7 Best La Sportiva Climbing Shoes in 2023
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Why trust us
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.
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 Skwama
93
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Skwama is an excellent climbing shoe for longer sessions of hard bouldering and rope climbing at the gym or crag. The shoe provides quality support while retaining the flexibility to give you a superior sensitivity in all of your climbs. The Skwama is a rare find with its combination of superb comfort and performance.
Pros
- True to size
- Snug fit
- Excellent heel and toe hooking
- Comfy for a performance shoe
- Durable
- Short break-in period
- Flexible
- Suitable for gym and crag
Cons
- Less breathable
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$190
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$199
REI
Free shipping
$199
Outland USA
Free shipping
$199
Best La Sportiva climbing shoes for intermediate climbers
La Sportiva Solution
92
Superb!
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
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$180
REI
Free shipping
$199
Outland USA
Free shipping
$199
Zappos
Best La Sportiva climbing shoes with neutral downturn
La Sportiva Tarantulace
88
Great!
What makes it the best?
The La Sportiva Tarantulace is a beginner-friendly climbing shoe that serves as a solid entry point into the world of climbing. Its rubber compound lining the sole and neutral style is excellent for longer climbs. You can’t go wrong with this pair of shoes to start your climbing journey.
Pros
- True to size
- Perfect fit
- All-day comfort
- Durable
- Flat midsole
- Value for money
- Leather lining
Cons
- Poor breathability
- Thick sole
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$65
Backcountry
Free shipping
$67
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$67
Outland USA
Free shipping
$72
Summit Hut
Free shipping
$80
REI
Free shipping
$89
Best La Sportiva sport climbing shoes
La Sportiva Miura
90
Great!
What makes it the best?
Very few climbing shoes are as capable, as comfortable, and durable as the Miura. If you climb outdoors or are serious about getting into climbing outdoors, then you should strongly consider trying on a pair of La Sportiva Miura.
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Great for crack climbing
- Very Comfortable
- Durable
- Stiff but sticky rubber
- Stands the test of time
- Good value
Cons
- Not very breathable
- Take a while to dry
- Leather will eventually become uncomfortably stiff
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$115
Eastern Mountain Sports
$135
Backcountry
Free shipping
$142
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$142
REI
Free shipping
$189
Outland USA
Free shipping
$189
Best La Sportiva climbing shoes with moderate downturn
La Sportiva Kubo
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
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 does not give in wherever you place your toes, this climbing shoe seems to do it all and is durable.
Pros
- Great for mounting on edges and similar features
- Grippy heel
- Smearing genius
- Durable
- Comfortable for all-day wear
Cons
- A bit stiff
- Lower instep sensitivity due to tongue padding
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$159
REI
Free shipping
$159
Outland USA
Free shipping
$159
Summit Hut
Free shipping
$159
Best value La Sportiva climbing shoes
La Sportiva Miura VS
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Miura VS from La Sportiva is an aggressive shoe that elevates the climber's performance, especially where ledges are present. A well-liked kick for its satisfying level of comfort, this offering doesn't lose form easily, giving the foot firmness in the trickiest of spots both indoors and outdoors. It's also among those climbing shoes that stave off stinkiness, even if you wear them for hours on end.
Pros
- Glove-like fit
- Quite adhesive
- Gets into pockets with ease
- Protective rearfoot zone
- Heel-hooking wonder
- Odor-preventive
- Edges like a dream
Cons
- Hard to put on at first
- Not a great shoe for toe hooking
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
REI
Free shipping
$79
Backcountry
Free shipping
$150
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$150
Amazon
Free shipping
$199
Outland USA
Free shipping
$199
Most popular La Sportiva climbing shoes
La Sportiva Finale
87
Great!
What makes it the most popular?
An incredible rock climbing shoe awaits those who would don the La Sportiva Finale. Indeed, sporting this impressive piece leads to ascents where comfort comes in full force. This true-to-size beginner shoe also inspires climbing confidence as it possesses tons of sticking power. The Finale is a capable La Sportiva offering whose qualities and value for money might just be enough to turn naysayers into believers.
Pros
- Incredible comfort level
- Absolutely beginner-friendly
- Super-sticky rubber
- Accurate sizing
- Fantastic in cracks
- Reasonable asking price
Cons
- Bleeding upper
- Extended break-in period
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Outland USA
$48
Moosejaw
Free shipping
$97
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$125
REI
Free shipping
$129
Summit Hut
Free shipping
$129
Comparison of the 7 best La Sportiva climbing shoes
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