How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes
La Sportiva Katana Lace Climbing Shoes - Women's
$239.00
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Despite their downturned shape, La Sportiva Katana Lace women's climbing shoes are comfortable all-day workhorses that perform well on slabs, twist easily into thin cracks, and excel on steep routes.
Key Details
Climbing Shoe Type
Aggressive
Last
Slip-lasted
Can Be Resoled
Yes
Upper
Leather/microfiber
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- Slightly downturned toes and subtle asymmetry ensure you can hook into pockets or exploit the tiniest edges while providing unrivaled comfort for their performance level
- Tubular construction with P3 technology provides excellent comfort and performance
- Highly breathable tongues work in conjunction with the linings for moisture management
- Full-length outsole design supports climbers of all weights and sizes
- 4 mm thick Vibram® XS Grip 2 rubber outsoles provide friction and stability
- Narrow heel design increases heel hooking precision while maintaining the same known fit and feel
- Updated heel pattern with increased rubber coverage improves grip for heel hooking
- Shoes can be resoled; La Sportiva Authorized Resolers can be found across North America
- Constructed without intentionally added PFAS
- Fit tip: La Sportiva recommends sizing down 1–3 sizes from your typical street shoe size
Imported.
View all La Sportiva Women's Climbing Shoes| Best Use | Rock Climbing |
|---|---|
| Climbing Shoe Type | Aggressive |
| Last | Slip-lasted |
| Upper | Leather/microfiber |
| Lining | Pacific (front and back) |
| Outsole | 4 mm Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Can Be Resoled | Yes |
| Gender | Women's |
| Weight (Pair) | 15.2 ounces |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Neutral Certified brand |
La Sportiva Footwear - Women's
| 33 EU | 33.5 EU | 34 EU | 34.5 EU | 35 EU | 35.5 EU | 36 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Women's | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5+ | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5+ | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5+ | 10 | 10.5 | 11 |
| EU | 33 | 33.5 | 34 | 34.5 | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
| Mondo | 24 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 |
Sizing Notes
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.
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
I’m not a good climber, it’s just the shoes.
Ashley55912 years ago
This shoe will have you sending climbs you didn’t think were possible. A bit of climbing sorcery might be involved, but I’m not here to ask questions.
Pros: Send climbs above your actual skill level.
Cons: Shoes may coverup bad footwork technique.
10/10 Recommend
Ashley5591
NY
7 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Not a strong started shoe
Alex5143 years ago
Received free productKeeping in mind I'm more of a casual climber: these shoes were difficult for me, to be honest! They will take a good amount of breaking in and getting used to.
For me, the curve is uncomfortable. I had to take them off between attempts. The toe is a very noticeable difference from my previous shoes. While I can see this being useful outdoors, in my indoor gym I actually found myself slipping off holds because I just wasn't used to how the shoes sat.
I'll admit, too, not feeling comfortable in these shoes made me feel like even more of an amateur, which was discouraging. So basically my review is to try these if you're confident, used to a curve, and going outdoors.
And all that said: they look fire. Great design.
Alex514Received free product
New York, NY
3 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
maburk
Received free product
Denver, CO
Great for smearing and tiny footholds!
3 years ago
These shoes are amazing! I wore them in the gym bouldering and I could feel the sticky rubber grip everything I touched. Then took a trip to Moab and wore the katana’s. Those tiny crimps were great with these shoes. They just stuck to the rock and had so much friction! Easy to get on and off too. I highly recommend these shoes!
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Zjac
Received free product
Santa Fe, NM
The perfect shoe!
3 years ago
This shoe is exactly what I needed and I love it. it runs a little bit bigger than most of my other La Sportive shoes so you get extra when your feet swell on warm climbing days. Also, they are less aggressive than most of my shoes yet are great for sticking on holds and edges. I am thrilled with the performance and comfort of these shoes! My only negative is that the laces are too long and have gotten hooked and have come untied a couple of times
Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product
Ashley5591
New York
I’m not a good climber, it’s just the shoes.
2 years ago
This shoe will have you sending climbs you didn’t think were possible. A bit of climbing sorcery might be involved, but I’m not here to ask questions. Pros: Send climbs above your actual skill level. Cons: Shoes may coverup bad footwork technique. 10/10 Recommend
Age:25–34
Used for::Trad Climbing
Yes , I recommend this product
Faith
Montana
These shoes give me all the confidence
2 years ago
I'm on my second pair of Katana laces and I keep coming back to them because of the superb grippy-ness on plastic AND rock of various types. My foot feels very snug, and whenever I climb in these I can edge and stand on the tiniest foot holds. They also give a solid heel hook for aggressive boulder routes. I have a wide/high-volume foot and these are not comfortable. I wish I could get the men's version (higher volume) in my size. I sized up a half size on my second pair and I'm appreciating the extra room, but my pinky toes still tingle after a half hour. These shoes just give me so much confidence in my feet that they are still 5-stars, even with the fit complaints.
Age:25–34
Used for::Sport Climbing
Yes , I recommend this product
Jerry
CA
Comfy vert shoe
2 years ago
I mostly do indoor bouldering and occasional outdoor bouldering. This shoe is great but isn't made for that type of climbing. Uses: The edge is the biggest boon to the shoe and will do well on micro edge slabs or vert walls. You can use it for bouldering but there's more optimal softer shoes that boulder better. Sizing: I wear a street 42.5 (9 1/2 US M) and usually wear La Sportiva 41 in solutions and theory. These in 41 feel really comfy and could be worn for multiple boulders or long routes without any pain or issues. The heel fits slimmer heels and still had space for normal to wide toes.
Age:25–34
Used for::Gym Climbing
auds
Los Angeles, ca
All-around, no frills, sending shoes
1 year ago
I really like these shoes. They are great all-around climbing shoes that are comfortable and aggressive enough. I also have the Otakis and I think these are pretty similar, minus the straps and Katanas being slightly more narrow which isn't a problem with laces allowing the shoes to expand when needed. I also find that the Katanas work well for both bouldering and sport climbing use. I think for my next pair I will purchase a more bouldering focused shoe, but these are doing great for both types of climbing
Age:25–34
Used for::Bouldering
Yes , I recommend this product
Love to Climb
Received free product
SLC, UT
Great for both indoor and outdoor climbing!
3 years ago
This is a really great climbing shoe. I have a narrow foot and a narrow ankle, so I tend to gravitate towards laced climbing shoes to create a more customary fit. I wore these shoes both indoors and outdoors, and they worked well in both contexts. The shoes have a medium stiffness, so they're good on slab. The toe was a bit less aggressive for overhung problems, but they're overall a great shoe for moderate climbs in both indoor and outdoor spaces. If you have narrow feet and are looking for a versatile moderate shoe, this could be a good option!
Age:35–44
Used for::Gym Climbing
Yes , I recommend this product
sophiaclimbs
Received free product
Washington, DC
Great shoes!
3 years ago
I got the 37.5s and could have easily sized down to a 36, or maybe a a 36.5. The 37 are definitely usable though. These are by far the most aggressive shoes I've ever worn. My other pair are the Tenaya Mundaka. For reference, I wear a 37.5 in the Tenaya Mundaka. Other than the Tenaya sizing being quite different than LaSportiva, I like these shoes a lot. These are my first pair of laced climbing shoes and this lace system works great.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Zeejet
San Diego
A true all-rounder intermediate shoe
2 years ago
I'm a guy of average height/build and was looking for an all-rounder that would work both indoors/outdoors and bouldering/sport. My previous shoe was ultra soft (Scarpa Veloce) and the heel was too loose. The Katana Lace (W) solved the heel issue and is also a great compromise in stiffness and grip. Pros: - Excellent fit for smaller volume heels - Mild stretch (leather upper) for better fit - 3/5 Stiffness with XGrip2 Rubber - Excellent edging while retaining decent grip for slab Cons: - Laced model is slower to put on and get off - Break-in period is longer than I'd like (~2 weeks). - Premium pricing
Age:25–34
Used for::Bouldering
Yes , I recommend this product
Gigi
Received free product
Comfort meets versatility
3 years ago
The Katanas are a great mid-level shoe, a step up from the Oxygyms but not as aggressive as the Solutions which makes these a versatile middle ground for all types of climbing. I used these in an indoor gym and immediately loved the mix of comfort and performance that I got from this shoe. I didn’t have any hot spots and the heel and toe both had a nice fit, I never felt like I had to pop them off between climbs. Overall great shoe for the intermediate level climber.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
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