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La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe
  • La Sportiva Skwama Men Climbing Shoe

Skwama Men

Rating

My vote: None ( 5.4 avg )

Description

Patented S-Heel™ construction provides optimal heel hooking maneuverability and the perfect heel cup fit.
P3® patented technology coupled with the new innovative split-sole construction allows the sole to spread when weighted, reducing edge deformation.
Sticky rubber toe patch for toe hooks and scums.

Retail price

US$ 199.00

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Weight 420 g

Single : 210 g / 7.4 oz
Pair : 420 g / 14.8 oz
(we converted ounces to grams)

Closure Type Slipper 1 Velcro closure
Gender Men
Volume Average
Sizing Information European sizes 33-46, including half sizes.

La Sportiva Shoes are built on European half sizes which are smaller increments than US half sizes.


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Best Use (Highest Performance) Sport / Face
Bouldering
Over-hanging
Asymmetry Aggressive
Tongue Details not provided by the brand
Last Details Shape: Downturned (performance)
Construction: Slip Lasted
Last : PD 75 This means the last shape has a pointed toe, it is downturned and has high asymmetry.
Upper Material not provided by the brand  Leather / Microfiber / Rubber toe cap
Midsole Material 0.8 mm  LaspoFlex with P3®
Sole Material 4.0 mm  Vibram® XS Grip2
Rand: not provided by the brand
Footbed Lining

Unlined

LaspoFlex

Super lightweight, ultra-thin synthetic fiber-laminate designed for maximum torsion rigidity.
P3® Technology

P3®

Permanent Power Platform used in climbing shoes to maintain the downturned shape of the shoe for the life of the shoe.
VIBRAM® XS Grip2 Technology

VIBRAM® XS Grip2

Represents the natural evolution of VIBRAM® XS Grip, the new XS Grip2 delivers highly improved grip, while maintaining consistent performance in all temperatures. XS Grip 2 is the best solution in pure friction situations while remaining durable and even-wearing.
Other Shoe Versions male female
AVG RATING
6
( 6 avg )
Rating
6
( 6 avg )

The Perfect Shoe

Pros
Relatively comfortable
Super good for heel and toe hooks
Durable
S-heel works magic
Cons
Not great for low volume feet
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

These are my favorite shoes, hands down. They're magic on a overhand, and can hold onto any feet on a roof. They're also amazing for heel and toe hooks. They will never pop off a toe or heel hook due to friction; they'll only pop off because you're not strong enough.

They're also relatively comfortable for a downturned shoe. My only issue is that they aren't good for low volume feet, but somehow the extra space in mine doesn't affect perfoemance at all due to the length and heel of the shoe. The P3 system is also very cool; it's nice to have a shoe that never loses its downturned-ness. I'm going to keep buying these shoe until they discontinue them, and then I'll buy as many pairs as possible and hope they last me.

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

The perfect steep sport and bouldering shoe

Pros
Great Sensitivity
Great Heel Cup
Perfect Amount of Toe Cap Rubber
Toe and Heel Hooks Perfectly
Holds the shape well
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

I have for a long time struggled to find a pair of shoes that fit my needs for a steep sport climbing shoe. Initially, my solutions were great, but the poor heel cup turned me away. As I moved to narshas, I once again didn't love the heel cup and tore through the toe cap quickly.

But since moving to the skwama 3 years ago, I have loved them. The sensitivity is perfect, and they are aggressive enough to really toe into anything without being painful. They fit me like a sock and the heel never slips. Not every shoe fits your foot shape, but If Skwama's fit your foot well, BUY THEM!

Switch Back Travel Gear Review no rating given just a review

One of La Sportiva’s newer innovations, the Skwama is a performance climbing slipper, comparable to the Drago above in terms of its highly aggressive and sensitive build. With a thin midsole and supple Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber, the Skwama moves as an extension of your foot and lets you feel every contour in the rock. What’s more, Sportiva’s well-loved P3 midsole means the shoe retains its downturn over time. The benefits to this construction come on steep terrain: The slipper provides incredible precision for heel and toe hooks (aided by the generous heel and toe rubber and snug S-Heel design) and puts your foot in an aggressive position that allows it to perch on steep edges and nubs.

Climbing Shoe Review logo https://www.climbingshoereview.com/la-sportiva-skwama-review/

Ah, the La Sportiva Skwama. Potentially the best high end all-around shoe on the market. The combination of that sleek design and the abundance of innovation make this a real contender as one of the heavy hitters in the climbing shoe world. The softer cousin of the super-stiff Otaki and Kataki, the Skwamas will rarely let you down. Being one of the most versatile shoes that La Sportiva manufacture, this shoe excels anywhere from technical slabs to steep overhanging routes.

Rock and Ice Gear Review no rating given just a review

The only complaint in testing these shoes was that they required two or three sessions to break in. The heel cup fits beautifully, but is definitely tight on the Achilles at first. And as with any slipper, you’ll have to pull hard the first few times you put them on. But La Sportiva avoids any real hassle with a touch of extra leather under the ankle bones that expands just enough to get the Skwama on without toppling your chair. A single strap of Velcro tightens across the top of the foot to ensure the shoe’s overall fit remains super secure. The leather upper did stretch over the first two weeks of use, but not enough that I would have sized down.

Splitter Choss Gear Review no rating given just a review

I’ve used them in the gym, on local limestone and for the sweet sandstone of Red Rocks. Because they are so supportive, they edge really well, but don’t smear as well as I had hoped. I do find myself reaching for them often, and for an all-around performer, they are an excellent choice. They also buck the trend of all new shoes that are coming out being super expensive, and clock in at a reasonable $165. If you are a fan of the Solutions but want something a little more sensitive, give them a look.

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 5/5

We've seen this shoe everywhere, on pros and dirtbags alike, and our testing reveals that they are immensely popular for good reasons. Their affordability is unmatched by other high-end climbing shoes, they climb all styles well, and they don't hurt our feet. We can't wait to bring them on winter sport climbing trips to Spain and then use them for spring time adventures on desert sandstone. These versatile shoes are an excellent addition to anyone's climbing shoe quiver.

Rock and Run Gear Review no rating given just a review

Both the Otaki and the Skwama perform very highly in the areas they are designed for, and buying a pair of each would be a wise choice for all-round climbers. The fit and design of both models represents the state of the art, for now at least, and this combines high performance, durability and comfort. I was particularly impressed by the Skwama because it took me by surprise – showing not only the characteristics of a great soft shoe, but also holding its own on edges and excelling on marginal toe hooks. For what they are designed for, the Otaki and Skwama are two of the best shoes available.

Climbing Gear Review no rating given just a review

“For the aggressive downturn, amount of rubber, and high-performance design, these are crazy comfortable,” one tester said after six months with the Skwama, “and that makes me a better climber because I’m not babying my feet and toes.” Proprietary S-Heel construction pushes power forward, so everything is funneled to the front, where a chiseled toe helped one tester find tiny pockets in the limestone of the Calanques in Southern France and another tester seek out granite nubbins in Yosemite. A split sole also helps with sensitivity, so the forefoot can really wrap around the rock for smearing and smedging, and the single Velcro strap has a wide attachment point that helps tighten the shoe down over the whole foot. Testers found these to be the perfect shoes for redpointing sport climbs and boulder problems, adding they were “pretty dang easy to get off and on, especially for being slippers.”

UK Climbing Gear Review no rating given just a review

The Skwama is a soft, sensitive shoe that offers a good balance between comfort and performance. At home both on projects and circuits, the Skwama is definitely a good all-rounder, albeit in a very different way to the Otaki (i.e. a bouldering all-rounder as opposed to a trad/sport all-rounder).

Climbing Gear Review no rating given just a review

“With unbeatable performance, quality construction, and top-notch fit, I expected a price much higher than $140.” Consider this your next shoe for any bouldering, sport, or gym project.

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