Scarpa Drago Review – Climbed & Tested

The Scarpa Drago is a high-end performance climbing shoe designed for climbers attempting difficult boulder problems or shorter multi-pitch climbs rather than longer mountain days.

They come in at a fairly expensive price, but if you're looking for an aggressive shoe that won't let you down when it comes to performance, the price is quite reasonable.

Let’s get into the Scarpa Drago review…

Scarpa Drago Review - A Complete Climbing Shoe Review

The Drago is like the Bugatti of climbing shoes--it's powerful and means business. With some of Scarpa's best innovations put into one shoe, this super soft performance shoe allows you to feel every divot, bump and crack in the rock unlike any other shoe I have used. Not only was I impressed with its incredible sensitivity, but the Drago also provides the perfect balance between performance and comfortability.

The Drago has excellent smearing ability due to its soft rubber and flexible last, which provides plenty of rock-to-rubber contacts. It also excels in deep pockets and overhung terrain. However, it falls short in some areas.

For example, because it is made of soft rubber and is sensitive, this shoe isn't good for edging; you would need a much stiffer shoe for that kind of performance.

The shoe's wide rubber front is not only good for toe hooking, it also looks intimidating, as if the person wearing them is about to make a difficult climb. With "Drago" spelled out across the strap and deep red and yellow colors, the design is beautiful and well-made.

The only difference between the Chimera and this twin brother is the absence of a piece of plastic in the toe box and a Velcro strap; however, this shoe offers even more sensitivity. It's evident that this is a specialty shoe designed for bouldering and indoor climbing.

If you are looking for a trad or sport climbing show, keep searching.

Scarpa Drago Toe Box

The Scarpa classic design has been reinvented to be more robust and powerful. The unique aspects of this shoe include an asymmetrical toe box that allows you to use your big toe for maximum power, as well as a thicker sole that provides increased push strength.

The shoe is incredibly soft, making it one of the most sensitive shoes on the market. This gives you the ability to feel everything that you do while wearing them, almost as though it is a second skin. However, this does not make them the most comfortable for long periods of time spent climbing since your foot has very little support in the shoe.

But when I use this shoe for bouldering projects, toe hooking is incredibly easy and efficient. The sticky rubber on the upper of the show provides great contact with the rock surface, while still looking good. Additionally, there's just enough padding in the toe to provide sensitivity and precision without being too bulky.

Scarpa Drago Heel

The Drago's heel design is a combination of the Scarpa Instinct line with an additional support system to aid your foot and improve heel hooking.

The heel may look narrow, but don't let that deter you – I have relatively wide feet and they fit me just fine. The heel is made of the same rubber as the rest of the shoe, with a traditional length of rubber running down the shoe which is integrated into the tension rand.

While the tension rand on Scarpa shoes isn't as severe as La Sportiva, this does not hinder their abilities. In fact, P3 platforms stretching from La Sportiva can be so tight that it causes the shoe to cut into the back of your foot when stretched. With a more relaxed design around the foot, Scarpa is often thought to be more comfortable.

This shoe has a stiff heel, which means that your foot will be more supported and won't experience pain when you pull on it during an activity like heel hooking. However, the trade-off for this stiffness is that the overall sensitivity of the shoe is slightly reduced.

Rubber of The Scarpa Drago

The rubber. It's on the toe box, it's on the heel. It's everywhere!

The Scarpa Drago uses 3.5mm of Vibram XS Grip 2, which is a compound designed for competition climbing that is also the grippiest compound manufactured by Vibram. This thin coating helps make this shoe very sensitive; as I've already mentioned a couple of times.

The Drago shoes from Scarpa are not an exception to the rule when it comes to their shoes being resole-friendly. You can take them to a cobbler for a new lease on life, which saves both money and the environment. Because they are so soft, you will likely need to resoled them more often than other stiffer options.

The toe box and heel are connected through a midsole made of PCB, a compound used in the seats of Formula one cars. This small orange strip of material works in union with the tension rand to bring the shoe together and keep its downturned shape, even after many uses.

This helps the shoe maintain its shape and flexibility.

How They Fit - Scarpa Drago

Although these shoes are quite comfortable for an aggressive shoe, it's important to remember that they're high-end performance climbing shoes. They won't feel like a fluffy pair of Ugg boots. Instead, they're designed for climbers attempting difficult boulder problems or shorter multi-pitch climbs rather than longer mountain days.

The Drago doesn't have to be downsized nearly as much as the La Sportiva Skwama, only 2 sizes from street size gave me a great performance fit.

The Drago's climbing shoes don't require much, if any, breaking in. They conform to the shape of your foot within twenty minutes of use because they're constructed with rubber and a microfibre upper that doesn't stretch. The result is a shoe that fits snugly like a sock.

As I've said before, it feels like a second skin when they are on your feet.

The shoe has a secure high single Velcro strap, which also leaves a lot of room for toe hooks. Furthermore, the shoe tongue is elasticated and made out of microfiber on the upper part, making it both easily accessible and tight-fitting.

Value For Money - Scarpa Drago

The Drago shoes from Scarpa come in at a fairly expensive price. However, if you're looking for an aggressive shoe that won't let you down when it comes to performance, the price is quite reasonable.

These shoes offer great value for money because of their durability and resoling capabilities. The rubber and materials used can withstand more than your average shoe, so you won't need to replace them as often.

Scarpa Drago The Verdict

I really enjoy these shoes. They're perfect for when I'm trying to send my boulder project. Although I would be hesitant to wear them on longer routes outdoors because they don't have the best grip, they're still a great shoe overall.

The combination of the super soft rubber with the microfiber upper is specifically designed for indoor and outdoor bouldering, making the shoes feel weightless while still providing a lot of support. They also look great!

What Are Scarpa Dragos Good For?

If you're looking for an aggressive shoe that won't let you down when it comes to performance, then the Scarpa Drago is your best bet. They are perfect for trying hard on steep terrain and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Are Scarpa Drago's Comfortable?

Yes! I found them to be quite comfortable, even after wearing them for hours. They conform to the shape of your foot within minutes and feel like a second skin on your feet.

What Is the Difference Between Drago and Drago LV?

The Drago LV is a lower-volume shoe, which means it's slightly narrower than the regular version. Perfect for people of all genders and ages.

Are the Scarpa Dragos Stiff?

No, these shoes are quite soft and flexible. They are designed with a microfiber upper and rubber that doesn't stretch, which makes them comfortable for extended wear.

Are Scarpa Shoes Worth It?

Yes, Scarpa shoes are worth the price. They offer great value for money because of their durability and re-solability. They also have a wide variety of models to fit different needs, making them suitable for all types of climbing.

Does Scarpa Drago LV Stretch?

No, the Drago LV does not stretch. It is constructed with rubber and a microfiber upper that won't stretch and will maint

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