Brand: La Sportiva

Category: Sport Climbing

Recommended by Brad Burns, PCGI Single Pitch Instructor, La Sportiva Athlete — Greater Rocky Mountains

The Solution climbing shoes by La Sportiva are engineered for precision and performance, featuring advanced technology that enhances grip and fit. Designed for serious climbers, these shoes provide the ultimate support and control for tackling challenging routes. 1. Constructed with Vibram® XS Grip2™ rubber for exceptional traction on various surfaces. 2. Drastically down-turned design optimizes power transfer to the toe for improved edging capabilities. 3. Molded 3D heel cup ensures a secure fit, enhancing stability during climbs. 4. Patented P3® Power Platform maintains the shoe's downturned shape for consistent performance. 5. Lock Harness System® wraps around the foot, providing a snug and unified fit with the upper. 6. Fast Lacing System™ allows for quick adjustments, enabling a personalized fit for every climber. 7. Lightweight construction minimizes fatigue, allowing for longer climbing sessions without discomfort. The Solution climbing shoes are ideal for sport climbing and bouldering, excelling in both indoor and outdoor environments. They are best suited for advanced climbers seeking high-performance footwear that can handle steep and technical routes. Whether tackling challenging crags or competing in climbing competitions, these shoes are designed to enhance your climbing experience year-round.

Price: $219

Brad Burns's review

This is one of the most popular shoes on the market. This shoe was made 20+ years ago, and is still found on the feet of climbers on the hardest routes in the world (V17, 5.15d, 5.14 trad). It is good at every type of rock and style, but where I think it excels is hard bouldering and sport climbing. This is my go-to bouldering shoe. It is stiff enough to edge really well, but also soft enough to smear on tiny features. It is very sensitive, and a nice toe-patch is great for toe hooks. The heel is not for everyone, and honestly, it doesn't fit my foot very well. However, It is a hard, "knobby" fit, which makes it really great for hard heel-toe cams or painful, sharp heel hooks. The heel is pretty uncomfortable on my foot (for some it is great!), which is why I only use it bouldering, as I can slip the shoes on and off after each attempt. For a hard, steep sport climbing shoe, I prefer the newer Solution comp, as the heel fits my foot better.

Recommended by Brad Burns, PCGI Single Pitch Instructor, La Sportiva Athlete

Frequently asked questions

What does Brad Burns say about the Solution?

Why does Brad Burns recommend La Sportiva?

Brad Burns recommends the La Sportiva Solution for sport climbing. This is one of the most popular shoes on the market. This shoe was made 20+ years ago, and is still found on the feet of climbers on the hardest routes in the world (V17, 5.15d, 5.14 trad). It is good at every type of rock and style, but where I think it excels is hard bouldering and sport climbing. This is my go-to bouldering shoe. It is stiff enough to edge really well, but also soft enough to smear on tiny features. It is very sensitive, and a nice toe-patch is great for toe hooks. The heel is not for everyone, and honestly, it doesn't fit my foot very well. However, It is a hard, "knobby" fit, which makes it really great for hard heel-toe cams or painful, sharp heel hooks. The heel is pretty uncomfortable on my foot (for some it is great!), which is why I only use it bouldering, as I can slip the shoes on and off after each attempt. For a hard, steep sport climbing shoe, I prefer the newer Solution comp, as the heel fits my foot better.

Is the Solution a good sport climbing?

Yes — Brad Burns recommends the Solution by La Sportiva as their sport climbing pick. This is one of the most popular shoes on the market. This shoe was made 20+ years ago, and is still found on the feet of climbers on the hardest routes in the world (V17, 5.15d, 5.14 trad). It is good at every type of rock and style, but where I think it excels is hard bouldering and sport climbing. This is my go-to bouldering shoe. It is stiff enough to edge really well, but also soft enough to smear on tiny features. It is very sensitive, and a nice toe-patch is great for toe hooks. The heel is not for everyone, and honestly, it doesn't fit my foot very well. However, It is a hard, "knobby" fit, which makes it really great for hard heel-toe cams or painful, sharp heel hooks. The heel is pretty uncomfortable on my foot (for some it is great!), which is why I only use it bouldering, as I can slip the shoes on and off after each attempt. For a hard, steep sport climbing shoe, I prefer the newer Solution comp, as the heel fits my foot better.