La Sportiva Finale LV + Skwama LV Shoe Reviews
Reviewed by Ryan Eatherton (June 2025)
La Sportiva Finale LV
My current favourite climbing shoe. I like lace-up shoes as they provide the ability to make fitment adjustments along the top of the shoe and can be replaced in case of damage, extreme usage, or a desired colour change.
This particular pair are specifically my rope climbing shoes. They are 39.5 EU and are available in European half sizes throughout the size range online (not all shoe models are). I was able to try on the between sizes at my favourite outdoor climbing store and finally settle on the above- leaving my toes with a neutral downturn and heel with acceptable movement once ‘broken in’.
In my opinion, these excel in longer climbing sessions where comfort and support are paramount. They are less suited to more physical climbing- or bouldering where I have slipped off indoor bouldering volumes often. However, the overall fit of these shoes is so superb I gladly exchange the slight reduction in smearing performance for maximum climbing endurance. It would be nice if the sole was slightly stiffer for support on the smallest of holds, but then they would be worse for smearing. So, the balance between stiffness and softness works okay for both styles of footwork.
Overall, I am very satisfied with these shoes for any style of climbing. However, for bouldering, I prefer something softer and with more rubber on top of the shoes for added protection/cushioning on toe hooks.
La Sportiva Skwama LV
I will try to begin by stating that I spent a long time in the climbing shop at The Castle, London trying on different model shoes; both versions of this shoe and many different sizes, until I found my pair which fit me absolutely perfectly. I had difficulty deciding between sizes but the guy selling them to me stated “If you are feeling any hot spots, sometimes going down a half size will remove them” and to my surprise, it did completely.
I wore them for quite some time, even stood on dummy footholds and steps, and was finally satisfied enough to purchase them. I used them straight away to climb and was shocked by their ability to smear the wall and grip onto very small holds. Heel hooks were solid, toe hooks were a breeze. But then, the pain…
These are my most aggressive climbing shoes and honestly, I never use them… I think they look great (Buzz Lightyear anyone?) and the performance is outstanding. When I put them on my feet feel perfectly squeezed into full-on Adam Ondra climbing mode, but my toes are crushed downwards so aggressively that I cannot deem it acceptable treatment of my body. I mean look at the photo…
No one’s foot was designed to be forced into that ridiculous shape. I can’t make more than two climbs without having to remove them quickly. I’m sure that there are many climbers who gladly accept this sacrifice for the increase in climbing performance, but I do other sports besides climbing so I choose less aggressive shoes.
One part of me believes that maybe if I had opted for the half-size larger that these would fit me without unbearable pain. Another part, reasons that these shoes are designed with a very aggressive profile which is supposed to give your toes an aggressive downturn in order to engage the huge P3 heel tension rands and so my sizing is correct. Maybe in time, once I climb up to a higher grade routes I will need to reach for these, but for now I will gladly stick with my Finale LV shoes.