La Sportiva is lowering wholesale/MSRP prices on all Italian-made rock shoes by 15% to 20%, as reported in The B.O.S.S. Report(BOSS_0405). This means the award-winning Testarossa, formerly $160, will now cost $130. The Venom, its slipper counterpart, will retail for just $125. The new competitive pricing structure applies to all rock shoes made by La Sportiva Italy, including Mythos, Katana, and Mantra S.

There are three reasons for the price adjustment:

  1. La Sportiva is committed to the ongoing design and manufacture of its highest-performing rock shoes in its Italian factory. To continue to do that, La Sportiva has adjusted its pricing to be more competitive. The rock-shoe market is currently experiencing a global price re-alignment. La Sportiva is actively support its specialty mountain dealers in North America by getting top-end shoes in line with the pricing changes.
  2. La Sportiva Italy is doing very well and has earned considerable new market share over the past year. The Euro is strong. La Sportiva’s Italian headquarters is supporting this pricing change to enable the company to continue to be the market leader in rock-climbing shoes in North America.

  3. The price adjustment is another way La Sportiva is actively working to keep Internet gray marketing on climbing shoes in check. La Sportiva is committed to keeping the climbing shoe market a place where North American specialty outdoor retailers can be competitive.