SCARPA Instinct VSR Rock Climbing Shoes

The SCARPA Instinct VSR was my first pair of dedicated bouldering shoes after trying on quite a few different options at REI. As a 6ft 2 inches, and being a 220 lb climber, I naturally put a fair amount of pressure on my toes, so there was definitely some strain when I first started using them. That said, the shoes performed extremely well when it came to grip. I initially had some slipping issues that I eventually realized were partly due to using shoes with rubber that wasn't well suited to what I was climbing. The Instinct VSR made a noticeable difference. The rubber gave me much more confidence on small footholds and helped prevent the slips I was experiencing before. For a first bouldering shoe, I've been very happy with them. They're not the most comfortable shoe to wear for long periods, but the performance and grip make the discomfort worthwhile while actually climbing.

I’m beyond happy with these climbing shoes. They’re very comfortable and fit my foot perfectly (flat, slightly wide, and with a large heel). I wear a 10.5 in street shoes. I got these one full size down looking for a snug but bearable fit. I recommend going half or a full size down if you’re aiming for a perfect fit. I loved the heel — I think it’s perfect for me. I’ve compared them with the La Sportiva Solution (41.5), and I honestly feel like these are an improved version.

Absolutely love this shoes, easy to wear outside and inside, semi aggressive profile with strong sole, normal grip on toe hooks. Would downsize half a size to begin as toe box is generous. Totally worth to buy

Prior to the Scarpa Instinct VSR I used the La Sportiva Solutions for bouldering and sport climbing. I will start off by saying I bought these in the same euro size that I got my solutions in and they fit great. The fit actually feels similar to the Solution except that the toe box is a bit tighter and for some reason after about 10 minutes of wearing them there is the slightest bit of room in the heel. Most of the time I would say this could be an issue but it is not affecting me at all when using them. They are aggressive with great toe coverage and the heel is nice as well. As a bonus, these shoes are stellar looking. I get compliments all the time on them. Well done Scarpa. Sized 41 euro 8M US.

It is definitely the shoe that will help you defeat the most challenging walls. It fits well if you buy .5 more than you shoe size (if you’re 10 size, buy a 10.5 size) and quality of materials and the angle of the front coupled with rigidity of it and also its heel make it a great help for a more experienced climber for difficult climbs.

The description said this was an aggressive yet comfortable shoe with a flexible mid sole. And that has all proven true for me. I have owned and used these shoes for over 8 months and they're awesome. My friends usually have to remove their shoes a few times during a session from foot cramps and pain. And while these are just as aggressive as any shoes I've owned, I never need to remove them during a session from discomfort. The only downside is the price, but $200 seems to be the new norm for high-end climbing shoes so I won't downgrade it for that. Awesome shoe..awesome company. Highly recommended. UPDATE*** The Best. Originally purchased in 2019..updating 3 years later in 2022. Still the best shoe I've ever owned. My original pair are still holding up great, but I just ordered another pair in case they ever stop making these. I boulder mostly indoor, sometimes out - 2 times a week on average. They are not treated with great care...my friends and I climb in the winter and regularly stick our shoes in front of an open flame propane heater. I beat the heck out of these and they are as good as the day I got them. No holes, no discomfort, rubber still holds up...just an incredible shoe.

It's a great climbing shoe with good balance between edging and smearing, and maybe slightly more indoor climbing focused than the regular Instinct VS. The problem is these sizes run true to street shoe sizes for the most part so you really don't want to downsize, they also don't expand much through breaking-in, so if it's too tight after 1 session, it's probably still too tight after 10. This in conjunction with a smaller-than-usual toe box, means anyone who bought on the smaller side AND have a big toe will almost assuredly get a crushing pain on the toe anytime you go climbing. Don't be fooled by a quick trying the shoe out, if you aren't used to toes being crushed, it can feel surprisingly OK for 5 minutes or so, but a single climbing session will quickly decrease your motivation in even trying to climb towards the end. This also sort of defeats the purpose of having a better smearing ability over the regular VS because if your toe is extremely curled and cannot move at all, it's harder to place and smear effectively at times. If you have regular feet, order street shoe size. If you have bigger toes / joints than average, order half size up or another shoe. My street shoe size is 44 / 44.5. I got the 44.5 and it's absolutely crushing my toe every day and it has been a few months now. Specifically my right foot is maybe a quarter size bigger than left, so the left barely gets by while my right toe feels medically concerning. I wish I got the 45, which is kinda crazy when I have to up size this much from my street shoes.

I was really impressed with this shoe. Its well made, and feels solid and secure on feet. I ordered a 40.5 (same size as my beloved Scarpa Boostics) and I found that these are a bit smaller in the toebox. Ultimately, i decided to return them to purchase Scarpa Mens Instinct VS, which i tried on at my local gym in a size 40. I have a narrow, low volume foot, and then Men's just seemed to have a slightly superior fit.