Forty feet above my last piece of gear, I really wanted my shoes to work. I was midway through the second pitch on a blank slab, staring down at a spindly slung tree that might hold a short fall, and starting to get gripped (highly anxious).
I scanned the rock, hoping to find a small dimple to stand on. Thankfully, I was wearing a new pair of La Sportiva Finale ($139) climbing shoes that fit perfectly and gave me a bit of extra confidence at the exact moment I needed it.
Many serious climbers own three to four pairs of climbing shoes for bouldering, big walls, indoor sessions, and everything in between. But it’s refreshing when a model like the La Sportiva Finale holds its own across a surprisingly wide range of terrain without a premium price tag.
In short: The La Sportiva Finale is a strong blend of all-day support, crack-climbing utility, and smearing performance for towering multipitch routes and everyday crag sessions. For climbers with narrow-to-medium feet who prioritize value and versatility over pushing the absolute hardest grades, this is a phenomenal option. It won’t replace a highly aggressive bouldering shoe, but it climbs far better than its budget-friendly price suggests.
Compare the La Sportiva Finale with other top picks in our guide to the best climbing shoes.
Sizing
Best for narrow feet, size down from street shoes size
Rubber
45mm Vibram XS Edge rubber
Profile
Slight downturned/flat, medium asymmetry
Key Features
Soft unlined leather molds to your feet
Pros
- Premium build at a bargain price
- Painless, all-day multipitch comfort
- Surprisingly strong edging power
- Unlined leather stretches for a custom, molded fit
- Nails the balance between stiffness and sensitivity
Cons
- Lacks the bite needed for steep, overhanging routes
- Tricky to size properly due to natural leather stretch
La Sportiva Finale Review
How I Tested
No surprise, I climbed in this shoe a lot. More than almost any other pair in my arsenal, I kept reaching for the Finale because it accommodated my narrow foot so well and never punished me on extended outings.
As temperatures began to warm up near my home in central Colorado, I started out sport climbing and top-roping at local crags. As winter transitioned to spring and the rock dried out, bigger objectives opened up. After breaking them in just a handful of times, I took the shoes up a long multipitch route near Breckenridge, Colo.
I knew I was going to be wearing them for 4 to 6 hours, and at the start, I wondered if I’d made a terrible mistake by not breaking them in more. A few hours later, as we were finishing the 10th and final pitch, my feet still felt great. The Finale proved to be the right choice for an itinerary that included everything from delicate friction on low-angle slabs to steep roofs near the summit.
Fit & Sizing: Precise but Forgiving
La Sportiva uses a relatively slim last, which creates a precise toe box and strong edge control. If you have naturally narrow feet or prefer a snug, performance-oriented fit, it will likely feel excellent right out of the box. For those with wider feet, the midfoot will probably feel tight, and pressure along the inside edge may become distracting during longer sessions.
It’s important to note that the Finale utilizes unlined leather for the upper. That matters for two reasons: initial feel and long-term stretch. Unlined leather breathes and feels softer than synthetics, meaning it will naturally mold to your foot shape with use. Expect the material to expand in the forefoot width and toe area over your first few weeks of regular climbing.
Because of this, sizing takes some thought. If you’re on the fence between sizing for a snug immediate fit or a slightly tighter long-term fit, many climbers choose their standard performance size — or just a touch smaller — and allow the leather to stretch over time. Those who want a persistently tight, aggressive fit can size down more, but remember that unlined leather rewards a conservative approach.
Break-In & Comfort: Painless & All-Day Capable
Break-in is straightforward. The unlined leather softens without requiring an extended period of suffering. While the shoe initially felt a bit stiff, after a few days on the wall, it became markedly more accommodating while retaining great precision.
The midsole is supportive enough to prevent excessive foot fatigue on long routes, yet thin enough under the toes for good sensitivity. That combination is exactly what I want in a shoe I can wear for multiple pitches without feeling the need to pull it off at every belay.
Rock Performance: Edging & Smearing
Where the Finale shines is its ability to handle varied terrain without feeling overly specialized. The flat, neutral profile and sculpted toe allow for confident foot placements on small holds and precision on vertical walls. The pointed toe box helps concentrate power on tiny micro-edges, while the overall stiffness-to-sensitivity ratio hits the bullseye.
On low-angle slabs, the forgiving fit and Vibram XS Edge rubber (a stiff, highly durable compound designed to hold its shape on sharp micro-holds) provide excellent friction, so it doesn’t feel like a one-trick pony. Climbers who put heavy mileage on these should consider a resole at the first sign of significant wear to preserve that out-of-the-box performance.
Room for Improvement
The Finale are a solid all-arounder for climbers like me who love the sport and want to enjoy it in comfort. However, if you’re pushing higher grades on overhanging routes where precise footwork makes the difference between sending your project and ending up frustrated, this probably isn’t the best choice. For that kind of climbing, look at something like the Scarpa Drago LV for steeper, more sensitive performance, or the La Sportiva Katana for a slightly more aggressive fit.
Although it isn’t a true flaw, getting the sizing just right on an unlined leather shoe can be tricky. It requires trying on multiple sizes and anticipating what the material will feel like after a few months of stretching.
La Sportiva Finale: Who Is It For?
At $139, the La Sportiva Finale is an excellent budget-minded climbing shoe, and I’d argue that it fits and performs better than many models that cost far more. It’s positioned as a beginner-to-intermediate shoe, but it consistently punches above its weight.
With a flat, neutral shape and a fairly precise toe profile compared to classic beginner models, this definitely doesn’t feel like a basic rental shoe. It blends edging power with enough sensitivity for technical footwork, making it a great option for climbers who want one shoe for long trad routes, moderate sport climbs, and gym sessions.
The laces provide a secure fit, while the minimal lining keeps the upper feeling soft. Climbers with narrow-to-medium feet will get the most out of the Finale. Those with wide feet, or climbers focused strictly on steep bouldering and hard overhanging sport routes, will want something more aggressive and higher-volume.
