How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

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Providing the grip, control and dexterity you need for steep, futuristic climbs, the men's La Sportiva Theory climbing shoes are a just-right balance of aggressive performance and a sensitive feel.
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View all La Sportiva Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
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Climbing Shoe Type | Aggressive |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Leather/microfiber |
Outsole | D-Tech/Differentiated 1.9-4mm Vibram XS Grip2 rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
Weight (Pair) | 15 ounces |
Climbing Shoe Volume | Low |
Sustainability | From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
34 EU | 35.5 EU | 36.5 EU | 37 EU | 37.5 EU | 38 EU | 38.5 EU | 39 EU | 39.5 EU | 40 EU | 40.5 EU | 41 EU | 41.5 EU | 42 EU | 42.5 EU | 43 EU | 43.5 EU | 44 EU | 44.5 EU | 45 EU | 45.5 EU | 46 EU | 46.5 EU | 47 EU | 47.5 EU | 48 EU | 48.5 EU | 49 EU | 49.5 EU | 50 EU | |
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U.S. Men's | 2.5+ | 4 | 4.5+ | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5+ | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5+ | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 10.5+ | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 12.5+ | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 |
U.S. Women's | 3.5 | 5 | 5.5+ | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5+ | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5+ | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 11.5+ | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 13.5+ | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 | |
EU | 34 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 | 49.5 | 50 |
Mondo | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 |
For boots: Add one half size to your street shoe size. You should be able to slip one finger behind your heel when you are standing up with the boot unlaced and your toes touching the front. If the boot is too short, your toes will get smashed walking downhill. Too long and your heel will slide up and down and give you blisters.
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This is definitely one of the most underrated climbing shoes in the market. It’s a fantastic indoor bouldering shoe. Pros: Amazing rubber for volumes/smearing. The perfect amount of sensitivity where you can feel all the holds but still edge tiny foot chips with confidence. Heel hooks are very solid and toe hooks are even better. Cons: It’s very downturn/aggressive, which is mostly great, but can hurt after a while. It’s definitely not a shoe I would use on long days or days where I’m not projecting. Overall, this is definitely my favorite indoor bouldering shoe at the moment. I would say it’s most comparable to the Scarpa Drago or the La Sportiva Solution Comp but feels unique enough, and gives me a lot of confidence while projecting indoors. I downsized 1 size from street size for a snug fit.
I bought these strictly for gym bouldering and so far they have performed very well. Super sticky on just about every foot hold in the gym. Can really lock in heel and toe hooks with confidence. Performs best on vert/overhang but can still manage on slab. I would consider them to have good flex and sensitivity , but still can press that toe on a tiny edge with confidence. Comfort was surprisingly good for an aggressive shoe. Slides on like a moc with strap to tighten up top. I have narrow feet and have to tighten them almost all the way so they should fit most volume feet without issue. I wear size 11 street shoe and fit in a 44 nicely. They break in quick. I typically climb v4 & v5 boulder problems so I’m sure someone with more experience can really maximize these shoes.
My favorite shoe used to be the Skwama but my heel never fit snugly. The Theory conforms to whole my foot and is fantastic on both heel hooks and tiptoeing on small holds.
This shoe is game changer! I've worn Solutions for 7 years but the Theory provide more flexibility and sensitivity on modern routes and problems.
The soft edge is amazing for indoor and outdoor, I had the LS futuras, those were my favorite until I got these! (Down sized 2 sizes)
They are so soft and powerful in the toes but not only is the heel powerful, but it’s solid and tightly fits your heel perfectly.
A unique blend of no edge with a razorblade toeing edge. This thing is my secret weapon for bouldering. It is not however well rounded for use outside of top performance.
To much control with these. I’ve really enjoyed climbing in them, both on the walls, on rock, and on tension board. They give me the precision I want and I’ve really enjoyed them