Brand: La Sportiva
Category: Sport Climbing
Recommended by Daniel Turner, Bear Lake Mountain Guides Owner Operator — Bear Lake Valley, South East Idaho
Highlights: long distance, durable, comfortable, all day comfort
The TC Pro climbing shoe is a revolutionary blend of comfort and performance, designed in collaboration with legendary climbers Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold. With innovative updates to a classic design, it empowers climbers to tackle challenging routes with confidence and precision. 1. Advanced Fit: The TC Pro features a snug, glove-like fit that enhances sensitivity and control on technical climbs. 2. Durable Upper: Constructed with high-quality leather and synthetic materials, ensuring longevity and resistance to wear. 3. Enhanced Rubber: Equipped with Vibram® XS Edge rubber for superior grip and durability on both rock and artificial surfaces. 4. Asymmetrical Design: The shoe's asymmetrical shape promotes optimal power transfer to the toe, enhancing performance on steep climbs. 5. Comfortable Lining: A breathable lining provides moisture management, keeping feet dry and comfortable during extended wear. 6. Adjustable Closure: The dual Velcro straps allow for a customizable fit, accommodating various foot shapes and preferences. 7. Stiff Midsole: The shoe features a stiff midsole that provides excellent support for edging and precision foot placements. The TC Pro is ideal for serious climbers seeking to excel in both sport and trad climbing environments. It performs best on technical rock faces and challenging routes, making it suitable for advanced climbers and professionals. Whether scaling granite walls or tackling multi-pitch ascents, this shoe is designed to meet the demands of high-performance climbing. Perfect for year-round use, it excels in both warm and cooler conditions, ensuring comfort and reliability in diverse climbing scenarios.
Price: $191.2
- Who it's for
- Trad climbers, crack climbers, and multipitch/big wall climbers who prioritize all-day comfort and foot protection over gym or steep sport performance. Multiple hosts flag it as unsuitable for gym or very steep routes.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the stiff sole for edging endurance, ankle protection for crack climbing, and long-term comfort on extended routes. One host notes a second, smaller pair for precise performance, suggesting fit strategy varies by use.
- Worth noting
- Nearly every host recommends sizing up 0.5 sizes or to street size for all-day wear and cold-weather sock use; the shoe stretches slightly over time. Multiple hosts resole repeatedly, pointing to strong long-term durability value.
Daniel Turner's review
Long days, ultimate comfort, does not compromise on climbability.
Recommended by Daniel Turner, Bear Lake Mountain Guides Owner Operator
Frequently asked questions
Who is the TC Pro for?
Trad climbers, crack climbers, and multipitch/big wall climbers who prioritize all-day comfort and foot protection over gym or steep sport performance. Multiple hosts flag it as unsuitable for gym or very steep routes.
What do experts say about the TC Pro?
Hosts consistently praise the stiff sole for edging endurance, ankle protection for crack climbing, and long-term comfort on extended routes. One host notes a second, smaller pair for precise performance, suggesting fit strategy varies by use.
What should you know before buying the TC Pro?
Nearly every host recommends sizing up 0.5 sizes or to street size for all-day wear and cold-weather sock use; the shoe stretches slightly over time. Multiple hosts resole repeatedly, pointing to strong long-term durability value.
What does Daniel Turner say about the TC Pro?
Long days, ultimate comfort, does not compromise on climbability.
Why does Daniel Turner recommend La Sportiva?
Daniel Turner recommends the La Sportiva TC Pro for sport climbing. Long days, ultimate comfort, does not compromise on climbability.
Is the TC Pro a good sport climbing?
Yes — Daniel Turner recommends the TC Pro by La Sportiva as their sport climbing pick. Long days, ultimate comfort, does not compromise on climbability.
Is the TC Pro good for long distance?
Daniel Turner recommends it for long efforts: Long days, ultimate comfort, does not compromise on climbability.
More from Daniel Turner's General Climbing Kit
View Daniel Turner's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
15 experts recommend the La Sportiva TC Pro.
Laurel Walker, Mountain Athlete, Guide, Coach
Fun pro tip: Get these a little big; your toes will thank you on a long and/or cold day. I know mine do.
Recommended in Climbing and Mountaineering
Cora Hanson, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
My go-to climbing shoes anytime I'm trad climbing and know I'm going to be jamming cracks.
Recommended in Trad/Multi-Pitch Climbing
Teddy Dondanville, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor
The TC Pro is a tried and true trad climbing shoe. It excels on most terrain except for really steep stuff. I have a pair of TC Pros that fit me comfortably for all-day wear and tear while guiding or for climbing long, moderate multi-pitch routes. I have a second pair that is smaller for when I need precise performance.
Recommended in Rock Climbing Footwear
Spencer Huffman, Rock and Alpine Guide | Climbing Instructor and Coach
This is an excellent, all-day shoe that has an extremely stiff sole. You can fine tune the fit with the laces (great for staying comfortable throughout the day) and edge all day without your arches getting tired! It also does well in mid to wide cracks!
Recommended in Climbing Footwear
Dan Morley, Rock Climbing Guide
My go-to outdoor climbing shoe. I love that they offer added protection around the ankles for gnarly crack climbs and thorny adventure climbs. Great fit and performance right out of the box!
Recommended in Personal Climbing Gear
John Willard, Founder & Lead Guide @ Willard Mountain Guides
This is my go-to shoe for long trad climbs, slab climbs, or crack climbs. This shoe is not only comfortable but also is a slab & crack machine! I size to my street shoes personally to be comfy, these will stretch a tiny bit as a fair warning!
Recommended in Rock Climbing
This is my favorite all day shoe. Great for a variety of climbing styles, they're comfortable and long lasting, and I don't dread wearing them on longer climbs.
Recommended in Shoes
If you climb on granite, this is your shoe. If you climb, period, this is your shoe. A rite of passage. I climb on a few pairs of the older generation but have tried the new edition, and can say they are still excellent shoes.
Recommended in Rock Climbing and Approach Shoes
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Recommended in Robert's Favorites
Michael Murphy, Rock Climbing Instructor and Business Owner
For long days, I reach for this shoe. It's comfy, sturdy, and does what I need it to do. I typically size this one up a smidge so I can wear it with socks on colder days.
Recommended in Guide Kit
Brad Burns, PCGI Single Pitch Instructor, La Sportiva Athlete
The absolute standard for hard multipitch, hard trad, and big wall rock climbing. These shoes are very stiff, incredibly comfortable, and climb cracks better than any shoe on the market. The raised ankle protection keeps the feet and ankles protected in heinous wide cracks, and the stiff XS edge sole keeps your feet feeling good 10 pitches off the deck. I size these shoes about 0.5 sizes above my sport size, which is the perfect mix of comfort and performance. They eat hard granite and cracks for lunch. Don't buy these shoes for the gym. They are way too stiff and expensive to be using on plastic.
Recommended in Climbing Shoes
Chris Johnson, Apprentice Climbing Guide, Professional Ski Patroller
Shoes are very individual, but I'm a big fan of La Sportiva shoes. I typically wear the TC Pro for trad climbing. I enjoy the extra ankle protection for crack climbing and the stiff, precise edge for feeling confident on small edges.
Recommended in Trad Climbing Gear
Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide
My all-around trad and crack climbing shoe. Updated version of the original OG TC Pro, the fabled "Air Tommies". The combination of crack prowess and protection, stiff sole, and edging rubber has kept me coming back for resole after resole, pair after pair.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
I've been wearing these shoes for over a decade and they are my go-to multi-pitch and crack climbing shoes for a reason. The flat sole allows for all-day comfort on long routes and the ankle protection is key for foot jamming on crack climbs.
Recommended in Rock Climbing Mentorship Program
