The Solution gave me much more confidence due to their structure and fit. The downturn didn't pain my heel or arch like other shoes I tried. I enjoy the exact toe and the "cup" beneath the toe for jugs. I wear 7's in normal shoes, and purchased 7's in solutions. They fit tight and great. I would not have chosen another size, having owned them for half a year.
"Sweet for bouldering and taking it to the next level"
04/08/13
These shoes took my climbing to the next level! They hurt so bad, I'm still breaking them in from when I got them five months ago, but it's amazing how you can stand on the tiniest little pebble and it feels like a ledge. My normal shoe size is an 8-8.5 and I sized these down to a women's 6.5 (37.5). Bomber heel hooking capability and are great for bouldering. They will def be my go-to shoe once I finally get them fully broken in!
ProsThese shoes are incredibly aggressive and great with toe/heel hooks and amazing on small footholds. I have really flat feet, and these are the only shoes that give me solid heel hooks.ConsAlso, the strap on the shoes has broken after 10 months of use - And that goes for all the pairs of these Solutions that I've owned. There are companies that can repair the straps and also resole the shoes, but I always just end up buying a new pair of shoes since the stench from the shoes becomes unbearable. Despite the small flaws in the shoes, I absolutely love these shoes. Will continue to purchase these Solutions...especially from Moosejaw!!!
These shoes are incredible. The break in period was about 10 hrs climbing. maybe a little less and it was kinda painful but they fit like a glove now. I will continue buying solutions from here on out. I wear a street 9.5 and wear 7(39.5). The heel is bomber. the rubber is sticky. the fit is perfect, the toe is durable. have had for 4 months climbing 10-30 hrs/week. Great shoe!
"Crazy good toe with an exceptional heel!"
10/29/12
What is there to say about this shoe that hasn't been said before? It's fantastic! I ordered mine in 38 even though 38.5 were super snug (no pain, no gain?) and it is almost painfully tight. almost. (I usually wear a 8.5 street size). This shoe would probably stick to a baby covered in baby oil and you could probably sleep upside-down with the heel. My only complaint is the stitching on the inside of the heel can really rub on your ankles, but then again it's probably my fault for buying it so small.... :D
The solutions are just that. The perfect go to shoe for bouldering at whatever your limits are. Rubber is great, the shoe is sensitive, neoprene sleeve lets your size it perfectly, the only complaint I have is the strap on my right shoe broke. Luckily they are tight enough that I don't need it, but still a bummer. I guess Sportiva will fix the strap within a year of purchase, but who wants to go without shoes for a couple of weeks?Mine are about due for a resole, and I'm thinking of getting another pair in the interim. Sizing for me was 2 street sizes down. If I end up getting another pair I'll go 2.5. Hurts to put on at first, but they break in perfectly!
I really enjoyed the two pairs of Solutions that I owned, each lasting me nearly 8 months of constant 5 days a week bouldering. My only problem was that the heel was too big for my foot which made hooking very difficult. In return, the tiny jib on top of the toe box provides for some of the best toe hooking ever. Sometimes too good and your foot can get a little stuck of high tension routes. Overall though 5 out of 5.
"climbing 4 times a week and these shoes jumped me up to levels"
03/12/12
Love the fit of these shoes. Gives me full confidence in placing my fat old 220 lbs on the smallest chips while bouldering. Understand the issue with the strap but it works and locks you in tight. Know going in it could break. If it does you will have to send them in to get replaced but also keep your shoes clean and this is less of an issue. Note with any webbing that dust and dirt will break it down so keep them clean and understand tahtthis is the wear point for these shoes.Coach Ken out!!!!
"4 climbs a week and increased at least two levels with this shoe."
03/12/12
Finally invested in a new pair of shoes and these have helped so much. They feel so perfect in the heal. Make sure and downsize to the point of discomfort as the toe box will really open up after 15-20 days of wearing. I have so much confidence in my ability to lock into tiny chips with these and at my 220 lbs of fat old man that says a lot. I can see what the issue is with the small strap for sinching in but for the comfort and fit Iwould do nothing other than these shoes. LOVE THEM.Coach Ken signing out.
To say the least, i am a shoe person. I absolutely love to buy shoes and cannot seem to get enough of them. A few months ago, i picked up solutions because i saw almost everyone who was anyone at my local gym wear them. I instantly fell in love and can completely understand why they all use them. They are no comfortable but they sure do work. Solutions are definitely one of the most aggressive shoes i've ever worn and they help so much when i try harder bouldering problems. Although they do hurt at first they absolutely (emphasis on absolutely) stretch so make sure you buy the right size! When i originally tried them on i literarily could not even walk in them but now they fit like a glove.
"The most comfortable agressive shoe you will ever wear!"
02/25/12
Only two features I dislike about the solution are the toe and the tie down. First off the tie downs on my shoes were wearing down on my shoe, I remedied that with a small amount of athletic tape over the worn spot on the strap. Everyone else I know with shoe has broken theirs. Second off the toe does not have the best edge in my opinion and the bulge on the toe make the shoe insensitive which is a negative for me. on the bright side the heel is fantastic!!
Along the same lines as many of the other reviews, these shoes are RAD! The rubber is awesome, amazing heel for hooking, nice toe rand (be careful not to scrape it the wrong way though; quite possible it could peel off), great moc-type fit (makes the velcro strap somewhat unnecessary, which is good since it has a tendency to break- this is an easy fix). For fit I sized down from about a US7 street shoe to 36s in Solutions.Features make it great for overhangs, edging, heeling, & toeing on nothing. Smearing isn't so great until they're really broken in. My next shoes will definitely be la sports if they're anything like these.
$103.99
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