La Sportiva Climbing Shoes
La Sportiva shoes are built on European half sizes which are smaller increments than US half sizes. This gives us four extra sizes per size run, which gives you a better fit! MORE SIZES = BETTER FIT!
LA SPORTIVA FOOTWEAR SIZE CONVERSION CHART
| MENS | EUROPEAN | WOMENS |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 2.5 | |
| 33.5 | 3 | |
| 2.5 | 34 | 3.5 |
| 3 | 34.5 | 4 |
| 3.5 | 35 | 4.5 |
| 4 | 35.5 | 5 |
| 4.5 | 36 | 5.5 |
| 4.5+ | 36.5 | 5.5+ |
| 5 | 37 | 6 |
| 5.5 | 37.5 | 6.5 |
| 6 | 38 | 7 |
| 6.5 | 38.5 | 7.5 |
| 6.5+ | 39 | 7.5+ |
| 7 | 39.5 | 8 |
| 7.5 | 40 | 8.5 |
| 8 | 40.5 | 9 |
| 8.5 | 41 | 9.5 |
| 8.5+ | 41.5 | 9.5+ |
| 9 | 42 | 10 |
| 9.5 | 42.5 | 10.5 |
| 10 | 43 | 11 |
| 10.5 | 43.5 | 11.5 |
| 10.5+ | 44 | 11.5+ |
| 11 | 44.5 | 12 |
| 11.5 | 45 | 12.5 |
| 12 | 45.5 | 13 |
| 12.5 | 46 | 13.5 |
| 12.5+ | 46.5 | 13.5+ |
| 13 | 47 | 14 |
| 13.5 | 47.5 | |
| 14 | 48 | |
| 14.5 | 48.5 | |
| 15 | 49 | |
| 15.5 | 49.5 | |
| 16 | 50 |
FITTING ROCK SHOES
Did Mallory and Irvine really reach the summit way back when? Who has the best kung fu? These are questions with easier answers than that of how to size your rock shoes. The V15-climbing gym rat will tell you that if your toes feel anything but searing pain, the shoes are too big. But what does he know — he's probably only 12 years old anyway. The veteran trad will insist that you need to leave room for three pairs of wool socks. Should you completely trust someone who might suffer from altitude-induced brain damage?
While it isn’t a black or white issue, a general rule dictates that soft shoes require a tighter fit, two to three sizes smaller than your street shoe size. We recommend you fit your trad shoes one to two sizes under your street shoe size. A thick midsole creates a platform on which you stand, while a slip-lasted slipper-type shoe relies on your crammed toes to create an edging platform.
Once you determine your needs, try on several boots in that genre. Different last types fit different feet -- that's why we make lots of lasts. If it feels good, it probably is. Remember to factor in stretch. Unlined slip-lasted shoes tend to stretch a bit more than lined shoes -- about one full size. Lined shoes stretch about a half size. Remember: a well-fit comfortable shoe will work better than an ill-fitting tighter shoe.