How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

Delivering high-end edging and versatility no matter where you like to climb, the men's La Sportiva Miura VS climbing shoes are easy to trust for nearly all rock climbing scenarios.
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View the La Sportiva Miura Product LineView all La Sportiva Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
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Climbing Shoe Type | Aggressive |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Leather/recycled textile/recycled rubber/Vibram rubber |
Lining | Upper area: Pacific textile |
Outsole | 4 mm Vibram XS Edge rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.2 oz. |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
Climbing Shoe Volume | Low |
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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For those Sportiva loyalist these are effectively the new version of the Katanas that they made back in the early 2000's. They are super aggressive shoes for the serious climber. These are best for the boulders and very technical sport/trad climbers. The rubber is great, very sticky and looks to be holding up nicely on real rock. I would expect them to last a really long time if most of what you do is gym climbing. The only down side is comfort. I took Sportiva's recommendation to go down a size from my street shoes and they are tight. They should break-in eventually but if you are scrambling or doing anything that is multi-pitch where you have to walk some ledges I would go true to size. They also upped the straps from two to three so you can adjust the tightness and fit better. All and all these shoes are 'the shoe' for the serious climber.
As an experienced rock climber with a passion for pushing my limits, I have had the opportunity to test numerous climbing shoes. Recently, I got my hands on the highly anticipated 2023 edition of the La Sportiva Miura VS climbing shoes. In this comprehensive review, I will delve into every aspect of these shoes, from their construction and performance to their versatility and durability. So, let's dive in and explore what makes these shoes a game-changer in the world of rock climbing. Design and Construction: The La Sportiva Miura VS climbing shoes exhibit exceptional craftsmanship, showcasing La Sportiva's commitment to quality. The shoes feature a durable, upper that offers excellent support and a precise fit. The materials used strike the perfect balance between flexibility and rigidity, providing optimum performance across various climbing styles. Fit and Sizing: I meticulously measured the La Sportiva Miura VS shoes in size 43, and they clock in at an exact length of 9 5/8 inches. The sizing is consistent with La Sportiva's reputation for precision, ensuring a secure fit. The shoes embrace your feet with a glove-like sensation, minimizing unnecessary movement and enhancing control on the rock. Closure System: One standout feature of the Miura VS is the innovative hook-and-loop closure system. The dual straps allow for precise adjustment, enabling climbers to fine-tune the fit according to their preference. I found this system to be incredibly reliable, providing a secure and customizable fit throughout my climbs. Performance Indoors: Taking the Miura VS to the indoor climbing gym was a thrilling experience. The shoes excelled in various scenarios, from technical boulder problems to challenging overhangs. The downturned shape and the sticky Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole delivered exceptional sensitivity and grip, allowing me to confidently execute precise footwork and maintain maximum contact with the wall. Performance Outdoors: Venturing outdoors with the Miura VS was an absolute joy. On steep limestone routes, the shoes shone brightly, providing unmatched edging performance. The precision of the shoe's toe box allowed me to confidently smear on slabby surfaces. Whether I was scaling pocketed sandstone & granite cracks, the shoes offered unparalleled support and stability, giving me the confidence to push my limits on any terrain. Durability: Durability is always a significant concern for climbers, and the Miura VS did not disappoint. The robust construction and quality materials used in these shoes ensured they withstood the rigors of prolonged use. Despite countless toe scums and abrasive contact with the rock, the Miura VS maintained its performance and showed minimal signs of wear and tear. Comparison with Other Popular Climbing Shoes: When it comes to comparing the Miura VS with other popular climbing shoes, it becomes clear that these shoes are in a league of their own. Their versatility across a wide range of climbing styles, combined with their exceptional performance and durability, sets them apart from the competition. While personal preferences may vary, I firmly believe that the Miura VS 2023 model raises the bar and sets a new standard for climbing footwear. Conclusion: In conclusion, the 2023 edition of the La Sportiva Miura VS climbing shoes is a triumph of design, performance, and comfort. With their precise fit, unbeatable grip, and versatility across different climbing styles, these shoes have quickly become my go-to choice for conquering challenging routes. The measured total length of 9 5/8 inches for a size 43 perfectly showcases the attention to detail that La Sportiva has put into their craftsmanship. Whether you're an experienced climber looking to push your limits or a beginner seeking a reliable shoe to aid your progress, the Miura VS is an investment that will undoubtedly enhance your climbing experience. Trust in the La Sportiva Miura VS, and let it propel you to new heights on your climbing journey.
The miura is a great climbing shoes that edges better than most. I have been a fan of sportiva for many years as their products tend to work best with my narrow feet. This specific shoe is a bit stiff, but holding an edge out a pocket is worth it. The slight downturn is uncomfortable to say the least, but the velcro closures allow for you to quickly remove the shoes between routes. If you're at the gym bouldering you will enjoy the shoes ability to hold the wall on tiny footholds, but your feet will be sore and it will force longer rest periods. I prefer these when I am climbing outside because I can take them off easier between routes.
I was immediately impressed with the Miura VS construction. I will admit, I’ve been a lace-up climbing shoes guy for the length of my climbing career. Velcro was never at the front of my mind- however, I must amend this way of thinking; the Miura VS has revived my confidence in hook/loop straps I have flat feet and a shallow heel. Downturns, especially that were built to heel hook, have never worked for me- UNTIL NOW!! Wearing these shoes, there is no extra space in my heel box (amazing) and the downturn isn’t so bonkers aggressive that I can’t climb in them- they’re practically an extension of my feet and toes. The edging capability of these baddies is next level. I’ve put my full body weight on the nubbiest, dime-thick pieces of plastic and they keep me confident and safe. The shape isn’t so compact that my toes die and become necrotic either. I think that’s an issue with other aggressive shoes that we see today. The slingshot rand seems to correct it well! The heel hook action works as expected, isn’t something to write home about, but you shouldn’t really feel need to complain either. The rubber is soft enough to feel those micro edges, firm enough to not give way. You’ll love it. I’m a EU 43, I wear 43.5 in the Miura VS. Happy climbing, y’all.
Overall this shoe handled both indoor and outdoor bouldering with ease. I found standing on relatively small foot jibs or crystals outside relatively easy, with minimal discomfort in the toes. The Vibram rubber has nice sticky friction out of the box and smeared well on the gym wall. The Velcro closure system is nice and the three straps let you dial in a nice fit. The straps feel beefy too, which left a durable impression. My only complaints with the show is that the heel felt a little sloppy and the back of the shoe rubber my Achilles tendon leaving a hot spot on both ankles. I would suggest sizing down at least 1 size from your street shoe to optimize fit.
The Miura VS is a phenomenal climbing shoe that excels on steep routes. I have been wearing La Sportiva shoes for almost two decades and the Miura has been a staple during those years. Performance wise, these shoes are most at home when bouldering and sport climbing - the P3 construction is truly the best out there for power transfer on steep climbs. Heal hooking is another strong suit and the shoe definitely performs better in this regard than its sibling, the Solution. Edging is fantastic and the rubber holds up well over time. As for sizing, I have a lower volume foot and size down two full numbers from my street shoe - across all brands I wear an 11US / 44EU and go with a 42EU in the Miura. This strikes a great balance with it being aggressive and precise, while also comfortable enough that I can wear them for an hour without a break. After 3-4 sessions the shoe will stretch and form to your foot, especially in the toe box area. Overall, this one of the best aggressive shoes available and one I would highly recommend. I currently have 3 shoes in my bag, the other two being the Solution and Katana Lace, and find myself reaching for these more often than not.
First and foremost, these shoes are awesome. They are very aggressive and make me feel like I have talons on my feet for climbing up walls. When I ordered the shoes, I did what the sizing guide said and ordered 1 to 2 sizes smaller than my street shoe size, which is 11.5 to 12. I ended up with a 43.5 size shoe, which would be 10.5 in street shoe size. Perfect! When they arrived, I put them on and wow… Talk about pain. These were not my Truantulaces which fit like a glove and are very comfortable. These things just seemed too small. I contacted La Sportiva and asked about other sizes, but they said this is how these shoes are supposed to work. They will be tight. They did offer some advice that has worked well. “Take the shoe off after each problem” was one suggestion. “Heat the shoe up. Room temperature rubber is less supple than body temperature rubber” was another. They even suggested that I shower with the shoes on as a last resort, but I’ve not had to do that. What worked for me was warming the shoes up and then wearing them at home while watching TV or playing a video game. After a week or so of doing this, the shoes have become much more comfortable! Climbing... What can I say. These shoes are like having talons on my feet. I can be much more precise with my footwork and have been able to do moves that I’ve not been able to up until now. The heel is amazing for hooks, and I just feel much more secure on the wall while wearing these vs the Trantulaces. Granted, I must take them off between problems, but that’s not much of an issue since they are easy to get on and off. If you want to up your climbing game, I recommend these shoes for sure. Just remember that you will have to break them in before any serious climbing.
I’m really happy with these shoes. I have liked my neutral La sportivas., and resolved those a couple of times, but wanted some more aggressive shoes, too. I boulder indoors. I tried some other options (from other brands), that were painful or didn’t really work well, and then went for these. I know everyone’s feet are different, but after breaking these in for about 4 sessions, these became comfortable, but very snug. I do 1-2 hour sessions and take them off once or twice and can walk around with them (slowly, but without pain). Can get in tiny edges and heel doesn’t slide around on heel hooks. I’m a ~v6 climber. The only issue is that it is one continuous sole, so resolving them could be a challenge.
Game changers. I was hesitant on getting into a downturned, more aggressive shoe because of my foot shape and really struggled to find the right shoe, until I found the Miuras. These shoes are a godsend. I wore them for the first time expecting to be on the struggle bus breaking them in but honestly, it was not bad and I happily took the trade for how incredible these shoes are. I only climbed in the gym the first day and wow - every toe chip and smear felt 100% stable and the power in the toes was huge. 10/10 recommend these shoes. I also heard if you need lower volume, the women's miuras are fire as well - my wife has them and loves them. Get pair, you won't regret it.
The sizing and toebox has changed since the last model of these shoes. If you have Greek feet (second toe is the longest), these most likely won’t fit you anymore. They certainly don’t fit me anymore, which I’m sad about because these were my favorite climbing shoes by far. Bring back the old model! Also to note, the sizing is now about a full size smaller than the previous model, but to be fair the last model’s sizing was funky. I think the sizing of this model is more in-line with street shoe sizes.