UKH

Sportiva Katanas seem hard to come by in real shops these days. Can anyone suggest a more commonly available similar alternative in terms of fit, comfort and relatively soft insole for long trad and grit? For reference I use Scarpa Vapours for sport climbing. Thanks

Try a different shop? If a shop doesn't stock the Katana Lace, it is not really a climbing shop.

Another pair of vapours? 

Shops have websites which show their (lack of) availability for Katanas hence saving wasted fuel cost. I’ve always preferred Katana velcro

They climb very differently to Katanas

I must admit I did wonder if sportiva were discontinuing the katana when various shops were selling off stock cheap a few months back, this is just my speculation and could be completely erroneous... Sorry can't comment on an alternative

Maybe with your wisdom you can suggest “really a climbing shop” that has Katanas in stock in a range of sizes?

Tenaya Iati or Oasi could be worth a shot.

Thanks Euan

Laces or velcros?

Velcros, I like the luxury of slipping them loose or off on belays on long routes

Oh some good news. It seems that although the old model Katana velcro is very scarce, a new Katana velcro is now available in a wide range of sizes, so panic over

Yes, it's just that a new model is coming out / come out. 

https://bananafingers.co.uk/la-sportiva-katana?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KC...

should suffice?

Yeah I just bought a pair of Katanas from Bananafingers a while couple of weeks ago so was confused by this thread.

New version just seem to be a slight cosmetic tweak. Feel and sizing is same as always.

Have you tried the Kubos? If I recall the Sportivawaffle correctly, they're based on the Katana last, but with a split sole and a bit more rubber over the toes to make them a bit softer and more techy

I have gone from Katanas to Skwama for trad, sport, single, multi and indoor. Wouldn't bother with any other shoe now. I am a street 42 and size them 39.5 or 40 but they are not super tight, just need a session or two with the plastic sheets provided. If you can, then I think a one shoe fits all approach for multiple styles removes a lot of hassle. I used to bring 2 Skwamas to the crag, one warm up and one for send but now get by with one pair for the whole day. Each pair gets a resole once, then they become indoor shoes for board climbs etc where a few rand holes don't matter.