REASONS TO BUY
Well constructed upper
Very durable and comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Too thick around toe
Not very precise
Scarpa Thunder - Women's Review
Credit: Scarpa
Our Verdict
Overall, the Scarpa Thunder stands out for being comfortable, fitting snugly, and having a very well made upper. I know quite a few people who have these shoes and love them. They are not very expensive for a high quality shoe, which makes them very appealing. If you like a very precise toe, then this shoe is not for you, you should try the La Sportiva Katana - Women's or La Sportiva Miura - Women's, but if you like a little extra edge on your shoes, then the Thunder is great. If you like the 5.10 Siren, this shoe is very comparable, but less expensive.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
What stands out most about the Scarpa Thunder, is the very well constructed upper. I feel like Scarpa puts a lot of thought and attention into the entire design of the shoe and leaves you with a comfortable, durable and well made upper to go with a very functional, and sticky sole. (This is unlike the 5.10 Siren, where I feel the upper lacks some workmanship and attention to detail.) This also makes the Thunder one of the most comfortable shoes. It it hugs my foot in all the right places, especially under the arch of the foot, feeling snug and secure. This is great when climbing because my foot doesn't slide around inside at all.
Dislikes
Even though I love how this shoe fits, I feel like the toe is a little bulky and not very precise. I feel exactly the same way about the 5.10 Siren, there just seems to be extra rubber in front of my big toe that can help with edging, but makes me feel like I can't feel the rock with my feet. This could make this a great shoe for beginners, because it gives a little extra edging help, however I prefer the more precise toe of the 5.10 Anasazi or the La Sportiva W's Miura.
Best Application
I think this shoe is great for an all day shoe, but it is great for just about any kind of climbing. It is only slightly down-turned, is comfortable, and the rubber is on the tougher side (the same as the rubber on La Sportiva Shoes.) I have used this shoe a bunch in Tuolumne Meadows where you do a lot of edging, smearing, and often times toe-jamming in cracks. If you don't climb that often or only want one pair of climbing shoes, the Thunders could do anything.
Value
I feel that the upper of this shoe is durable enough to last through a few resoles of the bottom if the rubber wears out, which would make this shoe a good investment, and it is in the middle in terms of cost ringing in at $109, so it won't break the bank.
—
McKenzie Long
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