Collecting every piece of gear takes a little time.
We think it's worth the wait.
Nice choice!
Give us a moment to collect those options for you.
The new INSTINCT S is the most flexible model in the Instinct family, designed specifically for steep sport climbing, bouldering and training. Our new CTS (Combined Tension System) technology offers the big toe precision you expect from the Instinct family, but also incorporates the elasticated fit and tension of M50 rubber across the top of the foot providing maximum toe hooking capabilities and increased sensitivity while the firm Ilga rubber wraps up and over the inside of the foot for support. The full microfiber upper utilizes our RFB technology to ensure a snug, secure fit across the instep for the life of the shoe while the heel cup features PAF for comfort as well as both M50 and XS Grip2 rubber for high heel hook friction. Trust your Instincts!
When you click a link below and then checkout online, no matter what you buy (climbing gear or not), we get a small commission that helps us keep this site up-to-date. Thanks!
| Weight | 480 g Single : 240 g / 8.5 oz (Size 41) |
| Closure Type | Slipper |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Volume | |
| Sizing Information |
European sizes 34-45, including half sizes. From your measured size, you'll want to consider downsizing .5 - 2 full sizes. The flatter the shoe, the closer to your measured size; the more downturned / aggressive the shoe, the more you'll want to downsize.  Scarpa-Shoe-Size-Chart_4.pdf |
| Best Use (Highest Performance) |
Sport / Face Bouldering Indoor |
| Asymmetry | Moderate |
| Tongue Details | not provided by the brand |
| Last Details | Shape: Arched (technical) Construction: not provided by the brand Last : FJ Scarpa considers last information super top secret so we can’t define the last types further than the initials FJ. But, if you find a Scarpa shoe that fits, any Scarpa shoes with the same last initials will fit your foot in a very similar way. |
| Upper Material | not provided by the brand Microfiber with Alcantara |
| Midsole Material | not provided by the brand Flexan Dynamic |
| Sole Material | 3.5 mm
VIBRAM® XS Grip2
Rand: CTS-Tension |
| Footbed Lining | not provided by the brand |
Could this be Scarpa’s best shoe in years? A well timed rejuvenation of Scarpa’s incredibly popular Instinct range, the Instinct S redefines what a climbing slipper can do, proving that you don’t need straps or laces to achieve top end performance. In the past it would have been hard to recommend an Instinct slipper over its strapped up siblings but the latest model puts this difficulty to bed, proving itself as the most refined, well-rounded Instinct shoe on sale. The Instinct S comes with me on any climbing adventure and it certainly hasn’t let me down to date, long may it continue!
The Instinct S nails the sweet spot for slipper fans who thrive on sensitivity and feedback, but who also want a solid dash of edging support for technical face, kneebars, and longer pitches. They are not as stiff and precise as the original (all-orange) Instinct S. But to offset this, the new Instinct S are much better at grabbing, heel-hooking, toe-scumming, and heel-toes: There’s a lot of glommy rubber that deforms into weird crevices and angles—the kind of funky footwork you find in modern bouldering and gyms. The shoes will favor climbers with wide feet, more so than other shoes in the Instinct line; that said, they have stretched very little thanks to the REB tech. For me, the Instinct S has been a big step up from the Instinct SR, and in the balance are nearly as good an all-around performance slipper as the original.
If you'd asked me whether or not I'd have recommended the old Instinct SR over the Instinct VS and VSR, my answer would realistically have been no, because the VS and VSR are actually a much better choice for the majority of climbers. But with the new Instinct S that choice isn't quite so simple, because with this slipper Scarpa have managed to up the ante in terms of both performance and sensitivity, which is quite an achievement. Whilst slippers are undoubtedly a more specialist offering, I would simply say try them on, because once they're on your feet (if they fit) you may find it hard to take them off (metaphorically, not literally…).
