There are different kinds of rubber used for climbing shoe outsoles. All climbing shoes provide grip; some rubber is stickier and softer than others. The Vibram XS is one such outsole. Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber on the outsole is sticky and useful when smearing on technical climbs.

Vibram XS Edge is a rubber compound that is resistant to deformation caused by razor sharp edges. The four-mm sole is on the brink of a thick or thin sole. It provides support for edging and is very durable.

The platform layer of rubber is not as stiff as some trad shoes nor is it paper-thin. It cannot perform well in two camps, and therefore plays directly to the middle. They do not provide ideal heel hook.

It is more of an issue for women who have a smaller heel than men. It does not creep when smearing. With No-Edge technology, there is a much wider sole surface than traditional climbing shoes.

The LaspoFlex midsole is a lightweight and ultra-thin synthetic fiber-laminate that is designed for maximum torsion rigidity. The ‘last’ is a foot-shaped model that the shoe is built upon. It gives the shoe instep volume and height, and height width and heel and toe dimension.

The Katana is slip-lasted. Slip-lasted climbing shoes tend to be less stiff and more sensitive than board-lasted shoes. They typically do not have insoles. The midsole located above the outsole provides their 'stiffness.'

The downturned last is designed for heel and toe hooking on rock overhangs. It is most appropriate when the route is steep and maximum control and performance are needed. The asymmetrical shape is most extended over the big toe. It increases power on the shoe’s inside edge. It gives shoes a single contact point on the rock.

It has a leather upper, an interior that is lined, and a loop and hook Velcro closure. For a precise fit, the La Sportiva Katana has a hook and loop closing that is highly adjustable. The Velcro closure makes the shoe easy to put on, quick, and comfortable. There are not unruly laces that can rip in cracks.

The opposing hook and loop straps and large Velcro patches ensure the climber gets a customized fit. Strap closures offer superior on and off convenience. They are excellent for gym climbing and bouldering when the climber wants to slip them off between climbs.

The Lorica toe box provides optimum edging power. The toe box was designed with edging in mind. It shows with precision and support on even the smallest edges. The Lorica toe box maintains its shape and provides power while edging.

The shoe is lined with Pacific in the forefoot and Dentex in the back. Pacific provides toe knuckle comfort. Dentex absorbs sweat. Lined leather minimizes the potential to stretch to no more than a half size. Synthetic shoes provide a strict fit that does not change.

A slingshot rand is connected to a power hinge below the arch that controls stretch. The one-piece rubber rand wraps around the entire shoe. The synthetic upper doesn’t stretch and retains its shape assuring the climber has a precise snug fit. It has a mesh tongue for breathability and comfort.

The La Sportiva Katana weighs 7.87 ounces.

The slight downturn of the La Sportiva is less aggressive than the Miura. The flatter fit provides my comfort than shoes with strong arches and allows wearing them for a longer time. Soft, terry cloth material lines the tongue. It is soft on the top of the feet and aids in wicking away sweat and preventing the feet from sliding inside the shoe.

The extra detail makes the shoe more pleasant when worn. The Velcro closure is smaller in Katanas for women than men. It can bunch when cinched. Testers verified complaints about the heel cup of the shoe fit to be a little baggy. The heel does not slip out of the shoe. When climbing, the heel is not often used.

A snug, ideally fitting show would be more comfortable. The heel cup is a matter of personal preference which is influenced by the shape of the foot. Testers rated the shoe as eight out of ten for comfort.

The shoes require a long break-in time. A tester who was not particularly food of the shoe did give it credit for being able to edge on tiny holds and smear efficiently. She tried a pair of women’s Katanas that have a low-volume design compared to the men’s.

She alternated between a second pair of climbing shoes and the Katana until they were stretched to fit her foot. She also gave the shoes credit for improving her footwork. The climber discovered subtle ways to use her feet. After the break-in period, the shoes take climbers nearly anywhere they want to go.

Pointed toes grip the tiniest toe chips and help maintain balance. When choosing a size, opt for tight and small for precision and a delicate feel when climbing sporty climbs and technical routes.

For a comfortable, all-day shoe, choose a size that is larger. Whatever option is selected the shoes will grip and edge well. They are turned down slightly less than the La Sportiva Miura which is better for smearing but less helpful on overhangs. The difference is slight.

They are excellent shoes for the one-shoe quiver. Climbers of any style will enjoy the Katana. The design of the shoe means climbers can get a fine-tuned fit while being able to remove the shoes quickly.

The rounded toe makes the shoe less aggressive than other climbing shoes. They focus the weight more underneath the toes than at the tip. The shoes function as intermediate or advanced technical shoes.

The Katana is classified as a moderate climbing shoe. Moderate climbing shoes have a slightly downturned shape that makes them suitable for technical climbing. They are all-purpose shoes that handle slightly overhung sports routes, long multi-pitch climbs, crack climbs and slab routes. Women’s shoes are typically cut lower around the ankle. They have smaller heel caps. They may have a toe bed that is slightly longer and lower forefoot volume than men’s shoes.

Leather shoes have a deodorizing capacity and are easy to maintain. The shape and stiffness at the front of the shoe make it ideal for edging. The big toe is at the front of the shoe which give great support and control. The power hinge technology provides additional support for the front of the shoe when a climber uses a hold.

Despite repeated abuse, the shoes keep climbing. A critical tester said the shoes could be worn for a few hours on multi-pitch or desert towers. The Katana is an excellent all-around shoe. It performs well in various conditions.

One pair of Katanas can replace three pairs of specialty shoes and achieve nearly the same performance. The Velcro may give out sooner but can be easily fixed. After a couple of years of heavy climbing, the shoes may need to be resoled.

The rand causes the toe to raise enough that it is protected in shallow cracks. The leather provides a solid layer of protection for jamming feet. Competitors keep that area of the shoe thin, making jamming painful.

The Katana also manages toe-hooks well due to the protective leather layer. Katana broke the trend of offering decent performance in numerous situation or performing well on a particular rock type. The shoes handle nearly everything well and sometimes better than most specialty shoes and other all-around shoes.

Testers gave the Katana an eight out of ten rating for edging. The No-Edge technology develops the shoe around the natural shape of the foot, completely revolutionizing the concept of the traditional climbing shoe.

No-Edge technology traces the shape of the foot which allows a closer and more uniform distance between the rock surface and the foot during both static and dynamic pace. The rounded shape allows the foot to fit homogeneously and a great rubber surface enable the climber to balance the position and inclination of the foot on the holds.

In traditional climbing shoes, the pressure exerted by the climber focuses more on the width of the sole. With No-Edge technology, weight is distributed more evenly on a more considerable amount of surface rubber. The distribution is evidenced by the type of wear to which the shoe is exposed. Words used to describe No-edge technology are sensational, amazing, fluid, intuitive, enjoyable, fun, and perfect.

The precision toe of the Katana allows for adequate sensitivity when smearing and edging. The sensitivity of the shoes was given a nine out of ten rating by testers. The moderate asymmetry and slight downturn of the shoes make them aggressive enough for edging with a comfortable and secure fit.

The outsole is not as sensitive as a thinner sole. Outsole thickness affects the feel and performance of a shoe. Beginning climbers benefit from a thick shole. It lasts longer as they work on their footwork technique. A thick sole provides support. It does not cause fatigue as quickly. Thin soles are typically best for smearing on slab routes. Climbers who hone their technique prefer a thin sole for better feel or the rocks.

The flat shape allows the shoes to perform in cracks. When the toes are bunched in the front, they become uncomfortable in a shoe that is curved. The Katana is more relaxed making it easier to find purchase and wedges toe into a crack.

Testers gave the shoes an eight out of ten rating for crack climbing. The bit of downturn gives climbers an advantage over something flatter when toeing into pockets. Testers were less impressed with the amount of aggressiveness the shape provides to keep pulling in on pockets. They rated the shoes as six out of ten for pockets.

The shoes are well-constructed leather that will last a while and climb on any terrain. The Katana is at home on sports routes as it is on trad climbing in the high mountains. It is perfect for technical face climbing, gym climbing, bouldering, and overhang sports routes.

The shoe is sticky enough to attack the dime edge of a granite dihedral confidently. The Katana excels in cracks. The shoes perform like a champ while using tiny rounded foot nubs, smearing, and edging but are not as useful for toeing overhanging walls.

The shoes are expensive, but at $150 they are less than the Muira or Solution. Most top climbing shoes are priced at about $170. The Katana is a deal.

* 1.1mm full-length LaspoFlex midsoles
* 4mm Vibram XS Grip 2 sole
* Lined with Pacific and Dentex lining
* Leather upper
* Lorica toe box
* Opposing hook and loop closure that creates tension for excellent fit
* Recommended for various terrains
* Slightly downturned and asymmetrical
* Slingshot rand
* Slip-lasted construction
* Weighs 7.87 ounces

The Katana is an all-around climbing shoe that is downturned slightly less than others. They are excellent for climbs when the curve in the foot is neither needed nor wanted such as a long moderate route or on a slab. It is an iconic shoe, recommended for climbers of all abilities. It provides a stable platform and retains maximum sensitivity.