La Sportiva Kaptiva Mens Shoes Size 6, Color: Carbon/Tropic Blue

Bought 2 pairs of Kaptivas at the beginning of Nov and have since put on over 60,000' vertical gain over rugged mountain terrain in the Sierra Nevada (granite) and Inyo Mountain range (desert talus). Both ranges I've used these in have aggressive and rough terrain that tears up shoes, primarily the outer lateral border of the 5th metatarsal (my feet are wide). I buy men's (formerly used the Akasha's which rip apart after a month for me, but I do average 100mi, 30-35,000' vert climbing weeks), the Kaptivas have a wider toe box which has been incredible and so far shows no sign of wear in my commonly broken down lateral border of the shoe! Aggressive lugs are great for technical running, on trail and off trail. Excellent for steep xc climbs up sand, talus, scree, granite slabs and scrambling. Grip is superb too! I love the lower profile of the shoe and the comfort around the ankle complex, which I usually developed hard skin after repeated rubbing (partially due to having to use men's shoes and difference in this area of the shoe). I love how it's a softer fit around the ankle and never have any issues with rub spots. Definitely more responsive and more feel with the shoe compared to the Akasha yet more supportive and better feel than the Bushido (granted it's been a few years since I've used the Bushido because it didn't fit me well and was narrow - I used women's at that time, past few years I've switched over to buying men's). Overall, love the shoe for high volume training with emphasis on vertical gain in mountainous, rugged terrain!! Will continue to buy, however I do wish they were more affordable simply because I tend to burn through shoes at a quick rate! Fit is true to size.

These feel like a racing shoe. Snug fit, super snappy. A little too narrow in the toe box for me though, but still feeling that out.