La Sportiva Tarantula Vs Nago
La Sportiva Tarantula vs Nago
When it comes to climbing shoes, La Sportiva is one of the industry’s leading brands. The La Sportiva Tarantula and the Nago are two of their higher-end models, designed for experienced climbers. Both shoes have their own unique features and advantages, so it’s important to compare them side-by-side to figure out which one is best for your needs.
| Feature | La Sportiva Tarantula | La Sportiva Nago |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Slipper | Asymmetric |
| Type of Climbing | All-around | Bouldering/Sport |
| Sole Stiffness | Soft | Semi-stiff |
| Shape | Down-turned | Down-turned |
| Closure System | Laces | Velcro |
| Materials | Leather, Synthetic | Leather, Synthetic |
| Price | High | High |
Fit
The La Sportiva Tarantula is a slipper-style shoe, which means that it has no lacing system – the shoe is just one piece of leather with a toe cap and a heel counter. This makes the shoe extremely comfortable and easy to put on and take off. The Nago is an asymmetrical shoe, which means that it has two separate pieces of leather that wrap around the foot in a more precise fit. This allows for more control over the shoe’s fit, but can take some time to get used to.
In terms of comfort, the Tarantula is the clear winner. The lack of any lacing system means that the shoe is extremely comfortable, even for those with wide feet. The Nago, on the other hand, is more of a performance shoe, and so its asymmetrical fit can take some time to get used to.
In terms of sizing, both shoes are quite true to size. The Tarantula can be worn with thicker socks, but the Nago should be worn with thinner socks due to its asymmetrical fit.
Type of Climbing
The La Sportiva Tarantula is designed as an all-around climbing shoe – it is suitable for everything from bouldering to sport climbing. The Nago, on the other hand, is designed specifically for bouldering and sport climbing. It is designed to be more precise and aggressive than the Tarantula, so it is better suited for more advanced climbing.
The Tarantula has a soft sole, which makes it comfortable for all-day climbing. The Nago has a semi-stiff sole, which makes it more precise but less comfortable. The Tarantula is better for long climbs and multi-pitch routes, while the Nago is better for short, technical climbs.
Sole Stiffness
The sole stiffness of the La Sportiva Tarantula is quite soft, which makes it comfortable for all-day climbing. The sole stiffness of the Nago is semi-stiff, which makes it more precise but less comfortable. The softer sole of the Tarantula makes it easier to edge and smear, while the stiffer sole of the Nago is better for steep, technical climbing.
In terms of edging, the Tarantula is better due to its softer sole. The soft sole allows for more sensitivity and control, which makes it easier to lock onto small edges. The Nago is better for steep climbing due to its stiffer sole, as the stiffness gives the shoe more power.
Shape
Both the La Sportiva Tarantula and Nago have a down-turned shape, which makes them suited for steep climbing. The Tarantula has a slightly more aggressive shape than the Nago, which makes it better suited for more advanced climbing. The Nago has a slightly more relaxed shape than the Tarantula, which makes it better for all-around climbing.
The down-turned shape of both shoes helps to keep the foot in place on steep terrain. The aggressive shape of the Tarantula gives it more power on steep angles, while the relaxed shape of the Nago gives it more comfort on easier terrain.
Closure System
The La Sportiva Tarantula has a lace-up closure system, while the Nago has a velcro closure system. The laces of the Tarantula allow for more control over the fit, while the velcro of the Nago allows for a quick and easy on and off.
The laces of the Tarantula allow for more control over the fit, which is great for those with wide feet. The velcro of the Nago is great for those who want a quick on and off, but it does not allow for as much control over the fit.
Materials
Both the La Sportiva Tarantula and Nago are made from leather and synthetic materials. The leather gives the shoes a snug, comfortable fit, while the synthetic materials give them added durability.
The Tarantula has a full leather upper, which gives it a comfortable, snug fit. The Nago has a half-leather, half-synthetic upper, which gives it a slightly more relaxed fit. The synthetic material of the Nago also helps to make it more durable than the Tarantula.
Price
The La Sportiva Tarantula and Nago are both high-end climbing shoes, and they are priced accordingly. Both shoes are quite expensive, and they are best suited for experienced climbers who want a high-performance shoe.The Tarantula is slightly more expensive than the Nago, but the difference is not significant. Both shoes are expensive, and they are best suited for those who need a high-performance climbing shoe.
Personal Preference
When it comes to choosing between the La Sportiva Tarantula and Nago, personal preference is key. Both shoes have their own unique features and advantages, so it’s important to compare them side-by-side to figure out which one is best for your needs.
The Tarantula is best for those who need a comfortable, all-around climbing shoe. The Nago is best for those who need a precise, performance-oriented shoe. The choice really comes down to personal preference, so it’s important to choose the shoe that suits your individual needs.
Toe Box Shape
The toe box of the La Sportiva Tarantula is slightly more asymmetrical than the Nago. This means that it has a more precise fit, which is great for those who need a more secure fit. The Nago has a more relaxed toe box, which is better for those who want a slightly looser fit.
The toe box of the Tarantula is slightly more downturned than the Nago, which makes it better suited for steep climbing. The Nago has a more relaxed toe box, which makes it more comfortable for all-around climbing.
Heel Cup
The heel cup of the La Sportiva Tarantula is slightly more aggressive than the Nago. This means that it has a more secure fit, which is ideal for those who need a shoe that stays in place on steep angles. The Nago has a more relaxed heel cup, which is better for those who want a slightly looser fit.
The heel cup of the Tarantula also has a slightly more comfortable fit than the Nago, as it has a softer, more padded feel. The heel cup of the Nago is slightly stiffer and less comfortable, but it does provide more support.
Weight
The La Sportiva Tarantula is slightly lighter than the Nago, weighing in at about 8 ounces (227 grams). The Nago is slightly heavier, weighing in at about 9.2 ounces (262 grams). The slight difference in weight is not significant, but it can be felt when climbing.
The lighter weight of the Tarantula makes it better suited for long, multi-pitch routes, while the slightly heavier weight of the Nago makes it better for short, technical climbs.
Level of Ventilation
The La Sportiva Tarantula has better ventilation than the Nago. The full leather upper of the Tarantula gives it more breathability, while the half-leather, half-synthetic upper of the Nago can cause the feet to overheat more quickly.
The breathable upper of the Tarantula makes it better suited for warmer temperatures, while the slightly less breathable upper of the Nago makes it better suited for cooler temperatures.
In conclusion, both the La Sportiva Tarantula and Nago are high-end climbing shoes designed for experienced climbers. The Tarantula is better for all-around climbing, while the Nago is better for more technical, steep climbing. The choice between the two shoes really comes down to personal preference, so it’s important to compare them side-by-side to figure out which one is best for your needs.