geckogym
£74
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

82
Good!
5.0 / 5 from 15 users
N/A

Pros

  • Recommendable for gym use
  • Incredibly durable
  • Remarkably versatile
  • Excellent edging performance
  • Excellent lacing system

Cons

  • Underwhelming level of surface traction
  • Roomy around the heel

Verdict

Fans of the climb looking for a fantastic indoor rock shoe might find one in the Geckogym from La Sportiva. Those who are in search of a hard-wearing piece—one that offers superb versatility—can also bank on this product. This edge master, however, might not appeal to those who value grip performance above all else or those who prefer a shoe with a tight-fitting heel. Overall, the La Sportiva Geckogym is a decent tool to send projects in, despite its flaws.
See our full review and facts

Most popular

La Sportiva Solution
La Sportiva Solution
£113
See deal  
£130
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 436 users
89 / 100 from 10 experts

Pros

  • True to size
  • Secure fit
  • Great for heel and toe hooking
  • Excellent on technical face climbing
  • Suitable for gym and crag
  • Durable
  • Can be resoled

Cons

  • Not for multi-pitch climbing
  • Less support for crack climbing
  • Break-in period
  • Not completely breathable
  • Expensive
See our full review and facts

What are the most popular La Sportiva climbing shoes in 2022?

  1. La Sportiva Solution
  2. La Sportiva Tarantula
  3. La Sportiva Miura
  4. La Sportiva Skwama
  5. La Sportiva Finale
  6. La Sportiva Theory
  7. La Sportiva Mythos
  8. La Sportiva Otaki
  9. La Sportiva Tarantulace
  10. La Sportiva Katana Lace
  11. La Sportiva TC Pro
  12. La Sportiva Solution Comp
  13. La Sportiva Futura
  14. La Sportiva Kubo
  15. La Sportiva Miura VS

See all La Sportiva climbing shoes sorted by popularity

What are the cheapest La Sportiva climbing shoes in 2022?

  1. La Sportiva Tarantulace - from £58
  2. La Sportiva Tarantula - from £61
  3. La Sportiva Zenit - from £80
  4. La Sportiva Finale - from £81
  5. La Sportiva Genius - from £85
  6. La Sportiva Mythos Eco - from £91
  7. La Sportiva Mythos - from £99
  8. La Sportiva Solution Comp - from £109
  9. La Sportiva Kubo - from £110
  10. La Sportiva Theory - from £110
  11. La Sportiva Miura VS - from £112
  12. La Sportiva Miura - from £112
  13. La Sportiva Solution - from £113
  14. La Sportiva Skwama - from £120
  15. La Sportiva TC Pro - from £120

See all La Sportiva climbing shoes sorted by lowest price

Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and ran all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyses every detail of the shoes that you might buy.

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