The La Sportiva Kubo is built for the climber who has outgrown beginner shoes but isn't ready to suffer through an aggressive, downturned fit all day. The moderate asymmetrical profile and PD55 last keep the shoe versatile enough to move from gym sessions to outdoor sport routes to multi-pitch days, where comfort through belay stances matters as much as performance on any single move. The 4mm Vibram XS Edge outsole and matching toe rand use the same rubber compound across smearing, edging, and crack climbing, so the shoe handles a varied session without asking the climber to compromise. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"The LaspoFlex midsole is what keeps this shoe honest on longer routes. It holds an edge without locking the foot down, so I'm not fighting fatigue by the third pitch."