Climbing Shoe Sizes
3 June 2010 - 12:10pm
I don't have the privilege of being able to rock up to a local sports store and try on climbing shoes for size.
I have Red Chilli Durango's which report EUR 46 UK 11.5 - but they are wearing out and I want to buy La Sportiva Katana's. American websites often talk about the La Sportiva sizing being mixed up... although I suspect this could be just because they are American. ;)
Can anyone say what size they are in the main climbing show brands in NZ, la sporitiva, 5.10, red chilli, rock pillar?
Does anyone have Katana's and how do they compare to their normal street shoe size? You might also need to mention is your prefered shoe size a tight fit, comfort fit or loose fit.
The shoe size converters on the internet can vary a whole shoe size between converter to converter :(
7 June 2010 - 12:17pm
#3
i am curious why do you want Katanas? Don't get me wrong they are a nice shoe but for the same price pretty much i would look at 5.10's.
i used to climb in katanas and loved them but now that i am in 5.10's i have to say i would not go back. 5.10 rubber is very sticky, a lot more than the Katanas and the fit and technique is way better....
as for sizing, take the time and go and find a place to get shoes and try them on.....ask for all the boxes of the same size and try each shoe on indivually, you will get a slight variation on shoes from any manufacturer. i.e. ask for all the size 39's and try them and if you have to take one shoe from one box and another shoe from another box so be it. also remember one shoe does not do all.....Katanas are terrible for pockets as they have poor sole strength, not bad for smearing.....i have 2 pairs, boulder velcros, 5.10's of course and then i have my lace up 5.10's....if you go lace up make sure you get the lace tension right it will improve the toe strength for those improtant micro pockets...my velcros are very tight and small....hence the bouldering...one climb and you want to take them off but i can feel everything through them....
if you order online you could be left with a ncie new pair of shoes that are useless for you....good luck!
8 June 2010 - 3:18pm
#4
I am size 47 in street shoes normally, but the size of my climbing shoes can vary. I have a pair of La Sportiva Miuras that are 44.5-45 (sorry can't remember at the moment) that are perfect. I recently got a pair of La Sportiva Solutions that are size 44, but are way too tight to put on for longer than 10 minutes, whereas 44.5 would be perfect. So if I had to take a guess I would say about 2 sizes down for La Sportiva.
Hi
I am a 42 in street shoes and have a pair of Katana in a 39 but they are my "comfortable" shoes. I also have a pair of the Miura VS in a 38 and they are nice and snug.
Hope this helps.
Kerry