These are my first and only pair of climbing shoes. (I didn't have an option at the time of purchase) My foot is really about a size 8, but because of my high arches and wider toes, I typically wear an 8.5 street shoe. I tried on several sizes of this shoe and the laced version. I found that the 8.5+ (41.5) velcro fit best. It pinched my toes at first, but I didn't want extra room in them. As others have said, the first few days in them were a little painful but now that they have broken in I barely notice them. I just undo the velcro while top rope belaying rather than doing the on/off routine I watch some people do with their shoes. When its warm out, the rubber of the soles is nice and grippy but that dissipates in cool weather. All in all I am content in my purchase, and if I had other experiences to compare these to I might even give them a 5.

These are the first pair of climbing shoes that I have ever owned so performance wise I don't have much to compare them too. But I have indeed tried on many other types of climbing shoes and these are BY FAR the most comfortable I have worn. The 3 straps lock my feet in REALLY tight and I still don't feel discomfort. I'm size 11 in Nike, size 11.5 in merrel, size 11.5 in salomon, and I bought 44 in la sportiva and they fit perfect.

The description really does this shoe well. Very padded tounge, but not too padded that it is bulky. Comparing these to a pair of Sportiva Mantis would be like comparing very comfy wool sock to a thin pair of cycling socks. They aren't too aggressive, so don't expect much in the overhang department, however they have a wicked heel cup that keeps you locked in. The rubber around the heel is also quite great for heel hooks. I typically wear 45 boots, 44 1/2 street/running, 44 cycling shoe and 41-41 1/2 in most climbing shoes, which proves that you can't really base your climbing shoe size on your street shoe. Best bet is order several, and then try em on, send back the uncomfortable ones.

This is a great shoe for beginner to intermediate climbers. Comfort fit with padded tounge. I use them for my guiding service. They are pretty darn durable too. If you like lace ups instead, check out the La Sportiva Scorpion, it's pretty much the same shoe.

As my first shoe I'd say it's one of the best "value for money" choices out there... they have a very nice build and fit, besides a fast on-and-off system. The only issue I found was with size... they are very tight and in my case the ideal size was the same as my running shoes (9.5 for both) for a daily use indoor. I tried 8.5 (impossible) and 9 (fits, but for daily use it gets annoying).

I wear a ladies' 9 and I ordered a 39, which is great now but they started out pretty snug. I went bouldering several times before I tackled any long climbs and now they fit like a dream. The rubber is still pretty stiff, but the grip is increadible! The velcro has lasted a couple years with negligible signs of wear. Probably not the best shoe for people with really high arches.

I love these shoes! they are extremely comfortable so i can climb for hours on end and not even worry about my feet. They run true to size and form to your feet really well. great rubber on the soles keep you glued to the rock too. all in all a very good shoe

Aside from the fact that I think I ordered these a little too small, I took these babies outside for their first run, and Wow... I felt like I had to be cheating or something. I knew my old shoes were in really bad shape, but I guess I had just gotten used to it and forgot what it was like to wear a decent pair. My review of these shoes may be a little over the top (like I should disclaim, "Results not typical", except that I've never owned any LaSportivas before, so how would I know?), but whatever. You can take into account what you want.This shoe is SUPER sticky. It just made things way too easy. We'll see how they continue to hold up as I wear them in!

Got this shoe at my local gym a month after i started in october. it was on sale for 60 and i had a $20 giftcard that i won. i would say 40 it a reasonable price for these shoes. 5.11s are my project routes now and i climb 5.10s pretty solid. these shoes are coming to the end of their use for me. the edges are not sharp enough to catch small footholds that i encounter. i am a size 12 street shoe and i bought a 10.5, it has streched to be too big for my feet. i have to tighten the straps to their limits to keep the shoe on during a heel hook and there is always a small pocket of air under my arch.

For the first few climbs, they felt like someone was practicing Jiu Jitsu on my feet. Now that they have had time to break-in, they are amazing! I haven't found a surface or crack they won't grab.

After trying on 9 or 10 different shoes i took the plunge and ordered these online.

The La Sportivas seemed to fit MY wide feet and mortons toe (2nd toe longer than big toe) better than any other brand. My first climb i felt the rubber was slipping, but was told that once the protective layer wore off they'd be the goods. THEY ARE!!!! I first ordered a full size down from my street shoe, but then exchanged them for half a size down instead. They're now perfect without socks (feet enjoy a breather after around 45 minutes in them).

Everyone's feet are different so do your research and try on as many as possible. Other than that these are really well made and are stretching in perfectly while retaining their integrity. On both pairs a seam near my right little toe was digging in but it's getting better with time. I thought it was my feet but my buddy is exactly the same. Really no biggie as the rest of the shoe fits like skin and time is sorting it out.

these are super comfortable shoes, but they feel kind of cheap. i guess these are made in China(?) La sportiva doesn't usually do that, i think. They perform ok though - they are a mid range shoe, not super technical, but they will boulder ok (my friend beasts v8's with them, so there you go..) The thing is, i feel that for 80 dollars, you would be much better off with the evolv defy -- the MOST comfortable bouldering / "semi-technical" (meaning not super downturned, but still very sensitive) shoe EVER MADE!!!

great shoes im in love

I personally haven't put the shoes on but I gave them to my boyfriend as a christmas present. He mostly boulders and was pleasantly surprised when he opened the box. He says the shoes fit comfortably for climbing shoes and is very impressed with them. I definitely think I got what i paid for.

As a small sz 12 street shoe, I ordered a size 45.5 in these. Out of the box the fit was a bit tight, which equated to significant pain on the first few climbs. after baking them in the sun on some warm climbs (~10 pitches) they fit like a glove and climb hard. The fat rand is priceless for the inevitable Teton crack jams here n there.

I ordered a half size down, they hurt the first couple of sessions but now they've sort of formed perfectly to my feet. I really enjoy climbing with these beautiful shoes :D

These are the first rock climbing shoes I've ever purchased and have thus far been great! I've been climbing in them two to four times a week at a climbing gym for a couple weeks now and I have no real complaints about this pair. They seem to grip well, even on very tiny footholds. I gave them three stars only because I have little experience with other shoes to reference them with. I bought an 11.5 (US) which is generally the same as my street shoe size and they seem to be working well. I MIGHT go a 1/2 size smaller as they may stretch and the heel might be a bit big, but as is they are comfortable enough that I don't bother taking them on and off in the gym.

Don't get me wrong, if you're just getting into climbing, this shoe will do you good. I find that after owning 3 other pairs of shoes, these get the lowest grade. The rubber is wearing pretty low after only 3 months of climbing (mostly sport). I never used them in the gym in hope of maintaining the rubber but that didnt work. The toe box is too rounded, it cuts down on the sensitivity of your toes so you cant feel holds well. They stretch anywhere from a half to a whole size. Mine killed my feet when i bought them but are fine now. Again: great beginner shoe because you wont know the difference, but definitely not for more advanced climbers

This was my third purchase of climbing shoes, and I'd thought to go for something a bit more comfy. That's all I got. These shoes suck! I climb both indoors and outdoors depending on the season, and 3 months after using them, boom! I blew a hole under my big toe. Besides that, they grew a full size after use and my foot pops off small holds continously. Maybe if you are just getting into the sport they could be good for you or looking for a shoe you can wear all day.

After learning how to climb with the La Sportiva Cliff shoe, the standard rental shoe in climbing gyms. i decided to upgrade my shoe. After trying on countless pairs of shoes i found the La Sportiva Mantis. Yes, they are a bit uncomfortable at first but break in quickly, maybe a few hours of wearing them. I have much better feel on smaller foot holds even though they come with a velcro fit system they seem to have molded to my feet even better than my old pair of Cliff shoes. I'm a 5.10 climber and working to get to 5.11's . I think this is the perfect shoe to get me there. Now, the rest is up to me. I highly recommend this shoe, it has all day wearing comfort and i don't have to take them off to belay!

These are my first pair of climbing shoes and so far I have loved them! They do take a bit to break in, but after that they're comfortable enough that I don't have to take them off in between climbing and belaying. They stick to the wall great and stand up really well. Great shoe!

As other reviewers have said these are pretty stiff but on a gym wall that is nice for some good edging. The first time I wore them I was pretty disappointed because the edges were just peeling off on every route and they weren't sticky. I have been in them 2-3 times a week now for a month and they are much more sticky and the edges have stopped peeling. They are a huge upgrade from rental shoes, and for a decent price. I have also used them sport climbing and they have worked out pretty well. I usually wear a 10.5 and I ordered a 43 which was a little uncomfortable initially but they are stretching out and virtually no pain is occurring, making me wish I would have ordered another have a size down for better feel. They are very comfortable also and fit my foot well. They get me up sport 5.11's.

I bought these as spares to use while I get my other shoes resoled. They have a thick tongue which is cushy and comfortable but there is a seam that sticks out inside of the shoe where the tongue meeds the rest of the shoe that digs into my little toe,it drives me nuts, the top of the heel also digs into my Achilles. They aren't very sensitive, maybe I'm not used to them yet I don't know, I just can't wait for my pontas'es to get back

I bought these shoes and all i can say is WOW! the frixion rubber tacks you to the wall like glue. They said that they fit true to street size. These are mens shoes so for me a women the built heel left space and pushed my feet forward and they were toe pinchingly tight at first, but after a couple climbs the heel has loosened up and the are great. And I ordered a 38.5 I wear a 38. And they are still tight. which is good, the rubber wrapping around the shoe doesnt let it give too much and the asymetrical toe is great for helping out a bouldering beginner. and for advanced routes they cant be beat they are WOW!

The La Sportiva Mantis are my first pair of climbing shoes and I am pretty happy with them. I used them for my first real climb the other day and they feel great. I bought them small because everyone says to buy them small, so they were definitely tight and my feet feel a little cramped in them, but if they stretch just a little bit they will be perfect.

the shoes are awesome grate rubber and over all comfort for the long climbs