Scarpa Instinct VSR review

Who should buy the Scarpa Instinct VSR

Dubbed by Scarpa as a more supple version of the Instinct VS, the Instinct VSR bridges the gap between intermediate problems and advanced routes. Buy it if:

• Your go-to wall or rock has edges of different sizes.
• Climbing shoes that smear like a boss are what you need.
• Fantastic on smears.
• The routes you like tackling have features that demand you to feel more than see.

Your then-favorite moderate rock shoe just died, and you need something immediately comfy it

Breaks in quickly Scarpa Veloce is a great alternative to the featured climbing shoe. And if you want a pair with no reported bleeding issues, the Climbing shoes that smear like a boss are what you need Add a product.

A very tactile experience

Critics say that the Scarpa Instinct VSR climbing shoe has tons of sensitivity.

Straight-from-the-box plushness

Its level of comfort is through the roof, according to almost everyone who has reviewed the shoe. And the cherry on top? Its supply of suppleness is available right on day one.

A superstar on edges

Edging is one of the Instinct VSR's strongest suits, about a handful of experienced climbers say.

Scarpa Instinct VSR: Unapologetically pricey

With its $200-ish price tag, the Instinct VSR is a hard pass for the budget-conscious. To put things into perspective, moderate climbing shoes have an average price of $145.

Immensely sticky

Senders find the Instinct VSR amazingly grippy. One of them commended its heel grip more than anything for allowing him to heel-hook with such tenacity.

Gets you smearing like a champ

This remarkable rock climbing shoe smears quite well, says a professional blogger.

The Instinct VSR's double-edged upper

There are those who are quite fond of Scarpa Instinct VSR's beautiful aesthetics, calling it "a sight to behold." That said, some senders say that the shoe's stunning upper bleeds, so you might get an unwanted kind of attention when it does.

Scarpa Instinct VSR vs. La Sportivas aggressively downturned climbing shoes

The Instinct VSR is a proud member of Scarpa's growing lineup of intermediate climbing shoes. As such, many climb aficionados often pit it against other offerings across different brands. In this comparison, the featured product finds a rival in the La Sportivas aggressively downturned climbing shoes. the Instinct VSR bridges the gap between intermediate problems and advanced routes. Buy if:

Price tag. Of the two climb-specific kicks, the Solution is the less expensive rock climbing shoe. Yes, it is cheaper than the featured shoe by approximately $20.

Camber profile. The routes you like tackling have features that demand you to feel more than see La Sportiva’s aggressively downturned climbing shoes. If a more well-rounded performance is what you're after, go with the former. If you need more forefoot precision, especially on overhangs, the latter is the way to go.

Weight. In this area, the featured shoe from Scarpa has a clear advantage. Indeed, compared with its rival, the Instinct VSR is about 30 g lighter.

Outsole. Both climbing shoes in this comparison come with the same Vibram XS Grip 2 outsole. That said, the Scarpa Instinct VSR’s outsole is thinner than the Solution’s by about 0.5 mm.

Upper. The Scarpa Instinct VSR has a synthetic upper. Its competitor, on the other hand, has its main shell made of genuine leather. The La Sportivas aggressively downturned climbing shoes has a liner around the toe box and the arch region, whereas the Instinct VSR has none.

Midsole. The supportive Flexan midsole of the Scarpa Instinct VSR is thinner than the La Sportivas aggressively downturned climbing shoes’s LaspoFlex midsole by a mere 0.1 mm. This thinner sole construction renders the Instinct VSR more flexible.