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La Sportiva Solution Comp - Women's Review

This model gets major props for steep climbing and bouldering thanks to its aggressive shape, precision, and comfortable design
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La Sportiva Solution Comp - Women's Review (The Solution Comp happily at home in a small pocket.)
The Solution Comp happily at home in a small pocket.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Price:  $209 List
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Manufacturer:   La Sportiva
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 19, 2024
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 19
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Smearing - 20% 9.0
  • Edging - 20% 5.0
  • Pulling - 20% 9.5
  • Cracks - 20% 7.0

Our Verdict

Ok, this time, La Sportiva has really done it. After a redesign of the original Solution that left many of us wanting more, the company has now come out with a fully revamped version of this tried and true classic. Welcome the La Sportiva Solution Comp. This shoe shares many of the same features as the classic Solution, with a few major upgrades. First, and probably most obviously, is the addition of a full rubber toe patch for scumming and toe hooking. Second is the revamping of the heel, which is narrower and more sensitive than that of its sister model. Additionally, the Solution Comp breaks in more quickly and seems to offer a better overall fit (at least for our foot.) With a downturned shape, a precise toe, and a well-fitting heel, this shoe is a powerhouse for steep climbing. For folks seeking a technical shoe that can help you smear, edge, and heel hook up steep routes, the Solution Comp is the ticket. See how it measures up versus competitors in our review of women's climbing shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Super sensitive
Comfortable for aggressive design
Great for pocket climbing
Good for heel hooking
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Specific fit can be painful for some
Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 19, 2024, to reflect changes in our scoring metrics.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Bouldering
Top Pick Award
Best for Trad Climbing
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Climbing Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
A Great Value for Beginners
Price $209.00 at REI
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line From toeing in on steep terrain to standing on small holds to heel hooking, this shoe does it allA do-it-all shoe that is a new fan favorite for difficult cracks and multi-pitch climbingThese high-performance slippers work well for almost all types of climbing, from cracks to steep sport climbs to boulderingAn ideal shoe for a beginner climber: soft, comfortable, and great for moderate terrainA shoe that is great for all-day wear and is easy to take on and off
Rating Categories La Sportiva Solutio... La Sportiva Katana... La Sportiva Skwama... Five Ten Kirigami -... La Sportiva Tarantu...
Comfort (20%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Smearing (20%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
4.0
Edging (20%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
Pulling (20%)
9.5
9.0
9.0
4.0
4.0
Cracks (20%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Specs La Sportiva Solutio... La Sportiva Katana... La Sportiva Skwama... Five Ten Kirigami -... La Sportiva Tarantu...
Style Velcro Lace Velcro Velcro Lace
Weight (Per Pair, size 37) 0.95 lb 1.09 lb 0.95 lb 0.99 lb 0.97 lb
Upper Leather/microfiber Microfiber/leather Leather/microfiber Synthetic Leather/microfiber
Lining Lycra tongue/ unlined Full-length LaspoFlex with P3 system Unlined Synthetic Unlined
Sole Rubber Vibram XS Grip2 Vibram XS Edge Vibram XS Grip2 Stealth C4 Frixion RS
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Fit Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Low Asymmetry Low Asymmetry

Our Analysis and Test Results

Stomping smears, cranking on heel hooks, and all matter of overhanging trickery are the name of the game in the Solution Comp. Its unique Lock Harness and Fast Lacing Systems provide a precise fit designed to provide additional support through the heels for steep climbing.

Performance Comparison


la sportiva solution comp for women - an exciting lip encounter in the solution comp. this shoe is perfect...
An exciting lip encounter in the Solution Comp. This shoe is perfect for pulling into small pockets.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Comfort


To the untrained eye, the Solution Comp looks even more intimidating than the original Solution. Its rubber-covered toe box, flashy Velcro straps, and stretchy tongue make the Comp look uncomfortable and aggressive at first glance.


In testing, however, we discovered that these shoes break in quickly and fairly easily. The toe box on the Solution Comp is slightly roomier than the old Solution, allowing toes to curl into a powerful position without feeling cramped. The midsole hugs the arch of the foot comfortably without binding. We will admit that these shoes were a bit challenging to get on at first, with the rubber toe box limiting stretch. This didn't seem to be a lingering issue, though, and after the third or fourth time putting these shoes on, our feet slipped right into them. The synthetic, stretchy tongue locks the foot in place, while the Velcro strap provides a surprising level of fine-tuning in terms of fit.

la sportiva solution comp for women - the stretchy tongue and single velcro strap make the solution comp...
The stretchy tongue and single Velcro strap make the Solution Comp about as easy as it gets to put on and take off.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Just like its sister shoe, the Solution Comp is designed for performance climbing, meaning that it can feel a bit uncomfortable at first. Some folks simply don't like this style of shoe, claiming the soft slipper design causes long-term foot pain. One option to remedy this is to have another pair of more comfortable shoes for warming up, saving the Comps for your project. This tactic keeps toes fresh and can alleviate some of the discomforts of wearing such an aggressively shaped shoe.

la sportiva solution comp for women - the first few times we put them on, it was a little tough to get our...
The first few times we put them on, it was a little tough to get our feet in these aggressively shaped slippers. But over time, they stretched out to be very comfortable.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Smearing


The Solution Comp is a surprisingly sensitive shoe. Though we wouldn't wear these all the time on slabs, the Comp's soft sole and super sensitive toe box allowed us to smear with confidence on low-angle terrain. Perhaps because they were designed with volumes in mind, these shoes are sensitive, smearing masters.


The revised heel cup also makes these shoes great for heel hooking, while the addition of rubber on the top of the shoe makes for impressive toe hooking performance as well. Over the years, the previous version's heel cup received many complaints for being bulky and lacking sensitivity. The design of the Comp is a response to these complaints, with a narrower, softer heel cup that conforms to the shape of the foot to provide a “locker” heel hooking platform. We're impressed.

la sportiva solution comp for women - heel hooks with a view. the soft rubber offers outstanding smearing...
Heel hooks with a view. The soft rubber offers outstanding smearing ability, no matter what part of the shoe is in contact with the rock.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Edging


The Solution Comp is a relatively soft shoe. It has an even softer midsole than the OG version, making them not the best option for serious edging.


A stiff midsole creates a platform that extends perpendicular to the edge so that the shoe is doing some of the work of keeping you on your feet. This doesn't happen in the Solution Comp, and sustained edging can be a recipe for painful feet in these shoes.

la sportiva solution comp for women - their soft midsole makes the solution comp great on steep walls, but...
Their soft midsole makes the Solution Comp great on steep walls, but not ideal for edges.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Pulling


In short, these shoes rock for pulling and pockets. The Solution Comp has the distinct tapered toe box of the classic version, which looks like it is designed specifically for steep climbing.


Their downturned shape lets you pull into the wall with your toes, helping keep body tension on steep walls. As the saying goes, when the going gets steep, get the Solution Comps (or something like that!).

la sportiva solution comp for women - the aggressively shaped solution comp is almost perfectly designed...
The aggressively shaped Solution Comp is almost perfectly designed for pulling into tight pockets.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Crack Climbing


Though we didn't like the original model for sustained cracks, we felt like there could be a place on the spectrum of crack climbs for the Solution Comp. Perhaps small finger cracks or a sporty trad route could be the crack climbing application for the Comp. The extra rubber on top of the toe box adds durability for jamming.


That said, their downturned shape and aggressive design make it obvious that these shoes are not meant for sustained crack climbing. A stiffer shoe with a flatter shape is a much better option for crack climbing in general.

la sportiva solution comp for women - though the solution comp isn't designed for crack climbing, we see...
Though the Solution Comp isn't designed for crack climbing, we see its potential (far off in the distance) for specific projects.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Should You Buy The Women's Solution Comp?


These shoes are impressive in many ways. In terms of a soft, aggressively shaped slipper meant for high-performance, steep rock climbing, we were hard-pressed to find anything on the market that compares to the Solution Comp. They combine comfort, fit, and design into a tight, stylish package that makes any climber want to try hard. We especially liked the updated toe box, which is slightly wider and has a bit more rubber on top when compared to the classic version. The modified heel also provided more sensitivity and security for aggressive heel hooking. It was hard to find anything we didn't like about the Solution Comp, and they seemed just to get better and better the more we wore them.

What Other Climbing Shoes Should You Consider?


As with most shoes from La Sportiva – especially their top-performing, technical models – the Solution Comp is an investment. These are high-performance shoes with a high-end price tag, so purchasing them might require some serious consideration. If you're just starting out, the cost may not be worth it for the specificity of this model. Less expensive and more versatile models like the intro-level La Sportiva Tarantulace or the more advanced La Sportiva Miura are more versatile options.

Jane Jackson