la sportiva mandala thoughts/reviews

Anyone had a chance to preview or check out the new incoming la sportiva shoes, specifically the brand new model mandala? No edge single strap shoe. Curious to hear what kind of niche this fills. The mantra seems relatively similar with the main difference between the strap vs slipper…but there’s a significant increase in msrp for the mandala. I saw one website describe the mandala as a strap/bouldering version of the genius (which is also getting updated). I’m guessing it’s gonna be thicker and not as soft as the mantra and thus more suitable for outdoors.

Got to fondle these at a demo. Significantly larger toe-patch and an updated heel. Partial midsole for a bit more stiffness, but less downturn and a bit more sensitivity than the Genius. I think it’s going to be a great all-rounder for people who already like no-edge.

Elijah Bensonwrote:

Got to fondle these at a demo. Significantly larger toe-patch and an updated heel. Partial midsole for a bit more stiffness, but less downturn and a bit more sensitivity than the Genius. I think it’s going to be a great all-rounder for people who already like no-edge.

How was the heel ? Publicity states same as solution comps heel (Which don't fit me) and this would be a great shame as I've worn no edge shoes for 10 years.

David Swainewrote:

How was the heel ? Publicity states same as solution comps heel (Which don't fit me) and this would be a great shame as I've worn no edge shoes for 10 years.

I didn’t get to try them on, unfortunately. Heels looked similar to those on the Mantra imo. One of the few LS heels that even marginally works for me, so exciting that I’ll be able to lock it in with a strap.

Elijah Bensonwrote:

I didn’t get to try them on, unfortunately. Heels looked similar to those on the Mantra imo. One of the few LS heels that even marginally works for me, so exciting that I’ll be able to lock it in with a strap.

Thanks.Might might try those on sometime see if they fit.

The Mandala is made on the same last as the testarossa and the Genius (PD85), so it'll have a similarly wide forefoot as those two models.

d kwrote:

The Mandala is made on the same last as the testarossa and the Genius (PD85), so it'll have a similarly wide forefoot as those two models.

I've had a pair of these for a few days.Wider toe box for sure.Shape wise they feel like a solution comp with a futura toe box (albeit bit of a wider one).They don't feel as aggressive as say the speedster though.Perhaps downsizing would change that.Id call them a  futura MK3 in terms of what they feel like to climb in.

David Swainewrote:

I've had a pair of these for a few days.Wider toe box for sure.Shape wise they feel like a solution comp with a futura toe box (albeit bit of a wider one).They don't feel as aggressive as say the speedster though.Perhaps downsizing would change that.Id call them a  futura MK3 in terms of what they feel like to climb in.

I am surprised to hear they are out! I’ve been periodically checking the US and europe la sportiva websites and the new no-edge range is still not even listed on either one right now. 

Sam Ehmannwrote:

I am surprised to hear they are out! I’ve been periodically checking the US and europe la sportiva websites and the new no-edge range is still not even listed on either one right now. 

Go to alpinetrek they have them all in stock.

David Swainewrote:

Go to alpinetrek they have them all in stock.

Thanks David, been looking for these. How do you get them to ship to U.S. though?

Cooper Slaughterwrote:

Thanks David, been looking for these. How do you get them to ship to U.S. though?

I live in the UK.My local gym has them now so They're probably be imported to the US quite soon. I would have thought 

David Swainewrote:

I live in the UK.My local gym has them now so They're probably be imported to the US quite soon. I would have thought 

Ah yeah fair enough. Guess I’ll just have to twiddle my thumbs and wait

Cooper Slaughterwrote:

Ah yeah fair enough. Guess I’ll just have to twiddle my thumbs and wait

Bergfreunde has them in stock and believe ships to the US. 

d kwrote:

The Mandala is made on the same last as the testarossa and the Genius (PD85), so it'll have a similarly wide forefoot as those two models.

Anyone any idea if the revamped Genius has changed in fit? The only Sportiva shoes that work for me are the PD85 lasted ones like the Genius 1.0 and now, hopefully, the Mandala. 

REI had these for preorder.

https://www.rei.com/product/229743/la-sportiva-mandala-climbing-shoes

Interestingly it looks like the US La Sportiva website now has all 3 new no-edge models available for purchase except the Mandala

Anyone know if they're going to release low volume versions or is this it?

duncan...wrote:

Anyone any idea if the revamped Genius has changed in fit? The only Sportiva shoes that work for me are the PD85 lasted ones like the Genius 1.0 and now, hopefully, the Mandala. 

Tried the white Genius' and Mandalas at a shoe demo this weekend. They felt similar in fit to each other and to how I remember the red Genius'. The Mandalas seemed a little bit softer and didn't fit my wide forefoot quite as well as Genius' probably due to the later's lacing giving more adjustably near the toes. People with a slightly different shaped foot and who prefer a softer shoe might favour Mandalas and their toe-rubber will probably make them a better shoe for toe hooking. 

duncan...wrote:

Tried the white Genius' and Mandalas at a shoe demo this weekend. They felt similar in fit to each other and to how I remember the red Genius'. The Mandalas seemed a little bit softer and didn't fit my wide forefoot quite as well as Genius' probably due to the later's lacing giving more adjustably near the toes. People with a slightly different shaped foot and who prefer a softer shoe might favour Mandalas and their toe-rubber will probably make them a better shoe for toe hooking. 

I've used the Mandala here in the red river gorge in the last 4 weeks.Performance wise a very good slipper but imo not as sensitive or down turned as the Speedsters or Genius and not quite as good as the old futuras in pockets.Maybe I needed to downsize considerably to get these levels of sensitivity  back  but at the level I climb tbh they they do what I want them to do well enough.For more precise climbing needs i have the solutions..For me a fine replacement for the old  futuras however with a better and more comfortable fit.

Can anyone that has tried these and the latest Testarossa comment on the sizing? 

Doug Chismwrote:

Can anyone that has tried these and the latest Testarossa comment on the sizing? 

Imo these are reasonably high volume when broken in.Wider toe box than old futura.For high performance size down perhaps ? Still think they feel like solution comps with no edge toe box.