La Sportiva Genius and Solution: A Comparison
When it comes to climbing shoes, La Sportiva has made some of the best models on the market. Two of their most popular shoes are the La Sportiva Genius and the La Sportiva Solution. Both of these shoes have their own unique features and design, making them ideal for different types of climbing. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the two shoes and compare them across several categories.
Comparison Table
| Feature | La Sportiva Genius | La Sportiva Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Slipper | Lace-up |
| Type of Climbing | Sport/Bouldering | Overhanging/Bouldering |
| Sole Stiffness | Medium-stiff | Ultra-stiff |
| Shape | Downturned | Aggressive |
| Closure System | Slipper | Lace-up |
| Materials | Leather/Synthetic | Leather |
| Price | $$ | $$ |
| Toe Box Shape | Rounded | Pointed |
| Heel Cup | Rounded | Aggressive |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Level of Ventilation | High | Low |
Fit
The La Sportiva Genius has a slipper-style construction and is designed to fit snugly, with no heel-slippage. The slipper construction ensures that your feet are securely and comfortably held in place. The Solution, on the other hand, has a more traditional lace-up construction, and offers a more adjustable fit. This allows you to adjust the fit of the shoes to your specific foot shape and size. Both models fit true to size, so you don’t have to worry about sizing up or down.
Type of Climbing
The Genius is designed for sport climbing and bouldering, while the Solution is better suited for overhanging sport climbing and hard bouldering. The Genius has a downturned shape that provides better edging power, while the Solution has an aggressive shape that is ideal for difficult routes. The Solution also has an asymmetrical shape that provides better power transfer when toe-hooking.
Sole Stiffness
The Genius has a medium-stiff sole, while the Solution has an ultra-stiff sole. The stiff sole of the Solution provides more support and stability when you’re climbing on small holds. The stiff sole also helps prevent your feet from slipping off the holds. The medium-stiff sole of the Genius provides enough stiffness for edging, but it also has enough flexibility for smearing and other techniques.
Shape
The Genius has a downturned shape that provides better edging power, while the Solution has an aggressive shape that is designed for hard overhanging routes and steep bouldering. The downturned shape of the Genius is also great for smearing and other techniques. The asymmetrical shape of the Solution provides better power transfer when toe-hooking.
Closure System
The Genius has a slipper-style closure system, while the Solution has a traditional lace-up closure system. The slipper-style closure of the Genius ensures that your feet are securely and comfortably held in place, while the lace-up closure of the Solution allows you to adjust the fit of the shoes.
Materials
The upper of the Genius is made from a combination of leather and synthetic materials. The leather provides durability and breathability, while the synthetic materials provide support and stretch. The upper of the Solution is made from leather, which provides excellent durability and breathability.
Price
The Genius and the Solution are both priced similarly, but there is a slight difference between the two models. The Genius is usually slightly more expensive than the Solution.Personal Preference
At the end of the day, the decision of which shoe to choose comes down to personal preference. The Genius and the Solution both have their own unique features and design, so it’s important to try them both on and decide for yourself which one is the best fit for you.
Toe Box Shape
The toe box shape of the Genius is more rounded, while the toe box of the Solution is more pointed. The rounded toe box of the Genius provides more room for your toes and allows for a more comfortable fit. The pointed toe box of the Solution is better for edging and providing better power transfer.
Heel Cup
The heel cup of the Genius is slightly more rounded, while the heel cup of the Solution is more aggressive. The rounded heel cup of the Genius provides a secure fit, while the aggressive heel cup of the Solution provides better heel hooking power.
Weight
The Genius is slightly lighter than the Solution. The lighter weight of the Genius makes it more comfortable for long climbing sessions, while the weight of the Solution provides more support and stability.
Level of Ventilation
The Genius has more ventilation than the Solution. The ventilation of the Genius helps keep your feet cool and comfortable, while the ventilation of the Solution provides more support.
When it comes to choosing a climbing shoe, it’s important to consider your own personal preference and the type of climbing you’re planning to do. The La Sportiva Genius and Solution are both excellent shoes, and each has its own unique features and design. The Genius is better suited for sport climbing and bouldering, while the Solution is better suited for overhanging sport climbing and hard bouldering. Both shoes are priced similarly and offer excellent performance, so it’s really up to you to decide which one is the best fit for you.