La Sportiva Mythos Vs Scarpa Helix
Introduction
When it comes to climbing shoes, there is a wide variety of options available, ranging from entry-level to professional models. Two of the most popular choices among climbers today are the La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix. Both shoes are high-end models, offering superior performance and comfort. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the two shoes, comparing and contrasting them on various criteria, so that you can make an informed decision when choosing the right shoe for you.
| Features | La Sportiva Mythos | Scarpa Helix |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Medium/Narrow | Medium/Wide |
| Type of Climbing | Trad, Multi-Pitch | Sport, Bouldering |
| Sole Stiffness | Medium-Stiff | Stiff |
| Shape | Flat | Symmetrical |
| Closure System | Lacing | Lacing, Velcro |
| Materials | Leather, Suede | Leather, Suede |
| Price | High | High |
Fit
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix both provide a snug fit and are meant to be worn tight. The Mythos has a medium-to-narrow fit, while the Helix has a slightly wider fit, making it more suitable for climbers with wider feet. The heel of both shoes is designed to provide maximum grip, and the toe boxes of both shoes are slightly downturned for better performance on overhanging terrain.
The Mythos is designed with a slightly asymmetrical toe box, which is slightly narrower on the inner side of the foot. This helps to ensure a snug fit and to provide better precision when edging. The Helix, on the other hand, features a more symmetrical toe box, providing maximum comfort when smearing.
The closure system of both shoes is the same – lacing. The lacing of the Mythos is slightly different from the Helix, as it is designed to provide a more precise fit. Both shoes also feature an adjustable heel strap, which helps to keep the heel in place.
Type of Climbing
The La Sportiva Mythos is designed for multipitch trad climbing, while the Scarpa Helix is better suited for sport climbing and bouldering. The Mythos has a medium-stiff sole, which provides good edging performance and sensitivity. The Helix, on the other hand, has a stiffer sole, which helps to provide increased power and precision when climbing on steep terrain.
The Mythos has a flat shape, which helps to provide maximum comfort when standing on small edges or smearing. The Helix, on the other hand, has a more symmetrical shape, which is better suited for climbing on steep terrain.
The materials used in both shoes are the same – leather and suede. The leather is designed to provide maximum durability and comfort, while the suede helps to provide better grip.
Sole Stiffness
The La Sportiva Mythos has a medium-stiff sole, which provides excellent edging performance and sensitivity. It also helps to reduce foot fatigue, as the sole absorbs shock and absorbs impact. The sole of the Helix is stiffer, which helps to provide increased power and precision when climbing on steep terrain.
The stiffness of both shoes helps to provide a secure fit and helps to ensure that the foot doesn’t slip inside the shoe. The sole of the Mythos is designed to be slightly stiffer in the toe area, which helps to provide better performance when edging, while the sole of the Helix is designed to be stiffer in the heel area, which helps to provide better performance when heel hooking.
Shape
The La Sportiva Mythos is designed with a flat shape, which helps to provide maximum comfort when standing on small edges or smearing. It also helps to reduce fatigue and to provide a secure fit. The Helix, on the other hand, has a more symmetrical shape, which is better suited for climbing on steep terrain. The more symmetrical shape helps to provide increased power and precision when climbing.
The toe box of the Mythos is slightly asymmetrical, which helps to provide a more precise fit, while the toe box of the Helix is more symmetrical, providing maximum comfort when smearing. The heel of both shoes is designed to provide maximum grip, ensuring that the foot stays in place.
Closure System
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix both use lacing as the closure system. The lacing of the Mythos is slightly different from the Helix, as it is designed to provide a more precise fit. The laces of the Mythos are slightly thicker and have a higher number of eyelets, which helps to ensure a snug fit. The Helix also features an adjustable velcro strap, which helps to keep the heel in place.
The lacing system of both shoes helps to provide a secure fit and helps to ensure that the foot doesn’t slip inside the shoe. The laces of the Mythos are slightly more durable, as they are made from a thicker material.
Materials
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix are both made from the same materials – leather and suede. The leather is designed to provide maximum durability and comfort, while the suede helps to provide better grip. The leather of the Mythos is slightly thicker and more durable, while the leather of the Helix is slightly softer and more flexible.
The materials used in both shoes help to provide a secure fit and help to ensure that the foot doesn’t slip inside the shoe. The materials also help to provide maximum durability and comfort, making the shoes suitable for long climbs.
Price
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix are both high-end models, and as such, they come with a higher price tag. Both shoes are made from high-quality materials, and both provide superior performance and comfort. The Mythos is slightly more expensive than the Helix, as it is designed for multipitch trad climbing.The price of both shoes is similar, but depending on where you buy them, the price might vary slightly. Generally, the Mythos is slightly more expensive than the Helix, but depending on the specific model, the price might be the same.
Personal Preference
When it comes to choosing the right shoe for you, it is important to take into account your own personal preferences. The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix both provide superior performance and comfort, but the choice of which shoe is best for you will depend on what type of climbing you do and what type of terrain you prefer.
The Mythos is better suited for multipitch trad climbing, while the Helix is better suited for sport climbing and bouldering. The Mythos is designed with a slightly asymmetrical toe box, which is slightly narrower on the inner side of the foot, providing better precision when edging. The Helix, on the other hand, features a more symmetrical toe box, providing maximum comfort when smearing.
The sole of the Mythos is designed to be slightly stiffer in the toe area, which helps to provide better performance when edging, while the sole of the Helix is designed to be stiffer in the heel area, which helps to provide better performance when heel hooking.
Toe Box Shape
The La Sportiva Mythos is designed with a slightly asymmetrical toe box, which is slightly narrower on the inner side of the foot. This helps to provide more precision when edging. The Helix, on the other hand, features a more symmetrical toe box, providing maximum comfort when smearing.
The toe box of the Mythos is designed to be slightly downturned, which helps to provide extra support when climbing on overhanging terrain. The toe box of the Helix is slightly more rounded, providing maximum comfort when standing on small edges.
The asymmetrical toe box of the Mythos helps to provide a more secure fit, while the symmetrical toe box of the Helix helps to provide more comfort. The toe box of both shoes is designed to provide maximum grip and to keep the foot in place.
Heel Cup
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix both feature an adjustable heel cup, which helps to keep the foot in place. The heel cup of the Mythos is slightly wider than the heel cup of the Helix, making it more suitable for climbers with wider feet.
The adjustable heel cup of both shoes helps to provide a secure fit and helps to ensure that the foot doesn’t slip inside the shoe. The adjustable heel cup of the Mythos is slightly taller, which helps to provide extra support when climbing on overhanging terrain. The adjustable heel cup of the Helix is slightly lower, providing maximum comfort when smearing.
Weight
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix are both lightweight shoes, designed to reduce foot fatigue and to provide maximum comfort. The Mythos is slightly lighter than the Helix, making it more suitable for longer climbs. The lightweight construction of both shoes helps to reduce foot fatigue and helps to provide a secure fit.
Level of Ventilation
The La Sportiva Mythos and the Scarpa Helix both provide a good level of ventilation, making them suitable for hot climates. The Mythos is slightly more breathable than the Helix