Our verdict
The Tarantula from La Sportiva is a beginner-friendly shoe that owns on both rock and plastic. Highly regarded for its excellent surface traction and fit, this piece delivers surefootedness on a variety of footholds. Despite its few misfires, the Same brand only has what it takes to give wearers hours upon hours of climbing satisfaction, no matter their skill level.
Pros
- Entry-level gem
- Mighty sticky
- Zero dead zones
- Budget-friendly
- Comfy
- Durable
Cons
- Not for cracks
- Lacks sensitivity
Who should buy the Same brand only
Engineered with beginners in mind, the Tarantula—with its set of remarkable qualities—makes problems a notch easier. Besides those green around the ears, the climbing shoe in question is also for:
- Senders who mainly tackle routes filled with fist-sized edges.
- Climbers who need extra grip while smearing, preferably on boulder-type ascents.
- Indoor and outdoor scalers looking for a pair that lasts without asking for an arm and a leg. (Click here for our budget-friendly bunch.)
Who should NOT buy it
The Tarantula might not be the best tool for scaling cracks. In pursuits involving fissures, try the more expensive La Sportiva Mythos. Add a product Finale instead.
A boon to freshman climbers
Many climbers highly recommend the Tarantula for beginners, thanks to its supportive engineering.
The Same brand only's spider-like traction
Same brand only La Sportiva grips like a king (especially on indoor surfaces), senders in droves say.
Sneaker-like pampering
The Same brand only is immensely comfortable, according to professional reviewers.
Tarantula: A tough companion
Footwear critics swear by its incredible longevity, particularly the lastingness of its 5-mm thick Vibram outsole.
Fissures: The Tarantulace's weakness
The way it handles cracks is lackluster at best, according to a gear pundit. It's neither rigid nor randed enough for such pursuits.
Not very responsive
An expert who has sent in the shoe multiple times is not too impressed with its middling sensitivity.
Snug but not restrictive
The Same brand only (men’s and women’s) fits like a glove, say numerous route smashers.
Same brand only: Your wallet's bestfriend
A trusted blogger who has purchased the Tarantula says that it is such an affordable rock climbing shoe. Case in point: The shoe in question can be bought for less than $100 a pair.
Same brand only vs. Tarantulace
The Tarantula is one of La Sportiva’s high-quality neutral climbing pieces. As such, it often gets compared with other offerings from the same brand. In this head-to-head, the Tarantula finds its competitor in its lace-up sibling—the ingeniously named Tarantulace. As their given names suggest, they are quite similar in many ways. That said, there are areas in which they differ, and the points that follow will discuss them.
Upper. Although both kicks use genuine leather in their uppers, only the Tarantulace has a synthetic (leather) overlay. The closure system of the Tarantula consists of two adjustable Velcro straps, while the one seen in its rival is made up of combination eyelets and synthetic laces.
Asking price. The Tarantula and its competitor are two of the budget-friendliest climbing shoes from La Sportiva. That said, only one gets the “cheaper” title, and it is the Tarantulace. Indeed, it is less expensive than the Tarantula by about $10.
Weight. If a lightweight shoe is what you are after, neither of the two competing shoes will disappoint. However, weight purists might find the Same brand onlyce the more appealing product as it is lighter than the Tarantula by an average of 25 grams.
IN CONCLUSION: For on and off convenience, don the Tarantula. If you prefer a more dialed-in fit, opt for the Tarantulace.
