11 Nov LA SPORTIVA: TESTA ROSSA

We already knew the Testa Rossa and at first sight, as soon as we arrived in the newsroom, the new shoes presented themselves as a restyling of the old model, still super-performing today.

With the new model of the Testa Rossa the yellow disappears to give even more space to red and black, square cuts appear in place of the round ones, underlined by the graphics surrounding the name of the shoe, exposed almost arrogantly on the outer side.

However, it takes very little to realize the main change: the heel!
Indeed the old red head, despite being conceived as an overhanging shoe, had a weak point: the heel. The shoe, which has had very few changes since 2004, was born at a time when climbing, especially at the crags, was different. Today the heel is used everywhere, and a total rubberizing (this is the novelty) makes the fans of this movement breathe a sigh of relief.

The fit
The asymmetric shape, the P3 system that maintains the sole’s arching in the long term, the wide rubber coating that prevents lateral piercing, does not make it suitable for novices, who need greater foot comfort. The fact remains that the large plant and the overall softness of the foot pocket make it a model of good fit, if one does not exceed in saving on the size. As it should be for a quality shoe, the Testa Rossa does not become a slipper, so for those who have a foot that fits the model well, a number and a half or two fewer numbers are sufficient. The wide lacing helps in any case to close a little more if an excessive laxity occurs after a long use.

How did she behave on the rock?
It is a globally soft shoe, it has a splendid flexibility in torsion and it adapts easily to the shapes from the rock favoring the tensions of the foot, making it excellent also for movements resting on not too accentuated overhangs, currently its main vocation. The heel makes the difference compared to the old model, and not only aesthetically: the global rubber coating allows an all-round use without loss of grip and without pain.

Like the Solution and the Skwama, it features the top of Vibram soles: the 3.5 XSGrip 2: it is an excellent sole, which guarantees a good grip even with low loads, and a good duration / softness ratio.

The long lacing that as we have said has the purpose to allow a perfect tensioning along the whole foot, however penalizes the top hooks, the only drawback for its use on extreme overhangs.

Technical data

• Upper: combination suede calf and tubular microfibre construction
• Lining: Pacific toe and heel, centrally absent Dry-best tongue
• Midsole: anatomical Hytrel support of the metatarsal arch combined with the P3 system
• Sole: Vibram XSGrip 2 3,5mm
• Weight: 470gr

Cap