One of the most popular shoes in the industry is the La Sportiva Solution. I have had a good experience climbing a max outdoor boulder f7a. Let’s delve further into what I think of the shoe and its specifications.
What do I think about the La Sportiva Solution?
I have been impressed with its performance, having previously only worn Scarpa. While there are a few things I don’t like about the shoe, overall, I believe it is an excellent choice for climbers.
The good
The La Sportiva Solution has an excellent grip. Having only used it on gritstone (based in the Peak District) and plastic in the gym, I had a hard life.
The heel is also incredibly secure, making it great for heel hooks. This is due to the La Sportiva P3 system, helping to keep the shoe safe for the foot and providing sturdiness, making it suitable for those tiny holds.
This shoe also has a sizeable textured rubber area on the top. This is less common in climbing shoes. However, being high-performance, it’s something you’d expect. This helps keep your toe in place when you require a less popular toe hook. Personally, toe hooks are a weak point of mine due to lack of use them. This shoe has helped improve them, along with training hard and practice.
I also am a fan of the one Velcro tab with two pieces of cord. This makes the shoe extremely easy to get tighter, ensuring a secure fit and minimising slippage. Hover, there is a con below for this system.
The bad
The shoe can be pretty uncomfortable, especially during the break-in period. The toe box is also relatively narrow, so those with wider feet may struggle with finding a comfortable fit.
I have also found the rubber to be very soft. This is great for grip and conforming to the hold. However, the shoe hasn’t lasted long at all. I got these shoes in mid-December, and they have a tiny hole in the toe after four months that will only get bigger. I reckon they will only last another month.
The strap on the Velcro has also started to rip, which isn’t ideal, and I’ve heard a lot of people having the same issues and even ripping completely.
La Sportiva Solution specifications
Weight: 8.89 oz (258g)
Upper: Leather / Lorica®
Lining: HF (toe-box and arch area only)
Midsole: 1.1mm LaspoFlex (toe only)
Sole: 4mm Vibram® XS Grip2™
The La Sportiva Solutions 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip2 sole and a downturned toe shape help provide precision and support on the smallest of holds. This makes them ideal for an advanced climber or someone seeking higher grades.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am a fan of these shoes for climbing and believe that they have been an asset in my training and climbing journey by helping me be more precise and climb more challenging grades. However, I would be reluctant to repurchase them because of how long they lasted compared to other shoes I have used and the amount they cost.
I hope this La Sportiva Solution review post was what you needed to help with your decision on the La Sportiva Solution. We review lots of different products, so take a look. You may even find some other gear you’d like to buy. That’s all from me for this review (I update these as often as I have something new about the product, so check back soon, and I may have more to say about these).
What would you like us to review next? Let me know by emailing me alex@theoutdoorascent.com.
