LaspoFlex
Super lightweight, ultra-thin synthetic fiber-laminate designed for maximum torsion rigidity.
The KATAKI MEN is not imported to the US. Sadly, this shoe is not available in the US and we have limited ability to track where else in the world it's sold (sorry!). When we know more info, we'll post it here.
KATAKI MEN
Description
The Kataki is a versatile, high-performance lace-up climbing shoe with patented S-Heel™ construction for technical heel work and precise performance on all terrain.
P3® patented technology for a down-turned performance fit for slicing and dicing where needed
• Patented S-Heel™ construction provides optimal heel hooking maneuverability and the perfect heel cup fit by eliminating heel deformation in high-torsion situations
• Differentiated lacing between front and rear for the perfect dialed-in fit
• 3/4 sole for easy resoling
Retail price
US$ 182.20
Price is a static conversion from
€170.50
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| Weight | 532 g Single : 266 g / 9.4 oz |
| Closure Type | Lace |
| Gender | Men |
| Volume | Low Narrow |
| 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.  la_sportiva_shoe_comparison_chart.jpg la_sportiva_shoe_comparison_graph.jpg
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| Best Use (Highest Performance) |
Sport / Face 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 Suede Leather / Micro fiber |
| Midsole Material | 1.1 mm LaspoFlex with P3® |
| Sole Material | 4.0 mm
Vibram® XS Edge™
Rand: not provided by the brand |
| Footbed Lining | Pacific (in front and back) |
P3®
Permanent Power Platform used in climbing shoes to maintain the downturned shape of the shoe for the life of the shoe.
Vibram® XS Edge
Developed to provide maximum edging support, the VIBRAM®XS Edge compound delivers excellent grip while adding improved firmness for the most challenging edging moves. This rubber compound is exceptionally resistant to deformation on razor sharp edges and it will not creep while smearing.
Other Shoe Versions male female
No reviews yet.
The La Sportiva Kataki performs extremely well on a wide variety of climbs and rock types, but it really shines on trad climbs that combine difficult cracks and vertical edging. The Kataki’s combination of a softer, low-profile toe box, medium stiffness underfoot, and comfortable lacing system has made it my go-to shoe for thin cracks. There are better shoes on the market for super-steep pocket-pulling (e.g., La Sportiva Solution), and better shoes for long trad routes (e.g., La Sportiva TC Pro or Five Ten Anasazi Lace). But when it comes to one shoe to use for both technical face climbing and difficult cracks, the Kataki is one of the best all-around shoes I’ve used.
The La Sportiva Kataki climbing shoes are a phenomenal piece of kit and I can see them becoming firm favorites for many climbers. Their versatility was a pleasant surprise, performing very well across the majority of climbing disciplines, although they were best micro foot edges, slightly overhanging terrain and crack climbs. Their only real drawbacks are that they can be warm in particularly hot weather, aren’t the best at smearing and are best left in your bag when attempting long mountain routes.
These shoes can turn a good crack climber into a crack ninja thanks to their low profile toe and edging abilities. They get our Top Pick for Crack Climbing, beating out traditional crack favorites like the Five Ten Moccasym and the Evolv Addict. While these old slipper designs feel comfy in cracks they can't match the performance of the Katakis, a modern shoe for taking down modern test pieces.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and they were ideal for climbing in the Black Canyon, which typically offers a mix of crack and face climbing pitches on sometimes slippery granite. Over the course of six pitches, I never once took them off at a belay and could have easily kept them on for several more hours. The final test for this shoe was a week in Indian Creek. Again, I brought three pairs of shoes with me, but there were only two climbs I didn’t wear the Katakis for. Starting to see a pattern here? They provided the support I needed to comfortably jam all day, and the toe profile is narrow enough that they were an excellent choice for thin hands to finger sized cracks.
I wore them on a variety of climbs to test their limits, from easy, low-angled climbs to routes that were very overhanging, on both limestone and granite. The Katakis were definitely not the shoe for low-angled granite where maximum friction was required, as the downturn shape prevented the shoe from smearing well. On the severely overhung routes—where you're not standing on your feet so much as using them like a second set of hands to grab, hook and pull—the shoes didn't have the sensitivity I desired. But whenever I need to stand on tiny little nothings, I'll reach for the Katakis.
2017 Climbing Shoes
Kataki Shoe
