LA SPORTIVA Unisex_Adult 10f Climbing Shoes, 4.5 UK

Product Information

I own other pairs of climbing shoes, but my Tarantulace is always in my bag and still sees action after 2 years. Sure, they are starting to see wear, but only because I don’t take as good care of them as I should. Treat them right, and these shoes will be in your collection for a very long time, long after you have left the beginner walls behind. Toe Box The Tarantulace is known for being comfortable, which is part of the reason these are the most-bought climbing shoes in the world. The laces keep your foot secure and can be used to get rid of any dead space. We’ve talked about a little bit of our unique friend outsole in the previous chapter. Now, we’re gonna dive into deeper, more technical things about the outsole.

The La Sportiva Tarantulaceis an affordable shoe designed for new climbers but it will also appeal to climbers with a smaller budget who seek versatility. The shoe is not exactly what you would call performance-oriented, or specialized for a specific type of climbing, for that matter. What the Tarantulace does offer, however, is a great fit that will suit an array of foot shapes, and offer entry-level performance in the gym, on the boulders, and at your local crag.

Analysis and Test Results

La Sportiva generally runs true to size, so size down 1.5 to 2 sizes from your ordinary street shoe size. I would definitely recommend the Tarantulace to new climbers. I would also recommend them to more experienced climbers looking for an all-terrain second pair of shoes or for climbers on a budget. Their versatility, durability, comfort, and affordability are a winning combination. The next step up by La Sportiva would be the Finale. The Tarantulace may very well be one of the best entry-level climbing shoes on the market. They are comfortable and will not break the bank. This is exactly what a newcomer should be looking for in a shoe. The rubber performs well both indoors and outdoors. I have used the shoes in both and have no complaints. The rubber feels very durable when climbing efficiently. I have noticed some newer climbers complain they have holes at the toe, but it was because they drag their feet on the gym wall often while climbing. Being mindful of maintaining proper footwork will definitely extend the life of your shoes. Comfort and Fit

We’ve already known that Tarantulace’s upper is an unlined leather with synthetic overlay and Finale’s upper is an unlined leather. The leather provides durability to the shoes and gives waterproofness. BUT, synthetic overlay… It gives leather some reinforcement and creates a more stable upper. Okay, one point to Tarantulace… While the Tarantulace will not be the last shoe you buy, they will help you get into the sport and discover which type of climbing you prefer. They will serve you well until you move on to something better adapted to your style, level, and budget. The toe box is another area where the Tarantulace and Finale differ. Designed with comfort in mind, the Tarantulace has a low-asymmetry, low-profile toe box, which gives the toe plenty of room but limits technical flexibility. On the other hand, the Finale has a toe box with greater asymmetry – this is less comfortable than the Tarantulace’s toe box but allows you to do far more with the shoe technically. For moves like toe hooking, smearing, and toe scumming, the Finale’s toe box makes the shoe feel like a far stabler and more viable option than the Tarantula. The La Sportiva Tarantulace was designed as an all-arounder for beginners and intermediates. Is it a “one-quiver” shoe, as some have called it? Not really, though it could be for a specific type of climber. There are no additional costs or duties on products marketed in countries within the European Union. Customers will not have to pay anything on delivery.They are good for all types of climbing and can be worn all day for a session at the crag. This is an ideal shoe for new climbers who don’t want to invest in expensive and aggressive shoes right away. Even though I am not a new climber, I still wear them after two years and will usually not take them off during a gym session. With the Tarantulace, the toe box is so comfortable I sometimes wear them when I go out on the town. Well, that’s not true. I am however able to wear them on a full gym session without having to take them off, which is rare for climbing shoes. And when I finally do take them off, my toes don’t feel like they were crushed in a metal door. Before jumping into my review of the TarantuLace, I want to take a brief moment to answer one important question. What should you be looking for in a pair of climbing shoes anyway?

Have you ever looked at a pair of La Sportiva Tarantulas and thought "wow, I just wish it had laces, then it would be the perfect shoe"... oh boy have I got news for you! Expect everything the Tarantulas have, but with a laced up closure on the La Sportiva Tarantulace! Laces let you dial in the fit of your shoe, ensuring precision and power when you need it. If you're buying these as beginner shoes, you don't have to worry about a break in period, as you can simply just loosen the laces a bit! The Tarantulace is perfect as a first or second shoe due to the supportive midsole and FriXion RS rubber that assists you on small footholds, but still lets you smear on big gym macro holds. While the toe box and overall forefoot are wide enough to accommodate most climbers’ feet, the shoe is still considered medium volume by La Sportiva, so it may not be ideal for extremely wide feet. The Tarantula velcro, Oxygym, and Finale are the most similar La Sportiva models classified as higher volume by the company. Performance Edging The right pair of climbing shoes, and in many cases, the La Sportiva Tarantulace may just be that right pair. No matter the occasion or type of climb, I always make sure to take the right pair of shoes for the job. Okay, unless in the rare (but awesome) event of going deep water soloing – that’s just asking for some bare foot action.The toe box is large, rounded, and more comfortable than most shoes. That is usually the least comfortable part of climbing shoes and why I choose to take most of my shoes off in between climbs. The climbers who require outstanding performance at toe- and heel hooking may not be satisfied with the Tarantulace. Its ability to do these techniques is adequate, but if you aspire to higher-level bouldering moves, you’ll want climbing shoes that fit tighter in the heel and have more rubber on top of the toe. Jamming Unlike most climbing shoes made by La Sportiva, the Tarantulace and Finale both have a less aggressive, more comfort-orientated profile. However, we would argue that the Tarantulace is the more comfortable and wearable of the two models. We found the Tarantulace’s lace closure easier to adjust, allowing us to get a truly dialed-in fit. Although these shoes are pretty comfy, they're not "El Cap in a day" comfy, so most people will prefer a more comfortable shoe with a flatter sole for mega missions. The Katana is also a narrower shoe, so folks with wider feet should consider similar designs with roomier dimensions. One possibility is the Scarpa Instinct Lace which has a similar downturn and toe profile but with a wider midsole and heel. Although there are arguably better shoes for high-end bouldering, for everything else, the Katana is ready to go.