Good for my kind of hard-to-fit feet! have high arches, wide forefoot and narrow heel. Although some have said the heel is hard to cinch, I have found the opposite. Possibly my high arches bring the heel up tighter. Whatever, as for performance, no the rubber isn't particularly sticky, compared with La Sportivas and 5.10s. That's actually only been an issue in the gym on smooth slopers. Outside, the forefoot could be stiffer for cracks in the Gunks, where I climb. but I like the sensitivity, so that's the tradeoff. The pointy toes are great for toe hooking. Kind of pricy, and I think they're out of production but a lot of shops still carry them, or you ccan get a closeout deal. Again, if the shoe fits...

I think that the lasers, more than most other climbing shoes, have to be sized ridiculously small in order to work. I owned two pair, the second a size and a half smaller than the first. With the first, I also experienced the loose heel. But the second pair were the best of at least 10 different climbing shoes I've owned. They excelled in thin cracks, positive and smeared edging, friction, pockets, and were surprisingly comfortable on belay. Because they're unlined, they quickly assume a glove-like fit. More than other dedicated edging shoes they require a strong foot--and probably work best for people with small to medium feet--and are definitely an advanced, though not overspecialized shoe. They're also most appropriate for someone with a Boreal foot--big toe at least as long as, or longer than, the second toe, and with a high or moderately high arch.

These shoes are great....they are basically a lace up slipper (so if you like soft shoes). And they stretch like a slipper. Im only adding a review having read some of the existing. I am a US 12 and I buy size 9. They lasted forever. I climbed most styles in them on most rock types. Ive had pyros and zen since (all size 9). The zen have been fantastic the pyros got a bit baggy and I sold them on but they were real sensitive too but Ill get lasers instead next time. People can say what they want about boreal rubber (it was used to climb F8c+/5.14d in 1991 so I can hardly say its not sticky)....oh and I used to have ghiblis and lasers kick their ass!

Similar Products Used:

La sportive Cobra, Mistral, Mirage, Ghibli. Boreal Ninja, Pyros, Zen.

these shoes are very comfortable, but don''t slow me down. Although they are not lined, I bought them pretty comfortable and they have not stretched significantly, they are still comfortable. Everyone says stealth and XSV are better rubber, but the boreal has never given me any trouble, it has worked very well. I do not climb in humid conditions, though. these shoes are currently being resoled (front half) with stealth, so we''ll see after that whether I can tell a difference. These have served me well sport climbing, and some trad (pretty soft for crack climbing) and bouldering, and are pretty comfortable. they are kind of like a slipper, but I like the lace up. try them on and if they fit you, don''t hesitate. fit is the most important thing, though.

Customer Service

have not had to deal with boreal USA customer service. Neptune Mountaineering in boulder, CO rocks though.

Similar Products Used:

sportiva mistral, some old 5.10 lynx.

In response to Mr. Jackson''s review, I would like to be clear on my review. I recommended the shoe two sizes too small, and that is still generally my advice. Boreal uses European sizes for one (thus a size 10 Laser will be an American size 11). Therefore, in my experience with the shoe, I would buy a 10 for my size 12 street shoe size. I bought a 10 1/2 or 11 and they have stretched out too much. This is the same advice I got when I bought the shoe from a climber that far exceeds my ability or knowledge, and I disregarded it because the shoe was too uncomfortable when I tried it on. However, after two weeks or so, it got much better. As for the climbing, falling, on crutches story, if true, then I sympathize. I certainly didn''t mean for anything I said to cause any problems. That said, you were only on your third day in the shoes. I don''t know how you blew the toe that fast, but I have NEVER heard of a toe blowing that fast. Moreover, I have certainly never heard of a toe giving way that quickly to cause a big fall. That kind of event sounds like faulty construction on that shoe, or maybe you have a wide foot that doesn''t fit the toe box. The store, Boreal or both should have given you your money back. It took two to three weeks of climbing 3-4 times a week before my Lasers felt "comfortable." They are leather and rubber for crying out loud, they aren''t going to stretch out overnight. Anyway, sounds like a tough thing to happen and I hope you are back climbing.

The Laser is a great shoe in making the cross-over from gym to outdoor climbing. They don't sacrifice the sensitivity you need in the gym, but are comfortable enough outside that you don't have to slip them off every time you get off a route. They offer the advantages of a slipper and a lace-up in the same shoe. The pluses are that they go anywere (except maybe hardcore crack climbs), are really responsive, and are form fitting. My only complaints are the wide heel cup, and the shoe's durability. The cup can be sinched up with creative lacing, but I just blew the toe out completely and I am in the process of shredding the rand. I have only had the shoe for 13 months and have climbed on them about fifty times. You would think for $145 that they would last a little longer than a year. The other thing I would recommend is for the fullest possible performance, buy the shoe two sizes smaller than you wear. I bought them a size small, and despite the pain, broke-them-in in a really quick two or three outings. Now, however, they are a little sloppy and I wish I had gotten them a little smaller. They are incredibly comfortable, relatively speaking, for a high performance shoe, so go small and they will form to your foot like a slipper.

Similar Products Used:

Boreal Diablo, Five-Ten UFO, Boreal Ace

Boreal Laser's are a classic shoe with the distinction of being both comfortable and technical at the same time. I have a wide foot and a narrow heel, and of all the shoes I tried on, the lasers fit the best. I can wear them in the gym for a while, or do long routes with out my feet getting hot spots or going to sleep. As for performance, the Lasers are great for edging, soft and sticky enough for smearing, and pointy enough for getting into little toe pockets. Mine broke in very quickly, and the pink nylon bands stitched along the sides have kept them from getting sloppy and stretched out of shape after lots of use. My one complaint is the shoes aren't great for steep stuff. There's not quite enough arch to get power into the toes, but thats coming from a guy whose not so hot on the steep stuff to begin with. If you've got the skills you can climb anyhting in lasers, I've seen some dudes climb some sic overhangs in them despite their relative lack of arch. Overall, the laser is a great shoe, well suited for begginers to expert climbers. If you're into that "elite" bracket, you may wanna look for something a little more suited to steep walls.

The Shoes break in quickly

Customer Service

I've had no experience with Boreal's customer service

Similar Products Used:

stinger, shaman, diablo

I have small feet, and these are the best shoes I have ever spent the time to break in. Conform to my feet... slippers, not a lot of support. I will be bummed when thy stop making them alltogether

Similar Products Used:

None

This has to be my favorite pair of climbing shoes. I use them on everything except for the gnarliest edging routes. After about 5 sessions they fit my foot like a glove. I've used them so much I've already had to resole them once. They give good feedback and make stemming a breeze.

Similar Products Used:

Aces, Vipers, Ninjas, Anasazi

These are by no way shoes for a beginner climber. The fit is quite tight and some people can't stand them. I myself do find them quite tight and only use them for short or technical routes. Otherwise I use Boreal Ballets. Good sensitivity through the sole since the shoe is very flexible. Ankle is not held in place as with shoes with higher lacing. I love them for climbing indoors.

Similar Products Used:

Boreal Ballets. I find them much more comfortable on longer climbs.