I’ve had my Anasazi LV boots for about four to five months, and they have been the shoes I unconsciously reach for every time I hit the climbing gym. I literally put them on and get on with my climbs, and for this reason I guess I didn’t appreciate how good they were until I actually realised I wasn’t thinking about them. Also If they’re good enough for notable professional climber Shauna Coxey, then I think it’s fair to say they’re a damn good shoe.
Fit – Internet research told me that for a bouldering fit I should downsize by half or a whole size. After making a trip into my local Cotswolds and trying them on, I discovered I couldn’t get my foot in the 2.0 (UK), and the 2.5 (UK) were far too tight to the point where I couldn’t even fasten the Velcro straps. I think this is due to my feet being wide for their size, and more mid-volume than low. However the 3 (UK) fits perfect with the right amount of toe pressure and heel tightness, so I ended up matching my street shoe size. Getting them on and off is easy enough and they seemed to break in quickly, generally they’re a particularly comfortable climbing shoe.
Specifications – For a long time I was under the impression that if it wasn’t down turned, severely asymmetric with a split sole, then it wasn’t a technical shoe. How wrong I was! The asymmetric toe box and slingshot heel give the power, whilst the stiff last offers support as it is one solid piece. The fact that they are comfortable too just adds to their quality, I can wear these shoes for long stretches without having to take them off. The only small nag I have is that I wish there was a little more toe rubber, just to make a toe hook feel more secure and painless.
Performance – Slab, roof or arête, I don’t think there is a problem within my ability range that I couldn’t conquer in these boots. For me, that is what a performance shoe should offer. The Stealth C4 rubber is so hard wearing and yet so sticky. They make short work of tiny edges, rounded volumes and smearing in these babies is a dream. I found that because I trust the rubber on the Anasazi LV boots, I’m more likely to flag and use the edges of the shoes, which has helped me progress my climbing skills.
Aesthetic –I like how understated they are visually, and how powerful they feel to climb in. They are a lovely teal colour which I think is fairly gender neutral, plus I do like the cool, little cross-hair design on the toes too.
Conclusion
The Five Ten Anasazi LV are currently my favourite shoe, they have taken over and become the only climbing boots I reach for, no matter the problem. These shoes offer solid power and confident climbing, all with the added benefit of comfort. When I eventually hit the outdoors, this will be in my bag for sure.
29/01/2016 at 17:51
I opted for the “men’s” version of this climbing shoe, size ridiculouly small. I was a bit shocked to find the rubber is different for the men’s and women’s versions of the same shoe. That said, LOVE my Anasazi climbing shoes both at the gym or crag.
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29/01/2016 at 18:01
I really wanted to try the Anasazi VCS but couldn’t find them in my size, I didn’t realise they had different rubber! Yeah, I’m really loving the LV boots 🙂
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07/02/2016 at 08:25
I am 100% with you – they are my absolute favourite shoe, and no matter how much I keep trying to find an alternative, I just can’t! I also find that most other shoes don’t fit my heels properly – my heels are too flat, and there’s usually a bubble of air where my foot doesn’t fill the space, which means heel hooking isn’t very easy. This solves the problem!
Unfortunately, my first pair now has holes in the toes…so I agree re more resilient rubber on the toes! But I got a new one now, identical 😀
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