Likes
The Nago is La Sportiva's price-point shoe, ringing in at only $99. They are tailored for beginner to intermediate climbers, being not very stiff or very down-turned. This makes them a very comfortable shoe that could easily be worn all day. This also makes a great shoe for if you are just starting out and just getting used to cramming your feet into little, curved shoes. Also, because of the lack of stiffness, these shoes are really comfortable for jamming in cracks. I used them in Indian Creek, and was actually pretty impressed with how these shoes handled there. The laces won't hold up for too long, but I found the Nagos to be comfortable and useful in cracks. These shoes are very comparable to the Evolv Elektra, which is also an inexpensive shoe that is great for beginners. The Nago is a lace-up, which is more likely to fit well on a very narrow foot, while the Elektra is velcro. I feel that the rubber on the Nago's is a little stickier than on the Elektras as well.
Dislikes
One of the things that makes this a great beginner shoe, the lack of an aggressive slingshot, makes it not the most useful for a more experienced climber. This shoe feels pretty floppy and not very stiff, so it is not great at edging like the stiffer Miura. The XS Edge rubber on these shoes feels less sticky than the XS Grip rubber on many other La Sportiva shoes, but it seems very durable. Also, the synthetic leather, which makes the shoe less expensive, wears quicker than real leather. I had spots on the side of my shoes rub off, though it didn't make much difference in the performance of the shoe.
Best Application
The Nago is a great all-around shoe. It is comfortable to wear all day and works well for crack climbing. I would not recommend these for bouldering or for really hard sport sends, but they are a great option as a first shoe or a quick replacement while getting another pair resoled.
Value
Besides the Evolv Elektra, this is the least expensive shoe reviewed. If you are on a budget or just starting out in this sport and are trying to accumulate gear, the Nago is a great deal. With the Nago you get a quality, well-made shoe for less money than most climbing shoes.
Other Versions
Comparable Sportiva models;
La Sportiva Katana - Women's or
La Sportiva Miura - Women's
