La Sportiva Skwama Review – Climbed & Tested

The La Sportiva Skwama is a beautifully designed shoe that does not disappoint in terms of performance. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line all-around climbing shoe, the Skwama should be at the top of your list.

Lets find out why exactly this is in my La Sportiva Skwama Review...

The Skwamas is a softer, more flexible version of the Otaki and Kataki shoes, but it's still reliable and versatile. You can wear it for any rock-climbing activity, from technical slabs to steep overhangs.

I can almost guarantee that you will see at least one person wearing these shoes the next time you go to a climbing gym.

And there's good reason for it, too- they're incredibly comfortable and provide great performance. They have a solid reputation as one of the best shoes in terms of comfort and performance on the market.

These soft climbing shoes are ideal for comfort and function, whether you're working on a 7a project or just bouldering with buddies.

After my friend sold me their second-hand La Sportiva Skwama, I was hooked and have gone through three pairs since. In this review, I'll show you some of the features that make these shoes so great and why they're now one of the most dependable in my collection.

The Toe Box

The Skwama was designed with a specific feature in mind- the toe box. The Power Downturn last which, combined with the tensioning system in the heel, focuses your power on a central point in the toe. You Can feel this during those all-important moves allowing you to maximize your precision down to the tiniest numbs on the rock.

The Skwama not only excels at smearing, which is uncommon for aggressive shoes because of their harsh downturned profile. The split sole and soft rubber of the Skwama temporarily flatten while you smear, giving your foot more opportunity to grip against the flat wall.

The toe rand is my favorite feature of the Skwama, and I have reviewed many La Sportiva shoes. With the Skwamas, I can go for those satisfyingly awesome toe hooks without being afraid.

The front of the shoe is covered in a long rubber patch with raised rubber areas that resemble snakeskin. This not only provides superb grip for toe hooking but also makes the shoe ideal for crack climbing as well.

The Heel

The S-Heel technology in the heel cup is a game-changer for soft shoes. The logic behind it is that it helps keep the shape of the heel cup rigidity, preventing collapse when doing technical heel hooks.

The design has been successful enough that La Sportiva decided to use a similar one for the Otaki.

The heel of the Skwama is noticeably stiffer than the rest of the shoe, and it is built into the tensioning system. Although the shoe is soft, I have found that the heel maintains its shape after breaking it in. Similar to the heel rand, the snakeskin texture also provides extra friction.

Rubber

Not shockingly, the Skwamas take advantage of the widely used XS Grip 2. This Vibram compound is designed for those competing in climbing events and provides an excellent grip on granite and limestone walls found frequently in gyms. With only 3mm of rubber on the sole (like that of the Futura), this shoe allows wearers to enjoy softness and sensitivity.

When first bought, the front of the shoe is quite sharp, providing wearers with a lot of precision. However, as time goes on and the shoes are used more frequently, they wear down; this is inevitable with any climbing shoe.

In my experience, I have found that their lifespan is significantly shorter due to how soft these shoes are compared to other similar products (stiffer counterparts like Otaki).

Resoling the Skwama is more complex than many other shoes, though it can still be done. The resoling process won't achieve the same level of perfection as with some of La Sportiva's other shoe models, though.

How They Fit

The consensus I have heard from several climbers regarding the Skwama is this: you purchase the shoes, and they need to be broken in. Once broken in, they are incredibly sturdy. However, before long, there is no more edge left, and they are past their prime--only to be used as warm-up shoes and never for hard sends again.

Skwama shoes are game-changers in the comfort and high performance they provide climbers. Although they haven't been on the market for long, Skwama's have quickly become a masterclass in shoe engineering.

For these climbing shoes to fit you as they should, you will likely have to order a size or two smaller than you usually wear. I'm typically a 3 1/2, but for these shoes I had to go down to a size 1. Even though it may seem like too much of a difference, for the shoe to work correctly, every millimeter of space needs to be filled out.

Do not expect these shoes to feel like slippers because they won't. They aren't agonizingly painful, but they're also not cozy.

La Sportiva's P3 tension system helps the shoe keep its aggressive shape throughout its life, which is no easy feat in high-end climbing shoes. This tension also subverts the softness of the rest of the shoe.

The shoe combines synthetic and leather, so it will stretch more than slightly. La Sportiva claims up to ½ size; however, I would estimate even more based on my own experiences.

Although this shoe has an asymmetric toe, it doesn't have the most aggressively curved toebox. This means that people with wider feet can more easily squeeze into these than some other shoes.

The shoe has a Velcro strap in the front and an elasticated upper, so it slips on easily but stays snug on your foot.

Value For Money

Climbing shoes are not typically cheap, but the La Sportiva Skwama is a high-end climbing shoe worth the investment.

The Skwama is designed with precision and sensitivity in mind, making it an ideal choice for climbers who want to push their limits indoors and outdoors. The XS Grip 2 rubber on the sole provides an excellent grip on various surfaces, while the P3 tensioning system ensures that the shoe maintains its aggressive shape throughout its life.

Additionally, the elasticated upper and Velcro strap makes it easy to slip on and stay snug on your foot.

Although the Skwama is a high-priced climbing shoe, it is worth the investment for climbers looking for precision, sensitivity, and durability.

So, is it worth your money? I would say yes!

Solution vs Skwama

I would recommend the La Sportiva Solution over the Skwama for a few reasons.

First, the Solution is a bit more durable than the Skwama. It's made with Vibram XS Grip2 rubber, designed to last longer than other types of rubber. Additionally, the P3 tensioning system ensures that the shoe maintains its aggressive shape throughout its life.

Second, the Solution is a bit more comfortable than the Skwama. It has a padded tongue and a slightly more forgiving fit, which makes it more comfortable for extended wear.

Third, the Solution is a bit cheaper than the Skwama. It's typically priced around $170, while the Skwama is priced at around $200.

So, if you're looking for a durable, comfortable, and affordable climbing shoe, I recommend the La Sportiva Solution over the Skwama.

La Sportiva Skwama Review - Verdict

Climbers will appreciate the La Sportiva Skwama for its precision and sensitivity. The shoe features XS Grip2 rubber on the sole for an excellent grip and a P3 tensioning system to maintain its aggressive shape.

Additionally, the elasticated upper and Velcro strap makes it easy to slip on and stay snug.

The Skwama is an excellent choice for climbers who want durable and sensitive shoes. Although it's a bit pricey, the long-lasting shape is worth the investment for anyone looking to improve their climbing skills.

In other words, the La Sportiva Skwama is an excellent choice if you want an expensive climbing shoe.

What is Skwama Good for?

The La Sportiva Skwama is an excellent choice for climbers who want a high-performance, comfortable, and durable shoe for completion climbing.

Does La Sportiva Skwama Stretch?

The Skwama does stretch, but not as much as some other shoes. La Sportiva claims that it will stretch up to 1/2 size.

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