2023 SCARPA Climbing Shoe Overview
From SCARPA’s humble beginnings in northern Italy to their expansive current line of fine-tuned footwear for skiers, climbers, hikers and runners, SCARPA has spent the last 80+ years dedicated to creating innovative and well-crafted mountain footwear. This dedication to innovation continues with the announcement of the new SCARPA Generator Mid that took 2 years to create, as well as the new Vapor S climbing shoe that includes the proprietary NANO Strap that creates a more adjustable fit for the climber.
In this blog, we’ll be covering SCARPA’s new climbing shoes for 2023, as well as some of the classic and top-selling lines that make up the core of SCARPA’s line up.
Specialized Performance
Designed for the most technical and demanding climbers, the Specialized Performance line of shoes represent the pinnacle of design and engineering in climbing shoes. Specialized Performance shoes feature the most innovative rubbers as well as the most specific uses.
Drago
| Drago and Drago LV |
|---|
Sizes Available: 34-45 |
Last: Aggressive, Downturned, and Highly Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2 |
Intended Use: Technical Bouldering and Sport Climbing |
Delivering the absolute pinnacle of precision and power, the Drago is the ideal shoe for bouldering and steep sport climbing. An incredibly soft shoe that uses SCARPA’s grippiest rubber, it also has a full forefoot wrap of M70 rubber that delivers additional grip when toehooking on overhangs. The Drago LV is available for anyone with a smaller ankle or instep and needs a lower volume fit.
Booster v. Boostic
| Booster | Boostic |
|---|---|
Sizes Available: 35-45 |
Sizes Available: 35-45 |
Last: Highly Downturned, Highly Asymmetric |
Last: Highly Downturned, Highly Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2 |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Edge |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Intended Use: All-Around |
The Booster and Boostic are two of the most well-rounded options in the Specialized Performance line, which means we constantly get asked, “What’s the real difference between them?” The short answer is stiffness. The longer answer is that the Boostic is the stiffer option, using Vibram XS Edge rubber and a full-length sole to provide maximum support on small edges. The Booster is the softer shoe with a stickier Vibram XS Grip2 rubber and 1/3-length sole for flexibility that makes it better at toe hooking and smearing. With the same fit, last profile, and rand, the choice between these two shoes really boils down to where you are climbing and the preference between a stiffer or softer shoe.
Performance
The Performance line of climbing shoes are the meat and potatoes of SCARPA’s lineup. Including the best-selling Instinct and Vapor series, the Performance series are the shoes climbers around the world reach for again and again.
Instinct VS
| Instinct VS | Instinct VS Women's |
|---|---|
Sizes Available: 34-50 |
Sizes Available: 34-44 |
Last: Moderately Downturned, Moderately Asymmetric |
Last: Moderately Downturned, Moderately Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Edge Forefoot, Vibram XS Grip2 Heel |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2 |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Proven on the world cup circuit, yet ready for every day, the Instinct VS (available in Men’s and Women’s) can do everything from bouldering to sport climbing to technical face climbs. The Bi-Tension system and thinner sole strike an excellent balance between sensitivity, support, and flexibility. While the Instinct VS is great for everything, the Instinct is more supportive and suited for sport and trad climbing. The Instinct VSR and S both feature stickier rubber throughout the shoe and more flexibility, making them more geared towards bouldering and climbing technical overhangs.
Vapor S
| Vapor S | Vapor S Women's |
|---|---|
Sizes Available: 38-46 |
Sizes Available: 35-42 |
Last: Moderately Downturned, Moderately Asymmetric |
Last: Moderately Downturned, Moderately Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2 |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Grip2 |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Intended Use: All-Around |
The all-new SCARPA Vapor S is the newest member of the Vapor family. The softest, stickiest, and most sensitive Vapor, it features the new NANO Strap closure system. Lower profile than traditional Velcro, it can be worn either direction across the instep, tuning the fit, or be completely removed for a traditional slipper feel. The Vapor S also has a tapered ‘chisel’ toe that’s ideal for climbing thin cracks and features an M50 Toe Cap to provide additional grip. If the Vapor fit is what you’re looking for, but in a stiffer package, look towards the Vapor V as an all-around shoe and the Vapor to be the most supportive shoe, ideal for sport climbing and trad routes.
Instinct or Vapor?
A question we constantly get asked and has dozens of YouTube videos dedicated to it is “what’s the difference between the Instinct and the Vapor?” It all lies in the fit of the shoes. With two distinct and different fit profiles, the first choice between these lines should be which fits your foot better. After that, choose laces for longer trad climbs or even multipitch, Velcro closures for all-around climbing, and slippers for bouldering.
All-Day Performance
With all-day comfort in mind, the All-Day Performance line still delivers technical shoes capable of climbing demanding routes and extreme boulders. Including everything from multi-pitch specialists to dedicated indoor shoes, the All-Day Performance collection has something for everyone.
Generator MID
| Generator Mid |
|---|
Sizes Available: 35-50 |
Last: Moderately Downturned and Moderately Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Edge |
Intended Use: Multi-Pitch |
2 years of testing and over 80 prototypes have led to the all-new SCARPA Generator Mid. Designed to be the ultimate trad climbing shoe, it provides all-day comfort with its Tri-Tension rand that supports the foot during sustained edging and a soft-touch lining that protects the ankles from thin cracks. Add in a better fit than the Maestro it replaces and an eco-suede upper that’s made from recycled microfiber, it sets a new bar for what a trad shoe can be.
Quantic
| Quantic | Quantic Women's |
|---|---|
Sizes Available: 34-50 |
Sizes Available: 34-43 |
Last: Slightly Downturned, Slightly Asymmetric |
Last: Slightly Downturned, Slightly Asymmetric |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Edge |
Sole Rubber: Vibram XS Edge |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Intended Use: All-Around |
Designed for all-day comfort, whether that’s at the gym, the crag, or your favorite multi-pitch, the Quantic delivers exceptional performance in all disciplines. With a less aggressive fit compared to other shoes in the SCARPA lineup, the Quantic is extremely approachable as a first shoe for sport climbing or as a comfortable all-day, do-everything option.