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La Sportiva Solution

Original Post
IronMan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 65

I need some help with sizing on the Solutions

How much do you need to downsize with these shoes, and how much do they stretch?

I wear a size 11 street shoe, and currently have a pair of size 11 Defys that are slightly sloppy.

I was thinking 41-42?

Any input accepted! Thanks.

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

My foot measures 10.5 D/E on those foot sizing things in shops. I normally wear an 11 or 11.5 depending on the shoe and its width. I wear a 42.5 Solution.

IronMan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 65

Thanks for the quick reply!

Ok, I was thinking somewhere along those lines. How much did they stretch?

Elijah Flenner · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 820

I wear a 10.5 and a 41 solution. My Solutions do not stretch, but I also don't like a really tight shoe.

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

I wear a 43 street shoe and a 41 Tarantulace. I have two pairs of Solutions, one is 40.5 and one is 41.5. Neither pair fits correctly on my larger foot to the point where it's super painful and I can only keep them on for a little while. Both sizes fit alright on my smaller foot, but the 40.5 is a little more comfy but sloppier.

I typically wear one of each, and then rip them off as soon as I send, before being lowered to the ground, or on the way down.

My Solutions have also not stretched, contrary to popular belief. There's just too much rubber, especially with the P3.

Jason Halladay · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 15,153

I wear a 47 in running shoes and a 45 in the Solutions. I first tried a 45.5 in the Solution but found it conforming (stretching?) to my foot a bit only after a couple wearings. The 45 fairly comfortable for me while climbing. But I take em off immediately after each route.

IronMan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 65

Thanks for the input.

So I'm guessing the general consensus is that they Solutions don't stretch much?

by the way, how do you guys like them?

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25
IronMan wrote:Thanks for the input. So I'm guessing the general consensus is that they Solutions don't stretch much? by the way, how do you guys like them?
favorite pair of shoes ever. But um, mine are too small, so they're also my least comfortable right now. I'm going to buy a 3rd pair and see if I can get them to work right and not kill my toes. But they're SO worth the money.
shotwell · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0
IronMan wrote:Thanks for the input. So I'm guessing the general consensus is that they Solutions don't stretch much? by the way, how do you guys like them?
I've worn them for some time and just went from an old pair to a new that is now broken in. They stretch. I've worn a lot of shoes that 'mold' and a lot of shoes that stretch. For me, they stretch at least a half a size, probably closer to three quarters. I wear an 11.5 street, size 42 Solution. Used to wear the 42.5, but it just gets too sloppy. I wore an 11 Pontas at one time (tight.)

As far as how much I like them? Not as much as other, similar shoes. I'm big for a boulderer, so I like some support. The solution is just too soft for me. Not durable either, but that is obvious from looking at the design. None of this matters if they don't fit though. You really need to try them on if you can.
ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

The weird thing was, they fit fine in the store and when I first started to climb on them. But after a few weeks I think my feet just had enough.

frankstoneline · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 30

I wear a small 10.5/10 in street shoe and a buddy gave me a pair of 40.5 solutions. fit perfect.

edited to add: if the dude above gets a new pair and wants to unload his 40.5's i might wanna get at em (dunno if mine will handle a 4th sole)

Rob Lilley · · Greensboro, NC · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 85

42 street shoe here and my Solutions are 39, I could have gone down further to a 38.5. My Miura VS are 38.5 and Miura Laces are 39 too.

Adam Bunger · · Someplace in the Northeast · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,025

I wear a size 13 street shoe generally, my 5.10 Dragons/Blackwings/V10s and all a 13, my solutions are an 11.5.

ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25
frankstoneline wrote:I wear a small 10.5/10 in street shoe and a buddy gave me a pair of 40.5 solutions. fit perfect. edited to add: if the dude above gets a new pair and wants to unload his 40.5's i might wanna get at em (dunno if mine will handle a 4th sole)
I just listed them for sale but they fit my left foot like a glove. I'm heading up to try on a pair of 42s soon so if they fit right, I'll sell you mine for cheap. They're pretty much cherry since I couldn't climb for a few months.

I want to be dead sure they're the wrong size before I get rid of them, since I bought them at full retail.
shotwell · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0
ChristopherAust wrote: I just listed them for sale but they fit my left foot like a glove. I'm heading up to try on a pair of 42s soon so if they fit right, I'll sell you mine for cheap. They're pretty much cherry since I couldn't climb for a few months. I want to be dead sure they're the wrong size before I get rid of them, since I bought them at full retail.
The solution might not be the right shoe for your foot. Have you tried similar models?

Scarpa Feroce or Boostic, Five Ten Team, Evolv Shaman, Boreal Falcon, etc. Getting your Solutions too big won't be as good as getting the right shoe in the right size for your foot.

Also, if you've worn your Solutions for fewer than 40 boulder problems, they probably haven't stretched yet. What are you climbing in them?
ChristopherAust · · Ohio · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 25

My right foot is bigger than my left, so I wear a bigger Solution on that side. :) 40.5 on the left, 41.5 on the right. I think the right is starting to stretch some so I might buy another pair in size 41 (same size as my regular climbing shoes) and just wear those. But the 40.5 still fits amazing on my left foot. My right big toe is about 1cm longer than my left. So confusing!

I don't really boulder much since I hurt my shoulder. Trying to get back into it.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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