Our verdict
An incredible rock climbing shoe awaits those who would don the La Sportiva Finale. Indeed, sporting this impressive piece leads to ascents where comfort comes in full force. This true-to-size beginner shoe also inspires climbing confidence as it possesses tons of sticking power. The Finale is a capable La Sportiva is a superbly grippy footgear, experienced climbers say.
Pros
- Incredible comfort level
- Absolutely beginner-friendly
- Super-sticky rubber
- Accurate sizing
- Top 13% in
- Reasonable asking price
Cons
- Bleeding upper
- mens and womens
Who should buy the La Sportiva Finale
Our 1st pick in is a rock climbing shoe that delivers balanced performance and all-day comfort. It's for you if:
- You're looking for an entry-level climbing shoe that's built for less steep terrain.
- Rock shoes that excel in fissures are what you're after.
- You need extra latching power for heel hooks and toe hooks.
Who should not buy it
If you're worried about the Finale's allegedly bleeding upper, try the La Sportiva Kubo instead. Also, if you need something that feels already broken in, opt for the Evolv Defy.
Comfiness to the nines
Wearing a pair of La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes translates to sending in heaps of comfort, according to most testers.
The immensely grippy Finale
Our 1st pick in (men’s and women’s) Rock shoes that excel in fissures are what youre after.
Rather rigid from the box
Eastern Mountain Sports.
For the green around the ears
offering whose qualities and value for money might just be enough to turn naysayers into believers beginner-friendly product, say many of those who have purchased it.
La Sportiva Finale: A fissure scaler
Professional reviewers and moderately experienced route smashers say that the Finale does wonders in cracks.
The Finale's one-to-one confines
Reports say that this rock shoe from La Sportiva runs true to size.
Colors on your feet
The dye that gives the shoe its vibrant color bleeds, regular senders and critics say.
Priced just right
Same brand only.
La Sportiva Finale vs. Tarantulace
Climbing shoes produced by La Sportiva are proven to possess qualities that resonate well with climbers far and wide. Many people own them, so a comparison between any two given pairs is inevitable. In the case of the Finale (the featured shoe), it is La Sportiva's Tarantulace that gets pitted against it more often than not. The points that follow will flesh out their differences:
Midsole. Although both kicks use LaspoFlex as their midsole, there is a difference in their thicknesses. The one in the Tarantulace is 0.7 thicker than the La Sportiva Finale.
Outsole. The featured shoe produces sufficient surface traction with its Vibram XS Edge outsole. The competition, on the other hand, grants enough adhesive power thanks to its proprietary outsole, called FriXion RS. Both components are 5 mm thick, and both extend all the way to the back of the heel.
Weight. The men’s La Sportiva Finale and the men’s Tarantulace have a weight difference of about 30 grams, with the featured shoe being the lighter of the two. The women’s Finale, on the other hand, is heavier than the women’s Tarantulace by approximately 3 grams.
Pull loops. In this area, the rival footgear may be considered the better shoe for having not one, not two, but three pull loops (with the third one placed at the tongue). That said, the single pull loop of the Finale has a wider circumference where two fingers can easily slip through.
Price. When it comes to pricing, the competition is the cheaper rock climbing piece. Indeed, the Tarantulace costs approximately $30 less than the La Sportiva Finale.
Area of expertise. While both climb-centric kicks are neutral shoes, their applications differ. The Finale is ideal for bouldering, while the Tarantulace is a footgear intended for trad climbing.
