The Battle of the Best: La Sportiva Skwama vs Solution
Climbing shoes are an essential piece of equipment for every climber. It’s important to find the right shoe for your needs, as there is a wide variety of styles and shapes for different types of climbing. Two of the top climbing shoes on the market today are the La Sportiva Skwama and the La Sportiva Solutions. Both of these shoes are highly acclaimed in the climbing community and are often recommended for their performance and quality. In this article, we will compare the two shoes and 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.
| Feature | La Sportiva Skwama | La Sportiva Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Medium | Medium/High |
| Type of Climbing | Bouldering | Sport/Bouldering |
| Sole Stiffness | Slightly Stiff | Moderately Stiff |
| Shape | Down-Turned | Down-Turned |
| Closure System | Slip-On | Velcro |
| Materials | Synthetic Leather | Synthetic Leather |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
| Personal Preference | Good for Smearing | Good for Edging |
| Toe Box Shape | Wide | Narrow |
| Heel Cup | Secure | Secure |
| Weight | 7.6 oz | 8.9 oz |
| Level of Ventilation | Average | Good |
Fit
The La Sportiva Skwama has a medium fit and is designed to contour to the foot. The shoe is designed with a slipper-like style and is designed to be snug yet comfortable. The shoe is also designed with a slight stretch in the upper, allowing the shoe to mold to your foot as you wear it. The La Sportiva Solution has a medium to high fit and is designed for precision. The shoe has a tighter fit and is designed to be snug, yet comfortable. The shoe does have some stretch in the upper to allow for some movement, but the fit is still snug and precise.
The shape of the two shoes is also different. The Skwama has an all-around design, making it suitable for many types of climbing. The Solution, on the other hand, is designed with a narrow toe box, making it ideal for edging. The Skwama is also designed with a slightly wider heel, making it good for smearing.
The type of closure system can also make a difference in fit and performance. The Skwama has a slip-on system, which is easy to use and provides a snug fit. The Solution has a Velcro closure system, which is adjustable and provides a secure fit.
Type of Climbing
The La Sportiva Skwama is designed for bouldering and is a great choice for those wanting a versatile shoe. The shoe has a slightly stiff sole and is great for technical edging and smearing. The shoe is also designed with a down-turned shape and is good for precise footwork and powerful heel hooks. The La Sportiva Solution is designed for sport and bouldering and is a great choice for those wanting a more precise shoe. The shoe has a moderately stiff sole and is great for edging and smearing. The shoe is also designed with a down-turned shape and is good for technical footwork and precise heel hooks.
Sole Stiffness
The La Sportiva Skwama has a slightly stiff sole and is designed to provide support and edging power. The sole is designed with a rubber compound that provides good grip and is great for smearing. The La Sportiva Solution has a moderately stiff sole and is designed for edging and precise footwork. The sole is designed with a rubber compound that provides good grip and is great for smearing and technical footwork.
Shape
The La Sportiva Skwama and Solution both have a down-turned shape, which is great for precise footwork and powerful heel hooks. The Skwama has a slightly wider toe box, making it great for smearing, and the Solution has a narrower toe box, making it great for edging. The heel cup on both shoes is designed to be secure and provide support when heel-hooking.
Closure System
The La Sportiva Skwama has a slip-on closure system, which is easy to use and provides a snug fit. The Solution has a Velcro closure system, which is adjustable and provides a secure fit.
Materials
The La Sportiva Skwama and Solution are both made with a synthetic leather upper, which is designed to be comfortable and durable. The shoes also have a rubber sole, which is designed to provide good grip and support.
Price
The La Sportiva Skwama is priced at $$ and the Solution is priced at $$$.Personal Preference
The La Sportiva Skwama is a great choice for those wanting a versatile shoe that is good for smearing. The Solution is a great choice for those wanting a precise shoe that is good for edging.
Toe Box Shape
The La Sportiva Skwama has a wide toe box, making it great for smearing and edging. The Solution has a narrower toe box, making it great for edging and precise footwork.
Heel Cup
The heel cup on both the Skwama and Solution is designed to be secure and provide support when heel-hooking.
Weight
The La Sportiva Skwama weighs 7.6 oz and the Solution weighs 8.9 oz.
Level of Ventilation
The level of ventilation in both the Skwama and Solution is good. The synthetic leather upper is designed to be breathable and allow air to flow through.
In conclusion, both the La Sportiva Skwama and Solution are excellent choices for climbing shoes. They both have a down-turned shape and a secure heel cup, making them good for technical footwork and powerful heel hooks. They also have a slightly stiff sole, which is great for edging and smearing. The Skwama is a great option for those wanting a versatile shoe that is good for smearing, and the Solution is a great choice for those wanting a precise shoe that is good for edging. In the end, it really comes down to personal preference and which features work best for your style of climbing.