La Sportiva Finale - Women's Review

The La Sporiva Finale really shines for its above-average ability for crack climbing. And for the trad climber, your feet will be happy wearing these all day. Best of all, they come at a reasonable price, which is becoming rare in the current climbing shoe market.

Comfort

Step into a pair of Finales and you'll likely not need to take them off for a while. You'll first notice the soft leather gently hugging your foot, and the unlined leather upper molds to your foot right out of the box. The flat, symmetrical design is flat and cozy – no curled toes in this shoe! You can wear these shoes for long gym sessions or multi-pitch climbs without needing to take them off at the belay or in between routes. The lace-up closure system lets you fine-tune your fit, especially around the instep. As a result, the Finale better accommodates wider forefeet than many aggressive shoes.

Although these aren't going to be your secret sending weapon, the Finale is a great shoe for a beginner climber who prioritizes comfort over high performance. One important thing to note is that because leather stretches over time, if you size too aggressively, you risk ending up with a loose, floppy shoe. It's better to size just below your street shoe size so they don't lose their shape too quickly.

One other note: after a few months of testing, we noticed a pesky seam at the top of the toe. If you sweat a lot or these shoes get wet, make sure to dry them out so you don't create any weird areas that could cause rubbing over time.

Smearing

The flat profile and moderate flexibility of the Finale help you to press your feet on slabs with relative confidence. With around 1.1mm LaspoFlex, it has a full, relatively stiff midsole. Even though it's not as sensitive as the softest shoes out there, it will do the job smearing on lower-angle rock and on larger holds. Techy smears, however, usually demand a more flexible shoe, and the lack of sensitivity makes it tough to grip small holds.

With 5.0mm of Vibram XS Edge, it's hard to feel the rock and perform delicate smears on technical terrain. All that rubber is great for durability and edging ability, but for smearing, you just can't feel what you're standing on. For larger holds and on rounded edges, these shoes are serviceable. But if you're climbing more advanced boulder problems or need to smear on slippery and technical holds, you'll be underwhelmed.

Edging

The relatively thick outsole, combined with a medium-stiff midsole, gives your foot a stable platform on larger footholds. On bigger, more positive edges, the Finale feels supportive without collapsing. If you're climbing a long route or cragging all day, this extra support helps fend off edging fatigue. For climbers just getting into the sport, you don't need much more than what these shoes offer.

Even expert trad climbers will find them more than suitable for cruising around on moderate terrain. However, it's not built for razor-thin precision, and the Finale won't hold on micro-edges or small crystals. Compared to downturned, stiffer edging shoes, you'll want more than these shoes are able to deliver.

Pulling

Even though it has a narrower toe box that fits nicely into smaller pockets, the Finale lacks any other design features for steep climbing. With its flatter profile, symmetrical design, and lack of an aggressive toe box rubber patch or super sticky heel, pulling moves are tough, especially on difficult boulders.

If your climbing often involves heel hooking, steep overhangs, or cruxes that demand pulling your body into the rock, you will find the Finale offers little help. It's best to stick to more moderate, lower-angle climbing with these shoes.

Crack Climbing

Comfort is key for crack climbing, and the Finale supports and cushions your foot, even as you relentlessly jam them into cracks. The soft leather upper, lace-up design, and relaxed fit help reduce foot pain that often goes hand-in-hand with more downturned shoes. Their flat shape and slim toe profile also make it easier to slot into thinner cracks.

Although these shoes shine on moderate terrain, the thicker sole and semi-stiff construction limit their performance in tight or highly technical cracks. They just don't offer the same precision or glove-like fit you'd get from a shoe built specifically for jamming. As they stretched out quite a bit, they began to feel a bit sloppy over time.

Should You Buy the La Sportiva Finale?

The Finale is a great buy if you want a comfortable, versatile shoe for a range of climbing styles. It's an especially good match for beginners who need something reliable but often don't want to spend a fortune on their first pair of shoes. It's also a great option for budget-conscious trad climbers who love long, moderate multi-pitch routes. While it won't deliver the high-end precision and pulling power needed for steep boulders or technical sport climbs, it's still a workhorse shoe that can handle a bit of everything.

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