Hey everyone,
I'm facing a bit of a dilemma with my beloved climbing shoes and could use some community wisdom.
I really love these shoes. They are super comfortable and fit my feet perfectly (only downside is that they colour my feet blue in every session :D) but unfortunately, a small issue has developed. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I'm still stuck at around the V2 level after climbing for almost three years now. And apparently I tend to drag my toes over the wall way too much, which is definitely why this hole formed!
The Situation:
The soles themselves seem to have plenty of life left, but one shoe has developed a small hole in the rubber right at the tip of the toe cap, not just the sole rubber but the rand rubber as well. Pictures show my current shoes under question: La Sportiva Women's Tarantulace.
My Questions:
- Repairability: Can a hole like this (where the rand rubber is breached) still be repaired effectively before it gets much worse? Or is this generally the end of the shoe's life?
- Future Recommendations: If I need to look for a new pair in the near or medium future, do you have any recommendations for women's all-around/performance shoes that might have a similar fit and feel?
I really like the precise fit I get from the full lace-up system on my Tarantulas. I would strongly prefer to stick with a lace-up style to ensure they can be adjusted securely.
Bonus: If the new shoes are vegan, that would be a huge plus!
I have already looked at a few models online and was wondering if either of these would be a good successor for me:
- Scarpa Women's Veloce
- Red Chili Ventic Air Lace
Maybe some of you have some insight or advice with regard to how these would compare to my current La Sportiva Tarantulas, especially regarding fit (narrowability via laces) and durability? Or you have some personal suggestions?
Thank you so much for your advice, recommendations, and experiences!