With a stiff platform and an aggressive shape, the Miura VS are masters of precision, shining in the realm of technical climbing.
Performance Comparison
Jen, shown above, climbs exclusively in the Miura VS - from techy granite trad routes to steep limestone sport climbs.
Comfort
An entirely different shape from their lace-up counterparts, the Miura VS also comes with its fair share of fit issues. The Velcro version of this shoe has a more padded tongue, which we loved. It also has a slightly wider last than the Miura, which helped our wide-footed lead tester break the Velcro model in faster. That said, the VS was painful at first, especially because we sized ours for a performance fit. Having these shoes fit snug makes them all the better when it comes to edging.
We had trouble getting the Velcro straps to lay flat on the Miura VS, which created a void on the top of our foot. Though it looked strange, this didn't affect the shoe's performance.
We also ran into some issues with the tongue and Velcro straps, which, when tightened, didn't sit flat across the top of our foot. We also noticed a gap on the top of our foot, on the side of the tongue. These issues with fit were probably a result of having a wide foot. Next time, we would opt for the men's version to accommodate our wide feet, as the men's has a wider last.
Sensitivity
Though they are stiff, the Miura VS is an incredibly sensitive shoe. The P3 technology, combined with the Miura VS's fairly aggressive downturn, means that all your standing power transfers to the tip of your toe. This, combined with Vibram's XS Grip2 rubber, allowed us to trust our feet and feel the texture of the rock through the soles of the Miura VS. For a softer shoe that is equally as sensitive, we'd recommend the Skwama.
The Miura VS is both stiff and sensitive, making it a precise shoe for technical climbing.
Edging
A day spent toeing in to tiny footholds on a gently overhung wall is the Miura VS's ideal day. These shoes are made for edging; with La Sportiva's Slingshot rand and Powerhinge technology, the Miuras literally pull you into the wall by forcing your weight into the toe. Their downturn was not an issue on vertical terrain because their stiffness allows the Miura to hold shape, even when standing on a vertical wall. We found this was not the case with the very downturned but very soft Scarpa Furia, which did not do very well as an edging shoe.
The Miura VS is an edging pro, much like its lace-up counterpart.
Crack Climbing
If you are trying to send your technical, thin crack project, the Miura VS might do the trick. If long, red Camalot splitters are what you seek, a softer, less aggressive shoe might be a better place to look. The Miura VS can stem and edge like a boss — skills that come in handy on hard trad routes; their ability to climb straight in cracks is less than ideal. For that, look to the Five Ten Anasazi LV or another less aggressive model.
Pockets
With their downturned shape, the Miura VS toes into pockets with the best of them. Their sensitivity and edging prowess come in handy in steeper terrain, especially when paired with their aggressive shape. These shoes perform better on overhanging terrain than their lace-up counterpart, the Miura. Though the VS did well on pockets, we actually preferred a softer shoe, like the Skwama for pocket climbing, since we were able to cam our toes in. Perhaps we are just trad climbers at heart…
Toeing into a tiny limestone pocket in the Miura VS.
Ease of Use
With three Velcro straps instead of the usual two, the Miura VS is a bit more time consuming to get on and off than most of the Velcro models we reviewed. That said, these three straps make it easy to fine-tune their fit and adjust the Miura VS to the desired tightness.
Best Application
These shoes are best used for technical face climbing on vertical to gently overhung terrain. Techy limestone, granite edging, and bouldering are the best uses for the Miura. If they fit comfortably, their slightly downturned shape also translates to a good gym shoe.
Once broken in, the Miura VS are a great shoe for any terrain, especially the sweet, sweet limestone of Catalunya.
Value
Like most of the top-level shoes in this review, the Miura VS cost a pretty penny. With a price tag of $185, these shoes are an investment. Their edging ability, sensitivity, and overall design make them a fairly versatile shoe. We know some women who climb strictly in the Miura VS; from long free climbs in Yosemite Valley, to sandstone bouldering, to European limestone. This is a testament to the Miura's ability to climb well in a wide range of disciplines.
The Miura VS is a great all-arounder, which makes them a good value in our eyes.
Conclusion
The La Sportiva Miura VS is an all-around technical master. We recommend these shoes for any form of hard climbing — from sport climbing to bouldering — where the difference between sending and failure could be as simple as a botched foot placement. The Miuras can edge on granite razor blades and toe in on slippery limestone pockets with ease. Though they can be painful to break in, the Miura VS willl perform with the best of them.
