FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

La Sportiva N.A., Inc.
3850 Frontier Ave., Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 443-8710
Email: [email protected]

La Sportiva shoes can be purchased through this website, or any of our authorized dealers, please click here to find a dealer near you.
La Sportiva works closely with its dealers to ensure customer satisfaction.  An authorized La Sportiva dealer will be able to provide assistance should you encounter a problem with your purchase.

All the products we manufacture are covered under a Warranty. This warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear, improper use, or improper care. There is no implied life span of a shoe, due to the variables that can affect footwear.

La Sportiva®’s Warranty does not extend to any La Sportiva® product that has been resoled, repaired or otherwise modified. Only original La Sportiva® materials and workmanship are covered under Warranty. Any La Sportiva® products to be warrantied must be returned to La Sportiva® for evaluation. Upon inspection La Sportiva® will either replace the product or repair it.

In case the product, upon inspection, is found not to be covered under Warranty, it will be possible to repair it charging all the costs to the end user. Damages due to normal wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable price.

 

If you have a La Sportiva product that you think should be considered for warranty, please return your shoes to the store where they were purchased for assistance. If this is not possible, please contact us for a return authorization number. Please note, we cannot give a refund for shoes not purchased directly through La Sportiva NA.

We are happy to ship La Sportiva stickers to people in the United States and Canada! Please note - We only ship to USA and Canada. To receive stickers, please mail us a self-addressed and stamped envelope to: La Sportiva N.A. Inc. Attn: Stickers 3850 Frontier Avenue, Suite 100 Boulder, Colorado 80301 Or you may email your request to [email protected] along with your mailing address.

La Sportiva brand products sold in North America are manufactured in six factories. Our factories in Italy manufacture about 60% of our products. Factories in China and Vietnam manufacture 28% and 12% respectively, but this number is always changing.

On each specific product page, if you click on “SIZE CHART” you will find a corresponding size chart, either for footwear, apparel or ski boots.

All prices shown are in the United States Dollar (USD)

We weigh our shoes in half pair, sample size Men's 42 (US 9) and Women's 38 (US 7).

We currently offer wide sizes in select hiking models only.

Most of our retailers can special order shoes for you. If you have a specific request, please contact your local retailer and ask to place a special order, or you can look up the retailers that sell the specific product online by clicking "buy these products online" from the product page on this site.

We have a list of authorized cobblers on our return and warranty page that you can contact for a resole or repair here.

Replacement shoelaces are only available for some (not all) footwear models. Check out our current offering of replacement shoelaces. If you do not see the model listed we encourage you to visit a local dealer, outdoor store or purchase online to find a comparable shoelace in size and quality. Please check back in the coming months as we are working hard to have more laces in stock for replacement.

La Sportiva utilizes a range of shoe construction techniques to offer effective performance footwear for outdoor enthusiasts of all shapes and genders. Women's shoe versions may perform and fit differently, but the differences vary from Model to Model. Keep an open mind, and choose the shoe that best meets the Fit and Function needs.

We produce tech sheets when a product is introduced to the market. Over time, these products evolve to improve performance and meet your needs. The most current/best information is listed on the product page under Tech Info. The tech sheet is an added resource, but may have dated photos and differences in weight.

No, La Sportiva does not sell single shoes.

Tough question. Most Black Diamond, Petzl or Grivel crampons work really well with our boots but they are always making changes to crampons so a little research on the internet goes a long way.

Yes, see the thermo-moldable liner instructions here but we highly recommend that you take them to a knowledgeable boot fitter.

No, temperature ratings are extremely difficult to quantify due to uncontrollable variables in the end user. We do have conditions that we recommend some of our boots for and they are typically altitude dependent.

For general purpose waterproofing, we suggest Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ as this performs the best. Re-apply this product as necessary or after every use in severe conditions.

Wipe out the boots with a damp cloth after every use and condition the leather with Lexol or saddle soap. Failure to condition the leather lining may void the warranty on the boots. If the lining is not maintained properly, dirt and salt from sweaty feet will pass into the lining and reduce the life expectancy of your boots. The salt from your sweat dries out the leather lining and causes it to deteriorate rapidly.

Did Mallory and Irvine really reach the summit way back when? Who has the best kung fu? What is up with these Pokémon things? These are questions with easier answers than that of how to size your rock shoes. The V15-climbing gym rat will tell you that if your toes feel anything but searing pain, the shoes are too big. But what does he know — he's probably only 12 years old anyway. The veteran trad will insist that you need to leave room for three pairs of wool socks. Should you completely trust someone who might suffer from altitude-induced brain damage? While it isn’t a black or white issue, a general rule dictates that soft shoes require a tighter fit, two to three sizes smaller than your street shoe size. We recommend you fit your trad shoes one to two sizes under your street shoe size. A thick midsole creates a platform on which you stand, while a slip-lasted slipper-type shoe relies on your crammed toes to create an edging platform. Once you determine your needs, try on several boots in that genre. Different last types fit different feet -- that's why we make lots of lasts. If it feels good, it probably is. Remember to factor in stretch. Unlined slip-lasted shoes tend to stretch a bit more than lined shoes -- about one full size. Lined shoes stretch about a half size. Remember: a well-fit comfortable shoe will work better than an ill-fitting tighter shoe. La Sportiva's diverse last families have been specifically designed to conform to the widest possible range of both foot shape and climbing use. We constantly strive to revolutionize climbing shoe development and to provide every individual absolute freedom of choice in finding a shoe that is perfect for both their foot AND their climbing style.

Our IBS soles are designed to reduce up to 20% of the impact forces acting on the feet, legs, hips and back with each step while walking on hard ground. The slanted and opposing angles of the lugs deform upon impact to absorb 20% of the shock.

P3® is a technical randing system developed to deliver power to the sole and maintain the down-turned shape of the shoe.

A last is a three dimensional model of the human foot around which a shoe is built. The last determines how a shoe fits; whether high volume, for women’s or men’s feet. A well designed last is necessary for a good fitting shoe and truly reflects the art of shoemaking.

The midsole is the layer between the outsole and the insole. Used on shoes and boots to provide a layer of cushioning and on rock shoes to provide torsion rigidity and edging capability.

Keep your shoes and boots out of extreme temperatures. Never leave your shoes in the trunk of a hot car or in the direct sunlight. If your shoes get wet, allow to air dry and do not use a heat source. Make sure to clean your shoes/boots after each use and re-treat as needed. Store footwear in a cool, dry location.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS