La Sportiva

Tarantula FriXion RS Climbing Shoe

Works great for a starter

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

41

Height:

5' 4"

Weight:

120

I have owned my pair for five years. These shoes have given me more traction and confidence on a variety of wall types. The color of the leather on the inside will come off on your skin after climbing for a while. I am now borrowing pairs from the school that I work at, due to the glue coming apart between the sole and the main part of the shoe after four years.

Comfy fit, but very low lifespan

My first pair of climbing shoes. Rubber in the toe area is worn through after 2 months of light indoor bouldering. My experienced mates tell me it's not my amateur technique. We've compared shoes and found that these have very thin, soft rubber on the point of the big toe area. On other models this seems much more reinforced. I'm getting the rubber replaced, but this repair puts the shoes effectively into premium price region. My blue model also leeches color very heavily, but that's no a problem for me. So far I've not had issues with the leather or straps. The fit is great and it would be an ideal beginners' pair if it weren't for the hidden problems.

Horrible life-span

I bought these shoes four months ago as my first pair of climbing shoes. There are a number of quality issues I would like to bring up. First is the rubber on the toe, I cut through the bottom of the shoe leaving just my toe able to touch those small footholds. The lower strap is fraying and falling apart. The rubber on the side of the shoe also appears to be peeling away. I am worried that after four months of low to moderate use that I will be unable to use these shoes again because I will no longer be able to trust my feet. I really expected a better quality from a company such as La Sportiva and have had good luck with many of their other products. I find it unfortunate that these shoes deteriorated so quickly.

Great starter shoes!

I had a pair of the Tarantulace's as my first pair of climbing shoes. I was excited to find out that these came in velcro, which are so much easier to take on and off between climbs.

Lack of quality

Hole on a leather after few times wearing ! From brand like sportiva i expacted for more...

Love them!

I've had these shoes for about a year as my second pair of climbing shoes for both the gym and outdoors. They fit well and are comfortable for long days of climbing.

Excellent

Great shoes for beginners, have lasted an awful long time and were great as my first shoes! Would definitely recommend.

Good fit, but they don't last

They got a hole on the leather inner side at the back just after 6 times I wore them in an indoor centre. Very disappointed.

they're okay shoes

I have had these shoes for 5 months and there is a nice big chunk of rubber out of the right toe but they have held up pretty well.

Review for TARANTULA

These shoes are great. They do everything and more that you'd expect them to.