 |
|
|
Saltic Rock Shoe Review
The Guru is a well-built, high-performing yet comfortable shoe, well suited to intermediate sport climbing. The Wall is an all-around, canvas-lined entry-level shoe with an edging bent. The Troodon sports a solid edging platform and high rubber rands, making it a decent performer on face routes. However, the unlined Troodon falls short on fit, mainly due to its ineffective single Velcro strap and chunky elastic tongue. Of all the shoes this year with a cupped sole, the unlined Phantom exploits this feature to the utmost, offering a firm yet sensitive edging platform that also smears well. The Grappler is another of the myriad shoes sporting a cupped sole this year and, as with like models, provides a solid edging platform, though at the expense of smearability. Mad Rock certainly made a splash this year with their innovative and esoteric designs. The La Sportiva Testarossa is this year’s steep-rock (20 degrees past vertical and beyond) champ. The down-turned, chiseled toe grabs at features with aplomb. An all-around price-point Velcro slipper, the X-Ray works well for the entry-level sport climber. The Spider features Boreal's latest iteration of their Integral Rand System. |
Copyright 2008 Skram Media LLC, All rights reserved.