La Sportiva

A Desire To Go Further

Seen and considered by many as a purists brand in the world of both climbing and outdoor adventure, La Sportiva has a rich and esteemed heritage in the mountains. Beginning life as a small workshop in 1928, located in Dolomites – a real adventure playground – the brand originally manufactured wooden clogs and simple leather boots. This passionate craftsmanship eventually developed until La Sportiva worked to create supreme products for alpinists, climbers, ski-mountaineers and beyond.

A desire to go further was one of the primary drivers with the development of La Sportiva – as it is with many traditional outdoor brands. And, actually, humans in general. We’ve always wanted to know more, do more, BE more. This mentality is echoed throughout their product lines but also through the personality of their Pro Athletes and ambassadors.

Over their 90+ year lifespan, La Sportiva has developed into a global brand with an all-encompassing repertoire of outdoor sporting goods to aid in the performance of both athletes and hobbyists alike. Though La Sportiva product has seen many refinements and evolutions, there are some mainstays that have become somewhat “cult classics” within both the outdoor and the more lifestyle oriented communities. With the headquarters of the brand still being located in Val Di Fiemme, so much of the research and development, alongside testing is still carried out within close proximity to the facilities.

A brand that truly stays close to its roots and mission, they are unapologetically for those who live in the mountains. This may be why they have garnered a fandom in the world of lifestyle, even fashion at a stretch. People will always class the unknown, hard to acquire product as objectively “cool”, certainly desirable at least. For me, this really started with the low-key popularity of the TX4 and TX5 being worn more frequently on the streets as a viable alternative to your Salomon or Keen. Which, at the time in 2022 or so, was rather unheard of. Something with a sleek shape that the trouser will sit nice on, but you’ll have no trouble taking it for a spin in your regular rural stomping grounds at the weekend.

“We tried to imagine ourselves in another context, in another place away from our mountains, the Dolomites, which inspire us every day to overcome our vertical horizons”

As mentioned before, these were mainstays for the mountain folk and brand alike. However, this newfound popularity that was bubbling under the surface was beginning to feel like the makings of a “cult classic” I previously referred to.

Footwear such as the TX4, a robust low profile approach shoe developed to tackle your technical infill to any crag or wall that you and your crew have decided to tackle. Debuting at HHV for this season see’s the “Evo” iteration of the popular silhouette. Updated with a slightly stiffer midsole to ensure the technicalities of any approach can be aptly handled and coming in a selection of classic La Sportiva colour-ups.

Continually referencing their heritage of being born in the mountains, La Sportiva opt to forego the moniker of “trail running” and stand by its categorisation of “mountain running” product lines – such as the Ultra Raptor II model. The precursor to this model, the original Ultra Raptor, has been a well loved and worn shoe by mountain runners and leisurely hikers alike. With the updated materials and a full length rock guard around the upper, the Ultra Raptor II thrives on long days out on rugged terrain but maintains its cushioned comfort when active on the concrete sidewalks of town.

To sum up, the heritage of La Sportiva is worth something. It’s credible. From their climbing shoes to summit boots and everything in between. For me, this footwear is both no nonsense, yet still aesthetically easy on the eye. These shoes will go far, and then a bit further. And your feet will still be dry, yes.