Home Gear The Ultimate List of La Sportiva Katana Alternatives

The Ultimate List of La Sportiva Katana Alternatives

by Paulina Dao
La Sportiva Katana alternatives

The La Sportiva Women’s Katanas were my first pair of climbing shoes. They’ve since been discontinued by La Sportiva, which is an absolute shame. The Katanas are the perfect all-around shoe, geared towards newer and experienced climbers alike. Once broken in, they could last on your feet for hours, without extreme pain. I currently have 1.5 pairs (lost a shoe bouldering at the Zephyrs, it’s size 35.5, holler if you find it), and I know that one day, they will no longer be resole-able. In anticipation, I’ve been testing out a bunch of other shoes from La Sportiva. Here’s my list of La Sportiva Katana alternatives.

La Sportiva Katana Lace

What’s the same

  • The shoe

What’s different

  • Laces
  • Unisex

Buy through Backcountry for $195. Use code PAULINAD15 for 15% off your first purchase, exclusions apply.

La Sportiva Otaki

The La Sportiva Otakis have come closest to the La Sportiva Katanas. They are a solid all-day shoe that excel at every discipline.

La Sportiva Katana Alternatives La Sportiva Otaki

What’s the same

  • Velcro
  • Solid all-around climbing shoe
  • Can wear all day
  • Comes in a men’s and women’s version

What’s different

  • Slightly more aggressive

Buy for $185.

La Sportiva TC Pro

The La Sportiva TC Pros are specifically designed as a trad climbing shoe. However, it excels at all disciplines and can be worn all day, making it a great La Sportiva Katana alternative.

La Sportiva TC Pro La Sportiva Katana Alternative

What’s the same

  • Solid all-around climbing shoe
  • Can wear all day
  • Similar silhouette

What’s different

  • Laces
  • High top
  • Extra padding for crack climbing
  • Unisex

Buy for $190.

La Sportiva Kataki

La Sportiva - Kataki Climbing Shoe - Women's - Mint/Coral

The La Sportiva Katakis are similar to the La Sportiva Otakis, which makes them similar to the La Sportiva Katanas, with laces.

What’s the same

  • Solid all-around climbing shoe
  • Can wear all day
  • Similar silhouette
  • Discontinued

What’s different

  • Laces
  • Slightly more aggressive

Buy for $70 at Steep and Cheap. Limited sizes available.

La Sportiva Muira

I’m hesitant to include the La Sportiva Muira because they do not fit my feet at all. I get terrible hot spots from them, which means they aren’t a great La Sportiva Katana alternative. However, many folks love these, so they begrudgingly get a mention.

La Sportiva Muira La Sportiva Katana Alternative

What’s the same

  • Solid all-around climbing shoe
  • Can wear all day
  • Similar silhouette

What’s different

  • Slightly more aggressive
  • Some come with laces

Buy for $165 (velcro) or $185 (laces).

Am I missing a shoe that’s like the La Sportiva Katana? Let me know of any other La Sportiva Katana alternatives in the comments.

This post contains affiliate links.

Last updated on May 19, 2021.

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