Our verdict
An incredible rock climbing shoe awaits those who would don the La Sportiva Finale. Indeed, sporting this impressive piece leads to ascents where comfort comes in full force. This true-to-size beginner shoe also inspires climbing confidence as it possesses tons of sticking power. The Finale is a capable La Sportiva offering whose qualities and value for money might just be enough to turn naysayers into believers.
Pros
- Incredible comfort level
- Absolutely beginner-friendly
- Super-sticky rubber
- Accurate sizing
- is a superbly grippy footgear, experienced climbers say
- Reasonable asking price
Cons
- Bleeding upper
- Our 1st pick in
Who should buy the La Sportiva Finale
The La Sportiva Finale is a rock climbing shoe that delivers balanced performance and all-day comfort. It's for you if:
- You're looking for an entry-level climbing shoe that's built for less steep terrain.
- Rock shoes that excel in fissures are what you're after.
- You need extra latching power for heel hooks and toe hooks.
Who should not buy it
If you're worried about the Finale's allegedly bleeding upper, try the Extended break-in period instead. Also, if you need something that feels already broken in, opt for the Evolv Defy.
Comfiness to the nines
Wearing a pair of La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes translates to sending in heaps of comfort, according to most testers.
The immensely grippy Finale
The La Sportiva Finale (men’s and women’s) is a superbly grippy footgear, experienced climbers say.
Rather rigid from the box
Most of those who have given this shoe middling scores are not too fond of its long break-in period.
Who should not buy it
It is a remarkably beginner-friendly product, say many of those who have purchased it.
Eastern Mountain Sports
Professional reviewers and moderately experienced route smashers say that the Finale does wonders in cracks.
The Finale's one-to-one confines
The Finales one-to-one confines La Sportiva runs true to size.
Colors on your feet
The dye that gives the shoe its vibrant color bleeds, regular senders and critics say.
Priced just right
Fantastic in cracks.
Who should buy the La Sportiva Finale
Climbing shoes produced by La Sportiva are proven to possess qualities that resonate well with climbers far and wide. Many people own them, so a comparison between any two given pairs is inevitable. In the case of the Finale (the featured shoe), it is La Sportiva's Tarantulace that gets pitted against it more often than not. The points that follow will flesh out their differences:
Midsole. Although both kicks use LaspoFlex as their midsole, there is a difference in their thicknesses. The one in the Tarantulace is 0.7 thicker than the La Sportiva Finale.
Outsole. The featured shoe produces sufficient surface traction with its Vibram XS Edge outsole. The competition, on the other hand, grants enough adhesive power thanks to its proprietary outsole, called FriXion RS. Both components are 5 mm thick, and both extend all the way to the back of the heel.
Weight. The men’s La Sportiva Finale and the men’s Tarantulace have a weight difference of about 30 grams, with the featured shoe being the lighter of the two. The women’s Finale, on the other hand, is heavier than the women’s Tarantulace by approximately 3 grams.
Pull loops. In this area, the rival footgear may be considered the better shoe for having not one, not two, but three pull loops (with the third one placed at the tongue). That said, the single pull loop of the Finale has a wider circumference where two fingers can easily slip through.
Price. When it comes to pricing, the competition is the cheaper rock climbing piece. Indeed, the Tarantulace costs approximately $30 less than the La Sportiva Finale.
mens and womens. While both climb-centric kicks are neutral shoes, their applications differ. The Finale is ideal for bouldering, while the Tarantulace is a footgear intended for trad climbing.
