Our verdict
In terms of support and comfort, the Scarpa Arpia is quite a stellar climbing shoe. Yes, wearing it translates to comfy send attempts without the need for too much effort underfoot. This piece is also nothing short of remarkable when it comes to bouldering, especially when smearing is involved.
Pros
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- Great bouldering companion
- Satisfyingly grippy
- Nov 8, 2019
- Nov 8, 2019
- We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us
Cons
- Scarpa Vapor V
- Great bouldering companion
Who should buy the Scarpa Arpia
The Scarpa Arpia is an exemplary Scarpa offering whose positives inspire confidence on mostly vertical routes. It is a solid option if you:
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- Prefer a climbing shoe that helps users transition from flat-lasted kicks to more performance-oriented rock shoes.
- Prefer a climbing shoe that provides users excellent arch and heel support.
Provides slip and skid resistance
This moderate rock climbing shoe by Scarpa has its supply of slip and skid resistance sourced from its Vibram outsole. It has an overall thickness of 3.5 mm.
Competition-level surface traction
It uses the XS Grip 2 compound which provides competition-level surface traction. This particular classification of rubber is also ideal for steep routes and overhangs.
Sufficient underfoot support
The Arpia provides sufficient underfoot support with its Talyn midsole. It is adequately protective, thanks to its heavy-duty construction and thickness of 1.5 mm.
Abrasion-resistant
The Scarpa Arpia hugs the foot with its part leather, part synthetic low-cut upper. It comes with a soft-touch liner for a comfier in-shoe feel. A long-wearing rand covers its vital parts that guards the shoe against abrasions and give senders extra climbing assistance where needed.
Easy to wear
The engineers over at Scarpa furnished its heel with not one but two pull tabs that speed things up during on and off.
Scarpa Arpia vs. Vapor V
When it comes to rock climbing kicks, Scarpa delivers the goods. This claim is backed by the kind of quality Arpia has. That said, the featured shoe shares the spotlight with another moderately downturned piece—the Scarpa Vapor V. These two have some similarities past downturn; however, if your budget only allows for only one pair, knowing the aspects that set them apart helps you decide which one to keep and which one to pass up. The points that follow will discuss their differences.
Asking price. On this front, the Scarpa Arpia bags the crown for being the cheaper rock shoe. Indeed, it is less expensive than the Scarpa Vapor V by about $15.
Upper. The featured climbing shoe’s upper is made with a combination of genuine leather and synthetic fabric. The Vapor V’s, on the other hand, is wholly synthetic. Between the two, only the Scarpa Arpia has a liner. That said, the competition comes with two adjustable straps—exceeding what the Arpia has by 1.
Randing. Both Scarpa kicks in this comparison are sufficiently randed for protection and additional climbing security. That said, only the Vapor V has a rand covering the inner side of its toe, giving its owners extra purchase in toe-hooking scenarios.
Weight. If you prefer to go as light as possible while ascending your favorite wall or rock, you might want to side with the Scarpa Arpia. Yes, this climb-specific piece is lighter than its rival by about 20 g.
Outsole. The Scarpa Vapor V (men’s) supplies climbers with enough surface grip with the Vibram XS Edge outsole. The Arpia, on the other hand, provides sufficient traction with the XS Grip 2 which, oddly enough, is also the outsole built into the women’s Vapor V. All outsoles, however, have the same thickness of 3.5 mm.
