La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes

The Mythos Climbing Shoes feature a sleek and timeless design that has remained largely unchanged over the years. They boast a low volume fit, which is ideal for climbers with narrower feet or those seeking comfort during long climbs. The asymmetrical shape provides good edging performance while maintaining a comfortable level of flexibility for smearing and crack climbing. Key Design Features:

• Leather Upper: Constructed from soft, full-grain leather that conforms to the foot over time. This contributes to both comfort and durability.
• Unlined Interior: The unlined interior allows your feet to breathe, preventing excessive sweating and discomfort during long climbs.
• Vibram XS Edge Outsole: La Sportiva's renowned Vibram rubber provides excellent grip on a wide range of rock types. The edge profile enhances edging performance.
• Heel Cup: A robust heel cup keeps your foot secure in the shoe, even during dynamic moves and high-angle climbing.
• Lacing System: The Mythos utilizes a traditional lacing system that extends all the way to the toes, allowing for precise adjustments and personalized fit.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes are widely recognized as some of the most comfortable rock shoes available on the market. This is primarily due to their low-volume fit and soft leather upper, which molds to your foot over time, creating a customized feel that minimizes pressure points. The unlined interior further enhances comfort by allowing for greater breathability and reducing friction. Comfort Highlights:

• Low Volume Fit: Ideal for climbers with narrower feet or those seeking comfort during long climbs.
• Soft Leather Upper: Conforms to the foot over time, eliminating hot spots and providing a customized fit.
• Unlined Interior: Allows your feet to breathe, preventing excessive sweating and discomfort. While these shoes are exceptionally comfortable for extended wear, it's important to note that they offer very little in terms of edging power or sensitivity compared to more aggressive models. This is by design the Mythos were created as an all-around shoe prioritizing comfort over performance.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes are renowned for their durability, and this reputation has been well-earned throughout their long history. The full-grain leather upper is incredibly tough and resistant to wear and tear, while the Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole offers excellent longevity. Durability Factors:

• Full-Grain Leather Upper: Highly durable and resistant to abrasion.
• Vibram XS Edge Rubber: Provides exceptional grip and long-lasting performance.
• Reinforced Heel Cup: Protects the heel from damage during dynamic movements.
• Simple Design: Fewer seams and components mean fewer potential points of failure. While these shoes may not offer as much edging power or sensitivity as some more aggressive models, their durability ensures that you'll get plenty of mileage out of them before needing to replace them. This makes the Mythos a cost-effective choice for climbers who frequently visit the gym or spend extended periods on rock.

The Vibram XS Edge rubber outsole used in the La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes offers excellent grip on a wide range of climbing surfaces, including granite, limestone, and sandstone. The edge profile enhances edging performance while still allowing for adequate smearing capability. Grip Characteristics:

• Vibram XS Edge Rubber: Provides reliable friction even on polished or slick rock.
• Edge Profile: Optimizes the shoe's contact area when edging, maximizing grip and stability.
• Versatility: Performs well in both indoor climbing gyms and outdoor environments. While these shoes may not offer the same level of stickiness as some newer models with more advanced rubber compounds, their versatility makes them a great all-around choice for climbers who encounter a variety of rock types during their ascents.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes excel in situations that require both comfort and performance. Theyre ideal for long trad climbs, multi-pitch routes, or simply spending extended periods on the wall at the gym. Their comfortable fit allows you to focus on your climbing rather than your aching feet. Performance Strengths:

• All-Around Performance: The Mythos are a great choice for climbers who need a versatile shoe that can handle a wide range of climbing styles and conditions.
• Crack Climbing: Their comfortable fit, flexible midsole, and durable construction make them an excellent option for crack climbing routes.
• Trad Climbing: Their all-around capabilities and durability are well-suited to the demands of traditional climbing. However, its important to acknowledge that these shoes aren't designed for advanced bouldering or extremely technical sport climbs. More aggressive models with stiffer soles and more downturned shapes will provide better performance in those settings.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes have garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from climbers of all levels. Many users praise their comfort, durability, and versatility. Common Themes:

• Comfortable Fit: Numerous reviewers highlight the exceptional comfort of these shoes, even during long climbs or extended periods of wear.
• Excellent Durability: Users consistently report that the Mythos are exceptionally durable and can withstand years of frequent use.
• Versatility: The Mythos' ability to handle a wide range of climbing styles and conditions is frequently praised. While some reviewers note that these shoes lack the edging power or sensitivity of more aggressive models, they generally agree that their comfort and durability make them an excellent all-around choice for climbers who prioritize wearability over performance.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes typically retail between $150-$200, placing them within the mid-range price bracket for climbing shoes. While not the most expensive option on the market, they represent a solid investment given their exceptional comfort, durability, and versatility. Price Considerations:

• Value Proposition: Despite their mid-range price point, the Mythos offer excellent value due to their long lifespan and all-around performance.
• Durability: Their durable construction means you're less likely to need to replace them frequently, saving money in the long run.

The La Sportiva Mythos Climbing Shoes have earned their legendary status through decades of reliable performance and enduring comfort. While newer models may offer more advanced features and slightly improved edging power or sensitivity, the Mythos continue to stand out as one of the most versatile and comfortable climbing shoes available.

Absolutely! The Mythos are often recommended as first climbing shoes because of their comfort. They're not overly aggressive, which means theyll be more comfortable during longer sessions or when you're just starting out. While they might not perform as well on steep routes compared to more advanced shoes, they offer a great introduction to the sport and will help you build strength and technique.

The Mythos excel at trad climbing, crack climbing, and long multi-pitch routes where comfort is key. They're also excellent for indoor climbing on vertical walls and slabs. While they can handle some overhangs, their flat profile isnt ideal for very steep terrain or bouldering.

La Sportiva Mythos tend to run true to size. However, if you have wide feet, consider ordering a half-size up from your regular shoe size. If in doubt, try them on at a climbing gym or outdoor retailer before purchasing.

Compared to more aggressive models like the Solution Comp or Instinct VS, the Mythos are much softer and more comfortable for longer periods of wear. They offer less edging power but excel in smearing on slabs and cracks. If you want a stiffer shoe with better edging performance, consider one of their more technical options.

The La Sportiva Mythos feature an unlined leather upper that molds to your foot over time for a custom fit. This makes them comfortable but also means they'll stretch slightly as you break them in.

To keep your Mythos performing at their best, clean them regularly with a damp cloth and allow them to air dry completely after use. Avoid using harsh chemicals or washing machines. Re-rubbering the soles is possible but should be done by a professional.

The lifespan of climbing shoes depends on how often you use them and your style of climbing. With proper care, Mythos can typically last for several years of moderate to heavy use. The rubber sole will eventually wear down, especially if used primarily on abrasive rock types.

Yes, La Sportiva Mythos are resolable! You can send them back to La Sportiva or a local cobbler specializing in climbing shoe resoles. This is often a more sustainable option than replacing an entire pair of shoes when the rubber wears out.

The main difference lies in the last (the shape around which the shoe is made). The women's version has a slightly narrower heel, lower volume forefoot, and shorter length overall to better fit a woman's foot. Both models offer similar performance characteristics.

The Mythos feature traditional lace-up closure that allows you to adjust the tightness around your feet for a customized fit. The laces are relatively long so you can tie them in multiple ways.

Yes! The Mythos perform well on artificial walls and volumes found in most climbing gyms. Their sticky rubber soles provide excellent grip, and their comfortable construction is ideal for longer training sessions.

The La Sportiva Mythos come in a variety of colors including Black/Yellow Fluorescent, Blue/Orange Fluorescent, Green/Red Fluorescent, Grey/White, and Olive Green. Check with your local retailer or online supplier for current availability.

Breaking in climbing shoes is essential to ensure comfort and performance. Wear them around the house for short periods each day while doing light activities like walking or stretching. You can also wear them during shorter climbs at a lower intensity. Avoid wearing them for extended periods until they are properly broken in.

Unfortunately, no. The Mythos feature leather uppers, which makes them unsuitable for vegans. La Sportiva does offer some synthetic-upper climbing shoe models that are suitable for vegans.

The price of the Mythos varies depending on where you buy them and any current sales or promotions. Generally, they retail between $140 - $160 USD. Be sure to shop around for the best deal!

You can purchase La Sportiva Mythos online from various retailers such as REI, Backcountry, Amazon, and directly from La Sportiva's website. You can also find them at many outdoor specialty stores and climbing gyms.

Most reputable retailers have a generous return policy for climbing shoes. Check with the specific retailer before purchasing to ensure you can return or exchange them if necessary. Be sure to try on new climbing shoes at home over socks to get an accurate feel for their fit before using them outdoors or in the gym.

While not explicitly designed as orthopedic shoes, the Mythos provide a moderate level of arch support thanks to their slightly downturned shape and contoured footbed. However, individuals with high arches may want to consider adding an aftermarket orthotic insert for additional comfort and stability.

The Mythos are known for being one of the wider-fitting La Sportiva models. If you have moderately wide feet, they'll likely fit comfortably without needing to size up. For very wide feet, consider trying them on in person or reading reviews from other climbers with similar foot shapes.

The Mythos feature Vibram XS Edge rubber, which offers a good balance between edging power and friction for all-around climbing performance. It's a durable rubber that grips well on various rock types.