La Sportiva Finale Climbing Shoes Review
Comfortable, well-performing shoes for beginner climbers
March 31st, 2026
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Our verdict
The La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes are the perfect pair for beginners looking to upgrade their skills. They come in at a pretty low price, but don’t sacrifice on comfort, precision, or stickiness, making them the best pair of beginner climbing shoes we’ve tested.
We climbed in the La Sportiva Finales both indoors and outside over multiple sessions to see how their fit and features truly performed. After all our testing, the Finales stood out for their all-day comfort, sticky rubber, and all-around performance. Yes, they’re a little bit more expensive than other beginner shoes, but their Vibram rubber gave them the best friction of any low-cost pair we tried, and their fit perfectly balances comfort and precision.
While these shoes are great for beginner and intermediate boulderers and rope climbers, their flat design means these shoes don’t perform well on overhangs or during technical moves like heel and toe hooks.
The La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes are our best overall pick in our Best Beginner Climbing Shoes guide. If you want a pair of climbing shoes that are comfortable enough for beginners, but still have enough performance to help you progress, these could definitely work for you.
La Sportiva Finale Climbing Shoes
men's
Women's
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La Sportiva Finale Specifications
Price: $139
Weight (per shoe): 8.4 oz
Closure: Lace
Rubber: 5mm Vibram XS Edge
Midsole: 1.1mm full-length LaspoFlex
Upper material: Leather and microfiber
Downturn: Slight downturn
Asymmetry: Low
Best use: Gym, vertical bouldering, sport climbing
Suitable for vegans: No
Best for
The Finales are best for beginner climbers who want sticky rubber.
Beginners working on their footwork
Bouldering on slabs and slight overhangs
Sport climbing on neutral and low-angle walls
Climbers who want all-day comfort
Climbers who want the best-performing shoes for beginners
Comparison table
| CLIMBING SHOE | MSRP | Weight (per shoe) | RUBBER TYPE | DOWNTURN | STIFFNESS | BEST USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Sportiva Finale Men's Women's |
$139 | 8.4 oz | 5mm Vibram XS Edge | Slight downturn | Medium | Gym, vertical bouldering, sport climbing |
| Scarpa Reflex VS Men's Women's |
$99 | 7.4 oz | Vision (4mm) | Flat | Medium-high | Gym, beginners |
| La Sportiva Mantra Men's Women's |
$189 | 5.9 oz | Half-Sole No-Edge Dynamic Technology (D-Tech) / Differentiated 1-2mm Vibram XS Grip2 | Moderate | Extremely low | Gym climbing |
| Scarpa Instinct VSR Men's Women's |
$219 | 8.1 oz | Vibram XS Grip2 | Aggressive | Medium-low | Steep climbs, bouldering, sport climbing |
What we liked
They’re comfortable, and perform well on nearly any climb.
Sticky Vibram rubber
Comfortable fit
Precise-enough toe box
Versatile design that feels as good smearing on volumes as it does edging on small holds
Lace-up design for customizable fit
What could be better
They aren’t great for overhangs, heel hooking or toe hooking.
Isn’t as performance oriented as others
Not ideal for climbing in overhangs
Not great for heel hooks or toe hooks
No downturn or asymmetrical design means you can’t create as much force
How we tested
We climbed in the La Sportiva Finales while bouldering and rope climbing indoors and outside.
To test the La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes, we wore them during multiple sessions at local climbing gyms and outdoor crags alike. We bouldered in them outdoors at Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado, and put them to the test on indoor walls at various gyms. We tested them on everything from small footholds and volumes, and wore them while climbing on slabs, slight overhangs, caves, and even a board wall.
We compared them to other entry-level climbing shoes, such as the La Sportiva Tarantulace, Scarpa Reflex VS, Black Diamond Momentum, and more. When we could, we climbed on the same exact routes and boulder problems to compare performance. We paid attention to precision, stickiness, comfort, fit, and more.
Performance in the field
The La Sportiva Finales are great all-around shoes.
Fit and sizing
Fitting a pair of climbing shoes is always a very personal experience, so it’s a good idea to try on any pair of shoes before buying them. I wear a men’s 9 in street shoes, and I like to downsize a decent amount for climbing shoes. Typically I like a EU 41 (close to a US men’s 8 depending on the brand) for a comfortable fit, and a EU 40.5 (about US men’s 7 ⅔) for a performance fit. We tested the La Sportiva Finales in a EU 41 and they fit perfectly.
We didn’t have to tug the shoes with all our might to get them on, and our toes were slightly curled but not jammed into the toe box. Since there’s only a very slight downturn, our toes stayed comfortable, but still filled up the entire toe box so our footwork could be precise and powerful.
One of the main reasons we downsize even more for performance shoes is for an ultra-secure heel fit. Our heel wasn’t locked into the Finales, and there was a little bit of space on either side in the heel cup. When we tried to heel hook, the shoes would slide maybe half an inch, but they were never at risk of popping off. The Finales do have an extra lace hole to give you more security, but our heels still slid around a bit, which we think just indicates the EU 41 is just a tad too roomy for the best performance. But we’d gladly sacrifice that tiny bit of heel hooking prowess for comfy shoes that we can leave on the entire session.
Even though the Finales look long and skinny, the toe box widens out, which is a big reason why they’re so comfortable. Compared to more aggressive shoes, folks with wide feet will definitely be more comfortable in Finales and most other flat, entry-level shoes. If you have narrow feet, the La Sportiva Finales also come in a women’s version, which has a slimmer fit and smaller heel cup to accommodate for lower-volume feet.
Since comfort is king with the La Sportiva Finale, you don’t really have to worry that much about a break-in period either. Of course, they’re still made from leather and rubber, so the materials will get softer and more comfortable over time, but these shoes weren’t nearly as stiff or uncomfortable as other more downturned shoes we tried.
Sensitivity
The Finales have a medium stiffness that make them very versatile.
Sensitivity and stiffness is a hard balance to nail, especially for beginners. Stiff shoes means more support, but less feel. Sensitive shoes means more feel, but your feet will get tired faster. Compared to other entry-level shoes, we really liked the mild stiffness of the Finales. They are more sensitive and a bit more flexible than many other beginner pairs, which makes them better on bigger holds and volumes, but they’re still stiff enough for small holds.
The outsole of the Finales is built with two separate pieces of rubber. A thinner piece that covers the heel and midfoot, and a thicker piece that overlaps midfoot and extends to the toe box. This two-piece construction makes these shoes more pliable than the other beginner shoes we tested, which all have a single piece of rubber running down the entire sole.
When we climbed in the Finales, we were surprised at how well we were able to smear and walk on volumes with them. Would they be our first choice for comp-style climbing where we have to run and jump across volumes? Definitely not. But their design gives them enough versatility that they won’t feel like lumps of concrete if you need them to bend a bit.
Edging
The toe comes to a decently fine point, making edging feel secure.
The Finales are really a jack-of-all-trades, and their performance in sensitivity and edging showcases that perfectly. They aren’t the best at either, but they’re good enough at both to cover the vast majority of climbs you’ll encounter, especially as a beginner or intermediate climber.
Even though the sole isn’t as rigid as some of the other beginner climbing shoes we tested or trad climbing shoes, the Finales had great performance on small edges. While climbing slab problems at the gym, we felt surprisingly confident on tiny edges, and we were able to put our full body weight on those small footholds. It was only when holds became truly microscopic and credit-card thin when we wanted more precise shoes, but the Finales felt comfortable on nearly every foothold we encountered.
Another reason why edging felt so great with the Finales is the design of the toe box. It’s wide enough to comfortably fit your feet, but it still tapers down to a decently fine point. This point is a lot more precise than any of the other entry-level shoes we tested, which meant for more accurate and confident footwork.
Toe and heel-hooking
These shoes aren’t the best at heel or toe hooking.
While the La Sportiva Finales are great all-around shoes, one area where they underperform is toe and heel hooking. Unlike modern bouldering shoes, the Finales don’t have sticky rubber covering their toes and heels. There are small patches, yes, but we didn’t find them very effective.
If we sized down to a EU 40.5, heel hooking might have felt a bit better, but even so, the heel of the Finale isn’t built for technical hooking. They’ll work for large hooks around jugs and aretes, but you’ll want a more aggressive pair of shoes for anything more than that. Since the Finales are also quite flat compared to performance shoes, it’s harder to torque those heel and toe hooks and get power out of them.
Comfort
The La Sportiva Finales do a great job at combining all-day comfort and performance. We never felt the need to take these shoes off, even during climbing sessions that lasted more than three hours. The slight downturn means they’re easy to walk around the gym or the crag in, and you can even keep them on while belaying. Our toes didn’t feel too crunched, we didn’t have any hot spots and the leather upper felt great on our feet. The interior of the shoes have a nice suede feel with a cushioned tongue for true comfort for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
Durability
We haven’t climbed in the Finales long enough to truly speak to their longevity, but from our testing, they do seem built for the long haul. The leather uppers feel soft but very sturdy—we don’t see those getting any holes unless you’re crack climbing constantly.
The rubber beneath your toes is 5 millimeters thick, which gives you more time than thinner, more performance-oriented shoes before they rub through. All rubber soles will rub through eventually (faster if your footwork is bad—all the more reason to work on it!), but if you stop climbing before you wear through to the rand (the thinner strip of rubber beneath the outer layer), you can easily get these shoes re-soled.
Besides the rubber wearing down, which is the main durability concern for basically all climbing shoes, you should keep an eye on the laces (which are thick and seem sturdy) and the pull loops (which feel very secure, but we’ve had loops pop off other shoes in the past). Both areas are easily fixable though, so if you stay on top of maintenance, these shoes could easily last for years.
Versatility
The Finales are good for nearly every type of climbing.
One of the main reasons why the La Sportiva Finales are our favorite climbing shoes for beginners is their versatility. They’re comfortable, but still perform better than any other entry-level shoes we’ve tried. They’re sensitive enough for smearing on volumes while bouldering, but stiff enough to balance on edges on a long sport route. The flat design and comfort even make them a fantastic candidate for mult-pitch and crack climbing. As long as you’re not obsessed with toe hooking, heel hooking, and climbing in caves (which are all really fun, we know), these shoes can handle basically everything else.
Features
They have a comfortable design and sticky rubber.
Downturn
The downturn of a pair of climbing shoes refers to how much the toe box points down. A severely downturned shoe basically creates a small rubber hook you can use with your toes to dig into holds. This is especially helpful on overhanging climbs. The La Sportiva Finales have a very slight downturn and are mostly flat, which is why they’re better suited for climbs that aren’t very steep.
Asymmetrical toe box
This is when the toe box is designed with a turn towards the inside. This aggressive style helps you focus power at the tip of the shoe. The La Sportiva Finales aren’t very asymmetrical, making them more comfortable but less powerful.
LaspoFlex midsole
This is the thin, 1.1-millimeter midsole that runs the entire length of the Finales to help give them that perfect balance of softness and support.
Vibram XS Edge outsole
The Finales are the only pair of beginner shoes that use Vibram rubber.
Rubber quality is arguably the most important aspect of climbing shoes. The Vibram XS Edge on the outsole of the Finales is what makes them stand out. It’s much stickier than other entry-level rubber we’ve tested.
Toe rubber patch
A patch of high-friction rubber on the top of your toes is critical for effective toe hooks. The rubber is a lot stickier than the materials of the upper and helps toe hooks stay in place. The toe rubber patch on the La Sportiva Finales isn’t very big or sticky, and as a result, toe hooks are pretty difficult with these shoes.
Heel tension system
A heel tension system helps keep your heel from moving around inside the shoe, even when you’re cranking down on an awkward heel hook. If your heel slips around, you won’t be able to apply as much force and your feet might slip out of position. The Finales don’t have a robust heel tensioning system, and instead have a flat, comfortable design.
Breathable upper
The Finales have a leather upper that is comfortable, but not super breathable.
Since climbing shoes have so much rubber, they can get hot. The Finales have a breathable mesh tongue and a moisture-wicking cotton lining to help keep your feet cool.
Lacing system
Most climbing shoes feature some sort of Velcro closure, but the Finales instead use laces. They take a little longer to tighten up, but give you a lot more adjustability. The laces help the shoes mold to your feet better, and because the Finales are comfortable enough that you don’t have to take them on and off during a session, we don’t mind them.
Molded heel cup
Molded heel cups have more structure so heel hooks feel easier and more powerful. Often, these heel cups also have ridges or different designs to help them stick to holds better.
Sustainability/ethics
La Sportiva says “40% of the shoes’ weight are eco components (laces, webbing, microfiber eyestay and leather),” but details are lacking. The description says the laces are made of 100% recycled polyester, but we’d love to see more info on the brand’s sustainable practices.
Should you buy the La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes?
The La Sportiva Finales are great for beginners, or climbers who want all-day comfort.
Buy if:
You’re a beginner, but you want better shoes than other budget options
You want comfortable, well-performing shoes you don’t have to take off between climbs
You don’t really climb steep overhangs or perform many heel and toe hooks
Skip if:
You mostly boulder, or enjoy climbing on steep terrain a lot
You’re an intermediate to advanced climber who wants high-performance shoes
You want super sensitive shoes
Where to buy the La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes
The La Sportiva Finale climbing shoes are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Similar climbing shoes
Scarpa Reflex VS
Price: $99
Weight (per shoe): 7.4 oz
Rubber: Vision (4mm)
Downturn: Flat
Stiffness: Medium-high
Best use: Gym, beginners
If you’re a beginner or want a pair of climbing shoes even cheaper than the La Sportiva Finales, go with the Scarpa Reflex VS. They’re stiffer and don’t have Vibram rubber, but the rubber they do use is still solid. For under $100, they’re the best ultra-cheap shoes we’ve tested.
Scarpa Reflex VS
men's
Women's
Price: $189
Weight (per shoe): 5.9 oz
Rubber: Half-Sole No-Edge Dynamic Technology (D-Tech) / Differentiated 1-2mm Vibram XS Grip2
Downturn: Moderate
Stiffness: Extremely low
Best use: Gym climbing
If you want an upgrade and you’re focused on indoor climbing, check out the La Sportiva Mantras. They’re super soft slippers that excel on plastic holds. The brand’s NoEdge technology means edging is a thing of the past, instead you’ll need to learn how to mold the rubber around small footholds. This design might not be for everybody, but the extra rubber on the toe cap adds durability that’s essential for newbies and indoor climbers.
La Sportiva Mantra
Price: $219
Weight (per shoe): 8.1 oz
Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2
Downturn: Aggressive
Stiffness: Medium-low
Best use: Steep climbs, bouldering, sport climbing
For versatile, high-performance shoes that can perform on your hardest projects indoors and out, go for the Scarpa Instinct VSR. They aren’t as soft as the Mantras, but they aren’t as stiff as trad climbing shoes either. They strike a great balance that’s versatile enough for all sorts of bouldering and sport climbing routes. The aggressive downturn and high-friction rubber ensure top performance on tiny footholds.
Scarpa Instinct VSR
Why you should trust us / About the author
Kai Burkhardt climbed in the La Sportiva Finales for multiple sessions to see if they’re worth it.
Kai Burkhardt has been a climber for nearly a decade, and while he mostly boulders, he also enjoys sport climbing. He climbs indoors and outdoors in the Front Range of Colorado, and has worked at multiple climbing gyms. He’s tested dozens of pairs of shoes over his climbing career, from beginner-friendly options to high-performance pairs. The La Sportiva Finales were the first pair he ever bought himself, and he’s proud that even back then, he knew how to pick the best beginner shoes on the market.
Find more of Kai’s Treeline Review guides here.
