La Sportiva Testarossa

So a few months ago I decided I needed to supplement my gear pack with a pair of aggressive climbing shoes. My 5.10 Moccasins were nice, but not ideal for the steep bouldering I was doing in them. I tried out quite a few shoes before I had the opportunity to take a pair of La Sportiva Testarossas out for a spin. All I can say is I'm glad I didn't buy anything else.

Hands down, the La Sportiva Testarossa is the best climbing shoe I've ever used. They're more expensive than most, but you get what you pay for. The fit is excellent. The shoe hugs my foot like a glove. The toe box construction directs the majority of your weight toward the big toe, unlike the 5.10 models they compete with. The 5.10 Blackwing and Arrowhead both had a much narrower toe box and directed much more pressure to the outside of the foot, making for an inferior fit, less sensitivity, and a lot of unnecessary pain. This ultimately was why I did not buy either of them. The Testarossas are very comfortable for such an aggressive shoe, and the Vibram XS2 rubber edges very well and sticks to the smallest of footholds with ease. I have yet to find anything that these shoes do not excel at.

A few thoughts on sizing: I wear a 10.5 (US mens) in street shoes, and I don't like my climbing shoes excruciatingly tight. I purchased the Testarossa in EU 41.5. If I could do it again, I'd go for a 41. They are constructed of lined leather, and you can expect a half size of stretch minimum. If you try a pair on and you're not sure as to whether or not they're small enough, go a size smaller. Like any well fitting climbing shoe, they'll hurt at first, but my pair has broken in nicely.

Bottom Line - I can't find anything negative to say about the Testarossa. They're the cream of the crop.

I bought a pair of these about two years ago and just ordered my second pair. La Sportiva shoes seem to pander to my foot type, and these are no exception. I wear them very tight but dont have any particular toes or parts of my feet that get extra crushed. I have an extra large big toe, and when I try and put on similarly sized 5.10's my foot simply cannot get into the shoes.

They are leather which makes them comfy but also prone to stretching. Being that the testarossas are lace ups, as long as you size them properly the bit of stretch you get shouldn't be an issue and if anything will just make them more comfortable as you break them in. I'd say the only thing I don't like about these shoes is having to lace and unlace them between climbs but thats the price that you pay for buying lace up shoes, stupid.

These shoes are the ferraris of shoes! They are absolutely comfortable. I have only had them for a short time but they immediately form to my feet and aren't too uncomfortable for new shoes. I would say that sizing for La Sportiva runs a little bit smaller than other brands so I would definitely get a smaller size in these than your other shoes. I went from Mad Rocks to these and had to go a full Euro size down from them. The only negative thing that I would say about these shoes is that the weight is all on the big toe so sometimes edging with the outer part of the foot is a little more difficult than with my older pair of shoes. Otherwise, they are absolutely perfect! Wouldn't change a thing!

Righteous - Great edges and heel make the shoes good for sport and gym climbs; the standout here is the downturn though. Very downturned makes picking out pockets and clinging to the wall on overhung routes much easier than with my previous shoes. There is a ridge on the front portion of the ball of the foot that arches the toe, and focuses even more power on you toes. You can really feel the heel and arch of the shoe pull when you pressure down with your toe. The whole shoe is designed for an advance climber who wants to stand on dime sized edges. Works great, can be a bit hard on the foot (especially at first) though.

I got these for routes I am challenged on. I had the Venom slipper and loved it - supposedly this shoe has the same last. Only had these a week and a half, they are still super tight, but will stretch - I bought the same size I always buy. New Sportivas do wear out quickly - my friend had a pair of these that got shredded in six months, just like the last pair of my Sportivas. After using some other shoes, I am back to Sportiva - they do perform.
Downturned toe is most severe I have ever seen, yet somehow that part of the shoe is not uncomfortable.

I've got a relatively wide foot, but I generally get leather shoes that'll stretch. I tried on a pair of these characters that a friend had. Size smaller than normal shoe in euro sizing. Leather breaks in well. Caution: technical shoe for steep climbing with this big of a downturned toe. Not much use anywhere else (no slabs etc.). I do have a bit of a air pocket in the heel. So, heel hooks are mushy. If you climb with your toes and in the steep, get them, they'll help. If other styles of climbing are yours, seek elsewhere.

Some people live and die by the Testarossa or as my friends call them "The Ferrari shoe". I loved it.....once I broke them in. I fit into a 44 EU Testarossa a full size and a half bigger than any of my other Sportivas. You want to get the smallest size you can tolerate because these will stretch 1.5 sizes. But make sure you can handle the pain and make sure this isn't one of your first shoes. On the upside the performance is great. Super aggressive. I was clinging onto jibs that were almost non-existent.

This shoe is insane. From the minute i put them on they were perfect and most shoes take a bit to break in but i have had no problem with them at all. They are aggressive, comfortible, and just an all around strong shoe. They have a little different shape on the inside but i actually like it better. I couldn't be happier. For sizing i wear a 10 1/2 shoe and a 42.5 in this shoe if that helps at all.

I boulder and top rope. Great shoe that tackles both with ease. Def want to try these shoes on before you buy. The sportiva brands for me runs really big. Im size 11 mens and sportivas i wear 41 1/2 ( i think thats like a size 8 or 9 ). Took forever to break in but now i can last pretty long without havin to take em off in between every line. All in all these shoes rock. Buy em!

amazing shoes, construction was very well thought out and material feels top of the line, definitely feels and looks like how much it costs. first downturn shoes that does hurt AS much as other aggressive shoes. the only CON is this shoe is NOT made for heel hooking, the rubber on the heel is VERY thin and i do not trust it sticking. however i do not do much heel hooking so this is not much of a problem for me