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Messages 1 - 27 of total 27 in this topic |
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:44am PT
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I'm already too much of chick with my shoes.
admittedly that fuger looks good for the aid.
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Rock!...oopsie.
Trad climber
the pitch above you
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Apr 13, 2010 - 08:15am PT
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For what they cost, they better be bombproof.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 12:00pm PT
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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.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 12:19pm PT
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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?
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Slakkey
Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:18pm PT
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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.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:29pm PT
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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.
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:29pm PT
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I have the lower-cut version and they're great.
Curt
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:32pm PT
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You are pretty close to me, Curt. I am in Fountain Hills.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:37pm PT
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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.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 01:54pm PT
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"top-end alpine performers"
That is the point.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 02:04pm PT
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I guess you guys are making fun because of Arizona? I do own a car.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 02:17pm PT
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That is why I was kind of intrigued with the high top version. I would have bought those for Az. hiking.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Apr 13, 2010 - 02:17pm PT
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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.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 02:41pm PT
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I have so many climbing shoes I could be Jimelda Marcos. (Dated reference that reveals my age.)
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 03:17pm PT
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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?
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David Knopp
Trad climber
CA
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Apr 13, 2010 - 07:54pm PT
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just a bought a pair of gandas lo top @Rock and Ice on mega sale....
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 09:24pm PT
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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.
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rwedgee
Ice climber
canyon country,CA
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Apr 13, 2010 - 09:52pm PT
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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!
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 13, 2010 - 11:38pm PT
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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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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Apr 13, 2010 - 11:38pm PT
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Hey klk,
Did I mention that I actually have two pair of them? In addition to climbing pretty well, they coordinate with my coal colored ArcTeryx Blazer. Heh.
Curt
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mikeyschaefer
climber
Yosemite
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Apr 14, 2010 - 12:18am PT
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I've had a pair of the low top version's since last July. Absolutely love them. Hands down the best climbing/approach shoe I've ever owned.
My first mission in them was an 18 day trip to the Arrigetch peaks in AK. Our pack weighed in somewhere around 85lbs and they did remarkably well given the terrain and the weight of our packs. I ended up only putting my rock shoes on for one pitch on that trip as the Gandolfs (as they were formerly called) were good enough for everything we climbed. That included a grade IV 5.10 A1 route that I was able to free at 5.11- while wearing them.
I've since used them climbing towers in Utah, on approaches in Patagonia which includes way to much travel on talus, and jungle wall climbing in Venezuela. And the uppers are in near perfect shape still. Granted the dot rubber is getting a little worn down in the front.
These are extremely well built shoes that may cost a fair bit more than other shoes in their class but they will out perform and out last any other shoe that i know of.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Idyllwild, Ca.
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Apr 14, 2010 - 12:36pm PT
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Now THAT is a testimonial!
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Apr 14, 2010 - 12:40pm PT
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Did I mention that I actually have two pair of them?
You always buy multiple pairs.
Hey, give me yr extra I-Pad? Charitable donation to a NPO?
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Polarbear
climber
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Aug 10, 2010 - 05:06am PT
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I bought the Ganda Guide couple of months back in Europe. These are fantastic approach / big wall climbing shoes, the grip is unbelievable on wet rock. I used them in all kind of terrain, including spring snow patched, they work marvelously. Very comfortable, the lacing allows you to customize the pressure required on the foot on climbing vs. descent.
The bad part is that the vibram sole started to separate on the heel area only after a couple of uses. I tried to glue them back with little success and La Sportiva is trying to find a solution for me since I can't return the shoes to the store I bought them in Europe. We'll see how things will work out...
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hb81
climber
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Aug 10, 2010 - 08:36am PT
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The bad part is that the vibram sole started to separate on the heel area only after a couple of uses. I tried to glue them back with little success and La Sportiva is trying to find a solution for me since I can't return the shoes to the store I bought them in Europe. We'll see how things will work out...
I've had one very good experience with La Sportiva customer support.
Had an almost new pair of Miuras where I ripped apart one of the velcros doing a toehook in the bouldering gym. Was my fault really, but I sent them in anyways asking them to repair it.
They just sent me a brand new pair of shoes for free and never asked a question. Took them a while though, but thats ok if thats the outcome.
Hope they'll work something out for you too.
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Just bought a pair at the Curry Village Mountain Shop for $126. at that price I jumped at them.
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