Scarpa Instinct
Scarpa
The Instinct is a medium-soft, moderately downturned lace shoe from Scarpa for sport climbing and trad and multi-pitch. Typically sized 1.5 EU sizes below street size. Of 12 user reports, 6 find the heel loose and 10 rate the forefoot perfect. In stock at 26 shops from 123.62 EUR.
The lace-closure variant of Instinct, built for sport climbers and trad climbers who demand precise fit control. XS Edge rubber and a stiff forefoot give durable edging on slab and in cracks, while the medium-width last suits standard foot shapes across varied terrain.
Best For
Best for sport climbing and trad multipitch on slab, vertical and overhang terrain. Aimed at intermediate to advanced climbers.
Among the 469 adult climbing shoes we track, the Instinct ranks in the top 24% for edging, the top 33% for support and the top 49% for hooking.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Instinct strengths
- Precise fit adjustment via lace
- Supportive partial midsole
- Crack-climbing capable
- Balanced curve for climbers who do a bit of everything
- Stiff compound supports body weight on dime-size holds
Instinct trade-offs
- Laces require fine-tuning
- Tall toe box struggles in thin cracks
- Less responsive on micro-holds
How the Instinct fits
Typically sized 1.5 EU sizes below street size.
Standard volume, medium width. Minimal stretch. Lace closure allows progressive tightening. Size to a snug midfoot with secure heel.
Fit profile: medium width, standard forefoot volume, medium heel, suits greek toe shapes.
Minimal stretch expected; moderate break-in.
How it fit climbers with your foot shape: fit reports from feet like yours.
Instinct fit reports
Based on fit feedback from 12 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: -1.5 EU from street size (n=12).
- Fits best for: long toes, narrow forefoot, high instep, deep heel
- Runs tight for: low instep, medium heel width
- Runs loose for: greek toe shape, short toes, mild hallux valgus, narrow heel, shallow heel
- Toes: 58% perfect (n=12) - 7 perfect, 2 tight, 3 loose. Fits well for long toes
- Forefoot: 83% perfect (n=12) - 10 perfect, 2 tight, 0 loose. Fits well for narrow forefoot, high instep
- Heel: 42% perfect (n=12) - 5 perfect, 1 tight, 6 loose. Fits well for deep heel
Stiffness
Measured stiffness: 0.45 on our 0-1 scale (0 = softest). Among moderately downturned shoes it sits between the Tenaya Tarifa (0.40, softer) and the Boreal Joker Lace (0.49, stiffer).
Instinct specifications
| Brand | Scarpa |
| Model | Instinct |
| Closure | Lace |
| Downturn | Moderate |
| Asymmetry | Moderate |
| Toe Patch | Medium |
| Heel Rubber | Full |
| Ankle Protection | None |
| Midsole | Three quarter |
| Midsole Stiffness | Medium soft |
| Rand | Tensioned |
| Upper Material | Microfiber |
| Weight (pair) | 442 g (15.6 oz) |
| Break-in | Moderate |
| Rubber | Vibram XS Edge |
| Rubber Thickness | 3.5mm |
| Rubber Hardness | Hard |
| Durability | Moderate, High |
| Vegan | No |
| Resoleable | Yes |
| Kids | No |
What the Instinct costs
Prices checked 15 Oct 2026 across 26 shops that currently stock it (123.62 to 170.00 EUR). Cheapest current offer: 123.62 EUR at funktionelles.de, 27% below the 169.95 EUR list price.
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| funktionelles.de | 123.62 EUR |
| bergfreunde.de | 127.46 EUR |
| barrabes.com | 129.90 EUR |
| deporvillage.com | 129.95 EUR |
| hardloop.de | 132.90 EUR |
| oliunid.de | 135.90 EUR |
| laufundberg.de | 139.00 EUR |
| snowleader.com | 139.90 EUR |
| alpinstore.com | 140.00 EUR |
| sportfits.de | 141.45 EUR |
| + 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 135.90 EUR | 1 |
| 34.5 | 135.90 EUR | 1 |
| 35 | 127.46 EUR | 11 |
| 35.5 | 127.46 EUR | 8 |
| 36 | 127.46 EUR | 13 |
| 36.5 | 127.46 EUR | 10 |
| 37 | 124.68 EUR | 13 |
| 37.5 | 123.62 EUR | 15 |
| 38 | 125.19 EUR | 15 |
| 38.5 | 129.90 EUR | 19 |
| 39 | 125.19 EUR | 17 |
| 39.5 | 124.23 EUR | 20 |
| 40 | 123.62 EUR | 19 |
| 40.5 | 132.89 EUR | 17 |
| 41 | 129.90 EUR | 20 |
| 41.5 | 129.90 EUR | 19 |
| 42 | 129.90 EUR | 19 |
| 42.5 | 129.94 EUR | 19 |
| 43 | 129.95 EUR | 16 |
| 43.5 | 132.90 EUR | 18 |
| 44 | 132.90 EUR | 16 |
| 44.5 | 129.95 EUR | 17 |
| 45 | 129.95 EUR | 15 |
| 45.5 | 141.99 EUR | 1 |
Similar Climbing Shoes
- La Sportiva Katana Lace
- La Sportiva Katana Lace Women's
- Scarpa Instinct SR
- Scarpa Instinct VS
- Scarpa Instinct VSR
- Andrea Boldrini Tiger
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.