REASONS TO BUY
High performance for its price
All-around performer
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
More expensive than other entry level shoes
Slow on and off
Not ideal for micro edges and smears
La Sportiva Nago - Men's Review
La Sportiva Nago - Men's
Credit: sportiva.com
Price: $99 List
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief ⋅ Jun 7, 2015
RELATED: Best Climbing Shoes of 2024
Our Verdict
The Nago is a high quality shoe for $100. It is a great introductory shoe, especially if you climb outside a lot. The shoe edges well and is quite comfortable. We liked it better than the La Sportiva Mantis or Scorpion, which both felt much more clunky and mushy. The Nago is much more precise, whether it's handling edging, cracks or smearing. It is one of our favorite shoes in the price range. If you are just starting to climb and really on a budget, we lean more toward the Mad Rock Flash. The Miura is your best bet for a high-performing precision shoe. But if you want a lot of value in a nice package, especially for outdoor climbing, this is hard to beat for the money.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Likes
After climbing in so many super-arched aggressive shoes, it is nice to step into a comfortable flat shoe like the Nago. If you size them comfortably you can climb all day in them. They are relatively stiff so you can also size them a little small and get relatively good edging power. Overall, they give a bunch of performance for their price. They are also well-ventilated and very versatile. You can stand around in them all day on a multi-pitch climb but they are also small and nimble enough that they don't hold you back when gym climbing or at the boulders.
Dislikes
There is not much to dislike about this shoe but it does have stiff competition. The Mad Rock Flash is only $75 and also a great entry level shoe. Unlike the Flash, if you size the Nago tight for more performance you can't get them on and off quick like a Velcro shoe. Also, after climbing in a more aggressive-shaped shoe it is really apparent how much less power goes to the toe in a flat shoe as opposed to a shoe like the La Sportiva Solution. This is not a big deal if you are starting to climb. But if you are comparing these to high-performance shoes there is a big difference.
Like Moccasym, the unlined red leather uppers leak red dye on your foot. Not a big deal, but not conducive to putting on flip flops after you climb and are walking around town.
Best Application
These are a great first climbing shoe, especially if you climb outdoors a lot. If you mostly climb in the gym, we would go with something less expensive like the La Sportiva Scorpion or Mantis.
Value
For under $100, these shoes are an excellent value.
—
Chris McNamara
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