La Sportiva Mythos Rock Shoes

La Sportiva Mythos Rock Shoes 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 37  
[Jan 04, 2010]
Danny
Climber

GREAT shoes! I have been climbing regularly for over a year, and am sending my Mythos in to be resoled now. The fit and lacing system is ideal for narrow feet, and I am comfortable wearing these for a full day of climbing. I've gone up a few grades in climbing ability and don't see a need for any different shoes yet.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 15, 2003]
Bev
Climber

I bought these shoes last summer, and as my first pair, they are holding up very well. I've read so many reviews complaining about the stretch, but I've had no such problems. The break in period was very short. I, like many others who have bought this shoe, have a longer second toe, which leaves us with very few choices when it comes to comfort. I can do several short routes without feeling the need to take them off. The lacing can be cumbersome at times, especially untying when your hands are raw, but neccessary to get an exact fit. The arch could be a little higher to eliminate embarrassing farting noises when I land from a boulder problem. (I do believe, however, that the new lady's mythos fixes this) Heel hooking is AMAZING, which is a plus for me because I'm short (4'9") and usually have to do some awkward moves to get anywhere. I wish the rubber was a TAD bit stickier--I'd feel more confident on some of the polished footholds at the local crags. Maybe it's time to resole with C4? Overall, I am very satisfied with the mythos, with the exception of the farting noises. They could be a bit cheaper too...m

Customer Service

REI. Can't beat their customer service.

Similar Products Used:

None.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 14, 2003]
andrew23
Climber

I highly recommend this shoe to both beginning and experienced climbers. This versatile shoe is excellent for both face and crack climbing. This shoe is very sensitive yet provides enough support for edging and has a small enough profile to allow great wedging in cracks. Over time, this shoe molds to your foot like a glove and is comfortable enough to wear all day long on multi-pitch climbs. I recently wore my Mythos while climbing Mt. Whitney and was able to keep them on despite climbing through a snow storm! I have been climbing for 4 years and bought a pair of Mythos as my second pair of shoes. I do most of my climbing in the Sierra Nevada. I still grab this pair of shoes over any of the other shoes I own. I also own Super X's, Boreal Aces, and have climbed in a variety of slipper and boot type shoes. The Mythos that I bought almost 4 years ago have held up very well--they have had 3 half resoles and one complete re-rand. The stitching on these shoes is still holding up fine. A very nice feature of this shoe is the lacing. Mythos have laces that run back around your heel through a reinforced slot at the rear of the shoe. You can lace up Mythos normally or you can use the back lacing to tighten the shoe up around your heel. Although I can not use this feature--it hurts my Achilles--my husband loves this feature because it gives you a lot more control over the fit of the shoe. If you are a climber that generalizes between face and crack--smearing, edging, crack climbing--this is a great shoe for you.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 03, 2003]
scrambler
Climber

Been using theses shoes for about 4 years. They've been resoled twice, but the right lace has just broken. The lacing system is probably the worst feature in these otherwise excellent shoes. I have yet to work out how to fix this problem (probably either relace them *shudders*, or try and knot the break). Apart from that, they are excellent on cracks, smearing, crystals. Very comfortable fit. I particularly like the way the rand wraps around so much of the side of the shoe - essential when mauling your feet in a nasty granite crack. Overall, the shoes have proven very durable (for weekend warrioring, at any rate), and very reliable. I am definately going to replace them with another pair. Well worth the expense. NOTE: The purchase price is an estimate in Euro's. I bought them with a now defunct currency!

Similar Products Used:

Boreal Inferno, Kamet New Joshua Tree (very hard rubber - great for gym climbing, as they don't get battered so quickly)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 31, 2002]
Josh
Climber

First, consider reading my reviews of the Miura's and Cobra's for the sake of comparison - especially since the Mythos are a totally different type of shoe. I bought these last year because I desparately needed a shoe that I could crack-climb with, and I also hoped for a shoe that was a little bit more comfortable than my Miuras for all-day use. What I got was a shoe that sure does climb cracks! What I didn't get was a shoe that was more comfortable, but there were some pleasant surprises too - namely, these things perform. They are a different shoe than the Miura/Cobra in the foot lies flat (not curved) and the toes are rounded (not asymetrical) and they are ultra-sensitive. The first thing I noticed was how tired my feet would get face climbing - the Miuras offer a lot more support and are still my shoe of choice for techincal edging - but once I got used to this, I realized that the lack of support increased their sensitivity dramatically, and for that reason these shoes smear and handle friction climbing very well: For example, when I stand on a tiny edge in the Miuras, I "place" my shoe on the edge, check it with my eyes, and commit to it. With the Mythos, I almost smear my foot onto the edge and then commit. The nice thing is that you can really feel the rock and what your foot is doing, but the drawback is you can't quite get the power of the Miuras. Hope that all makes sense. As far as crack climbing, they seem to do quite well. Perhaps not stiff enough to make Indian Creek hands, and fists super-comfortable, but on fingers, off-fingers, and thin-hands they smear into the crack really, really well. All in all they are great shoes: I wear the Miuras if I know there are NO cracks, and especially on techincal faces; I wear the Mythos if there are cracks involved, and even of there are technical faces as well. I'm not going to talk much about sizing as the other posts cover it all. Yes, they stretch, and yes, the lacing allows for quite a bit of customization. The one thing I will say is that these are the most delicate shoes I've worn - I'm very careful with them, but the thinness, exposed laces, and lack of lining all contribute. When it was time for a resole I had a hard time deciding (I seriously considered just getting a new pair because they looked so trashed) but in the end I went for the resole and am glad I did. Only other comment is the ridiculous retail price of these things... but you can find them cheap if you look.

Customer Service

La Sportiva USA is located here in Boulder. They've been a mixed bag to deal with - sometimes seeming too busy to deal with an individual customer, sometimes giving me wonderful personal attention.

Similar Products Used:

Boreal Zephyr, Sportiva Miura, Sportiva Cobra.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Aug 16, 2002]
Smiker
Climber

I've been using these shoes for well over a year, and they're holding up really well. As people have noted, they do stretch quite a bit, so size accordingly. Some people say they're a good shoe for wide feet, but I have found no problems using them on my wide foot. Infact, the stretch means I've got a really nice fitting pair of shoes. These shoes seem to do everything well. I've never felt stymied on a problem or route due to my shoes. Cracks, slabs, jugs, whatever - no problems. The lacing system provides a really secure fit around the heel, but takes a while to snug down perfectly along the length of the foot. This is where a slipper or velcro shoe would be nice, but right now I'm very happy with my mythos. I highly recommend them.

Similar Products Used:

La Sportiva Cliffs, Five Ten Spires

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 07, 2002]
schheda
Climber

this shoe is the best fitting shoe i have ever bought. it molded perfectly to my high arch and narrow heel. at first i wondered if the rubber would be as good as 5.10 stealth, but NO PROBLEMS. these shoes have improved my footwork better than the slipperlike 5.10 diamonds - and they''re good for everything!!! i am looking forward to more sportivas!

Customer Service

not used yet

Similar Products Used:

5.10 diamonds

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 14, 2001]
Jmasat
Climber

The best shoes you could ever buy. Great on Quartzite and limestone alike.
Cracks are awesome-can be painful if edges are sharp. They stetch badly but the icreased feel is worth it. I've tried other shoes since owning mythos, none compared even Aces feel like 2x4's.

Similar Products Used:

aces
dominators
muria
viper

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 01, 2001]
Aaron
Climber

When I bought these shoes I was incredibly torqued(spelling) because i didnt like the color!! but as soon as i got to climbing in them i was totally surprised on the stickiness of the rubber i could place all my weight on tiny micro jibs and these shoes have strengthend my beginner feet incredibly since i first started about a year ago. Even though the color is really icky. I suggest this shoe to any beginner who wants to learn in the gym. its a great all around shoe!!!

Similar Products Used:

five ten dont remember the shoe tho but five ten just didnt work?!?!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 17, 2001]
Alex
Climber

I've only tried La Sportiva shoes but Mythos are definitely the best ones I've used. They have a soft sole which is great for sensitivity and I believe they are a great all around shoe: good for both smeary slabs and edging. They are very comfortable. My toes don't take kindly to the toe cruncher style of shoe. The Mythos tend to clamp my feet into a firm position whilst at the same time provide sensitivity and feedback required for delicate moves. I'll be disappointed when (if) this product is no longer available! The only downer is the high price, but then most climbing shoes are pricey.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
Showing 1-10 of 37  

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