LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

I boulder and top rope. Great shoe that tackles both with ease. Def want to try these shoes on before you buy. The sportiva brands for me runs really big. Im size 11 mens and sportivas i wear 41 1/2 ( i think thats like a size 8 or 9 ). Took forever to break in but now i can last pretty long without havin to take em off in between every line. All in all these shoes rock. Buy em!

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

This is my second pair. The fit is incredible. There's something special about how it grips your toes.

These shoes are not for beginners. They do take a little while to break in, but once you break them in they are tight and supportive in all the right places.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

Great shoes for bouldering, especially for people looking for a sticky high end lace up.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

Remember to purchase at least two sizes smaller than you normally wear for regular street shoes - these are leather climbing shoes and they will stretch A LOT.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

So a few months ago I decided I needed to supplement my gear pack with a pair of aggressive climbing shoes. My 5.10 Moccasins were nice, but not ideal for the steep bouldering I was doing in them. I tried out quite a few shoes before I had the opportunity to take a pair of La Sportiva Testarossas out for a spin. All I can say is I'm glad I didn't buy anything else.

Hands down, the La Sportiva Testarossa is the best climbing shoe I've ever used. They're more expensive than most, but you get what you pay for. The fit is excellent. The shoe hugs my foot like a glove. The toe box construction directs the majority of your weight toward the big toe, unlike the 5.10 models they compete with. The 5.10 Blackwing and Arrowhead both had a much narrower toe box and directed much more pressure to the outside of the foot, making for an inferior fit, less sensitivity, and a lot of unnecessary pain. This ultimately was why I did not buy either of them. The Testarossas are very comfortable for such an aggressive shoe, and the Vibram XS2 rubber edges very well and sticks to the smallest of footholds with ease. I have yet to find anything that these shoes do not excel at.

A few thoughts on sizing: I wear a 10.5 (US mens) in street shoes, and I don't like my climbing shoes excruciatingly tight. I purchased the Testarossa in EU 41.5. If I could do it again, I'd go for a 41. They are constructed of lined leather, and you can expect a half size of stretch minimum. If you try a pair on and you're not sure as to whether or not they're small enough, go a size smaller. Like any well fitting climbing shoe, they'll hurt at first, but my pair has broken in nicely.

Bottom Line - I can't find anything negative to say about the Testarossa. They're the cream of the crop.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

amazing shoes, construction was very well thought out and material feels top of the line, definitely feels and looks like how much it costs. first downturn shoes that does hurt AS much as other aggressive shoes. the only CON is this shoe is NOT made for heel hooking, the rubber on the heel is VERY thin and i do not trust it sticking. however i do not do much heel hooking so this is not much of a problem for me

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

Bought these almost nine years ago. Wore them until the resoler in Boulder told me they couldn't be repaired any more because the rubber was the only thing holding them together.

The shoes fit like a glove. They had great arch support for their entire lives, fit like a glove, were incredibly comfortable, had an awesome touch on the rock. Only thing they weren't good for was cracks.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

I mainly use the shoe for bouldering,top roping and occasionally I climb outdoors. even though I haven't tested these outdoors yet, coming from barracudas, I believe that is the next great shoe to own. I heard mixed talks about them in the local gym (from hard to break..to once broken, they're perfect). hope that is helpful.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

I use this shoe for all of my climbing, I'd like it to be better at smearing, but for overhanging climbing and climbing requiring a good toe in this shoe is the best.

Comments about LA SPORTIVA Testarossa Climbing Shoes:

Wearing 41.5 (street shoe size is 11), and they're really tight but that's what I wanted. They almost climb the jibs for me.