La Sportiva Solution SE: Climbing Shoe Review

by Alex Braham 46 views

Alright, climbing enthusiasts, let's dive deep into a detailed review of the La Sportiva Solution SE climbing shoe. If you're on the hunt for a high-performance shoe that can elevate your bouldering and sport climbing game, you've probably heard whispers about the Solution SE. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from its design and features to its performance and fit, giving you a comprehensive look at whether this shoe is the right fit for your climbing needs. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of La Sportiva Solution SE

The La Sportiva Solution SE is a celebrated climbing shoe renowned for its precision, sensitivity, and aggressive design. It's essentially a tweaked version of the original Solution, tailored to offer enhanced performance in specific climbing scenarios. Climbers often gravitate towards this shoe when they need a blend of edging power and smearing capability, making it a versatile option for both overhanging routes and technical face climbs.

Key Features and Design

Let's talk design. The Solution SE sports a vibrant look and several features aimed at boosting your climbing prowess. The shoe incorporates La Sportiva’s Lock Harness System, which snugly wraps around your foot to provide unparalleled support and stability. This system is crucial for maintaining foot security during powerful moves and heel hooks. The Fast Lacing System allows for quick and precise adjustments, ensuring a snug fit tailored to your foot's unique shape. A molded heel cup enhances heel hooking performance, providing the confidence you need to tackle challenging sequences.

What sets the Solution SE apart is its sole. It features a 3.5mm Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber outsole, offering exceptional grip and sensitivity on various rock types. This rubber compound is known for its stickiness and durability, allowing you to trust your foot placements even on the slickest holds. The shoe's downturned profile and asymmetric shape further enhance its performance, enabling precise edging and toeing. The P3 (Permanent Power Platform) technology ensures that the shoe retains its downturned shape over time, maintaining its aggressive performance throughout its lifespan.

In terms of comfort, the Solution SE includes a padded tongue and a breathable lining, minimizing discomfort during long climbing sessions. The shoe’s upper is constructed from a combination of leather and microfiber, providing a balance of support and flexibility. This blend of materials allows the shoe to mold to your foot over time, resulting in a custom-like fit.

Performance Analysis

When it comes to performance, the La Sportiva Solution SE truly shines. Its aggressive downturn and precise toe make it ideal for overhanging routes and boulder problems. The shoe’s ability to maintain its shape, thanks to the P3 platform, ensures consistent performance even after extensive use. The Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber provides excellent friction on a variety of surfaces, from smooth limestone to textured granite.

For edging, the Solution SE offers exceptional precision. The stiff midsole and downturned shape allow you to stand on small edges with confidence, while the sensitive sole provides enough feedback to feel the rock beneath your feet. This combination of stiffness and sensitivity is crucial for technical face climbs that demand precise footwork. The shoe’s ability to smear is also noteworthy. The flexible forefoot allows you to maximize contact with the rock, making it easier to stick tenuous smears and maintain balance.

Heel hooking is another area where the Solution SE excels. The molded heel cup is designed to provide a secure and comfortable fit, while the sticky Vibram rubber ensures maximum friction on heel hooks. The shoe’s overall design promotes a powerful and confident heel hooking experience, making it a valuable asset for climbers who frequently encounter heel-intensive problems.

Overall, the La Sportiva Solution SE is a top-tier performer that delivers exceptional precision, sensitivity, and power. Whether you’re tackling steep overhangs or technical face climbs, this shoe is designed to help you push your limits and achieve your climbing goals.

Fit and Comfort

Finding the right fit for your climbing shoes is paramount, and the La Sportiva Solution SE is no exception. The shoe is known for its snug and precise fit, which enhances its performance but can also impact comfort. Understanding how the Solution SE fits and feels on your foot is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision.

Sizing Recommendations

Most climbers find that the La Sportiva Solution SE runs small compared to their street shoe size. As a general guideline, consider sizing down one to one and a half sizes from your street shoe size for a performance fit. If you prefer a more comfortable fit for longer climbing sessions, sizing down by only half a size may be more appropriate. It's always a good idea to try on the shoes in person, if possible, to ensure the best fit.

Keep in mind that climbing shoe sizing can vary significantly between brands and models. What works for one shoe may not work for another. When trying on the Solution SE, pay attention to how your toes feel inside the shoe. For a performance fit, your toes should be slightly curled but not painfully cramped. There should be no dead space inside the shoe, and your heel should fit snugly in the heel cup.

Comfort Considerations

While the La Sportiva Solution SE is designed for performance, it also incorporates features aimed at enhancing comfort. The padded tongue helps to reduce pressure from the laces, while the breathable lining minimizes sweat and discomfort during long climbing sessions. The shoe’s upper is made from a combination of leather and microfiber, which allows it to stretch and mold to your foot over time.

However, it’s important to note that the Solution SE is not designed to be an all-day comfort shoe. Its aggressive downturn and snug fit are optimized for performance, which means that it may not be the most comfortable option for long routes or casual gym sessions. Many climbers choose to take the shoes off between climbs to give their feet a break.

To improve comfort, consider wearing thin socks or toe socks with the Solution SE. These can help to reduce friction and prevent blisters, especially during the break-in period. It's also a good idea to break in the shoes gradually by wearing them for short periods of time and slowly increasing the duration as they stretch and mold to your foot.

Break-in Period

The La Sportiva Solution SE, like many high-performance climbing shoes, requires a break-in period. Initially, the shoes may feel stiff and uncomfortable, but they will gradually soften and mold to your foot with use. The break-in period can vary depending on the individual and the frequency of use, but typically it takes several climbing sessions for the shoes to reach their optimal comfort and performance level.

During the break-in period, focus on wearing the shoes for short periods of time and gradually increasing the duration as they become more comfortable. Avoid wearing them for extended periods right away, as this can lead to blisters and discomfort. Applying a leather conditioner to the upper can help to soften the leather and speed up the break-in process.

Pros and Cons

To provide a balanced perspective, let's weigh the pros and cons of the La Sportiva Solution SE climbing shoe. This will help you determine whether the shoe aligns with your climbing style and preferences.

Pros

  • Exceptional Performance: The Solution SE excels in overhanging routes, bouldering, and technical face climbs. Its aggressive downturn, precise toe, and sticky Vibram rubber make it a top-tier performer in challenging climbing scenarios.
  • Precise Fit: The shoe’s snug and secure fit enhances sensitivity and control, allowing you to feel the rock beneath your feet and make precise movements.
  • Heel Hooking Power: The molded heel cup and sticky rubber provide excellent heel hooking performance, giving you the confidence to tackle heel-intensive problems.
  • Durable Construction: The Solution SE is built to last, with high-quality materials and construction techniques that ensure it can withstand the rigors of climbing.
  • Versatile: While it excels in steep terrain, the Solution SE is also capable on a variety of rock types and climbing styles, making it a versatile option for climbers who enjoy different disciplines.

Cons

  • Comfort: The Solution SE is not the most comfortable shoe, especially for long climbing sessions. Its aggressive downturn and snug fit can cause discomfort, particularly during the break-in period.
  • Sizing: Getting the right size can be tricky, as the Solution SE tends to run small. It's important to try on the shoes in person or carefully consult sizing charts to ensure the best fit.
  • Price: The Solution SE is a premium climbing shoe with a relatively high price tag. This may be a barrier for some climbers, particularly those who are new to the sport.
  • Break-in Period: The Solution SE requires a break-in period, during which it may feel stiff and uncomfortable. This can be a drawback for climbers who prefer a shoe that feels comfortable right out of the box.

Alternatives to Consider

If the La Sportiva Solution SE doesn't quite meet your needs, or if you're simply looking for other options to consider, here are a few alternatives that offer similar performance characteristics:

  • La Sportiva Solution: The original Solution is a classic climbing shoe that shares many of the same features as the Solution SE. It's a great option for climbers who want a proven performer with a slightly more relaxed fit.
  • Five Ten Hiangle: The Hiangle is a versatile shoe that excels in both bouldering and sport climbing. It features a downturned shape, a stiff midsole, and a sticky Stealth C4 rubber outsole.
  • Scarpa Instinct VS: The Instinct VS is a high-performance shoe that's known for its precision and sensitivity. It features a downturned shape, a Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole, and a comfortable fit.
  • Evolv Shaman: The Shaman is a popular shoe that's designed for steep terrain and bouldering. It features a downturned shape, a stiff midsole, and a unique "love bump" that fills dead space under the toes.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the La Sportiva Solution SE is a top-tier climbing shoe that delivers exceptional performance in challenging climbing scenarios. Its aggressive downturn, precise fit, and sticky Vibram rubber make it a valuable asset for climbers who are looking to push their limits and achieve their climbing goals. While it may not be the most comfortable shoe, its performance benefits far outweigh its drawbacks for serious climbers.

If you're a climber who values precision, sensitivity, and power, and you're willing to invest in a high-quality shoe that can elevate your performance, the La Sportiva Solution SE is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to try it on in person or carefully consult sizing charts to ensure the best fit. Happy climbing!