la sportiva mandala thoughts/reviews

David Swaine wrote:

Imo these are reasonably high volume when broken in.Wider toe box than old futura.For high performance size down perhaps ? Still think they feel like solution comps with no edge toe box.

So in this video review he suggests sizing up a full size over your normal La Sportiva size.

https://youtu.be/3lSJkHDCW7g?si=euKe_I292kfyHrsE

Doug Chism wrote:

So in this video review he suggests sizing up a full size over your normal La Sportiva size.

https://youtu.be/3lSJkHDCW7g?si=euKe_I292kfyHrsE

I got mine in the standard size ((for me) in LaS.I have high volume yet medium width feet.Sized as they on my feet (37) they don't feel like a high performance fit sizing up for this would seem counter intuitive However they're a great slipper very versatile more so than say the futura just not quite as precise as the futura at least on my shaped feet

David Swaine wrote:

I got mine in the standard size ((for me) in LaS.I have high volume yet medium width feet.Sized as they on my feet (37) they don't feel like a high performance fit sizing up for this would seem counter intuitive However they're a great slipper very versatile more so than say the futura just not quite as precise as the futura at least on my shaped feet

Interesting. I have a wide toe box but otherwise lower volume feet. Particulary the top of my foot is very thin, especially where it meets the ankle. 

I really liked the Genius climbing at the New, really the most trusted shoe I have worn there even on tiny feet. But honestly I'm sick of lace ups, I’ve already got 2 pair ( Testarossa  and Mago ) and I’m fine with them being my only 2 pair but the Mago has begun bothering my big toe where the Testatossa still 100% pain free. Since it shares the last with the Mandela I figured it may work, and I have enough in REI rewards dollars that they will be cheap.

But that video review threw me for a loop sizing wise. 

rock climbing wrote:

You do know that PD85 means the same asymmetry in shoes does not  mean the same shape, volume or downturn

I disagree, here is a photo of a climbing shoe last. You can search google images and find dozens more like it. to suggest that an identical last does not have at least a similar volume, shape and downturn is disingenuous. I agree that it does not mean the shoe will fit exactly the same, but its not just the asymmetry as you suggest. 

I got my hands on the updated Genius. Definitely a narrower heel from the previous version and lower volume. Where as the old Genius heel was too boxy/wide for my heel, the new Genius is a bit too narrow. Katana Lace, TC Pro, and S-heel LaSpos typically work with my heel.  Otherwise the fit is similar in the rest of the foot to the old Genius. The structure feels similar as well. 

The updated look/aesthetic is very clean in person. 

Regarding sizing.. My Skwamas and Katanas are all getting resoled currently so all I have to compare it to in photos is my TC Pro in the same size, both 43.5.

What shoe uses that PD99 last? I am always looking for very asymmetrical shoes because my foot is very asymmetrical. People joke the Testarossa looks like a Cinderella slipper for my foot because it has the same curve. 

So I received my Mandala's today, same shoe size as my Testarossa ( 41, my street shoe is 43 ). They fit nearly identical. The primary difference I notice is the "3D Hytrel anatomical insert" in the Testarossa more forcefully guides your toes downwards. The Mandala does have a concave shape to the underside of the toebox but its not as deliberate as the Testarossa, more like the Solution Comp. The second difference is the heel on the Testarossa is deeper and has a different construction but both work for me. Otherwise I am happy because they are snug everywhere and zero pain. I walked around for them for a few minutes and no problems. I typically only keep my shoes on for 1 lead route or 2-3 burns on a boulder then take them off. 

Thanks Doug, that is helpful, I too like asymmetrical shoes; OG testarossa's, Boostics and Stix/Mago's fit me well. I may have to try these now...

The Flying Dutchman wrote:

Thanks Doug, that is helpful, I too like asymmetrical shoes; OG testarossa's, Boostics and Stix/Mago's fit me well. I may have to try these now...

Ive got a pair of Mago's as well. I love them for outdoors when I want something a bit softer and more smear friendly than the Testarossa's. I just hate bouldering in laces though, thats primarily why I got the Mandala. I can deal with the laces on lead, but such a chore when bouldering. 

Agreed about the laces!
I only know the old Mago, haven't tried the new one. Is the toe box similarly wide?

The Flying Dutchman wrote:

Agreed about the laces!
I only know the old Mago, haven't tried the new one. Is the toe box similarly wide?

The toebox is quite wide, definitely the widest of the highly asymmetrical shoes from them. I also really like the rubber they use on the top of the toebox because its quite stretchy so it does not crush your toes. Here is a photo comparison. Id say the Mago is slighly wider than the Testarossa. 

I have 2 questions, how durable are the mandala, especially  in comparison with the theory?

And i have the theory women in EU39 and the fit perfect, is the heel of the mandala bigger, i have a lot of trouble finding shoes that fit at the heel?

Yan ik wrote:

I have 2 questions, how durable are the mandala, especially  in comparison with the theory?

And i have the theory women in EU39 and the fit perfect, is the heel of the mandala bigger, i have a lot of trouble finding shoes that fit at the heel?

I've had them for 6 months using them  3-4 times a week indoors and outdoors (but only 4 weeks outdoors)..I'd say they are very robust.My only qualification is that the heel tab area is wearing thin in fact it has ripped.I honestly think this is because ultimately the heel is to narrow for my feet..I have to pull hard to bed them in .A great versatile shoe though.