The Katana Lace is an all-day edging machine that performs well on slabs, thin cracks, and steep routes outside. The Mantra weighs 5.2 ounces and carries a $160 MSRP. The deconstructed upper and reduced sole thicknesses improves sensitivity by bringing the foot closer to the rock’s surface. This slipper combines La Sportiva’s No-Edge concept with D-Tech Technology, the sole wraps the shoe laterally for a total absence of edges. Overall, La Sportiva continues to push innovations as far as possible and we’re confident that customers will embrace these new models as superior performers.”įor climbing shoe minimalists who enjoy dancing up the wall, the Mantra relaunch is a dream come true. “La Sportiva enthusiasts often suggest that certain models are perfect and shouldn’t be changed but for Spring 22, the Mantra, Katana Lace, Finale, Tarantula, and Tarantulace all have major changes, as does the TX2, which has been the basis for our success in the approach category. “La Sportiva is never content to rest on its past successes and is consistently pursuing innovations, even to models that are very successful,” says Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. Kids also have new models with the TX Canyon, Tarantula JR, Ultra Raptor II Mid JR GTX, and Ultra Raptor II JR models. The updates continue in the approach category with new renditions of the TX2 Evo and TX2 Evo Leather and the introduction of the new TX Canyon. The Mantra, Katana Lace, Finale, Tarantula, and Tarantulace are all brand new. Value/Longevity A retail price of $165 starts to feel expensive for a shoe that may be high-quality and overall performs great, but lacks any features that give it an outstanding “wow” factor.La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain footwear, apparel, and ski hard goods, today announces that for Spring 2022, several iconic climbing shoe models are fully redesigned and updated for modern climbing. The upper breathed well and kept my foot feeling comfortable during all-day climbs. The low profile toe, plus a bit of torsional support, made it possible to jam in these shoes.Ĭomfort The padded tongue atop the foot kept the laces from digging into my foot. Its heel-hooking capabilities also fell short due to how the shoe fit my wider, higher-volume heel.Ĭracks Though this shoe is billed as a sport-climbing and bouldering shoe, I found success even on cracks, particularly of the finger to hand-sized variety. Heel/Toe Hooking Without much rubber atop the foot, the Katana Lace struggles to keep up with other models in the toe-hooking category. Pockets The narrow, low-profile toe box fit an array of pocket sizes, and allowed me to torque and twist my big toe inside them. The performance was good enough, but I think a slightly softer shoe would help feeling those smears. Smearing That sensitivity factor came into play on smears, too. For those of you with narrow feet, this may be your new favorite kick.Įdging The Katana Lace edges well enough on routes up to 5.12, but the shoe isn’t quite sensitive enough to use when edges get really small or steep. This is one of the lowest volume shoes I’ve tested, too. The shoe is just plain comfortable, employing some nice padded cushioning atop the foot. La Sportiva’s proprietary randing system, the P3 (Permanent Power Platform), tensions the rubber and maintains this shape through the lifespan of the shoe. The asymmetric Katana Lace is slightly down-turned, which gave the sensation of a performance shoe but managed to retain the comfort of a flatter shoe without those performance features. I tested the Katana Lace on limestone and sandstone of all angles and slipperiness, and was pleased with its versatility as well as the Vibram XS Edge rubber’s stickiness.
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