La Sportiva > Miura

What the Sportiva site says: A high performance shoe for edging control and pocket climbing performance In the line for over 10 years, the Miura is the perfect tool for performance footwork whether it be on slabs, vertical or overhanging steep rock. The high tensioned slingshot rand is tied into the powerhinge on the sole so that when small edges are weighted the shoe stretches in the back half of the shoe and not in the front. This allows you to stick on the smallest edges you can find or imagine! The multi-paneled lining gives you the perfect fit and the speed lacing system laces up in a cinch


Jeremy: I've had Miura's for a long long time; I started with these when they came out in the UK around 8 or 9 years ago. These shoes have been my go to shoes for a long long time; these and my Anasazi's were my go to shoes when I was trying anything that needed exact precision footwork.

Now for a little confession, I wear the ladies version of these shoes, not the mens! There is a reason for this that some people may or may not know, let's look at the stats:

Mens: WEIGHT: 8.43 oz • 239 g LAST: PD 75 CONSTRUCTION: Slip Lasted FIT: Performance w/ High Asymmetry UPPER: Leather LINING: Dentex MIDSOLE: 1.1mm LaspoFlex (forefoot only) SOLE: 4mm Vibram® XS Grip

Womens: WEIGHT: 8.22 oz • 223 g LAST: Women’s PD 75 CONSTRUCTION: Slip Lasted FIT: Performance w/ High Asymmetry UPPER: Leather LINING: Dentex MIDSOLE: 1.1mm LaspoFlex (forefoot only) SOLE: 4mm Vibram® XS Grip

That will tell you that the ladies shoes are actually lighter than the men's shoes; the rubber is the same, the only difference is the last. To be honest as I've worn both I cannot tell the difference between the lasts at all; what I do know is that where the back of the shoe (where it rests upon your achilles heal) that has the tabs you use to pull them on has extra padding to stop them from digging into you! We all know that when you get a new pair of shoes, especially climbing shoes, that having something dig into the back of your heel sucks; in this case it's actually comfortable!

If you perfer velcro shoes, then this model also comes as your weapon of choice. The only difference between these and the normal mens Miura is the weight, adding the velcro straps (and subsequent stitching) does make them a little heavier; but for a high performance velcro shoe that can be pulled on a off easily, it's not so much of an issue! We've not tried them, but we'll get a pair of these in very soon so we can make sure that they perform like the lace ups.












Above is how my 4th or 5th pair of Miura's looked when I retired them, they took alot of abuse and I was climbing 4 or 5 times a week, they were used for an entire summer outside, mainly in cracks before the toes started going through and I switched to my Anasazi's

Mike: Unfortunately I don't look quite as good in women's shoes as Jeremy but I'm sure the whopping 16g difference between the men's and women's Miruas justifies prancing around in feminine footwear (Sorry J, couldn't resist...). All kidding aside, the Miuras are a milestone in climbing shoe design. I can't think of any other shoe I have seen on more feet in the gym and the crag. What I think makes this shoe a classic is they are truly a solid all around shoe, excelling in every discipline from bouldering to sport to trad.

For me the Miura represented a transition in my journey as a climber. I don't mean to get esoteric but something clicked when I started climbing in these shoes. I can remembering breaking into my first 5.11 which felt hard but natural. The shape of the last places the foot in a very powerful but natural position. Foot placement is intuitive, stiff but not too stiff yet remained sensitive to a broad range of surfaces. I didn't like the idea of laces initially however the design of the closure system is genius. Tightening is fast and provides excellent degrees of securing throughout the shoe. Another noteworthy feature is the heel which is brilliantly simple yet functional in its design allowing for very aggressive heel hooking with little to no pain or worry feel that the shoe is going to tear off.

The Muira is truly groundbreaking through the simplicity and balance of design. Although my Miuras have since been replaced as primary work horse I still like to go back every once and awhile for a climb to remember what a truly great shoe they are.