La Sportiva Genius
La Sportiva
The Genius is a firm, aggressively downturned lace shoe from La Sportiva for sport climbing and bouldering. Typically sized 2 EU sizes below street size. Of 10 user reports, 9 rate the heel perfect and 7 rate the toes perfect. In stock at 22 shops from 58.95 EUR.
La Sportiva's No-Edge lace shoe for high-end sport climbing. The Genius pairs the No-Edge concept - maximising rubber-to-rock contact on irregular footholds - with a precise lace closure for fine volume adjustment. P3 system maintains downturn over the shoe's lifespan. Vibram XS Grip2 sole at 3 mm for maximum sensitivity. Ideal for technical face climbing, smearing on granite, and pocketed limestone.
Best For
Best for sport climbing and bouldering on vertical and overhang terrain. Aimed at advanced to elite climbers.
Among the 469 adult climbing shoes we track, the Genius ranks in the top 9% for edging, the top 17% for pocket climbing and the top 31% for hooking.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Genius strengths
- No-Edge technology for superb smearing
- Lace closure for precise fit adjustment
- P3 system maintains shape over time
- Excellent sensitivity on technical terrain
- Steep profile excels on overhanging routes
Genius trade-offs
- Soft sole wears faster on rough rock
- Uncomfortable for anything except hard climbing
How the Genius fits
Typically sized 2 EU sizes below street size.
Synthetic upper won't stretch.
Fit profile: medium width, standard forefoot volume, narrow heel, suits egyptian toe shapes.
No stretch expected; minimal break-in.
How it fit climbers with your foot shape: fit reports from feet like yours.
Genius fit reports
Based on fit feedback from 10 owners who measured their feet with the climbing-gear.com foot scanner and rated this shoe at the toes, forefoot and heel (tight, perfect or loose).
Typical downsize: -2.0 EU from street size (n=10).
- Fits best for: roman toe shape, short toes, no hallux valgus, narrow forefoot, medium heel width, wide heel, medium heel depth
- Runs tight for: egyptian toe shape
- Runs loose for: high instep
- Toes: 70% perfect (n=10) - 7 perfect, 3 tight, 0 loose. Fits well for roman toe shape, short toes, no hallux valgus
- Forefoot: 60% perfect (n=10) - 6 perfect, 3 tight, 1 loose. Fits well for narrow forefoot
- Heel: 90% perfect (n=10) - 9 perfect, 0 tight, 1 loose. Fits well for medium heel width, wide heel, medium heel depth
Stiffness
Measured stiffness: 0.59 on our 0-1 scale (0 = softest). Among aggressive shoes it sits between the Evolv Shaman (0.51, softer) and the Scarpa Boostic R (0.67, stiffer).
Genius specifications
| Brand | La Sportiva |
| Model | Genius |
| Closure | Lace |
| Downturn | Aggressive |
| Asymmetry | Strong |
| Toe Patch | Full |
| Heel Rubber | Full |
| Ankle Protection | None |
| Midsole | Full |
| Midsole Stiffness | Medium hard |
| Rand | Tensioned |
| Upper Material | Microfiber |
| Weight (pair) | 440 g (15.5 oz) |
| Break-in | Minimal |
| Rubber | Vibram XS Grip2 |
| Rubber Thickness | 3mm |
| Rubber Hardness | Soft |
| Durability | Moderate |
| Vegan | No |
| Resoleable | Yes |
| Kids | No |
What the Genius costs
Prices checked 15 Oct 2026 across 22 shops that currently stock it (58.95 to 200.00 EUR). Cheapest current offer: 58.95 EUR at sportfits.de, 66% below the 175.00 EUR list price.
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| sportfits.de | 58.95 EUR |
| outdoor-climbing.de | 89.00 EUR |
| campobase.net | 99.90 EUR |
| bergfreunde.de | 101.97 EUR |
| oliunid.de | 118.90 EUR |
| epictv.com | 118.90 EUR |
| hardloop.de | 121.90 EUR |
| bergzeit.de | 125.80 EUR |
| skalnik.pl | 133.99 EUR |
| sportokay.com | 139.99 EUR |
| + 12 more shops | |
Prices by size
Cheapest in-stock price per EU size and how many shops list that size, from the EU pool. Updated daily.
| EU size | From | Shops |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 101.97 EUR | 3 |
| 33.5 | 118.90 EUR | 2 |
| 34 | 58.95 EUR | 8 |
| 34.5 | 101.97 EUR | 8 |
| 35 | 89.00 EUR | 11 |
| 35.5 | 139.96 EUR | 10 |
| 36 | 89.00 EUR | 13 |
| 36.5 | 101.97 EUR | 10 |
| 37 | 89.00 EUR | 14 |
| 37.5 | 125.80 EUR | 13 |
| 38 | 89.00 EUR | 16 |
| 38.5 | 125.80 EUR | 16 |
| 39 | 89.00 EUR | 17 |
| 39.5 | 125.80 EUR | 16 |
| 40 | 125.80 EUR | 18 |
| 40.5 | 99.90 EUR | 15 |
| 41 | 125.80 EUR | 18 |
| 41.5 | 125.80 EUR | 19 |
| 42 | 121.90 EUR | 18 |
| 42.5 | 125.80 EUR | 17 |
| 43 | 125.80 EUR | 17 |
| 43.5 | 99.90 EUR | 19 |
| 44 | 125.80 EUR | 17 |
| 44.5 | 125.80 EUR | 13 |
| 45 | 121.90 EUR | 13 |
| 45.5 | 125.80 EUR | 9 |
| 46 | 125.80 EUR | 9 |
Similar Climbing Shoes
Prices, stock and owner fit data on this page update daily. You are welcome to cite these figures if you name climbing-gear.com and link to this page - see our data terms.