La Sportiva Tarantulace
Lace and Velcro versions available
Illustration of the product
▶ From a video review of this product
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- Fit
- Flat, roomy last; stretches noticeably with wear
- Best for
- First-time buyers, gym beginners, anyone wanting a cheap backup pair for abrasive rock
Why it ranks here. By far the most talked-about budget shoe across Reddit (r/climbing, r/bouldering, r/climbingshoes) and YouTube gear channels — repeatedly called 'the most popular first shoe globally.'↗ It's cheap (~$80-99), fits a wide range of feet, and is widely recommended as a no-brainer starter shoe, even though durability and rubber quality are frequent complaints.
Owners overwhelmingly say the Tarantulace is comfortable out of the box, flat/neutral enough to learn footwork in, and good value at roughly $80 (MSRP crept to $99 by 2025). The recurring complaint is durability: many climbers report toe rubber wearing through or the rand/sole delaminating within 2-6 months, especially with beginner footwork (toe-dragging). Several users note La Sportiva has had recurring glue-quality issues 'almost every year.' Despite that, people who wear through a pair often just buy another because they're so cheap, and many say the shoe took them to V4-V9 or 5.11 without holding them back. Sizing advice varies (some say true-to-street-size, others say downsize half a size); the shoe stretches noticeably over months of use.
What owners like
- The default recommendation in nearly every 'first shoe'↗ thread — one climber called it 'the most popular first shoe globally'↗
- Flat, neutral shape that's genuinely useful for learning footwork, and owners report reaching V4-V9 or 5.11 in them
- Cheap enough that replacing a worn pair doesn't sting: 'Yes definitely get a cheaper pair. These are around $80 and are some of the cheapest'↗
What owners complain about
- Toe rubber and soles are prone to wearing through or delaminating early — 'the toes burn through really fucking quickly'↗
- Reports of recurring glue-quality issues: 'La Sportiva has issues with their glue almost every year, it's hit and miss'↗
- Durability is inconsistent pair to pair — some owners get 2+ years, others get 2 months before holes appear
“As for your post title, no it would not be stupid to get a version of the Tarantula. I'd wager it's the most popular first shoe globally. Can't think of anything that'd be smarter without specifics.” — Reddit comment · u/Airewalt · r/climbingshoes · 2024-12-30
9 positive · 4 mixed · 1 neutral · 6 negative · 19 voices · ✓ all 20 linked to source
Read all 20 quotes (19 voices)
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Yea, it's definitely been a learning experience, I am getting better the more I climb. I've been about 50x in the past 3 months. I am currently thinking I am just going to wear these until they are unwareable and wait till REI has a sale to replace them
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Yes definitely get a cheaper pair. These are around $80 and are some of the cheapest
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The LS Tarantulace is a really cheap shoe. Replace and resole cost is comparable, so you mind as well just replace.
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The toes burn through really fucking quickly. Otherwise, I liked them a lot.
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Hm, so far they worked great for me. And lots of my friends have them too, no issues with the rubber so far, we are climbing frankenjura in Germany mostly
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Same. I owned tarantulace and used them for 6 months. The rubber is so terrible, imo. Got some muiras after and the difference is night and day.
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Since this is probably considered ordinary wear and tear I don't have the option to return them to the store I purchased them at. I know shoes do wear out, but 80$ for a pair that wore out in 2 months, that's not "cheap" if you ask me.
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I've seen at least 4 pairs of Tarantulaces and the velcro ones both get tears in the leather, soles delaminating, seams ripping, etc early on in their ownership. They're cheap Sportivas for a reason I guess.
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La Sportiva has issues with their glue almost every year, it's hit and miss. My first pair of futuras lasted 3+ years of extensive use, but the rand at the 2nd pair I bought delaminated after 5 days or less outside.
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My tarantula inside edge peeled at the sole due to glue failure after a very short while, ans I see pics here of others having the same issue too. Definitely don't recommend the.
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Tarantulace fits amazing? Get it. It's a solid shoe and a lot of people I know (myself included) started with that one. I've been climbing for 2 years now and gone up to V5 and the Tarantulace still fits my needs (and my feet).
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Tarantulace was my go-to for my first 5-ish years of climbing and I see people at the gym sending V7 in them all the time, so they definitely won't hold you back from progressing. I still have a pair around for JTree trips because I can wear them for hours of dicking around on those super abrasive rocks and not screw up my more expensive shoes.
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I personally liked the tarantulas since there's no lace and to be honest I climbed in them a bunch including a bunch of v9s
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Tarantulas were my first shoe. Those bad boys got me my first V4. Absolute horse shit shoes for tiny painful foot chips on slab, but as a beginner, that prpb won't be an issue until you're ready to replace em anyway.
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I got the tarantulas for my first shoe and they've lasted me ages! I've only recently replaced them after about 12 months. Very comfortable and capable shoe that's a huge step up from rentals. In the UK they are also some of the cheapest available (about £70) unless you go to decathlon or something.
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As for your post title, no it would not be stupid to get a version of the Tarantula. I'd wager it's the most popular first shoe globally. Can't think of anything that'd be smarter without specifics.
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Tarantulace is a great place to start. They're cheap and decent. Expensive shoes won't help much as a beginner anyway. You'll probably get your size wrong the first time and the laces are more forgiving in finding a right fit. These will stretch for a few months but once broke in they are very comfortable. Sometimes I wished they had a sharper edge but it never really mattered until 5.11s and still mostly doesn't.
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My La Sportiva Tarantulas lasted me years and wore in like house slippers.
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This video rounds up on all beginner topics. Thanks! ... FYI, its been 5 years and it still costs $80.
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I've been climbing in my Tarantulace's for over 2 years now. I love the fit. But I just got holes through the toes, all the way through. I just bought La Sportiva Solution and my first route made me want my Taratulace's back....
