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La Sportiva have created the ultimate beginners climbing shoe with the new hybrid HyperEZ combining the precision of a climbing shoe with the comfort of a trainer.
There is a bewildering array of climbing shoes on the market these days. Even brands such as La Sportiva can have many models to choose from. If you are a beginner climber this can be very off-putting. On top of that most beginners introduction to climbing shoes will be a pair of hire shoes from their local gym. This then, has open up a gap and the La Sportiva HyperEZ (pronounced hyper – easy) has filled it nicely. Sitting firmly in the comfort slot, the HyperEZ is a true beginner shoe that is a hybrid of climbing shoe and trainer (did I not see some of these on the dance floor in the early noughties?).
Looking at them out of the box, they certainly looked comfortable to wear, with a nice wide and gently asymmetric toe box and a well padded heel area. When I first put them on, as a 40+ years experienced climber, they really did feel different to all the other climbing shoes I have ever used (and I’ve used a lot!). Incredibly comfortable, I have worn them for prolonged climbing sessions without any of the toe pinching and heel rubbing you get from a standard climbing shoe. You will happily put these on at the beginning of a gym or outdoor climbing session and wear them all the time (at least I could anyway). My standard test size is a UK 7.5 and that is what I requested for test.
So, the La Sportiva HyperEZ are very comfortable and that alone would be a great reason to try them. But they are packed with tech too, so don’t mistake them for a ‘basic’ shoe. The midsole is La Sportiva’s SenseGrip, developed for the super technical Ondra Comp shoe. This features a soft EVA that compresses under pressure to improve grip and confidence on footholds. For me, as an experienced climber, I found them a little stiff but I happily enjoyed surprisingly technical climbing sessions in them without compromising too much performance.
And talking of performance, the HyperEZ, will perform though the grades as you journey from true beginner to a more intermediate climber. The toe profile, whilst wider, still allows for occasional precision moves on small holds and the dual velcro straps offer a good level of adjustment across the foot. The padded heel cup, again, delivers supreme comfort whilst still allowing for technical heel hooking on volumes. I’ve been plagued with achilles tendinitis this season and the padded heel has been a godsend.
Late season bouldering at Caley Crag, Yorkshire.
The rand (the rubber section that surrounds the shoe) is generous and feels burly. Plenty of rubber at the heel and around the toe. It does deliver some extra rubber at the big toe area (where you will most use the shoe) but it doesn’t completely cover the toe area like more technical climbing shoes. So you are unlikely to be doing any ‘bat hang’ style rests, but there is more than enough toe rubber for impromptu toe hooks. There is extra, laminated’ rubber across the toe area for improved durability and friction.
Talking of friction; the rubber is Frixion White and is more than adequate. You can smear with confidence, although the HyperEZ is quite stiff (it has softened with use but it still feels quite a stiff shoe for me). It’s the rubber compound La Sportiva use on their running and approach shoes. The compound on the HyperEZ has been developed for good friction and durability. The same rubber compound is used on the Tarantula, Mythos and the more technical Skwarma Lite shoes so is tried and tested on a variety of rock types. It’s interesting to note that the HyperEZ will not be replacing La Sportiva’s other entry level shoes the Tarantula and the Mythos but will sit alongside.
There is no compromise on the rubber, you get 4mm on the sole and a thinner 2mm on the heel which helps with comfort – especially when walking around in them. The sole is replaceable, you can use the dedicated La Sportiva resole service (via Lyon Equipment in the UK) or there will be accredited resolers such as Llanberis Resoles that will be able to resole the shoe. A handy tip is never to let the toe area develop a hole as they will then need a toe patch. They can also be machine washed, just like trainers a quick 15 minute wash on a low heat would probably be OK.
Refinements for the HyperEZ shoe include: a bright colour way in black and yellow, a large and burly heel tab for clipping the shoes to your pack, breathable mesh and microfibre tongue and they are also fully vegan in materials and glue (it’s the glue that often means a shoe isn’t fully vegan). The La Sportiva HyperEZ really are a pretty radical change from a standard entry level or hire shoe. Now an uncomfortable climbing shoe is no longer a barrier to getting into climbing, improving your grades and sending your climbing goals.
They are unisex in fit and come in sizes EU34 – EU50 in half sizes. They come in two colour ways Black/Yellow or Black/Chalk.
The SRP is £110 and they can be purchased directly through La Sportiva and specialist retailers.
