As some of you know, I've been publishing in-depth information around La Sportiva's climbing shoes for months now.
I thought that a post devoted specifically to La Sportiva Solution vs Katana would be helpful for most of you.
Because they're both high-performance climbing shoes mainly appeal to at least intermediate climbers.
Overview
If you're a beginner, I'd recommend you stop reading this post and visit my La Sportiva Finale vs Tarantulace or La Sportiva Tarantula vs Tarantulace posts.
But, if you're at least intermediate, then please read on.
In short, if you're planning to climb steep terrains, bouldering, or competitive routes, go for the Solution. But, if you're climbing mostly long routes, routes that need edging, and looking for comfort, then I'd mostly recommend the Katana.
- Katana is much more comfortable and better at edging.
- Solution is more precious, sensitive and offers high performance.
As you see, Solution is more for advanced climbers, while Katana is a good intermediate climbing shoe.
PS: I'm talking about La Sportiva Katana Laces, while I was saying Katana.
- 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 your answer is hard bouldering, steep and overhanging routes, go with Solution.
- If you're doing long routes, moderate climbing, go with Katana.
- Quick differences:
- Solution is more aggressive than the Katana.
- Katana is more durable than the Solution owing to its more rigid rubber.
- Solution is more sensitive than the Katana because of the rubber that Solution has.
- Katana is better at edging than Solution.
- Best uses:
- Katana is an all-around climbing shoe but doesn't excel at any one discipline. Yes, comfortable and less aggressive.
- Solution is more suitable for competitive uses.
Before comparing them in detail, you might want to check La Sportiva Climbing Shoe Comparison Chart.
Let's dive into it.
Rubber
La Sportiva Katana Lace offers comfort
One of the first things that I'll pay attention to when looking at a climbing shoe is the rubber compound of the climbing shoe.
Because the rubber is a layer between our foot and the rock surface. It's a structure that might directly affect our performance.
Although the rubber thickness of these shoes is identical at 4 mm's, also the other important rubber parameter, the type of rubber compound they have, is different.
La Sportiva comes with Vibram XS Grip 2 whereas La Sportiva Katana Laces comes with Vibram XS Edge.
One of the important differences, as you see above, between these shoes is the rubber compound.
Let's talk about the rubber compounds;
- Vibram XS Edge: This compound is developed for maximum support to climbers. It offers edging capability and durability.
- Vibram XS Grip 2: This compound offers a superior grip. It's a very sticky compound and delivers outstanding precision of support and shape stability.
Shortly, Solution is more precious, sensitive, and grip capacity whereas Katana is more durable, edging capacity.
Technology
The Katana Lace isn't an aggressive climbing shoe
The other thing that determines the quality of climbing shoes is the technology the shoe has.
Both shoes have the Permanent Power Platform which is called P3.
The P3 allows the shoe to maintains the shape they have after using many sessions, and also ensuring support to the shoe.
Another technology only one of these shoes has is the Fast Lacing System.
They have a different closure system. La Sportiva Katana Lace has a lace system, as the name implies, whereas La Sportiva Solution has the special velcro closure system. The Solution has technology which allows you to wear faster, and give durability to the shoe. That's the Fast Lacing System.
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.
Differences
The other difference between these shoes that I want to shortly talk about is their shape.
La Sportiva Solution is more aggressive shoes than La Sportiva Katana Lace. This aggressiveness allows you to do better heel hook, toe hook, and more precious footwork.
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 on our age talking about the alchemy of climbing shoes.
Conclusion
Let's lay out their summarized reviews, tech specs, and pros & cons.
Solution
- Weight: 8.89 oz (258 g)
- Last: PD 75
- Fit: Performance w/ high asymmetry
- Upper: Leather/ Lorica®
- Lining: HF (toe-box and arch area only)
- Midsole: 1.1 mm LaspoFlex (forefoot only) with P3®
- Sole: 4 mm Vibram® XS Grip 2™
La Sportiva Solution is aggressively downturned with high asymmetry (medium volume) climbing shoe which is designed for high-performance. Having a durable closure system and additional rubber on the toe box gives a great fit and makes us do edging easily.
Pros
Cons
Katana Laces
- 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 perform with great comfort.
