Testarossa

Climbing shoes, the bane of my feet. Usually comfort is a far second to performance and the Testarossa is no exception. I fondly call these shoes my feet vice. Each time I put them on I have to ask myself why I would wear something so tight. Once I get on the rock I remember why. These shoes are incredible.



Fit:

Since these shoes are soft I purchased them extremely tight to ensure their performance. Unlike other shoes these fit my heel very well. I do not have that annoying heel slippage you get with some shoes that cause that “windy” noise while you are walking on flats prior to your ascent. I also like the curved last. This shoe’s design focuses foot pressure to your big toe. Due to the combination of synthetic and leather materials used to make this shoe I have not experienced much stretch. These shoes are not for multi-pitch climbing. They are just too tight.



Performance:

One word describes the performance of these shoes: Awesome! These are by far the best performing shoes I have ever worn. The design allows for great pressure to the toe. This translates into some very sticky smearing on almost nothing holds. I was also impressed with amount of feeling transferred through this shoe. This allows for some very precise foot placements. I have also really warmed up to the La Sportiva rubber. I find it very sticky. This shoe is a great smearer, good edger, and an amazing toe hooker.



All in all if give these shoes 5 stars regardless of how tight they are. They are top performers. I would use these shoes for pushing your limit on sport routes or for trad routes where you are not in a crack. Either way you will want to take them off at each belay station. In summary these are the best sport shoes I have ever worn.

Very precise and tight shoes, they are meant fro high performance and will adjust and conform to your feet very nicely. They are not comfortable, but get bette as you wear them.



I ahve had people get them a little more loose, but then they loose the "hooking" power that they were meant to have.



Buy them with confidence and try them first if you have the chance. Sportivas do tend to run a little on the large size, however these are very tight.



The laicng system works great in keeping the adjustment and securing the fit.

\Overall one of the best high performance shoe around, if not the best!!

very comfortable for a high performance shoe, feels true to size. If you get them a little tight they are prefect for bouldering and harder sport routes. Great on tiny edges and for smearing. Truly the Ferarri of La Sportiva's shoes. A little expensive, but worth the price.

I would not recomend these for trad or all day climbing, I feel they would hurt too much and not perform as well as shoes like the Mythos.

Dan

wore a good sized hole in my Mirua's, the previous performance shoe in my closet (textured limestone)...rep talked me into these...don't know if I would pay retail for this shoe...but yeah, every bit the Mirua....maybe better, we will see....1.5 Euro size down should it

These shoes eat up steep sport climbing, the nuanced toe pulls on pockets and edges with equal aplomb and the unique last delivers--at least for my feet--a precise fit w/o destroying my feet. I have climbed extensively in the RRG, Kaly, Obed, and other sport crags with these and I love them when the going gets steep. Really pricey though, and my first pair wore out/came unglued super fast, BUT La Sportiva really took care of me and sent me a new pair ASAP. These are not for everyone or every climb, but are a great tool for steep stuff