Men's Instinct VS SS26

The Scarpa Instinct VS is a moderately downturned, moderately asymmetric performance climbing shoe built on Scarpa's FV last. It uses 3.5 mm Vibram XS Edge rubber in the forefoot, 2 mm Vibram XS Grip2 on the heel and a Flexan 1.0 midsole, with a low-stretch microsuede and leather upper. It weighs about 230 g per shoe in size 40.

The trade-off is comfort versus precision. The Instinct VS is a high-performance shoe with a shaped, snug fit, so it is not a casual all-day gym slipper. In return, Scarpa's Bi-Tension rubber wrap channels power to your toes, and the sculpted, high-coverage toe and heel rubber hooks well on steep terrain.

It is for climbers who boulder, sport climb and work technical faces, and who want one shoe that handles hard boulders as well as longer routes. The XS Edge forefoot gives a solid platform for small edges.

Sizes run EU 34 to 45 in half sizes and 46 to 50 in whole sizes. Fit it snug but not painful, and remember that microsuede stretches only a little.

We think the Instinct VS is one of the most versatile high-end shoes on the wall: just as at home on Smugglers' Notch boulders as on long sport routes.