La Sportiva Katana vs. Miura Climbing Shoes
La Sportiva is a renowned brand in the climbing community, known for producing high-quality and innovative climbing shoes. Two of their most popular models are the Katana and the Miura. In this article, we’ll compare both of these climbing shoes, highlighting their unique features, strengths, and weaknesses, to help you make an informed decision when selecting the best climbing shoes for your needs.
La Sportiva Katana Lace
Climbing Shoe Type: Aggressive
Last: Slip-lasted
Upper: Leather/microfiber
Lining: 1.1 mm full-length LaspoFlex with P3 system
Outsole: 4 mm Vibram XS Edge rubber
Footwear Closure: Lace-up
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 1.6 oz.
The La Sportiva Katana Lace is a popular climbing shoe with a subtle downturned sole and mild asymmetry. It enables you to hook into pockets or exploit tiny edges while maintaining all-day comfort. The shoe’s snug heel and P3 Platform technology enable it to focus weight on the toe and provide excellent edging capabilities. Additionally, the 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber sole ensures that the shoe can hold onto a variety of surfaces. The shoe’s flexibility in the midsole provides excellent performance on steeper terrain or other rock types, and its slim toe profile allows it to fit into thinner cracks.
The shoe’s moderately stiff sole provides support and comfort during toe and foot jams. This makes it an excellent choice for trad climbs that require a combination of crack and face climbing techniques. The shoe performs well on overhanging terrain and vertical to less-than-vertical pocketed climbs, although it may not be as effective in the steepest caves as shoes with an ultra-aggressive downturn. The Katana Lace is a comfortable shoe, with a leather upper and lace closure that protects the feet from getting beaten up in cracks.
Overall, the La Sportiva Katana Lace is an excellent all-around shoe that provides exceptional sensitivity, comfort, and versatility, making it a top choice for climbers.
What I like: A comfortable and versatile option for all-around climbing.
What I don’t: Limited sensitivity, expensive
See the La Sportiva Katana Lace
La Sportiva Miura VS
Climbing Shoe Type: Aggressive
Last: Slip-lasted
Upper: Leather
Lining: Dentex synthetic stretch fabric
Outsole: Vibram XS Edge rubber
Footwear Closure: Strap
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 3 oz.
The La Sportiva Miura climbing shoe is a versatile choice for climbers looking for a shoe that can handle different climbing disciplines. The Vibram XS Edge rubber on the sole of the shoe provides excellent edging power, but the shoe can feel stiff and imprecise when new. It has a narrow toe and a lacing system that provides a secure fit with minimal fiddling. The shoe’s sizing depends on where you want to take them: size them ultra-tight for sport or bouldering projects, or just a half to a full size down for all-day adventure routes.
The Miura is good for crack climbing and has been around for a while, but there are newer shoes worth considering for trad climbing. It’s good but not great on overhanging terrain and lacks the sensitivity of some shoes due to the hard rubber encasing the toe. However, the stiffness of the sole provides support and reduces foot fatigue on long pitches. After breaking them in, these shoes can be very comfortable but may take a reasonably long wear-in time.
Overall, the Miura is a versatile shoe that can handle different climbing disciplines, but it may not excel in any one area. Depending on how you use them, you may only need one shoe to meet all your climbing needs, making it a good value. Despite newer shoe designs, the Miura remains a longstanding benchmark in the La Sportiva climbing shoe arsenal and is still being used by cutting-edge climbers around the world.
What I like: Great edging, versatile, durable
What I don’t: Not the best at anything
Which one is right for you?
Choosing between La Sportiva Katana and Miura climbing shoes depends on your individual climbing style and preferences. The Katana is an all-around shoe that is versatile enough for a variety of climbing types, including sport climbing, bouldering, and trad climbing. It is designed for climbers who need a shoe that can perform on a range of surfaces, from steep overhangs to slabby faces.
On the other hand, the Miura is a more specialized shoe that is ideal for steep and technical climbs, especially on overhanging routes. It features a downturned shape, which makes it more suitable for edging and precise foot placements. If you primarily climb on steep and technical routes, then the Miura may be a better option for you.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which shoe is right for you is to try them both on and climb with them. Consider the fit, comfort, and performance of different types of climbs. You may also want to seek advice from experienced climbers or a professional gear shop to help you make an informed decision.
