Tests & reviews

La Sportiva - Tarantula - Climbing shoes tested

Praise vs. Criticism

Jorge Antonio

13.11.2019

Best beginner climbing shoes!

I already had a pair of these ones, loved them so much that bought another in a different color!

--- review of an older model ---

Advantages
Good grip
Robust
Good fit
High edge stability
VS

Angelos

19.04.2023

An average shoe that lacks durability

I have used these shoes for 2 months.

The feeling on the rock is below average, with the shoe starting to feel slippery on smaller pockets.

In terms of durability, it alre shows signs of wear on the leather above the sole

It's ok for first shoe but just that

Disadvantages
Not sturdy

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This is what other customers say:

Jorge Antonio
13.11.2019
Best beginner climbing shoes!

I already had a pair of these ones, loved them so much that bought another in a different color!

--- review of an older model ---

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Robust
    Good fit
    High edge stability

Oops! You forgot about your comment

Andrew
02.08.2022
Great Shoe

Would recommend to anyone

  • Advantages
    Robust
    Good grip
    High edge stability
    Good fit

Oops! You forgot about your comment

This is what customers from around the world say:
Rolf
06.10.2014

76% have found the reviews
by Rolf helpful

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
    Robust
    Versatile
Maximilian
12.06.2018

100% have found the reviews
by Maximilian helpful

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Comfortable
    High edge stability
    Robust
    Versatile
    Good grip
Luke
02.02.2021

100% have found the reviews
by Luke helpful

The thread was edited on 02.02.21

Brilliant shoe for beginners to experienced

This was in fact my first pair of climbing shoes that I bought back when I began climbing (with laces). My first pair lasted me about 1 year of fairly constant use, mostly indoor bouldering, before giving in to the wear and tear I put them through. I also used them for trad and sport climbing where the performed brilliantly. Having bought other shoes that are "more advanced", I'm returning to these for their comfort for longer days at the crag!

They're extremely comfortable, durable, and can handle a range of types of climbs, performing best on vertical / slabby climbs but can do well on some overhangs. I also very much like the back of the shoe which performs well doing heel hooks. They are a little weaker for toe hooks, but then these shoes aren't designed for that type of climbing, and the little bit of rubber over the big toe does help.

Overall, I find myself buying these shoes again for their comfort, durability and versatility. They can be worn for hours and withstand quite a bit of abuse before your toes begin to poke through (you can of course get them resoled!). I certainly recommend them for a beginner climber looking for a shoe to carry them through the early stages and up to when you start climbing harder. I also recommend them to more advanced climbers looking for shoes that have great mileage, are comfortable, and can cope relatively well with harder sends. An excellent bang for buck.

--- review of an older model ---

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Comfortable
    Good fit
    Versatile
    Robust
Viktor
20.01.2020

  • Advantages
    Robust
    Good fit
    Good grip
    Versatile
Fredrik
16.11.2024

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
    Robust
Joseph
28.08.2023
Great beginner shoe

Just started bouldering and these could not be better. Went half a size down for a good fit, with a balance between tightness and comfortability. Only downside is that I can feel slightly unstable at times on tiny foot chips, but overall great.

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Robust
    Versatile
Michaela
10.11.2019

50% have found the reviews
by Michaela helpful

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Robust
    Versatile
    Good fit
Joakim
02.09.2019

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
Torsten
12.04.2017

100% have found the reviews
by Torsten helpful

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
    High edge stability
    Versatile
David
14.03.2016

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
    Robust
Jens
01.01.2016

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Versatile
    Good fit
Joni
06.03.2015

80% have found the reviews
by Joni helpful

  • Advantages
    Robust
    Versatile
    Good fit
    Good grip
Matthias
15.11.2024

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
Tim
24.08.2021

66% have found the reviews
by Tim helpful

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Versatile
    Good grip
    Robust
    High edge stability
  • Disadvantages
    Not comfortable
Frank
30.11.2020

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
Thorsten
11.06.2019

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
    Robust
Sabine
29.01.2022

55% have found the reviews
by Sabine helpful

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
Olaf
10.09.2019

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
Alexander
25.12.2018

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Versatile
    Robust
Sabine
30.08.2018

  • Advantages
    Robust
    Versatile
    Good grip
    Good fit
Manuel
22.12.2017

  • Advantages
    Good fit
    Good grip
    Versatile
Magdalena
15.12.2017

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit
Christian
12.04.2017

50% have found the reviews
by Christian helpful

  • Advantages
    Good grip
    Good fit

There are 100 more threads!