There are quite a few things that you want to take a look at when you pick your pair of rock climbing shoes. If you are a beginner, things can get quite overwhelming real quick. From neutral to aggressive types, you have to consider a range of specifications in order to make an informed choice.
One of the most important things, if not the most important one, is to account for your own personal preference as well as designation. What type of climbing do you have in mind?
Do you want to jump straight into outdoor rock-climbing or are you going to train in the enclosed gym at start?
Believe it or not, these are the types of questions which are going to dictate your choice when you purchase climbing shoes. With this in mind, let’s have a quick look at what seems to be one of the most overly preferred pairs of climbing shoes on the market.
La Sportiva TarantuLace Performance pair is undoubtedly amongst the most reliable options to be currently on the market.
La Sportiva is an experienced and reliable manufacturer which is in the industry for quite some time now. Every piece of climbing equipment with its stamp on it is guaranteed to bring enhanced and reliable performance.
About the TarantuLace Model
As advertised, the shoe is perfectly comfortable and it’s awesome for almost all types as well as styles of climbing. However, it’s heavily advertised as being an entry to mid-level climbing shoe and that’s exactly what it is.
So, if you are expecting some extraordinary performance, you might as well look the other way.
The first thing that strikes the user and captures his attention is the lacing system. It’s an incredibly convenient feature which is going to provide you with a quick and precise lacing, making the shoe incredibly easy to put on and off.
To any experience climber, this suggests paradise for gym climbing. What is more, the lacing system is also designated to provide you with enhanced regulation of the inner volumes of the shoe and it’s going to snuggle up your foot precisely for enhance comfort and reliability.
Performance comparison
There are a few different criteria which need to be accounted for when you are comparing performance of a climbing shoe. The La Sportiva Tarantula handles some of them flawlessly but not all.
Edging
Being one of the most integral components of rock climbing, edging is a primary criterion. The TarantuLace is far from being the best in the rankings when it comes to edging, but it’s definitely something to be considered.
It all depends on the comfort that you are willing to sacrifice. This is due to the fact that this is, by definition, a neutral shoe and it’s very flat.
As such, your toe needs to be really close to the edge in order to ensure a proper grip. This gets a bit uncomfortable at times. If you truly want to emphasize on this criterion, it’s better if you size the shoe perfectly and even make it a little tighter.
Crack Climbing
The shoe climbs cracks pretty comfortable. The Velcro is something which allows enhanced adapting but the flue is still going to float around your foot a bit while the thick rubber sole is going to stick in one place.
This contributes for a slightly awkward feeling, especially given the fact that the remaining of the shoe is going to move around your foot uncontrollably. In order to get a handle on this, it’s advisable that you lace them up as harder as you can.
Pockets
As a traditional neutral climbing shoe, the TarantuLace has slight issues with the pockets. It’s hard to fit in tiny ones while the thicker sole makes it a bit uncomfortable if the pocket is flat-out deep.
In any case, this is definitely not its strongest suit.
Comfort and sensitivity
This is exactly where these shoes stand on top of the crowd. If comfort and sensitivity is what you are looking for, you’ve definitely stumbled upon the right place.
In order to enhance the sensitivity of the shoe, it’s advisable that you take advantage of the comprehensive lacing system and lace them up nice and tight.
On the other hand, they come with a flat rubber sole and foot rest, making the shoes incredibly comfortable. They are suggested for long and multi-pitch courses, as long as there are no challenging and overhung climbs.
What is it best for?
They are perfect for gym climbing, that’s just it. The enhanced and convenient lacing system allows you to take them off and put them on in a matter of seconds, which is something to expect in the gym.
They aren’t going to hurt your feet, which is definitely something which makes them significantly more usable when it comes to the different applications.
However, if you are looking for advanced and high-performance shoes, this is definitely a compromise. Of course, as per the description of the company manufacturer, this has never been their intention.
The emphasis is obviously placed on comfort and durability, something which is rather uncharacteristic for aggressive shoes.
The Verdict
If you are looking for an entry-level indoor pair of climbing shoes, the La Sportiva TarantuLace is as good as it gets. Providing enhanced comfort and reliability, the shoes are great for a range of climbing undertaking.
Traditionally, shoes made by this brand are slightly more expensive and you can expect a rather mid-range price tag. However, the money is well worth the value that the shoes provide.
Given the enhanced reliability and durability, you can expect to use the TarantuLace for a range of different long and mild multi-pitch courses. It’s a also a very good investment if you are looking for beginner’s shoes and you want to start your training indoors.
The shoes are going to provide you with all the necessary comfort and with a lot of additional perks.
