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KIWI

La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes

$59.99
$80.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 25%

(18)

Item # 830932

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A jack-of-all-trades, the La Sportiva Tarantulace rock climbing shoes are comfortable enough for all-day climbs or a trip to the rock gym.

Leather/synthetic leather uppers provide an accurate and secure fit
Lined tongues help manage moisture and are comfortable next to skin
5mm FriXion® RS rubber soles provide good grip and stand up to regular use
The La Sportiva Tarantulace rock climbing shoes have a quick-pull lacing system that delivers a snug, precise fit

Please note: La Sportiva products can only be shipped to the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Imported.

Item 830932

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La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes

4.1

(based on 18 reviews)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Versatile (9)
Lightweight (8)
Comfortable (7)
Rugged (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Indoor (14)
Outdoors (12)
Bouldering (11)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  71%
  (12 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big
- Width:
- Feels too narrow
  
  Feels true to width
  
  82%
  (14 reviews)
  Feels too wide

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (8), Avid climber (7), Getting started (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (17)

Reviewed by 18 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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May

2013

4.0

Great Indoor Shoes

By Calvesofsteel

from Martinez, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable

Cons

Best Uses

Bouldering
Indoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

This is the only Sportiva shoe that is machine made, but still fits very well. It is comfortable enough for 3 hours of climbing. The fit is great and chose a 1/2 size down from my normal shoes. I feel like the shoe has not stretched much. The sole is durable. For the first few climbs expect a little green on your feet.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

4.0

Solid, if clunky

By Connierevo

from Chicago, IL

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Bulky
Imprecise

Best Uses

Indoor
Long Climbs
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

Picked up these shoes before a trip since my Solutions are getting haggard and the price was right.

These guys are pretty solid. They stick well, they're true to Sportiva sizing and they feel fine on my feet. Not super precise, though, and the rubber is so thick, blunt and flat that it takes some time to learn to trust them. Especially if you're coming off an aggressive shoe.

Still, if you're looking for a nice "between the hard stuff" shoe that you can wear for longer than one pitch, these are nice for the price.

One note: They need a couple of climbs to get sticky. First few (indoor, anyway) were a little hair raising.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

5.0

Top Notch Climbing Shoe!

By Caroline the Sailor

from Chicago Il

About Me Getting Started

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
good grip
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Indoor
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

I'm a new climber and this is my first pair of climbing shoes. Previously I have been renting shoes from the indoor gyms where I have climbed. I love these shoes and think that have made climbing easier for me. They fit my wide feet very well (and are actually comfortable). I love the shape of the toe area, it's great for getting into nooks. Have used them indoors and out. Highly recommended.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

4.0

Great First Shoe

By Tobey just Tobey

from Indianapolis, IN

About Me Getting Started

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Great Fit
Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Bouldering
Indoor
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

These are my first rock climbing shoes and the only other ones I have to compare them to are rentals from the local gym. I have only used them once so far but trying on different pairs in the store, these were the clear winner regarding comfort (under $100). I did like the fit of the Nagos better but there was something about the top of the heel that dug into my achilles so the Tarantulaces came home with me.

They definitely need to be broken in and I am still learning the nuance of tight-laces versus not-so-tight laces which makes all the difference in comfort. I bought them and headed straight to the gym where I spent a couple hours climbing. I was very well pleased with their performance. I wish I would of had these a couple weeks ago when I was at Joshua Tree!

I am only giving them 4 stars because I do not have enough experience to do a review justice but I did want to leave a positive feeling for any other newbies out there checking these shoes out.

No regrets at all.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Great Value

By MitchB

from Tucson, AZ

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Indoor
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

-These shoes are one of the lesser expensive compared to other Sportivas so I chose them. They have put out a great value so far and have gotten me up 5.12s inside and out. I have wider feet so they seem more narrow. I should have gone a size bigger. The rubber is great for smearing outside. Not too agressive and good for a full day of climbing

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

4.0

Good Shoe for Good Price

By AllisonAdam12

from Pittsburgh, PA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Good support
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Bouldering
Indoor
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

Had a problem with my first pair, after 2 weeks the sole started to pull away from the shoe. But REI replaced them and so far the second pair has been great. As with any climbing shoes, make sure you try it on! They say go as small as you can on size, but make sure its still comfortable. Too small is just downright painful and not worth it. Overall I really like the shoe, lace-ups are way better than Velcro (in my opinion).They are pretty grabby on the rock and allow you to get good grip on small jibs.

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Just spend $20 more!

By Brentley

from Napa, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Mediocre Grip

Best Uses

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

I bought these at nearly street shoe size and still had my toes bunched up even after a moderate break in period. These shoes probably aren't your best bet if you have a longer second toe like me. Despite the pinching toe box there is no performance gain with the straight last and hard rubber, just decently good foot perception. These would edge great if the rubber was stickier. For another $20 you really open up the market.

I think the only people who may enjoy this shoe are brand new climbers (i felt as though they were hindering me when i tried to move up to 5.10's and V2's) or those who are seeking a harder rubber compound for an outside shoe perhaps. These aren't a horrible shoe i just believe most climbers will find better value and performance in a different shoe.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

3.0

Comfortable shoe

By jnpdx

from Portland, or

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable

Cons

Lace Eyehole Fell Out

Best Uses

Bouldering

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

The tarantulace is a comfortable shoe for indoor bouldering. The rubber is not the best rubber compare to other shoes, but again, comfort is a great thing. One of the eyehole rivets for the shoelace fell out, but I exchanged it for a new pair and haven't had problems with it again

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best mid-level shoe out there.

By ichabodcrane

from Williamsburg, VA

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Cheap Durable Performs

Cons

None yet

Best Uses

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

If climbing the 5.9 to low 5.11 range is your limit (like me) and you have low volume feet with a wide-ish forefoot and narrow heel, these are YOUR shoes. The most important thing about climbing shoes first and foremost is fit. European shoes are notoriously more low volume and sometimes more narrow than American made shoes. These are no exception. The rubber is good, it held up really well on my Tarantula velcros- no reason to believe it won't on these. These shoes are not completely flat- which I like. They are not as aggressive as other models, but unless you're climbing super hard overhanging stuff, you don't need them to be. Like I said- 5.9ish to low 5.11 these shoes will suit you very well.

People often make the mistake of getting the latest and greatest super tight, super downturned $160 shoe when they don't really need that. These shoes are comfy, reasonably priced, and perform well, but ONLY if they really fit your feet. Remember, regardless of the model or brand, fit should always come first. You can't climb well if you're in agony the entire time. I really recommend people try on climbing shoes and walk around and try standing on small holds in them first before you commit to purchase.

These shoes will stretch considerably- I would say at least a full Euro size, more likely a size and a half. I wear a 12.5 "conventional" shoe, and I get these in a size 44 which is roughly a 10/10.5 in American size. Takes about four or five sessions for them to get broken in.

They have fairly rigid soles, so even after they're broken in, they're still solid on small holds. I haven't noticed that they're any better or worse at smearing than other LS shoes I've owned.

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great All Around shoe

By OperatorSN

from Austin Texas

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Bouldering
Outdoor

Comments about La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes:

Bought these shoes on recommendation and after trying on the all leather Poccahantas looking shoes for a buck fifty. These green kiwis felt great on my feet, and feel even better having climbed with them from a few months.

I'm a mediocre climber. I lead around 5.8-5.9 comfortably. But, I'm enthusiastic and athletic (I just suck). These shoes were the right mix of helping me get into the stuff I want to climb, not turning my feet into Chinese ballet dancers', and reasonable on the budget.

Amusingly, the silly green color gets compliments from people at the crag. So be it. Try these shoes as a first pair. Or as a backup pair if you are REALLY good. See you on the wall.