Tests & reviews

La Sportiva - Otaki - Climbing shoes tested

Praise vs. Criticism

Roman

21.03.2023

Amazing, versatile shoe

I have climbed with 7 different climbing shoes and have tried on many many more. I have wide feed with relatively small heels, so my most common issue is that the shoe either has a saggy heel, or is too narrow. This is probably the best shoe I have had so far - it is a bit stiff, and normally I prefer softer shoes, but despite that, this shoe seems to perform amazingly on all types of rock and types of climbing (overhang/vertical), as well as indoors both on roped climbs and boulder problems. It does the job for me on slabs as well, but I don't climb many "hardcore" super smeary slabs, and I would guess it might not be very good for that.

I usually wear EU43, and size 41.5 of this shoe fits me perfectly(took a fairly long time to break in though).

I'll have it re-soled soon and am considering getting a second pair just so I have another while the original is being repaired.

One thing to keep in mind that it is a performance shoe that is certainly not comfortable to walk in / wear for a long time, so I would not recommend it on long multi-pitches.

Advantages
Good fit
Versatile
High edge stability
VS

Razvan

25.07.2022

I don't recommend it for limestone

I found this pair of shoes too slippery on limestone. I have been working on a project with a very used pair of shoes (wild climb pantera soft) and on my final attempts, I tried this otaki. They proved to be too slippery. Finally, I get back to WC pantera soft and I managed to send my project despite of been almost broken on the edge. Very disappointed about otaki.

Advantages
Good fit
Disadvantages
poor grip

What do you think about that?

You have reached the max. number of characters.

Oops! You forgot to ask your question.

Click the number of stars to complete your review of this product

Click the number of stars to complete your review of this product

What is your review for this product?
(Click stars for your review mark)
Upload image

By completing this upload you confirm our Terms of Use

This is what other customers say:

Diogo Francisco
01.02.2025
Nice shoe

Used it a couple of times,loving it so far. They give me confidence in edges, and just fit me better and are more comfortable than the decathlon ones I upgraded from. I'm a 46 in regular shoes, got these in 45, think I could have gone with 44.5.

  • Advantages
    High edge stability
    Good fit

Oops! You forgot about your comment

Tiago
27.07.2021
Excellent climbing shoe

Excellent. Easy to on-off due to velcro straps, sensitive, agressive and confortable. They edge like katakis but are more confortable on same size. Fit my wide forefoot perfectly. Probably my new go-to shoe"

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    High edge stability
    Robust
    Versatile

Oops! You forgot about your comment

This is what customers from around the world say:
David
09.11.2018

  • Advantages
    Versatile
    High edge stability
    Good fit
    Good grip
Roman
04.03.2018

  • Advantages
    Robust
    Good grip
    Good fit
    High edge stability