TC Pro vs Astroman

Do any of you have experience wearing both? Wondering on the pro and cons of each. Thanks!

T.C. Pros are flat out the best trad shoe I have ever worn. You can wear them about a half size or even full size bigger than your normal sport climbing shoes and still have excellent dime-sized edging capabilities. The T.C. Pro works wonders on crack climbs, they smear well, and will handle any foot hold thrown at them. They also resole well. I didn't like the Astroman so much. The Evolv company has never impressed me with any shoe they came out with. In my opinion, cheaper is not better.

Did anyone else see that movie Valley Uprising? In that movie, and other rock climbing flicks, noticed that Alex Honnold uses T.C. Pros and other La Sportiva shoes fairly regularly. How come he doesn't have his own model of shoe? Tommy Cauldwell is undeniably great, but since Honnald seems to be more of a household name these days, isn't it about time that boy got his own pair of shoes with his name on them? It's a Micheal Jordan sort of thing don't you suppose?

I have used both, my two cents:

If you have wide feet go with Astroman
If you have narrow feet go with TC
If you want more durable rubber go with the TC
if you want stickier rubber go with Astroman

I think Astroman are generally cheaper too. Backcountry has some sizes at 115$

THanks guys. Now I'll just have to find a store around here that carries them to try them on.

Brent Larsen wrote:T.C. Pros are flat out the best trad shoe I have ever worn. You can wear them about a half size or even full size bigger than your normal sport climbing shoes and still have excellent dime-sized edging capabilities. The T.C. Pro works wonders on crack climbs, they smear well, and will handle any foot hold thrown at them. They also resole well. I didn't like the Astroman so much. The Evolv company has never impressed me with any shoe they came out with. In my opinion, cheaper is not better. Did anyone else see that movie Valley Uprising? In that movie, and other rock climbing flicks, noticed that Alex Honnold uses T.C. Pros and other La Sportiva shoes fairly regularly. How come he doesn't have his own model of shoe? Tommy Cauldwell is undeniably great, but since Honnald seems to be more of a household name these days, isn't it about time that boy got his own pair of shoes with his name on them? It's a Micheal Jordan sort of thing don't you suppose?

Don't see Honnald being down with designing a shoe for the hell of it. I could just see him saying "TC pros work just fine for me, no thanks." He seems to have a not giving a fuck about anything attitude.

ericthemurse wrote: Don't see Honnald being down with designing a shoe for the hell of it. I could just see him saying "TC pros work just fine for me, no thanks." He seems to have a not giving a fuck about anything attitude.

He has a signature rope, so it's not like he's totally against branded merch. Don't know how much he had to do with the design, though.

I wasn't expecting it, but the TC Pros are the best slab and thin face shoe I've ever worn. By far. Check out this video of Beth Rodden sending Kauk Slab (V8).

vimeo.com/32117058

Sold!

get whatever fits best

doesnt matter if honnold, caldwell, or god himself wears the shoe if it dun fit

the astroman was designed by peter croft .... for all u name chasers ...

i remember a few years ago when the honnold solo videos first came out, the local climbing shop saw a large uptick in miura sales because he wore em on his solo if half dome ... folks were buying them without regard for fit or if they were suitable for their use, simply because honnold uses em

FIT is everything

;)

I just bought a pair of astromans. From my first day of climbing in them they seem to work great. But the rubber is super hard and pressing my big toenail down kinda painfully. I hope they will they wear in or stretch a little to become more comfortable.

(they are size 40 euro and brand new if anyone with a slightly larger size wants to barter with me. pm.)

I have and climb in both regularly. I love both for the high top design which protects my ankles and for the stiff soles as I've had lots of foot problems from climbing.

The Astromans are a wider, roomier fit for me, I use them in the gym and for easy alpine stuff where extra comfort is a nice bonus when I don't need to worry about technical precision. The stickier rubber is great for slab too. If I hadn't worn any other shoes I'd probably think they were great on their own.

The TC pros however are simply amazing. Every time I put them on I feel like somebody's shrink wrapped a climbing shoe around my foot, the fit is like a glove, at least for my feet. I have mine in a medium tight size so they aren't too uncomfortable for day-long trad, yet still incredibly precise and sensitive. They edge like no other shoe I've worn and despite the harder rubber, still smear and do slab well. I hope they never stop making this shoe.

MJMobes wrote: Not true at all, many shoes stretch a whole size and a half easily and fit perfect after enduring some pain. Muiras are one of those shoes that stretch just like mythos or most other shoes made with dead cows. Maybe those cheap synthetic Chinese shoes you love so much don't stretch to fit but I wouldn't know, I don't buy that crap. :)

Hilarious

My multiple pairs of miuras never stretched "a size and a half"

Even after 2 resoles

Look at all my cheap chinese shoes

Your advice? Get shoes that dont fit !!!

;)

shoes

bearbreeder wrote: Look at all me !!! ;)

We get it, you're an expert, you told us already.

bearbreeder wrote: Hilarious My multiple pairs of miuras never stretched "a size and a half" Even after 2 resoles Look at all my cheap chinese shoes Your advice? Get shoes that dont fit !!! ;)

It's ironic that not a single of the thread title shoes is in the picture. People with personal experiences with both shoes have given adequate answers, I think. I hate when people chime in with canned opinions like "get what fits first". I'm sure the OP knows that already...

Ray Pinpillage wrote: We get it, you're an expert, you told us already.

nonsense ray ... yr the troll you told us already

;)

Brent Larsen wrote:T.C. Pros are flat out the best trad shoe I have ever worn. You can wear them about a half size or even full size bigger than your normal sport climbing shoes and still have excellent dime-sized edging capabilities.

I don't know how Brent sizes his sport shoes, but I will say that I got my first pair of TC's too big and the performance, particularly with edging, suffered. My next pair I dropped down 0.5 size (Euro size) so that they were right on the verge of uncomfortable when new, and then they stretched some and were just right...I think...I might even try another 0.5 down next time around: I'm very happy with how they climb, but I also notice that I'm happily coiling the rope and racking gear with my TC's on while others are scrambling to get into their street shoes.

Optimistic,
Any suggestions on sizing?
Street size 10 1/2
Mythos: 41.5
Miura VS: 43 (and quite tight)

Tev: probably 42.5 or 43.

I wear 10.5 or sometimes 11 street, 42 Mythos (but might size down another 1/2 if I got another pair), 43.5 several others, and a 43 TC fits me just right. As optimistic says, just slightly uncomfortable new, they stretch a tiny bit but nothing like the Mythos.

Tev wrote:Optimistic, Any suggestions on sizing? Street size 10 1/2 Mythos: 41.5 Miura VS: 43 (and quite tight)

My street shoe is 12 1/2-12 3/4 (sportiva trail runners do come in 12 1/2+ which is 46.5 and I wear those) and my TC's that seem to fit properly are 45 which per Sportiva's sizing chart is 11 1/2. If I lace them just "snug" they are in all-day comfort mode, and if I crank the forefoot lacing a little bit they are in edging fiend mode.

I sized them new with toes just slightly bent. They stretched a moderate amount and landed in what seems to be a perfect spot for an all-around shoe, with "all-around" including some really nice crack performance. As I said I might brave a 44.5 next time around but as a general rule I've always regretted going the super tight shoe route, except on RRG/Euro limestone kind of stuff or the gym, where my much tighter curled-toe fit Anasazis seem to shine. I certainly would never jam anything in my Anasazis, whereas with the TC's a jam is cause for a smile because it's so dialed in and comfy.

TC's do not stretch as much as Mythos, but they definitely do stretch. Also note that the rather shocking stiffness of the sole when they're new does soften up A LOT. They still seem to edge pretty well despite this.

Thanks Kevin and Optimistic. Will try the 42.5 and 43.

I hate to revive a dead thread, but I just wanted to add my experience with the Astroman hi tops. I have short, fat feet, and I sized my shoes exactly at my street shoe size. They fit tight (not uncomfortably) out of the box, and have stretched nicely into a comfy but not sloppy fit. I recommend these to anyone in the wide category.