La Sportiva Otaki Vs Skama

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The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama are both popular climbing shoes designed for multi-pitch, trad, sport and ice climbing. Both shoes offer good performance and comfort. But, when it comes to choosing the best shoe for your needs, there are some key differences between the two models. Let’s take a closer look at the La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama to see which one is the best choice for your needs.

Comparison Table

Feature La Sportiva Otaki Skama
Fit Medium/Low Volume Medium/Low Volume
Type of Climbing Trad, Sport, Ice All-Around
Sole Stiffness Medium Medium
Shape Symmetrical Asymmetrical
Closure System Laces Laces
Materials Synthetic Synthetic
Price $$ $
Personal Preference Depends Depends
Toe Box Shape Medium Medium
Heel Cup Moderate Moderate
Weight 11 oz (308 g) 10.5 oz (298 g)
Level of Ventilation Low Low

Fit

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama both offer a medium/low volume fit. This means the shoes are not too tight and not too loose, making them comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Otaki has a slightly snugger fit than the Skama, which may be a better option for those with narrow feet.

The Otaki is also slightly more asymmetrical in shape, with a more curved heel than the Skama. This makes it easier to get a snug fit around the heel. On the other hand, the Skama has a flatter shape, making it more comfortable to wear if you have wider feet.

Type of Climbing

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama both offer good performance for a variety of types of climbing. The Otaki is designed specifically for trad, sport, and ice climbing. It has a lower profile design and slightly stiffer sole than the Skama, which makes it well-suited for technical routes and edging.

The Skama is an all-around climbing shoe that is suitable for a variety of types of climbing. It has a slightly thicker sole than the Otaki, which makes it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Skama is well-suited for both indoor and outdoor climbing, and is also suitable for bouldering.

Sole Stiffness

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama both have a medium sole stiffness. This makes them suitable for a variety of types of climbing and provides a good balance of edging performance and comfort. The Otaki has a slightly stiffer sole than the Skama, which makes it better for technical routes and edging. The Skama’s thicker sole makes it more comfortable for all day use, but it doesn’t provide as much precision and control as the Otaki.

Shape

The Otaki has a slightly asymmetrical shape, with a more curved heel than the Skama. This makes it easier to get a snug fit around the heel and provides good support. The Skama has a flatter shape, which makes it more comfortable to wear if you have wider feet.

Closure System

Both the La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama have a laces closure system. The laces provide a secure fit and make it easy to adjust the fit of the shoe.

Materials

Both the La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama are made with synthetic materials. The Otaki is made with synthetic leather, while the Skama is made with synthetic suede. Both materials are lightweight and durable.

Price

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama have different price points. The Otaki is priced at $$, while the Skama is priced at $. The Otaki is more expensive than the Skama, but it is also a higher quality shoe.

Personal Preference

When it comes to choosing a climbing shoe, personal preference plays a big role. The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama both offer good performance and comfort. The Otaki is better for technical routes and edging, while the Skama is more comfortable for all day use. It’s important to try on both shoes to find the one that fits your foot the best.

Toe Box Shape

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama both have a medium toe box shape. This allows for good power transfer and toe hooking, while still providing enough room for your toes to move around.

Heel Cup

The Otaki and the Skama both have a moderate heel cup. This provides good heel hooking and support, while still allowing your heel to move freely.

Weight

The La Sportiva Otaki weighs 11 oz (308 g), while the Skama weighs 10.5 oz (298 g). The Otaki is slightly heavier than the Skama, but this added weight adds stability and edging power.

Level of Ventilation

Both the La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama have a low level of ventilation. This is due to their synthetic uppers and lack of air vents. The lack of ventilation makes these shoes suitable for cool weather climbing, but not for hot weather climbing.

The La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama are both excellent climbing shoes. The Otaki is better for technical routes and edging, while the Skama is more comfortable for all day use. It’s important to try both shoes and decide which one fits your foot and your climbing needs the best.

In conclusion, the La Sportiva Otaki and the Skama are both excellent climbing shoes. The Otaki is better for technical routes and edging, while the Skama is more comfortable for all day use. It’s important to try both shoes and decide which one fits your foot and your climbing needs the best. No matter which shoe you choose, you can be sure you’ll be getting a high-quality climbing shoe that offers good performance and comfort.