2022 Katana Lace Pictures and Impressions

Chris Fedorczakwrote:

For those curious, the new women's/low volume Katana is very similar to the old women's Kataki that was discontinued. I got them in the same size (41.5). Curious to see how they feel once I climb in them, but they seem very comparable

Thanks, keep us posted with your experience!

Ryan Crochierewrote:

Great reviews!  I bought my katana on pro deal and I really regret not sizing them in the store (what store) first. La Sportiva changed their whole sizing format and ruined my ability to blind order at the regular 38 1/2 slipper 39 technical and 39 1/2 all day shoe. I historically would’ve ordered the shoe in size 39. One thing I noticed was that when I first put them on my feet they were dreamy in how comfortable they were. I got on few slab boulders and had some good experiences… Then at the gym, again pretty good at vertical edging.  All was looking pretty good except for in the steeps where the lack of downturn became obvious. Then I went to lovers Leap and got some moderate climb and on every pitch my foot skated somewhere along the pitch.  I’ve never had that happen. Finally on the last pitch of bears reach going over the short 59 boulder problem my foot skated exactly the wrong moment and I took a triple ledge tumble. Absolutely never done that before on that route. Got back up and did it again without issue but I don’t know.  They really don’t like to be smeared on granite dimples and nothingness, there seem to be a lot of material sticking out in front of my toes.  The rest of the day I over gripped a little bit until I put on my (new)TC pros. It seems the shoe will need to be downsized, I don’t know by how much. I don’t know what la Sportiva was thinking changing their sizing format, it’s rather unfortunate now because half of their stock is in the old format and I guess their new updated versions are going to be on a totally different format. :-(. I’m not giving up on the shoe, my Sportiva makes excellent shoes. It’s just gonna take me a little while to sell this pair and then find some store at some point and try on other sizes. Interestingly I didn’t notice much of a difference in sizing with the TC Pro between the old and new model. I’m curious what people have experienced along those lines. Maybe mine are just new enough?

PS- The Kataki in size 39 for me is amazing….The UK still carries them. A much more powerful but slightly less comfortable shoe.

Seems like a similar experience as I had with the new KL.

I also find the sizing on the new TC Pro to be quite close to the old model.

I’m really enjoying the Kataki, I have decided once my current KL gives out I’m going to ditch the Katana all-together and stick with TC Pro and Kataki. I find the Kataki to be less stiff than the KL. Like a very broken in KL. The Kataki has a much more plush interior feel than the KL as well.  

Ryan Crochierewrote:

The Kataki … is ...A much more powerful but slightly less comfortable shoe.

Huh. I don’t find that to be the case.

I climb in both the Katana Lace (old version) and the Kataki and size them the same. Both are relatively stiff shoes, edging machines, comfortable, and with adequate and equivalent downturn to make them super versatile. But I find that the Kataki is ever so slightly wider in the forefoot (and therefore slightly more comfortable - although both are great out of the box for me), has a much better heel design (the molded cup), and is slightly softer/less powerful (and therefore breaks down more quickly and doesn’t work quite as well for granite micro-edging). 

I love both these shoes and resent that neither are available in America (or at all in the case of the old Katana Lace) anymore.

Just for heads up for those who missing old good katakis. EU stores still have them.
I just got new pair from here https://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/la-sportiva-kataki?currency=USD&tax=ex_vat&country=US&var=61965
good price even considering shipping.

I'm looking to get a pair of the new katanas. I have had two pairs of them in the past and loved them but don't remember what size I had I think it was 42.5. I wear a 42.5 in the new Testarossas and a 43 in the old TC pro. What should I get in the new katanas?

Ben Gwrote:

I'm looking to get a pair of the new katanas. I have had two pairs of them in the past and loved them but don't remember what size I had I think it was 42.5.

I have a pair of the old Katana Lace in 42.5.  They have a fresh resole by Gear Fix and little wear otherwise as I prematurely wore the original soles with bad footwork.  Interested in buying them?

Ben Gwrote:

I'm looking to get a pair of the new katanas. I have had two pairs of them in the past and loved them but don't remember what size I had I think it was 42.5. I wear a 42.5 in the new Testarossas and a 43 in the old TC pro. What should I get in the new katanas?

I have a brand new pair of new katana lace in 41.5 eu for sale.  Based on the info above, it sounds like downsizing ½ to 1 full size is recommended with the new version.  Lmk if you’re interested.  

joe trabuccowrote:

I have a brand new pair of new katana lace in 41.5 eu for sale.  Based on the info above, it sounds like downsizing ½ to 1 full size is recommended with the new version.  Lmk if you’re interested.  

Joe - Did you find the same with sizing for you too? Having to go down in size from the regular?

Rory Awrote:

Joe - Did you find the same with sizing for you too? Having to go down in size from the regular?

Yes.  I am having to go down a half size to achieve the feel of the old version. 

Ben Gwrote:

I'm looking to get a pair of the new katanas. I have had two pairs of them in the past and loved them but don't remember what size I had I think it was 42.5. I wear a 42.5 in the new Testarossas and a 43 in the old TC pro. What should I get in the new katanas?

Use size squirrel, Lifesavers. By the way they told me to get a half size smaller in the katana lace. If only I read it ahead of time!

Josh Janeswrote:

Huh. I don’t find that to be the case.

I climb in both the Katana Lace (old version) and the Kataki and size them the same. Both are relatively stiff shoes, edging machines, comfortable, and with adequate and equivalent downturn to make them super versatile. But I find that the Kataki is ever so slightly wider in the forefoot (and therefore slightly more comfortable - although both are great out of the box for me), has a much better heel design (the molded cup), and is slightly softer/less powerful (and therefore breaks down more quickly and doesn’t work quite as well for granite micro-edging). 

I love both these shoes and resent that neither are available in America (or at all in the case of the old Katana Lace) anymore.

Agreed that the Kataki is a bit more comfortable than the old Katana lace, I was referring to the new Katana Lace.  I think the sizing is different so that might be throwing off my opinion as I found the new version of the KL to be more comfy than the Kataki in the same size.  And the old KL was less comfy in the same size.  All 39. But I think I may need to get a 38.5 or possibly even a 38 to be sized properly in the KL.  Kinda confusing until I find my new size in the KL.  It is hard to find the Kataki in NA, I think is all from Europe now.  I can’t totally understand why.

I have no problem wearing smaller sized LaSpos like my 41.5 Skwama and 42 Kataki. But those are for a different purpose.If I started going down to those sizes in the new KL model I’m sure it would reduce some of my complaints with the new KL, but that’s specifically why I loved the old KL is that I didn’t feel sloppy or bulky or clown-like in an all-day comfort fit. 

I know if I wore a 43 or 43.5 in Skwama I would for sure lose all the performance in the heel and toe box. I could also just be forgetting how insensitive and stiff a new pair of KL are in general. It’s been awhile since I had a new pair of the old model. My goal is not to dismiss the new model as a bad shoe. But I do have high expectations coming from the old model which I loved. 

Reliable Permit Solutions, LLC

Ryan Crochierewrote:

Agreed that the Kataki is a bit more comfortable than the old Katana lace, I was referring to the new Katana Lace.  I think the sizing is different so that might be throwing off my opinion as I found the new version of the KL to be more comfy than the Kataki in the same size.  And the old KL was less comfy in the same size.  All 39. But I think I may need to get a 38.5 or possibly even a 38 to be sized properly in the KL.  Kinda confusing until I find my new size in the KL.  It is hard to find the Kataki in NA, I think is all from Europe now.  I can’t totally understand why.

Yes, go down a half size and you will be good. That is the situation I ran into.  Out of the box, 41.5eu 2022 version KL felt WAY too comfortable.  I think a 40.5 would have toe curl after stretch (which I don’t want), and that’s why I think the 41 would fit like the old 41.5 - like a glove but toes barely flat.  

I wear 44 in Otaki and Kataki and 44.5 in TC Pro - should I go 44 in new Katana Lace?  

Thanks!!!

Bryce Uwrote:

Slightly uglier.

They say ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.  Thanks for the write up!

Stephen Deckerwrote:

They say ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.  Thanks for the write up!

I think they’re marginally more attractive less hideous than the originals. But it’s how they perform… just read a really detailed review by Matt Samet who gives me great hope for them, though it’s so strange that he pretty much had the opposite take as most people in this thread.

Josh Rappoportwrote:

I wear 44 in Otaki and Kataki and 44.5 in TC Pro - should I go 44 in new Katana Lace?  

Thanks!!!

I’d try 43 or 43.5

I had tried a 43.5 in last years version at the beginning of the year and did not find what others are experiencing here and ended up with the same size in the new version. Its about 3mm difference in size from one to the other. So if anyone is looking for a new, never used 2022 Katana Lace in 43, hit me up. 

Rory Awrote:

I had tried a 43.5 in last years version at the beginning of the year and did not find what others are experiencing here and ended up with the same size in the new version. Its about 3mm difference in size from one to the other. So if anyone is looking for a new, never used 2022 Katana Lace in 43, hit me up. 

Yeah, I called La Sportiva and spoke with a rep who recommended sticking with the same size in the new version. I haven't received them yet so we'll see. 

Mitch Musciwrote:

Yeah, I called La Sportiva and spoke with a rep who recommended sticking with the same size in the new version. I haven't received them yet so we'll see. 

Speaking from personal experience as i have a new pair of katana laces. I was a loyal 41.5 EU user in the older version for years. 

In the new version, 41 EU is what i wear. 41.5EU in the new version felt like how 42 EU felt in the old version, which is WAY TOO COMFY OUT OF THE BOX. Just my 2 cents.