La Sportiva Ganda Guide

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Hanging Spoons

Trad climber
The Northeast
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 13, 2010 - 01:03am PT

Anyone get their hands on a pair of these yet? Thoughts?

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/La+Sportiva/idesc/Ganda+Guide+Shoe+-+Men%27s/Store/MG/item/218500/N/663
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:44am PT
I'm already too much of chick with my shoes.

admittedly that fuger looks good for the aid.
Rock!...oopsie.

Trad climber
the pitch above you
Apr 13, 2010 - 08:15am PT
For what they cost, they better be bombproof.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 12:00pm PT
I was going to start a thread myself about these things. They are the best approach style sticky rubber shoe I have used. Good fit, rubber very sticky, better than some of my older climbing shoes. I have climbed 8's and 9's in them and I am not a rock star. Good crack climbers. Of course none of the sensitivity of a real climbing shoe but pretty cool.
They are pricey and the jury is still out on durability. They would be awesome wall shoes, I am guessing because I have never done a big wall. I did try some aid pitches in them and they are very comfortable standing in aiders.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 12:19pm PT
I neglected their best feature. I live in AZ. now and the hiking terrain is pretty challenging. The hard packed loose scree is like a skating rink sometimes and the Ghandas' dot rubber pattern seem to really grip where even lug sole boots suck. It also appears that when the dots wear off you will be left with a decent layer of sticky rubber and the shoe would still be functional climbers.
Edit:
I just went on La Sportiva website and did not see the high top version that the OP's pic shows. Mine are low tops and are called Ganda's not Ganda guides. Maybe the Guide version just came out?
Slakkey

Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:18pm PT
I have yet to find a wall shoe / boot that is all that durable. These may very well be a good shoe but for the price one could buy two or more pairs of other shoes / boots that would last multiple seasons. Wall Boots / shoes all get trashed eventually and I just dont think these are worth the price.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:29pm PT
I think they would serve better in their intended purpose which is approaching and climbing long moderates in the same shoe. Their free climbing ability is pretty impressive. The shoes' free climbing ability, not mine.
Curt

Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:29pm PT
I have the lower-cut version and they're great.


Curt
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:32pm PT
You are pretty close to me, Curt. I am in Fountain Hills.
klk

Trad climber
cali
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:37pm PT
yeah, nothin like droppin two bucks on top-end alpine performers for that despo 3 minute thrutch down the fire road to yr favorite boulder.

heh.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 01:54pm PT
"top-end alpine performers"
That is the point.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 02:04pm PT
I guess you guys are making fun because of Arizona? I do own a car.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 02:17pm PT
That is why I was kind of intrigued with the high top version. I would have bought those for Az. hiking.
klk

Trad climber
cali
Apr 13, 2010 - 02:17pm PT
no i was jabbin curt.

he's one of my low-life, twaeker, ex-con buddies with a bad, lifelong climbing shoe habit.


he doesn't need you enabling him.
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 02:41pm PT
I have so many climbing shoes I could be Jimelda Marcos. (Dated reference that reveals my age.)
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 03:17pm PT
My first climbing experience was back in high school, late 70's. Followed my friend solo up the Trough at Big Rock in Chuck Taylors. Scared the sh#t out of me and I didn't try again for 15 years. Now I am still scared but I love it. Maybe a rope and real shoes makes a difference?
David Knopp

Trad climber
CA
Apr 13, 2010 - 07:54pm PT
just a bought a pair of gandas lo top @Rock and Ice on mega sale....
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 09:24pm PT
I am not talking hard slab but they seem to smear pretty well. Just flexible enough toe to heel to allow it. They edge really well. In my opinion of course. I would like to hear more feedback from people who have tried them.
rwedgee

Ice climber
canyon country,CA
Apr 13, 2010 - 09:52pm PT
Mountain Tools has them(low tops) 20% off = $175. So far they edge unbelievably well. Only got to smear a tiny but but I haven't worn down the dot rubber enough for a good test.(I ground some off the edge) I've been wearing Guide Tennies the past few seasons in the Meadows and wore the Guides on Reg Route Fairview and Dyke Route Pywiack. Only complaint was they're too soft to edge very well. Not very good on Dozier Dome crystals. I think these Gandolfs are going to make a great shoe. Heading up to the Eastside this weekend, actually tomorrow, to give them a run!
James Doty

Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
Apr 13, 2010 - 11:38pm PT
Gandolf's, that's awesome!
edit: good idea to take the dots down in the smearing area, although mine seem to be starting on their own.
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