...As close as you can get. This shoe happily picks up the slack when my Moccasyms struggle on edges or heel hooks. I don't use them all the time because I prefer the convenience of the slippers but performance wise, the La Sportiva Testarossa is better (I also sometimes pull out a pair of fiveten spire's but there is simply NO comparison to be made. The Testarossa wins without a fight).

I was a bit hesitant when I first saw the Ronald McDonald climbing shoes. The yellow and red is a bit flashy, perhaps overly so for the modest climber, but it wasn't so off-putting that I refused to even try them on. Thank goodness because I was going to be in for a pleasant surprise(Incidentally, I have grown to love the look). The Testarossa's are comfortable with soft, suede-like leather in the heel and the perfect amount of padding on the underside of the extra long tongue. I can't feel any sewing seams while I'm wearing them. The laces go almost all the way to the toes in order to maximize fit. The shape in the toe allows for super powerful edging and toe jams. I also like how La Sportiva chose to use a thinner layer of rubber on the back half of the shoe and in the arch. It seems more malleable and precise with less rubber hindering movement.

If I had to whine about something it would be the laces because I'm just lazy. But laces allow for a more personal fit especially as the shoe stretches, so I don't think it's fair to complain about that. I also might comment on the FiveTen stealth rubber being slightly stickier then the XSgrip of the Testarossa. I can't say for sure as neither rubber has been a deal-breaker on making it up a climb while the edging and heel-hooking abilities of the Sportiva's often does get me up climbs the slippers couldn't. I may resole them with stealth rubber when the time comes.

Overall these are great shoes and worth your dollar (or 150 of them). Especially if your looking for ridiculous toe precision in a shoe!

Awesome, awesome shoe. Absolutely perfect for overhanging terrain, because they are so specific. If you want a shoe for overhanging terrain and these fit you cannot go wrong. However don't get these as your only shoe.

A great shoe for edging, very comfortable for an aggressive down turned shoe. The heel is a little tricky to fit correctly so don't buy them online unless you have put them on before and know your size.

What a shoe! For you guys who can't stand the pain of the Anasazi's heel, you have to try this! They are soft like baby skin, but as powerful as Schwazernegger on steroids. They are so comfy I'd even slab climb with them! For more comfyness and sensibility, try the XSV sole from Vibram which is less stiff than the XSGrip (Vibram's competitor of the Stealth Onyx). Now, go climb a (steep) rock!

I bought these shoes online from Mountain Tools. After going through what Spotiva sizes had worked for me in the past, the salesman confidently assured me that size 42 would fit. I threw caution to the wind, and went ahead and bought them. Buying shoes online always seemed like a bad idea to me. These shoes were beyond excruciating when I first tried them on. The first climb in the Testarossas was ridiculously painful. It literally felt like I was being hit with a hammer every time I placed my feet. Not good. I tried wearing them a couple more times but decided they were just too painful. In the closet they went. Out of site out of mind. Fast-forward a season, I’m doing some spring-cleaning and I stumble over the pristine pair of Testarossas. The sight of them makes me sick to my stomach. What a waste. I decide to put them up for sale. As I am writing the add at my desk I resolve to try them on again and give these beautiful, brand new shoes one last chance. I squeeze into them and start trying to walk around my living room. I can only bare it for a couple minutes. I take them off and let my feet rest. Five minutes later the shoes are back on and I’m jogging in place. Take them off, nurse my aching feet then back on again. This goes on for the entire night, probably 4 hours of off and on, doing calisthenics in the shoes. To make a long story not quite so long, I now love these shoes more than any rock shoes I have ever owned. The amount pain I had to endure in order for them to fit comfortably was immense, but well worth it. The moral of this story is, if you want to climb in a really aggressive pair of shoes and want the best performance, there is a price you have to pay, you can’t write a check or go to the ATM, doesn’t take plastic, the only currency acceptable is blood, sweat and tears. And believe me I paid in full.

Happy Climbing