User Review: La Sportiva B5

La Sportiva B5
Above: The current B5, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 4, 2008 by PGANDER

Rating:

I'm not sold. Love the fit but the shoe is not durable. The leather upper near the toe lacing (outside edge) on both shoes ripped exposing a hole about an half inch to an inch in length, which allows dirt and gravel to enter. I didn't subject these shoes to much abuse at all, mostly boulder hoping and casual wear.

In addition to the lack of durability in the leather upper I wasn't pleased with the way the sole began to break down. The impact brake system strips delaminated prematurely and I had to remove the front two or you are left with floppy rubber strips to deal with. I think the IBS is gimmicky on an approach shoe.

Thirdly, I could never get the tongue to stay in place, it would constantly wander to the side (I'd like to see a bellows tongue which would help to keep gravel out of the foot area).

With that said I have never had an issue with La Sportiva products before. I believe this shoe would definitely be a winner if they addressed the above issues. I recently purchased a pair of the Cirque Pro's and from my initial observations it is superior to the B5. Although I do like the fit of the B5 a little better. I'll post a review of the Cirques once I've given them a go around.