Sportiva Miura VS Evaluation: A Critical Look at the Shoe Model
La Sportiva Miura VS: A Climber's Powerhouse
The La Sportiva Miura VS has carved out a niche for itself among the ranks of top climbing shoes, earning a reputation for its exceptional edging abilities and performance on steep terrain.
Over the past years, the Miura VS has been put to the test in various locations, including the Red River Gorge, the New River Gorge, Bishop, limestone sport climbing near Vegas, and Rocky Mountain National Park. It has proven to be a reliable companion for bouldering, clipping bolts, and scaling steep faces. However, it may not be the ideal choice for crack climbing, low-angle smearing, or all-day routes unless sized quite roomy.
The Miura VS is renowned for its superior edging capabilities, making it a go-to option for steep boulders, technical sport climbs, and vertical granite trad routes. Sizing the Miura VS super tight results in a secure heel fit, enhancing the shoe's performance on micro-edges and tiny pebbles, offering legitimate platforms for standing. Heel hooking in the Miura VS is a dream due to a secure fit and a thick, large rubber patch around the back of the foot.
However, the Miura VS is not suitable for toe hooking due to the lack of a thick rubber patch covering the toe box. This makes it more suitable for technical vertical or mildly-overhanging terrain. The rubber patch around the back of the Miura VS foot also protects from rock on all sides, adding an extra layer of safety.
It's worth noting that the Miura VS is a stiff and aggressive shoe, designed for long, 5.10 routes on granite peaks. While it can be worn all day, sometimes even with socks, it may not be the most comfortable option for all-day routes or those requiring a lot of smearing or crack climbing.
The Miura VS is a product of La Sportiva, a brand known for its high-quality climbing gear. However, for those looking for a bouldering shoe, the Scarpa Instinct VS or La Sportiva Solution could be better options.
Despite its popularity, there is no publicly known record of a specific climber wearing the La Sportiva Miura VS shoe during bouldering, climbing, and steep wall climbing in the year 20XX. This could be due to the shoe's specialisation in steep terrain and technical routes, rather than bouldering.
In conclusion, the La Sportiva Miura VS is a versatile and high-performing climbing shoe, ideal for those seeking to conquer steep boulders, technical sport climbs, and vertical granite trad routes. For a more comprehensive comparison with other climbing shoes, we recommend checking out our separate article on the best climbing shoes.