Scarpa Drago Vs La Sportiva Skwama
Footwear Showdown: Scarpa Drago Vs La Sportiva Skwama
When it comes to selecting the right shoe for your next climbing trip, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Two of the most popular choices are Scarpa’s Drago and La Sportiva’s Skwama. Both shoes offer excellent performance, but their construction and performance characteristics differ. To help you decide which shoe is right for you, let’s take a closer look at the Scarpa Drago and the La Sportiva Skwama.
| Features | Scarpa Drago | La Sportiva Skwama |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Medium fit with a snug heel | Symmetrical and snug fit |
| Type of Climbing | Allaround performance; suitable for bouldering and sport climbing | Ideal for bouldering and sport climbing |
| Sole Stiffness | Medium | Medium |
| Shape | Asymmetric; downturned toe | Symmetrical; downturned toe |
| Closure System | Velcro | Velcro |
| Materials | Synthetic leather upper | Synthetic leather upper |
| Price | $140 | $170 |
Fit
Scarpa’s Drago is designed to fit medium width feet and provides a snug fit in the heel. The Drago is also slightly asymmetrical with a downturned toe for a precise fit. On the other hand, the Skwama features a symmetrical and snug fit, making it perfect for narrow and wide feet alike. The toe box is downturned for precise edging.
Both the Drago and Skwama feature a hook-and-loop closure system, allowing you to adjust the fit of the shoe easily. The Drago’s closure system is slightly simpler and more straightforward than the Skwama’s system.
The Drago has slightly more padding in the heel and tongue than the Skwama, providing extra comfort and cushioning. The Drago also has a relatively low profile, making it easier to slip your foot in and out of the shoe.
Type of Climbing
The Drago is designed for allaround performance and is suitable for both bouldering and sport climbing. The shoe’s medium-stiff sole and asymmetric shape provide excellent edging, smearing, and hooking capabilities. The Skwama is also designed for allaround performance, but it is better suited for bouldering and sport climbing. The Skwama’s medium-stiff sole and symmetrical shape offer excellent edging, smearing, and hooking capabilities.
Sole Stiffness
The Drago and Skwama both have a medium-stiff sole, providing an ideal blend of support and flexibility. The sole of both shoes offers excellent edging and smearing capabilities, making them suitable for all types of climbing.
Shape
The Drago’s asymmetric shape and downturned toe provide a precise fit and excellent edging capabilities. The Skwama’s symmetrical shape and downturned toe also provide an excellent fit and edging capabilities.
Closure System
The Drago and Skwama both feature a hook-and-loop closure system, which allows you to adjust the fit of the shoes easily. The Drago’s closure system is slightly simpler and more straightforward than the Skwama’s system.
Materials
The Drago and Skwama are both made from a synthetic leather upper that is designed to provide a comfortable fit and excellent breathability. The Drago’s upper is slightly more breathable than the Skwama’s upper, making it ideal for warm weather climbing.
Price
The Scarpa Drago retails for $140 and the La Sportiva Skwama retails for $170.Personal Preference
When deciding which shoe is right for you, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a snug fit with excellent edging capabilities, the Drago is a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a symmetrical fit and breathable upper, the Skwama may be a better option.
Toe Box Shape
The Drago has an asymmetric toe box shape that is designed to provide a precise fit and excellent edging capabilities. On the other hand, the Skwama has a symmetrical toe box shape that provides an excellent fit and edging capabilities.
Heel Cup
The Drago features a slightly deeper heel cup than the Skwama, providing a more secure fit. The Skwama’s heel cup is slightly less deep, providing a more breathable fit.
Weight
The Drago is slightly lighter than the Skwama, making it easier to wear for long periods of time. The Drago weighs in at 9.1 ounces and the Skwama weighs in at 10 ounces.
Level of Ventilation
The Drago’s upper is slightly more breathable than the Skwama’s upper, making it ideal for warm weather climbing. The Skwama’s upper is also breathable, but not as breathable as the Drago’s upper.
After looking at the features of the Scarpa Drago and La Sportiva Skwama, it’s clear that both shoes offer excellent performance and features. Ultimately, the decision of which shoe is right for you comes down to personal preference and your needs. Both shoes are excellent options, so choose the one that best suits your needs.