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Testarossa stretch?

Original Post
runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

I was able to try on some testarossa shoes over the weekend at a gear shop and surprise, I have found a pair of sportivas that fit my feet.

I started with 41.5 and they were comfy. Feet went in without much effort
I went to 41 and they were perfect. Snug but not uncomfortable.

So how much do they stretch?

PS. I was very surprised because I had also tried on some dragons and black wings and they hurt and had dead space in the front. Testarossas on the other hand felt like a glove....

tsouth · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 5

They stretch quite a bit being a full leather shoe. I've owned several pairs and they are still my favourite shoes. My rule of thumb is if you can get your foot into them in the store then they're the right size. The break in period is relatively short too. If you get them, be prepared to send harder and your projects to become warmups.

josh myers-dean · · everett, WA · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15

I recently got these and I wear a street shoe in a 44 and got these in a 41.5 and they've stretched enough where my feet don't hate me every second I wear them. You can step on the tiniest of holds with these guys!

runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

Thanks guys. What I'm not sure about is if I should get the 39.5. I'm pretty sure I can put on 39.5 but I would be in tears and wouldn't want to be in them for more than it takes to finish a short climb.

BJ Sbarra · · Carbondale, CO · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 671

If that's the case I'd go with 40's. They don't need to be that painfully tight in my experience. Unless you want to do the whole wear-them-in-the-shower thing...

runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30
BJ Sbarra wrote:If that's the case I'd go with 40's. They don't need to be that painfully tight in my experience. Unless you want to do the whole wear-them-in-the-shower thing...
Thanks! If I like them I can always make adjustments for the second pair!

Cheers!
runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

Okay got a pair in size 40 off of here.

Right now when I put them on there is zero dead space, kind of what I have always wanted... My toes are curled and they cannot wiggle inside the shoe at all. It's actually a perfect mold and I could keep them on for a while without any pain, but once I start climbing it's a different story. Pretty much cannot keep them on for more than a climb or two boulder problems.

I actually climbed worse in these than in my comfy gym shoes because of the pain when I actually stand on small edges and the rubbing of the tight skin against the inside of the shoes when putting my weight on them.

These are really my first sportiva shoes. I like them but I don't find them to be very sensitive (probably because my feet are numb) and the rubber is not as sticky as fiveten stuff.

So the question is if they are salvageable? If so I will keep stretching them out. If not, they are going up on the FS forum.

BJ Sbarra · · Carbondale, CO · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 671

I'd give them some time, maybe 5 - 10 sessions. They need to break in to your feet, which they will do.

Kyle C · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

I had a few pair of these shoes and I'd say they didn't stretch at all. At least not along the length of the shoe from the toe to the heel. Apparently they are not full leather, but part lorica and part leather. So they only stretch in specific directions.

Climbing wise, they felt super powerful with the aggressive down turn toe. Awesome for overhanging sport stuff.

They would feel great for the first 30 seconds after I put them on, really snug and sporty...but, I could only wear them for about 3 minutes before i couldn't feel my big toe anymore.

If you climb fast maybe you could use them for a super hard power send but I definitely couldn't spend the day with them.

runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

I think I'll try and sell these and get a half size larger - I'd wager that I would not lose any performance at the level that I'm at and I'll get more use out of them.

Apparently in my own post I am confused as to what sizes I tried on that was perfect. Was it 40 or 41? lol. old age :)

josh myers-dean · · everett, WA · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15

does anybody know how the mythos stretch compared to these?

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

Made to stretch.

"La Sportiva designed every inch of the Testarossa Vibram XS Grip2 Climbing Shoe to give you an edge on hard sport routes. The aggressive shape includes a down-turned toe to keep you glued to super steep pitches, and the full-length laces ensure a precise fit.
•Aggressive shape for superior performance on the most technical routes
•Dual-material upper uses a combination of Lorica (doesn't stretch) and leather (does stretch) in a specific bi-lateral stretch pattern for edging".

EDITED:

"does anybody know how the mythos stretch compared to these?"...

Mythos are UNLINED single material and thus will stretch more than the Testarossa's which have dual material.

Austin Eddy · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 11

So the Testarossas you have are size 40? How much are you selling them for?

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
Locker wrote:Made to stretch. •Dual-material upper uses a combination of Lorica (doesn't stretch) and leather (does stretch) in a specific bi-lateral stretch pattern for edging".
Part of the reason these shoes are so incredible... I think I'm on my 6 or 7th pair. Way more versitle then just an overhanging cave shoe... incredible on vert walls too.

10.5 foot here... been slowly going up 1/2 sizes as I my hard climbing fades. Right now I'm on a 42.5 and they are comfy, tight, not painful, and still slay routes.
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
Ben ZH wrote: Does anyone know how much the new testarossas stretch? I just bought a pair and they’re too snug out of the box.

Tesstarossas are built of synthetic and natural leather. Synthetic doesn't stretch, natural does. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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