La Sportiva Kataki is on duty
As some of you already know, I've been publishing in-depth information around La Sportiva's climbing shoes for months now.
Even though many of the features of the Katana Lace is nearly identical to that of the Kataki, these shoes have still differences.
I thought that a post devoted specifically to La Sportiva Kataki vs Katana would be helpful for most of you.
Overview
If you're a newbie, I'd recommend you stop reading this post and visit my La Sportiva Tarantula vs Tarantulace and La Sportiva Finale vs Tarantulace posts.
If, on the other hand, you're at least intermediate, then read on.
In short, if you're planning to do mostly sport climbing, steep climbing, or crack climbing, I'd recommend the Kataki. But, you're mostly doing slab, trad climbing, or all-day multi-pitch climbing, then I'd recommend the Katana Lace.
- Kataki is more downturned and has a lower volume toe box.
- Katana Lace is more comfortable.
- I'd recommend basing your decision primarily on your answer to the following question: What kind of climbing are you planning to do mostly?
- If you're doing trad climbing, long multi-pitch routes, or routes that require a bit of comfort, go with the Katana Lace.
- If your answer is routes that require smearing, single pitch, steep climbing, crack climbing, or technical granite crack, go with the Kataki.
- Quick differences:
- The Kataki is a little narrower and a touch more symmetrical than the Katana Lace.
- The Kataki is more aggressive than the Katana Lace.
- The Katana Lace is more comfortable than the Kataki.
- The Kataki has a lot more rand tension on the Achilles.
- The Katana Lace has PD 55 whereas the Kataki has PD 75.
- The Kataki has S-Heel technology while the Katana Lace hasn't.
- The Kataki is for low volume whereas the Katana Lace is for medium volume.
- Quick similarity:
- They both come with P3 technology.
- They have 4 mm rubber thicknesses and the Vibram XS Edge.
- They both have a lace closure system.
Before comparing them in detail, you might want to check La Sportiva Climbing Shoe Comparison Chart.
Similarities
Still comfortable while chilling (La Sportiva Katana Lace)
As I always say, one of the important features of climbing shoes is the compound of the rubber.
They're a lot of similarities between these shoes and you might guess the one and important similarity is the rubber compound.
They're both equipped with the Vibram XS Edge. The Vibram XS Edge offers us to do better edging and gives to shoe durability.
The other important rubber parameter, the thicknesses of the rubber, is also identical at 4 mm's. It also gives shoe durability but takes sensitivity. Also, their midsole is 1.1 mm LaspoFlex with P3.
The P3 (Permanent Power Platform) midsole is a technology that is developed to deliver power to the sole and to maintain the downturned shape of the shoe which means that even after you smear so many times, the shape of the downturn will lose very little.
As I mentioned, they have a lot in common. They also have the same closure system which is a lace-up closure system. The Lace-up closure system allows you to adjust the fit of climbing shoes whatever way you want to.
Differences
Trying to break-in the Kataki
The first difference that you might easily see is the amount of downturn and asymmetry of the two shoes' lasts.
The Kataki's last is PD 75 which means that the Kataki is more downturned and aggressive whereas the Katana Lace's last is PD55 which means that the Katana Lace is more comfortable.
Secondly, their asymmetry is different. The Kataki has a slightly higher degree of asymmetry which means that the Kataki has a more pointy toe box. Also, their volume is different from each other. The Kataki is for low volume foot whereas the Katana Lace is for medium volume.
The last difference that I want to talk about is their upper. The Katana Lace has a leather upper whereas the Kataki has suede leather which means that The Katana Lace stretches more than the Kataki.
The S-Heel construction provides better heel-hooking and perfect heel cup fit.
This feature gives better heel-hooking maneuverability to the Kataki
Conclusion
Let's lay out their summarized review, tech specs, and pros & cons.
Finding perfect climbing shoes that perform easily in every territory or every style of climbing is impossible. We have to find out and analyze the shoes that we want to use.
Even the best climbers have more than one pair of shoes for different routes and types of rocks. Of course, they have a favorite one.
You can check the video below that made by one of the best climbers of our age talking about the alchemy of climbing shoes.
Kataki
- Weight: 9.4 oz (266g)
- Last: PD 75
- Fit: Performance w/high asymmetry
- Upper: Suede Leather/Microfiber
- Lining: Pacific (in front and black)
- Midsole: 1.1 mm LaspoFlex with P3®
- Sole: 4 mm Vibram® XS Edge™
La Sportiva Kataki offers a high-level performance and excels at toeing-in on micro-edges. This shoe is designed for steep edging and precise footwork.
Pros
Cons
Katana Lace
- Weight: 8.71 oz (247 g)
- Last: PD 55
- Fit: Tech Fit w/Medium asymmetry
- Upper: Leather /Lorica®
- Lining: Pacific (forefoot and back)
- Midsole: 1.1 mm full-length LaspoFlex with P3®
- Sole: 4 mm Vibram® XS Edge™
La Sportiva Katana Lace is a slight downturn, asymmetrical toe box, and having XS Edge make it better at edging. The Katana is an all-around climbing shoe and also allows you to do edging, smearing, slightly high performance with great comfort.
Pros
Cons
I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the shoe(s) in your mind.
Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.
Guide: Climbing Shoes
Start here:
Thank you for reading.
