La Sportiva TestaRossa Review

[@MPHshoots]

Lmk which shoe you’d like to see next :)

[@mentallyoffline7005]

Most interested in the evolv oracles personally

[@ernestfrigelj2876]

MAGO

[@MPHshoots]

@@ernestfrigelj2876 already did the magos buddy

[@MPHshoots]

@@ernestfrigelj2876 kzbin.info/www/bejne/naDdcox3eMenrdU

[@Jbagggg]

Phantoms!

[@alexanderbastnagel2846]

Good video. Straight to the point

[@MPHshoots]

Thank you broski!

[@mentallyoffline7005]

I would love to see a video comparing this to the oracle and magos that you also have. Im personally deciding between these 3 shoes.

[@MPHshoots]

okay! Sorry for the late response but I can definitely get into that for you, I’ve been slacking.

[@alexbarcovsky4319]

Oracle is way different, its pretty narrow and not as sensitive and I feel like it just falls into a different category, although it sure wants to be in the same one as testarossas.

[@MPHshoots]

I just uploaded the video!

[@MPHshoots]

@@alexbarcovsky4319 tbh I have to agree here. Oracle can’t compare to the TR. Oracle is stiff but is much less comfy than the TR’s.

[@nicklashampenberg7675]

Thank you, This helped a lot!

[@idoido9590]

Thanks for the review mason, i would like to know how good it is for slabs? Or overhangs? Is it an overall good shoe or shoul i get different paires for different styles? Also, how hard is it to get into? Is it rly hard or softer since it is lether.

[@MPHshoots]

So actually leather shoes are the easiest and most comfortable typically! Don’t think cowboy boot leather, more like pure grain / high quality leather. It is decent on slabs, but it excels at face climbing and is pretty good with overhangs. Personally I would get Oracles if you want a lace up slab performer that works well on overhangs but is unique to learn. It’s less comfy but still extremely nice and has a unique toe bump on the inside of the shoe (it also uses no-edge which is really unique and kinda hard to explain!) the rubber stiffness is relatively soft, it uses Vibram XS Grip 2 which is vibrams softest rubber, which personally I love. It excels on small edges ESPECIALLY OUTDOORS, and is decent on smears. Hopefully this helps, if you have more questions you can reach out to my Instagram at @mphshoots

[@rev.jeffwillrumble7711]

I once tried these on. I found them to be too narrow. My wider foot stretched beyond the bottom of the shoe. But other than that, I liked them. I'd even be willing too try them on again. BTW - I'd like to see reviews (in general) pay more attention to the shape of the toe-box. Variations in foot-shape really require a variety of toe-box shapes. Climbing companies seem to pay too little attention to this. They are better at marketing than they are at truly meeting the variety of needs that different climbers face. I'm aware of this because I have a wider foot with long toes and with Morten's Toe. It's tough to find a shoe that fits well.

[@MPHshoots]

I have pretty wide feet, but I usually am able to suffer through the pain. All of my toes have large bumps and callouses from how far I downsize, but I appreciate the lengthy comment and I’ll do my best to accommodate! Thank you Jeff :)

[@GlitchMan1011]

I want to hear your take on those phantoms. I bought them 1/2 size up than my street shoe partly because that was the only size they had at my local REI and partly because they felt tight in the store. Once i started climbing and my foot started sweating my left heel started moving in an out very little but enough to make a fart noise every time i used my heel. I ended up returning them and I was tempted to order my shoe size, but I ended up going with the Scarpa Booster. Do far no problems with the fit on the Booster, although its definitely a TIGH fit. Its also my first pair of really aggressive shoes.

[@MPHshoots]

I bought mine half a size down! Sorry for the late reply. They are INSANELY uncomfortable to break in, but once you tough out the pain they become incredible shoes. I’ve warmed up on 5.10c outdoors in them // climbed gym V7 in my phantoms. I hope this helps!

[@MPHshoots]

Gonna be making a vid on the phantoms tomorrow angel!

[@GlitchMan1011]

@@MPHshoots thanks for the follow up!!! I’ll be subscribing just for that

[@MPHshoots]

@@GlitchMan1011 video is currently uploading. Apologies for the voice cracks lol, I don’t use a script

[@Jbagggg]

Great review!

[@noiseforthealgorithm4668]

Nice review. Have you ever used the Miura Laces or Katana? would you still choose the TestaRossa in vertical routes compared to the other two?

[@MPHshoots]

I do own the new katanas. Personally I think if the climbing was relaxed I’d probably pick the katana for the day, but I’d actually wear socks in them 😳 kinda weird but those shoes are COMFY! I do think that the TestaRossas are a great option! I sized down 1/2 a size in my new pair compared to the one in this review. Still love them :D

[@noiseforthealgorithm4668]

@@MPHshoots thank you for your reply :) I say this with shame but I climb with very think socks too. Can't seem to decide what to get between Katana and Testarossa..on very thin edging on vertical or slightly slab walls which one do you think performs better? thanks

[@MPHshoots]

@@noiseforthealgorithm4668sorry this reply took forever. I think on thin edges I’m more comfortable with testies, but I also downsize HEAVILY. If you like comfort, you might like that the Katana is very very stiff. Hopefully this answers your question! Gonna be making some disc golf content and maybe some crash pad content soon

[@MPHshoots]

@@noiseforthealgorithm4668also slab is terrifying. I think the katana would be better if you are doing multip, but I’m a sport kinda guy.

[@Jbagggg]

Would love to see a review of the Phantoms!

[@MPHshoots]

I replied to one of your comments, but I will do my best to get a vid done on the phantoms! Do you have any specific questions about the phantoms?

[@Jbagggg]

@@MPHshoots mainly about its overall performance, capability for bouldering, sizing, and anything else you think might be useful to know!

[@MPHshoots]

Hey Jason, the video is currently uploading!

[@K-pop_froze]

Perfect

[@skiper1573]

So, compared to Evolv Phantoms ? Which is better for outdoors ?

[@MPHshoots]

I think they are two different weapons entirely lol. If you are a boulderer I’d stick with phantoms or something a little on the softer and very downturn side. If you are sport climbing frequently I’d try the TestaRossa. I wear size 45 euro and a size 43 in the TestaRossa.

[@chrisgraham887]

How many sizes down from you street shoe did you go down?

[@MPHshoots]

5 euro. Feels great! My new pair fit amazing and the side tension is tolerable. I have genius now too that I have to make a review on, I wish I went another size or two down in those, they are a little loose but the toe box is different / feels different

[@undeadbillymays]

Hell yeah now I need some testies. Id like to know what you think about that lep II pair next 🥵

[@MPHshoots]

I’ve gotchu! Leopard 2’s will be the next review! :D

[@ArielsPOV]

You know what they say about big feet. Sheeshhh

[@alexbarcovsky4319]

Phantoms are so bad compared to these. For real, they need to make a testarossa with a toe patch and velcro, it would annihilate both phantoms and hiangles, they are so far behind.

[@MPHshoots]

Haha I see your point, but a toe patch and velcro is what sets this shoe apart from the phantom in the first place. It’s not a bouldering shoe, it was designed for being on ropes and hard sport climbing. Laces keep a tighter toe box, allowing for better use of soft rubber. It’s also hard to compare these with the phantoms because they are a stiff shoe, not a soft shoe.

[@alexbarcovsky4319]

@@MPHshoots Phantoms and Testarossas are both stiff shoes made for power and precision though, with focus on sensitivity, tension (downturn) and soft rubber, so I think its fair to compare them. Also I think you can do some clever fastening design that tightens the area above the toe as well - you can split the rubber in the middle for example, like in the new vapor, and put loops for a strap in that gap.

[@MPHshoots]

@@alexbarcovsky4319 TestaRossas are not stiff shoes. They are made with XS Grip2 which is the softest of the vibram compounds.

[@MPHshoots]

@@alexbarcovsky4319 I really don’t think you can compare a bouldering shoe with a sport climbing shoe though. They are meant to be used in rotation, not for every style of climbing.

[@MPHshoots]

@@alexbarcovsky4319 also just to note Alex- I’m not arguing against your point, I just can’t agree with saying one shoe is bad over the other because they are meant for different things.