KATANA LACE WOMENS CRACK

While many sport climbing shoes can use small feet, the the Katana can stand on these holds in a 45-degree overhang. The new Katana Laces uses Vibram XS Edge rubber, a harder rubber designed for standing on dime-sized foot chips. This detail is attained by a stitching adjustment at the toe that further channels the shoe’s power through its tip. The new Katana Laces digs its hooked beak into the thin vertical splitters of hard cracks.īy pressing into the tension derived from the P3 band and the aggressive hook of the forefoot, the climber can push all their weight through a very small space. In fact, in narrow cracks, the shoe is better than ever.

KATANA LACE WOMENS CRACK

Crack climbers will note that the downturn of the shoe increases its performance in smaller cracks. The leather upper and lace closure keeps your feet from getting beaten up in cracks while jamming, and the sole supplies enough rigidity that you don’t feel like you are on your metatarsals while standing flat.įor climbers that want to use this shoe for its intended purpose, the Katana is better than it was before. Being protected from the rock while climbing is paramount. So, how actually does the La Sportiva Katana Lace feels while climbing? The Katana Lace is comfortable, and surprisingly so for a techy performance shoe. Upon that, I tried the 43 and it was extremely painful. Although at the beginning I clearly felt uncomfortable and a bit of pain, especially on my left foot, I soon thought this might be the right size due to the stretch. My feet have the following dimensions: Left: 287 mm and Right: 285 mm and as a first size, I tried the 43,5 (basically half a size smaller than the Otaki). My trail runners, the La Sportiva Bushido, are in size 46. My Simond Rock+ are in size 44 and feel quite snug but very comfortable to climb. Prior of purchasing the Katana Laces, I did an extensive research on the correct sizing and based on my past experience of La Sportiva Otaki I tried the following sizes: 43,5 and 43. With my past, quite unsuccessful experience with the La Sportiva Otaki I wanted to make sure that this time I would choose the Katana in the best possible sizing.Īt this point, let me also add, that trying to fit climbing shoes in a physical store is a quasi mandatory process, otherwise, you risk to not have the best possible choice in terms of sizing, fit and comfort. Regardless of the climbing shoe, trying it on to make sure it is a good fit for your foot type is critical. In general, a downturned shoe is going to be less comfortable than a neutral climbing shoe. My first impression, and based on my personal experience of other climbing shoes, the Katana Laces have it all! Whether they’re for wearing in the hall or on a crag, on a vertical face, in an overhang or on a slab, these climbing shoes are made for climbers who are looking for high-precision shoes that are perfect for any route. Therefore, the final choice became even easier, so I got the Katana Laces (2022 model). My choices where the following two, the La Sportiva Katana Laces (2022 model) or the La Sportiva TC Pro.Īlthough my first choice would have been the TC Pro, unfortunately, I could not find this model in my size in any retailer in Greece. Therefore, once again, I did an extensive research, mainly via my network of fellow climbers.

Till this day, most of the times I use the Simond Rock+ and I have been extremely happy, though after a long testing period, I can not say the same about La Sportiva Otaki. Upon that, I have tried various other models, such as the Anasazi VCS by 5.10 and the Simond Rock+ and the La Sportiva Otaki. My first pair as a beginner was La Sportiva Tarantula, which was a great pair of shoes for my first “baby steps” in the climbing activities. During the past few years, while I have been constantly getting better in climbing, I have been tempted to try and test different kind of climbing shoes.

Katana lace womens