Why this shoe? A Comfortable Last and Proper Sizing.
According to Scarpa this new "V" version of the Force that replaces the Force X brings High-performance features to a flat, less aggressive last (defined below), the redesigned Force V features a softer, more compact construction that strikes the perfect balance between all-day comfort and climbing performance. Yes that sums it up!If you require a less aggressive flat lasted shoe (instead of toes pointed down or Asymmetric) for longer term comfort but don't want to give up all the performance features by going to a flat shoe, then this might be a good choice for you. The "Last" of a climbing shoe is the 3-dimensional form on which a shoe is constructed. This Force V has Scarpa's Men’s "FF" – Flat Profile, Slightly Asymmetric last. What that means is a more comfortable rock climbing shoe. Also since not all feet are the same, different models of Scarpa shoes have different lasts. Personally I can't wear a shoe that has a highly Asymmetric last (curved side to side) like the Boostic, Booster S, Furia, or Drago. These 4 models have the FZ- Aggressive, downturned and highly asymmetric last. The new Force V is less Asymmetric like the Instinct (VS's, VSR's, & Lace's) but in a flat shoe. The sole is better Vibram® XS Edge (4mm) rubber as opposed to the base rubber found in entry level shoes . These are working great for me Sport climbing 5.9's.I wear a 43 to a 44 in street shoes depending on the brand. For example in Asics trail running shoes I am a 10.5 or 44. In Scarpa approach shoes I am a 44. The casual Dr Martens shoes I have on now are 43. In these Force V's I tried both the 42.5 and the 43. I settled on the 42.5 for a nice tight performance fit. If I had not taken the advice of a seasoned climber I would have gone with a 43 which would have proven to have been the wrong choice. I went with the tighter shoe. Ideally you do not want any dead space in any of the areas such as the toebox, heal, or the arch. They shouldn't be painful but they should be very tight. As far as sizing, as a general rule in a flat shoe, you only go down .5 to 1.0 in size in a Scarpa... Scarpa says on their site in regards to sizing to "downsize 1/2 to 2 full sizes from street shoe size - *downsizing depends on model, intended use, and personal preference."I hope this information is helpful. The Scarpa Force V is a good shoe and works great for its intended design and purpose!
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S
Stefan, FL
September 20, 2019
Great starter climbing shoes
I bought these shoes and used them for bouldering for about 3 months(climbing 2-3 days per week) and they turned out to be a great starter shoe. Super comfortable and they have good flexibility and grip. Only bad thing I can say about the shoe is that it is wider than I like, so if you have wider feet, these will be a perfect fit. I wear an 11 in street shoes so I ordered 1.5 size bigger (12.5) in these and they fit just right. If you like your shoes really tight I'd only get 1 size bigger than your normal shoe size.
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Four Stars
Nice and wide for my hobbit feet and I trust them on the rocks.
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D
Dissolved
August 10, 2018
A noob's opinion - pricey for what you're getting
Not sure if I'm in a position to give an honest review of climbing shoes because I'm a total noob to the sport, but I'll try. So to start off, these shoes are well-made, I can't see them falling apart any time soon. I like the straps and the fabric parts, i.e. everything above the sole.. it's nice that the heel has straps to pull the shoes on and that it's padded and smooth so your heels won't get irritated. I also like that the sizing goes up by quarter sizes, because it seems like it would help you get the perfect fit... however, I still couldn't get the perfect fit (I tried them on at a store before ordering). For whatever reason, the shoes at my climbing gym still feel better on my feet than these. The shape of the toe area just doesn't work the best for my feet, unfortunately, and is uncomfortable after an hour of climbing. The shoes are very bad to walk in (not that it matters), but ironically they don't seem to provide as much support as I was hoping for while climbing either. The sole seems to flex too much in the wrong places and the rubber at the toe isn't as grippy as I would hope for. The rubber actually seems more slippery than the rubber on my normal shoes (minimalist running/hiking shoes). So yeah... like I said I'm a total noob and have only tried a few pairs of climbing shoes, and I certainly don't know many techniques yet, but I just get the impression that these shoes are priced way too high for what you're getting...
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R
Rick G.
December 26, 2025
Quality
Just as advertised and it is an excellent climbing shoe
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Comfortable indoor climbing shoe lasts about a year
After a year of using these shoes twice a week, I tore a hole near the big toe--probably from smearing / dragging against the wall. With better footwork, they may last longer. Comfortable and good quality. I used my normal shoe size and still felt comfortable on slab problems.
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D
David Harsh
December 03, 2018
Shoes came used
Shoes came used
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