La Sportiva Finale Vs Tarantulace
Climbing Shoes Comparison: La Sportiva Finale Vs Tarantulace
When it comes to climbing shoes, La Sportiva and Scarpa are two leading brands in the market. They offer a wide range of shoes designed for different types of climbing. The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace are excellent all-around shoes for beginner and intermediate climbers who are looking for a reliable and versatile pair of shoes. Both shoes offer good performance, comfort, and features that make them suitable for a variety of climbing disciplines.
It can be difficult to decide which shoes are best for you. But whether you’re looking for a shoe with good edging, precision, and smearing capabilities, or one that offers support and comfort on long multi-pitch routes, these two shoes will serve you well.
Comparison Table
| Feature | La Sportiva Finale | Scarpa Tarantulace |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Snug fit, low-volume design | Snug fit, low-volume design |
| Type of Climbing | Any | Any |
| Sole Stiffness | Medium-stiff | Stiff |
| Shape | Moderately asymmetric, slightly downturned toe | Moderately asymmetric, slightly relaxed fit |
| Closure System | Lace-up | Velcro |
| Materials | Leather/synthetic upper, EVA foam midsole, Vibram XS Grip2 rubber sole | Leather/synthetic/mesh upper, EVA foam midsole, Vibram XS Edge rubber sole |
| Price | Mid-priced range | Mid-priced range |
| Toe Box Shape | Slightly downturned | Slightly relaxed |
| Heel Cup | Slingshot rand | Traditional rand |
| Weight | 8.5 ounces | 8.5 ounces |
| Level of Ventilation | Good | Good |
Fit
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace both have a snug fit that’s designed for comfort and performance. The Finale has a slightly roomier feel compared to the Tarantulace, which is slightly more precise. Both shoes have a low-volume design that’s ideal for those with narrower feet.
The Finale has a slingshot rand that wraps around the heel, giving it a snug and secure fit. On the other hand, the Tarantulace has a more traditional rand design that offers support and a snug fit. Both shoes are designed with a moderately asymmetric last and a slightly downturned toe, which allows for more natural movement and control on the rock.
The Finale is designed with a “Vibram XS Grip2” rubber sole that offers maximum grip and durability. The Tarantulace is equipped with a “Vibram XS Edge” rubber sole that is designed for excellent edging and precision.
Type of Climbing
The La Sportiva Finale and Scarpa Tarantulace are both suitable for any type of climbing. The Finale is great for edging and smearing, while the Tarantulace excels at edging and precision footwork. Both shoes are extremely versatile and can handle a variety of climbing styles, from technical face climbing to long multi-pitch routes.
The Finale is best suited for climbers who prefer a more relaxed fit and are looking for added support and comfort. It’s also great for crack climbing and heel hooking. The Tarantulace is ideal for climbers who are looking for a precise fit and are focused on edging and precision footwork.
Sole Stiffness
The La Sportiva Finale and Scarpa Tarantulace have different levels of sole stiffness. The Finale has a medium-stiff sole that provides excellent support while climbing. The Tarantulace has a stiff sole that provides good edging and precision. Both shoes are designed to provide support and comfort on long multi-pitch routes.
The Finale’s sole stiffness makes it great for crack climbing and heel hooking. The Tarantulace’s stiffness makes it ideal for edging and smearing.
Shape
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace have similar shapes. Both shoes have a slightly downturned toe and a moderately asymmetric last. The Finale has a slightly more aggressive shape, while the Tarantulace has a more relaxed fit.
The Finale’s slightly aggressive shape makes it ideal for steep face climbing and crack climbing. The Tarantulace’s relaxed fit makes it great for long multi-pitch routes and edging.
Closure System
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace have different closure systems. The Finale is designed with a lace-up closure system, while the Tarantulace is designed with a Velcro closure system. Both shoes are designed to provide a secure fit and eliminate any dead spots.
The lace-up closure system of the Finale allows for a more precise fit and better heel hooking. The Velcro closure system of the Tarantulace is easier to adjust and provides a secure fit. Both closure systems are designed to provide maximum comfort.
Materials
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace are both made with high-quality materials. The Finale’s upper is made of leather and synthetic materials that provide support and durability. The Tarantulace’s upper is made of a combination of leather, synthetic materials, and a breathable mesh.
The Finale’s midsole is made of “EVA foam” that provides cushioning and support. The Tarantulace’s midsole is made of “Vibram XS Grip2” rubber that provides excellent grip and durability. Both shoes have a “Vibram XS Edge” rubber sole that provides excellent edging and precision.
Price
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace both have a mid-priced range. They are both excellent all-around climbing shoes that offer good performance, comfort, and features. They are both an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate climbers who are looking for a reliable and versatile pair of shoes.Personal Preference
Ultimately, the best climbing shoe for you is the one that fits your climbing style and fits your foot the best. Both the La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace are excellent all-around shoes that offer good performance and features.
If you prefer edging and precision footwork, then the Tarantulace might be the best choice for you. If you prefer crack climbing and heel hooking, then the Finale might be a better option. Both shoes are suitable for any type of climbing, so it’s really a matter of personal preference.
Toe Box Shape
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace have different toe box shapes. The Finale has a slightly more aggressive shape, while the Tarantulace has a more relaxed fit. The Finale’s toe box is slightly downturned, which makes it ideal for edging and smearing. The Tarantulace’s toe box has a slightly more relaxed shape, which makes it better suited for long multi-pitch routes.
Heel Cup
The La Sportiva Finale and Scarpa Tarantulace both have a heel cup designed for comfort and performance. The Finale has a slingshot rand that wraps around the heel, giving it a snug and secure fit. On the other hand, the Tarantulace has a more traditional rand design that offers support and a snug fit.
Weight
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace both weigh in at around 8.5 ounces. The Finale is slightly heavier than the Tarantulace, but the difference is minimal. Both shoes are lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for long multi-pitch routes and technical face climbing.
Level of Ventilation
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace both offer good ventilation. The Finale’s upper is made of leather and synthetic materials that allow for breathability. The Tarantulace’s upper is made of a combination of leather, synthetic materials, and a breathable mesh that allows for ventilation.
Both shoes have a midsole made of “EVA foam” that provides cushioning and support. The “Vibram XS Edge” rubber soles also provide good ventilation and allow for maximum breathability.
Conclusion
The La Sportiva Finale and the Scarpa Tarantulace are two excellent all-around climbing shoes that are suitable for any type of climbing. The Finale is great for edging and smearing, while the Tarantulace excels at edging and precision footwork. Both shoes offer good performance, comfort, and features that make them suitable for a variety of climbing disciplines. The best climbing shoe for you is the one that fits your climbing style and fits your foot the best.