Our verdict
Hailed by a professional climber as a moderate shoe that has the "ability to punch above its weight," the Vapor S from Scarpa excels in multiple disciplines, including smedging (smearing + edging). Its well-roundedness will help you conquer hook-requiring indoor walls and fissure-laden rock surfaces alike. And before we forget, vloggers simply adore its instant comfort!
Pros
- Grippy overall
- Delivers a snug fit
- Remarkably comfy
- Breaks in right away
- Splendid on smears
- Incredible edging prowess
- Great in cracks
Cons
- Flimsy straps
- Quite expensive
Top 20% in
The Scarpa Vapor S is another doozy addition to the popular Vapor family. Buy it if:
- You're looking for a moderately downturned kick that provides toeing precision.
- Crack climbing shoes with a full-length midsole are what you're after.
- Your brilliant multi-faceted climbing shoe.
Who should not buy it
With no durability issues overall, the Scarpa Instinct VSR is a great alternative to the Vapor S. Also, check out the Kubo from La Sportiva The super-sticky Vapor S.
The super-sticky Vapor S
Adhesion is top-shelf in the Scarpa Vapor S, and reviewers are floored by it. A gear pundit among them says that it provides "perfect friction for gritstone bouldering and indoor climbing." Another one says it gives "lots of hooking power" (toe-hooking, to be exact).
Its stickiness also translates to smearing grip. A professional blogger says that it's "able to ace those tiny footholds and smears." A regular commenter also says, "It’s nice for moderate angles and friction-y moves."
Fit perfection in every pair
Vloggers are quite impressed with the secure fit the Scarpa Vapor S provides. One of them said that his heels "stayed in place even when heel-hooking aggressively." A non-professional tester has this in their report: "The heel is skintight."
The component that should be largely thanked here is the shoe's removable Velcro straps. A climbing footwear pundit said that they "allow people to solve those grey areas of fit."
is a great alternative to the Vapor S. Also, check out the
The Vapor S gives A-grade comfort on day one. A professional YouTuber says, "The thing that’s most noticeable about these is THAT comfort straight out of the box." Another one says, "These hit that sweet spot pretty much from the moment you get them onto your feet."
Same brand only
The Vapor S' straps are frail, according to commenters. One of them said, "My straps broke shockingly quickly." They went on to say, "The anchor point for the straps that is in the Velcro area broke, so now there is no way to use the strap."
Itll turn your savings into vapor
When it comes to fissures, the Vapor S knocks it out of the park. An expert says that the featured kick is "a benefit to trad climbers out there, particularly those who are climbing a lot of cracks."
On the edging front, it's also a blast to wear. A gear maven says that, in the Vapor S, "you can edge brilliantly."
It'll turn your savings into vapor
But humor aside, the Scarpa Vapor S is indeed among the most expensive asymmetrical climbing shoes on the market. Case in point: Compared with the average price of moderate climbing shoes, the Vapor S is $45 pricier.
