Comparison of the La Sportiva Futura and the Solution
It’s no secret that La Sportiva’s climbing shoes are some of the best on the market, and two of their most popular offerings are the Futura and the Solution. Both are great shoes with their individual strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at how the two compare.
| Feature | La Sportiva Futura | La Sportiva Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Snug | Relaxed |
| Type of Climbing | Overhanging | All-day |
| Sole Stiffness | Stiff | Flexible |
| Shape | Flat, pointed | Asymmetrical, round |
| Closure System | Laces | Velcro |
| Materials | Microfiber, leather | Synthetic, Lorica |
| Price | Expensive | Affordable |
| Toe Box Shape | Pointed | Asymmetrical |
| Heel Cup | High | Low |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Level of Ventilation | Low | High |
Fit
The La Sportiva Futura offers a snug fit that is designed to hold your foot in place as you climb, while the Solution has a more relaxed fit that provides better comfort and is great for all-day climbs. Both models have a slingshot rand that wraps around your heel to keep your foot in place, but the Solution has a stretchier rand which allows you to adjust the tightness of the shoe.
The Futura has a more pointed toe box, which provides great precision on small edges and pockets, while the Solution has a more rounded toe box that allows your toes to move more freely. The Futura also has a higher heel cup than the Solution, which helps to hold your foot in place when heel hooking.
Type of Climbing
The Futura is designed for steep, overhanging climbing and is best suited for advanced climbers. It has a flat profile, moderate downturn, and stiff sole that provides excellent support on technical terrain. The Solution is best for beginners and intermediate climbers and its asymmetrical toe box and moderate downturn allow for better smearing and edging.
The Futura is also suited for bouldering, while the Solution is more suitable for trad and sport climbing. Both shoes are great for gym climbing, but the Solution will offer better comfort and performance on vertical routes.
Sole Stiffness
The Futura has a stiffer sole than the Solution, which makes it more responsive and supportive on steep climbs. The stiff sole also allows for more precise foot placements on small edges and pockets. The Solution has a more flexible sole than the Futura, which makes it more comfortable for all-day climbs and provides more flexibility for smearing and edging.
Both shoes offer good support for edging and smearing, but the Solution has the edge here because of its slightly softer sole.
Shape
The Futura has a flat profile and a moderate downturn, which provides excellent support on steep terrain. The Solution has an asymmetrical toe box and a moderate downturn, which provides better smearing and edging. The Futura has a slightly pointed toe box, which allows for more precise foot placements on small edges and pockets.
The Futura has a higher heel cup than the Solution, which provides better heel hooking. The Solution has a slightly lower heel cup, which makes it more comfortable for all-day climbs.
Closure System
The Futura has a lace-up closure system, which allows you to adjust the tightness of the shoe easily. The Solution has a velcro closure system, which makes it easier to take off and put on. The velcro closure system also provides better adjustability for different foot sizes.
Both shoes offer good closure systems, but the velcro closure system of the Solution is easier to use and more adjustable.
Materials
The Futura is made of microfiber and synthetic leather, which provide great support and are designed to last. The Solution is made of a combination of synthetic leather and Lorica, which is more breathable than the material used in the Futura.
Both shoes use high-quality materials, but the Solution’s breathable Lorica makes it more comfortable for long climbs.
Price
The Futura is more expensive than the Solution, but they are both fairly priced for the quality they offer.Personal Preference
At the end of the day, the choice of which shoe to buy comes down to personal preference. Both shoes offer great performance and features, so it’s important to try them on and see which one feels best on your feet.
Toe Box Shape
The Futura has a slightly pointed toe box, which provides great precision on small edges and pockets. The Solution has an asymmetrical toe box, which provides better smearing and edging.
Heel Cup
The Futura has a higher heel cup than the Solution, which provides better heel hooking. The Solution has a slightly lower heel cup, which makes it more comfortable for all-day climbs.
Weight
The Futura is slightly heavier than the Solution, but both shoes offer excellent performance without being too heavy.
Level of Ventilation
The Futura has less ventilation than the Solution, but both shoes will keep your feet cool and dry while climbing.
When it comes to choosing between the La Sportiva Futura and the Solution, both shoes offer great performance and features. The Futura is better suited for advanced climbers and steep, overhanging routes, while the Solution is better for beginners and intermediate climbers and all-day climbs. The Futura has a stiffer sole and a higher heel cup for better heel hooking, while the Solution has a flexible sole and a lower heel cup for better comfort. The Futura is more expensive than the Solution, but the quality of both shoes is excellent. Ultimately, it’s important to try both shoes on and see which one feels best on your feet.