La Sportiva Skwama Climbing Shoe
The La Sportiva Skwama is a feature-packed advanced bouldering and sport climbing shoe that’s known for a level of comfort unusual in such a sensitive high-performance shoe. La Sportiva have designed the Skwama to be adaptable across all types of climbing, and it will perform best on steep and overhanging technical routes that also include edging, smearing, toe hooks, and heel hooks. Probably their most versatile shoe for climbers seeking all-round high-performance rather than just single-area high-performance.
The Skwama's P3 rand system helps maintains the shoe's aggressive shape, and this combined with the split-sole designed to reduce deformation when edging still provides a decent level of edging stability and support in such a soft shoe. The Skwama really excels at toe and heel hooking, including both the S-Heel™ with an "incompressible rubber insert" to help create a solid and unmoveable hook on holds during torsion-heavy moves, and the elongated toe rubber that provides friction across the entire forefoot.
As for fit, the Skwama features a suede leather / microfibre upper which is lined only in the back. Being part synthetic and part leather, expect it to stretch up to half a size. La Sportiva recommend you fit the Skwama on the snug side for a performance fit. If you're looking for a similar shoe but one that's stiffer and more suited for all-round use, try the Otaki or Kataki shoes which are built on the same last as the Skwama.
Tech specs
Upper material | Microfiber Suede Leather |
Flex | Soft |
Closure type | Velcro |
Sizing and fit | Medium Foot |
Color | Yellow / Black Black/Poppy |
Weight | 0.42 kg (Size 40 EU) |
Last | High Asymmetry |
Sole material | Vibram XS Grip 2 |
Sole thickness | 4mm |
Profile | Downturned |
Lining | Lined (Back Only) |
Features

Vibram XS Grip2™
Rubber compound built for pure friction, recommended for use where maximum grip is the primary need - bouldering and sport climbing, indoor climbing, or extremely smooth, polished routes.

P3® Permanent Power Platform
After intensive abuse, downturned climbing shoes can start to lose their distinctive shape. La Sportiva’s P3 rand system prevents from this happening so your shoe maintains its powerful profile, permanently.

Full Features List
• Patented S-Heel™ construction provides optimal heel hooking manoeuvrability and the perfect heel cup fit
• P3® patented technology coupled with the new innovative split-sole construction allows the sole to spread when weighted, reducing edge deformation
• Sticky rubber toe patch for toe hooks and scums
• AWARDS: Climbing Magazine - Editors' Choice 2017
The size of my foot is 282mm and the size I chose is EU42. I think it's okay to reduce it by half size if you wear it tightly because it is wide.
las mejores gatas que he usado para bloque
Let me just say this upfront. Breaking in the shoe hurts! I downsized 2 sizes down from my street size, and boy the first month of using this, was traumatising! However after a month, I'm starting to like this pair for my indoor bouldering.
Toe box area is wide for people with wide feet like me.
The aggressive downturn of the shoe takes some getting used to, especially since my previous climbing shoe was neutral.
All in all a great all rounder shoe.
Since my feet are wide, had difficulty finding the right shoes.
After I met Skwama, have bought more than 10 shoes continuously.
If I were to say something, the rubbers are damaged faster than other shoes.
Satisfied with the service and quick delivery.
Regarding the shoes:
Bought them as a Pyhton replacement, hoping to use mostly for indoor bouldering - but was surprised by how comfortable straight-out-of-the box and how supportive they are and work well also for edging on verticla rock outside (but not as good as the Katana laces).
The fit is actually quite similar to that of the Katnana laces but with more volume in the toebox for a slightly more curled toe position and more downturn.
The heel is OK but not as prescise or sensitive as the heel on the Pyhthon or Instinct VS.
Overall, very good climbing shoe for both indoor and outdoor single pitch climbing.