A Comparative Analysis of Three of La Sportiva’s Finest Climbing Shoes
As one of the world’s most renowned and respected outdoor clothing and shoes manufacturers, La Sportiva has been offering a wide selection of climbing shoes for decades. For climbers of all levels, La Sportiva has developed a diverse line of shoes, each made with its own unique features.
In this article, we’ll be comparing three of La Sportiva’s finest climbing shoes – the La Sportiva Genius, Futura, and Testarossa. We’ll look at their fit, type of climbing, sole stiffness, shape, closure system, materials, price, personal preference, toe box shape, heel cup, weight, and level of ventilation. Let’s get started.
| Shoes | Price Range |
|---|---|
| La Sportiva Genius | $170 – $200 |
| Futura | $170 – $200 |
| Testarossa | $170 – $200 |
Fit
The most important factor when it comes to choosing the right climbing shoe is the fit. The La Sportiva Genius, Futura, and Testarossa all offer a snug, secure fit that will ensure your feet stay comfortable and secure while scaling rock walls. The Genius is designed to provide a low-volume fit that’s perfect for narrower feet while the Futura is best for wide feet. The Testarossa has an asymmetrical fit that’s ideal for those with an average foot shape.
In terms of sizes, all three shoes are available in EU sizes 36-46.5 and UK sizes 3-12.5. The La Sportiva website also provides detailed sizing charts to help you find the perfect fit.
The overall fit and feel of the shoes is also worth noting. The Genius is designed for a precise, precise fit and feel, while the Futura is designed for a more relaxed and comfortable fit. The Testarossa is designed to provide a balance between the two.
Type of Climbing
Another important factor to consider when choosing a climbing shoe is the type of climbing you’ll be doing. The La Sportiva Genius is designed for technical slab and overhang climbing. The Futura is designed for long multi-pitch routes, while the Testarossa is designed for bouldering, steep routes, and long routes.
The Genius is ideal for climbers who prefer precise footwork and need a precise fit. The Futura is designed for climbers who need a comfortable, relaxed fit and want a shoe that can handle long routes. The Testarossa is perfect for climbers who demand a precise fit, good grip, and versatility for different types of climbing.
Sole Stiffness
The sole stiffness of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The Genius is designed with an ultra-stiff sole that provides plenty of support and helps to reduce fatigue. The Futura has a moderately stiff sole that provides good support and is ideal for long routes. The Testarossa is designed with a medium-stiff sole that provides good support and helps to reduce fatigue.
The sole stiffness of the shoes is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. The ultra-stiff sole of the Genius is best for technical slab and overhang climbing, while the moderately stiff sole of the Futura is best for long routes. The medium-stiff sole of the Testarossa is perfect for bouldering, steep routes, and long routes.
Shape
The shape of a climbing shoe is also an important factor to consider. The La Sportiva Genius is designed with a curved shape that helps to provide a more precise fit and better control when climbing. The Futura has a flat shape that’s designed for comfort and stability when climbing. The Testarossa has an asymmetrical shape that’s designed to provide a precise fit and help climbers achieve a better grip.
The shape of the shoe can also help to provide more comfort and stability. The curved shape of the Genius is ideal for climbers who need more control and precision when climbing. The flat shape of the Futura is perfect for climbers who need more stability and comfort. And the asymmetrical shape of the Testarossa is ideal for climbers who need a precise fit and better grip.
Closure System
The closure system of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius is designed with an integrated lace-up closure system that provides a secure fit and helps to reduce fatigue. The Futura has a lace-up closure system that helps to provide a comfortable, relaxed fit. The Testarossa is designed with a hook-and-loop closure system that’s designed to provide a precise fit and reduce fatigue.
The closure system of the shoes is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. The integrated lace-up closure system of the Genius is ideal for technical slab and overhang climbing, while the lace-up closure system of the Futura is perfect for long routes. The hook-and-loop closure system of the Testarossa is ideal for bouldering, steep routes, and long routes.
Materials
The materials used in a climbing shoe is another important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius is designed with a leather upper and a Vibram XS Edge rubber sole. The Futura is designed with a leather upper and a Vibram XS Grip rubber sole. The Testarossa is designed with a leather upper and a Vibram XS Grip2 rubber sole.
The leather used in the uppers of the shoes is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. The leather used in the Genius is designed to provide a more precise fit and better control when climbing. The leather used in the Futura is designed for more comfort and stability when climbing. And the leather used in the Testarossa is designed to provide a precise fit and help climbers achieve a better grip.
All three shoes are also designed with a breathable, waterproof membrane to help keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Price
The price of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius, Futura, and Testarossa all range in price from $170 – $200.The price of the shoes is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. Generally speaking, the Genius is the most expensive of the three shoes, while the Futura is the least expensive. The Testarossa is the most expensive of the three, but offers a great balance between the two.
Personal Preference
The final factor to consider when choosing the right climbing shoe is your own personal preference. While all three of La Sportiva’s shoes offer their own unique features, the one you choose will ultimately depend on your individual needs and preferences.
The Genius is designed for climbers who prefer a precise fit and need a precise fit. The Futura is designed for climbers who want a comfortable, relaxed fit and need a shoe that can handle long routes. The Testarossa is designed for climbers who need a precise fit, good grip, and versatility for different types of climbing.
To help you decide which shoe is right for you, we suggest trying them on in-store or ordering a few different sizes and trying them on at home.
Toe Box Shape
The toe box shape of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius is designed with a curved toe box that helps to provide a more precise fit and better control when climbing. The Futura is designed with a flat toe box that’s designed for comfort and stability when climbing. The Testarossa has an asymmetrical toe box that’s designed to provide a precise fit and help climbers achieve a better grip.
The shape of the toe box is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. The curved toe box of the Genius is ideal for climbers who need more control and precision when climbing, while the flat toe box of the Futura is perfect for climbers who need more stability and comfort. And the asymmetrical toe box of the Testarossa is ideal for climbers who need a precise fit and better grip.
Heel Cup
The heel cup of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius is designed with an integrated heel cup that helps to provide a secure fit and help distribute pressure evenly across the heel. The Futura has a semi-rigid heel cup that’s designed for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The Testarossa is designed with a low-profile heel cup that’s designed to provide a precise fit and reduce fatigue.
The heel cup of the shoes is also important for the type of climbing you’re doing. The integrated heel cup of the Genius is ideal for technical slab and overhang climbing, while the semi-rigid heel cup of the Futura is perfect for long routes. The low-profile heel cup of the Testarossa is ideal for bouldering, steep routes, and long routes.
Weight
The weight of a climbing shoe is an important factor to consider when choosing the right shoe. The La Sportiva Genius is designed to be lightweight and weighs in at around 10 oz. The Futura is a