Skwama

The Skwama is great for edging thanks to its hard, pointy toe and has some extra width; it stretched quite a bit after two months.

Chose the Skwama for their wide feet, sized down 2 EU sizes, and can comfortably knuckle their toes and climb a ton.

Skwamas are their favourite shoes.

The Skwama toebox fits snug and precise, but its P3 tensioning destroys their Achilles and gave them Haglund's.

Their favorite indoor shoe of all time (5/5): the most versatile indoor shoe, comfortable wide toebox, easier edging than soft shoes and a cup heel that works regardless of fit.

Has two downsized pairs of Skwama, one for performance and heel hooks and one for sport and smearing; never unbearable and they didn't stretch much.

Their first aggressive shoe, the Skwama, was loved for the control on small edges; waited too long to resole and wore them out.

Rates the Skwama 10/10, the best La Sportiva technical shoe for their bunions: very wide toe box, low volume, amazing heel; owned 4-5 pairs, though the stock sole is thick and not very sensitive.

The Skwama's boxier toe box suits their flat, wide feet; their most comfortable aggressive shoe after break-in.

The women's Skwama fits them amazingly as a man; bought five pairs.

Using Skwamas while their Indalos are resoled, but isn't a fan.

Uses old Skwamas outdoors when they need a stiffer shoe, though the heel is meh for tricky heel hooks.

Has used and loved the normal Skwama, though the heel isn't perfect for them.

The Skwama fits their foot shape like a glove.

With very narrow, small heels, the Skwama is one of the only shoes that works for them.

Owns Solutions, Futuras and Skwamas; the Skwama heel fits their narrow ankle pretty well.

The women's Skwama fit them well except the high heel digging into the Achilles.

With a similar toe shape, is fine in the Skwama two sizes under street after trying everything.

Loves their Skwamas and kept climbing in them until they went off for a resole.

Their 39.5 Skwamas are their current shoe and they really like them for most things, mostly indoor bouldering.

As a 105 kg climber they own the Skwama and call it an amazing shoe.

Owns two pairs of Skwamas: a great bouldering shoe that's aggressive but doesn't hurt and works for sport too without breaking the bank.

Likes the Skwama: soft and really comfortable if it fits your foot shape, fine for intermediate climbers.

Used them for several years, including a resole, and bought another pair after trying on six or seven others. The rigid heel fits perfectly and never pops off on hard heel hooks, and the P3 rand adds stability on tiny footholds. Grip and comfort have never been a problem.

“the heel just fit my foot so perfectly unlike any other shoe I've tried on and is nice and rigid so it really gives a lot of confidence on aggressive heel hooks”

Has gone through more pairs of Skwamas than any other shoe but still can't decide on them. They shine indoors, but the soft midfoot demands strong feet, and outdoors they often wish they had their stiffer Miura VS.

“The basic "problem" is that the shoe is so soft under the midfoot longitudinal axis that if you don't have strong, well-conditioned feet, this shoe is going to remind you of your shortcomings.”

Their pair delaminated in several spots around the toe patch starting two weeks after purchase, without much toe hooking.

“my pair experienced quite a lot of it, and in multiple spots around the toe patch... Not sure if I got a defective pair or not, but it was certainly frustrating to see.”

A wide, flat-footed climber who tried about 30 shoes before settling on the Skwama. Owns a half size down for performance, which is great but a little painful, and a street-size pair that is very comfortable for long sessions.

“I'm normally EUR-45, I have Skwama at EUR-44.5, and they're great, still a bit painful, but I bought -0.5 size for performance, then have a EUR-45 for long climbing sessions, very comfy.”

Has used Skwamas for years. A new pair's heel cup gives Achilles blisters until the shoe stretches out a lot; they buy one and a half sizes down, and find the Scarpa Instinct VSR more comfortable.

“As someone who’s go to has been the skwamas for literally years and years I can say with great confidence that they are not. The heel cup is their main issue”

Climbing three times a week, theirs need a resole after five to six months; the soft rubber feels footholds well but wears away quickly, especially on small holds.

“I use mine 3 times a week for 5-6 months and I can send them to resole. I think this is due to soft rubber, which as you said, is great for feeling the footholds”

Went one size down from their street size for comfort and finds them on the comfortable side while still snug.

“Mine I wanted comfortable so I was deciding between 1 and 2 down. I went with 1, so 45 with me street size 46. They are on the more comfortable side of the spectrum for sure, but still snuggly.”

On their second pair after trying over 100 shoes, and still their favourite all-rounder: a middle ground between stiff and soft. Their first pair, two sizes down, stayed painfully tight for ten months; one and a half down broke in fast and climbs great.

“I have bought two pairs of La Sportiva Skwama and I absolutely love them. Incredibly fun shoe to climb on and after trying 100+ shoes and having bought approx 18, it's still my favorite all rounder”

Got a pair for $69 in a sale and finds them really good shoes; finds the leather version softer and more comfortable than the vegan one they usually buy.

“Got a pair of Skwama for $69, when backcountry provided heavy discount on unassorted items. Really good climbing shoes. I usually buy the vegan version as it's usually much cheaper”

The Skwama never fitted them: big-toe pain lasted the whole life of the sole while leaving air pockets under the middle of the foot. Doesn't blame the shoe itself, only the fit.

“Skwamas felt so horrible on my feet, the pain on my big toe didn't go away during the entire lifespan of the sole and yet I had air pockets in the middle of the sole of my foot.”

Their favourite shoe for two and a half years and well suited to intermediates. The heel gaps a little, so they wear thin socks, but the width suits their flat feet and the downturn gives arch support.

“This has been my favorite shoe for the last two and a half years. I picked it up because it was recommended for intermediate climbers and I definitely agree with that.”

Their first shoe, now on a second pair, sized 2.5 EU down. After two or three sessions it feels great; heel and toe hooks work well, though at 95 kg they want something stiffer for edging. Wore through the rubber in under three months at twice a week.

“i downsized 2.5 eu sizes down (45-42.5) and after break in ( 2-3 sessions) feels great after every warmup, can go 45 min no breaks or 2-3 h sessions with regular break”

Gets on well with the Skwama, a great shoe though a bit imprecise because of its width.

Swapped Instinct VSRs for the Skwama: it fit better, but the heel still felt a little baggy in a 42.5 against a street size of about 43.5–44 on their narrow foot and heel.

Has owned several pairs of both the Skwama and the Instinct VSR and would pick the Skwama for life: the 4 mm rubber outlasts the VSR's and the leather build is a great all-rounder.

Rates the Skwama 9/10, maybe the best-fitting shoe for their feet: a whole session without discomfort, precise on edges, bendy enough for smears, full toe hook coverage and a wide strap; the rubber lasted 1.5 years.

Skwama solved their Achilles pain with a well-fitting heel cup; slightly narrower than Instincts and the stiff heel lip still needs to soften.

Had the vegan Skwamas; good shoes but the heel doesn't hold the foot well.

Their Skwamas have a lot of space in the heel and toe box compared to Mad Rock.

Skwama forefoot is perfect on them, but the heel bubbles and the high collar rubs the ankle bone on smears.

Their Skwamas (EU 36) did a very good job, but slowly got loose over time and the rubber is giving up.

With flat, wide feet, Skwamas are the most comfortable shoes they've worn, more so than their Tarantulas.

Downsized 2.5 EU sizes in Skwamas and it was horrible; tried every stretching trick and would never downsize that much again.

Skwamas were their first shoe and are now their favourite; on their third pair and nothing else matches them.

Had their Skwamas resoled 6 months after buying them, climbing V3-V4 on smoother walls.

Skwamas were their main outdoor shoe on sharp rock for a season and main indoor shoe since; rubber is fine but the heel rand is tearing.

Wears both the leather and synthetic LV Skwamas; the synthetic needs a half size up because it doesn't stretch or improve over time.

Downsized from 41 to 39.5 in Skwamas; took 6-8 sessions to break in, needing a plastic bag to get them on at first.

Has had their Skwamas for three years and resoled them almost five times, and with a care routine they barely smell.

Has climbed in Skwamas for 8 years in a comfortable fit and never felt performance compromised up to V8.

Loved Skwamas but the heel was too roomy; switched to the women's version, which fits perfectly, and is on their third pair.

Has used one pair of Skwamas for 3 years at 2-3 times a week and only resoled twice.

Dragos didn't fit, so they chose Skwamas and are glad; they are amazing.

Goes two sizes down in Skwamas; they take breaking in but then keep their shape, with the current pair well into its second soles.

Sizes down to 39.5 from 42 in Skwamas; needed plastic bags the first 3 sessions, then sold.

Climbs V4-5 in Skwamas because they're the only shoe that fits them decently.

Had to give up on Skwamas because they hurt their feet too much and aggravated an old arch issue.

Has had 3 different pairs of Skwamas; small hand-made differences between pairs but nothing significant.

With 2E-4E feet they wear Skwamas, downsized from street; quite soft and very sticky high-performing shoes.

With a wide foot they love Skwamas and climbed their hardest stuff in them comfy-sized.

Liked their Skwamas, which suited feet that dislike narrow shoes.

After trying 3 other pairs, the leather Skwama showed them a snug shoe can still be comfortable.

After trying dozens of shoes over a decade, the Skwama is the best all-rounder they have used, indoors and out.

Their Skwamas fit pretty well with a little heel space.

Got Achilles tendonitis breaking in their Skwamas.

Their favourite Skwamas for sport tore along the heel stitching.

Uses Skwamas for short powerful crack climbs and they're great.

Their Skwamas stuck to the tiniest granite holds outdoors.

Skwamas sized 2 down with thin socks keep their bony toes reasonably happy.

Loves the Skwamas. (first-hand owner comment)

Two sessions in, Skwamas fit perfectly: no hotspots, heel locked in.

Loving the Skwama as an all-rounder even 2.5 sizes down.

Loves their Skwamas. (first-hand owner comment)

Prefers Skwamas for most indoor climbing.

Skwama heel slightly baggy; break-in was painful after sizing down.

Had air pockets in the Skwama heel no matter how much they downsized.

Skwamas hurt really bad for a month or two, now like slippers.

Skwamas are great for a wider forefoot; their favourite.

New Skwamas are extremely uncomfortable, especially at the back.

Skwamas tore their toes to shreds in the first sessions.

Gets the same heel pain in Skwamas even sized right.

Loves Skwamas but the heel bite is bad; it softens.

Had Skwamas a while but never a fan of the fit.

Skwama heel dug in for 2 sessions; now on their 4th pair and loves them.

Skwamas tore at the heel after modest mileage; replaced out of warranty.

Their Skwamas tore at the heel soon after a resole.

All three pairs of their Skwamas tore at the heel.

Several Skwamas ripped at the heel seam within a year.

Skwamas were brutal for 5-6 weeks, then served them better.

Switched from Kubos to Skwamas and never looked back.

Skwama is their perfect shoe shape.

Resoled their Skwamas 3 times at Decathlon's workshop; 10/10.

Bought the same Skwama again; new pair felt uncomfortable until broken in like the old.

Skwama heel fits them great. (first-hand owner comment)

Skwamas are their favourite: perfect toe, heel slightly roomy.

Skwamas are softer with a wider smear area; heel has dead space.

Stretched their Skwamas and couldn't be happier with how they turned out.

Leather Skwamas killed their feet at first, then stretched to their foot shape.

Has climbed in Skwamas for four years; buy them very tight, they expand.

Skwamas are their all-time favourite shoe.

Loves Skwamas but the heels are too big for them.

Gets on well with Skwamas, a bit wider than Solutions.