Scarpa Instinct VS - Women's Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Durable, great for edging, easy to get on and off
Cons: Lacks sensitivity for slabs and low angle climbing, not versatile
Manufacturer: Scarpa
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Scarpa Instinct VS - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $147.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $185.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $170.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $185.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $185.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Durable, great for edging, easy to get on and off | Great edging shoe, precise, versatile | Comfortable, high performance, sticky rubber, easy to put on, good in cracks, versatile | Comfortable, extremely sensitive, great for smearing and steep climbing, easy to get on and off | Super sensitive, overall comfortable for aggressive design, great for pocket climbing, good for heel hooking |
| Cons | Lacks sensitivity for slabs and low angle climbing, not versatile | Specific shape can cause discomfort for some, expensive | Stretch out quickly, costly, lack support | Expensive, No-Edge technology could be an acquired taste | Expensive, specific, can be painful for some |
| Bottom Line | These shoes are great for vertical to steep sport climbing and bouldering | For climbing where footwork is key, look no further than the Miura VS | These high performance slippers from La Sportiva work well in almost all arenas, from cracks to steep sport climbs | From tufas to granite boulders, these are a steep climbers dream | From toeing in on steep terrain to standing on small holds to heel hooking, this shoe does it all |
| Rating Categories | Scarpa Instinct VS - Women's | Miura VS | La Sportiva Skwama - Women's | La Sportiva Futura - Women's | Solution Comp |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (25%) | |||||
| Edging (15%) | |||||
| Cracks (15%) | |||||
| Pockets (15%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Scarpa Instinct VS... | Miura VS | La Sportiva Skwama... | La Sportiva Futura... | Solution Comp |
| Style | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro |
| Weight (Per Pair, size 37) | 0.88 lb | 0.94 lb | 1.00 lb | 0.91 lb | 0.95 lb |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Fit | Asymmetrical | High Asymmetry | Asymmetrical | High Asymmetry | Asymmetrical |
| Upper | Microsuede | Leather | Leather/Microfiber | Leather/ Synthetic | Leather/microfiber |
| Lining | Unlined | Dentex | Unlined | Unlined | Lycra tongue/ unlined |
| Sole Rubber | Vibram XS Edge, Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 | Vibram XS Grip2 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This shoe is marketed as a sport climbing and bouldering shoe but is surprisingly well-rounded.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Our wide-footed lead tester found the Scarpa Instincts to fit incredibly well, despite being marketed as a low-volume shoe. In comparison to other women's specific Scarpa models, the Instincts are the most comfortable fit for ladies with a wider toe box. The heel also fit our foot like a glove and was one of our favorite features of these shoes. The soft, yet durable pull-tap on the top of these shoes, plus the stretchy sleeve that replaces a tongue make the Instincts easy to get on, an added plus for aggressive shoes that require removal after lead burns.
Sensitivity
Though they are fairly stiff, for an aggressive sport climbing and bouldering shoe, the Instincts can smear impressively, due to their Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber soles. This rubber is softer and stickier than the XS Edge featured on the men's model. Though they felt decent on smears and small holds, we definitely did not use the Instincts as our go-to for slabs and vertical climbing.
Edging
Here, the Instincts really shine. The combination of the bi-tension rand and the Flexan midsole makes for a stable and active fit from heel to toe. The powerful, yet flexible midsole provides enough stiffness to hold an edge while remaining comfortable. We found the Instincts to be a nice middle ground between a flat, stiff shoe ideal for vertical climbing and an aggressively downturned, softer shoe for the steeps. The Instinct is able to do both — making it a great shoe for technical, yet slightly steep climbing.
Crack Climbing
Their aggressive shape and stiff sole made the Instincts low on the list when it came to crack climbing. Their stiffness makes them both painful and difficult to use in most cracks and they seemed a bit too bulky to fit into finger cracks, where a more aggressive shoe can sometimes work as an advantage. Additionally, we found the Instincts to work best when sized tight, which added to our discomfort when wedging them into cracks.
Pockets
Like most shoes that excel in the precision edging world, the Instincts hold their own when it comes to pocket climbing as well. Their stiff sole and downturned shape pull you into the wall as they toe-in on the lip of small pockets. The rubber on top of the toe box allows for scumming and toe hooking in large pockets, while their locker heel cup makes for an impressive heel hooking shoe as well. We employed all of these tricks when scrapping our way up steep pocketed lines in the Instincts.
Ease of Use
As mentioned above, the design of the Instinct allows for quick and easy changeovers in between burns. These shoes have pull tabs on both the top of the foot and the heel, which helps a ton when sized small. The stretchy material that covers the top of the foot makes them painless to get on and off. And with only one Velcro strap to secure them, it is super easy to both put on and adjust these shoes.
Value
With a price tag that lands them in the middle of the pack in terms of high-performance shoes, we can't say that the Instincts are a bargain. These shoes, like most high-end models, cost a pretty penny. On the plus side, the Instincts are some of the most durable shoes we've tested, with a reinforced rubber toe box, a sturdy suede pull tab, and an overall tight design. We were impressed by the fact that the Instincts remained new-looking even after weeks of use.
Conclusion
The Instinct is a great all-arounder, with an aggressive shape to hold its own on steep terrain and a stiff sole that excels on small edges. These shoes are incredibly well-made and built to last, which adds to their overall value. They break in quickly, fit a wide foot comfortably, and have a heel cup that fits better than most shoes in this review. The XS Grip 2 rubber soles are sticky and soft - able to smear into small holds. These features place the Instinct up there with our award-winning models.
— Jane Jackson