INSTINCT MEN'S

Regular price $239.00 CAD
18 total reviews

With a curved, asymmetric last, highly adjustable lace-up design and a chiseled low-profile toe for added precision in pockets and on restrictive footholds, the Instinct is the most supportive shoe in the Instinct family that excels across a variety of styles and disciplines.

  • Microsuede upper with heat welded reinforcements
  • Bi-Tension™ active rand provides maximum toe power
  • 2/3-length outsole and midsole for solid underfoot support
  • Unique integrated toe cap to allow for maximum toe hooking capabilities
  • Perfect for bouldering, sport climbing, and technical face climbing
Color:
Black/Orange
Size Size chart
Only 3 units left
Features
Features
LACING

BI-TENSION SYSTEM

Bi-Tension system is a tensioned rubber wrap reaching down two sides of the shoe. It gives priority to sensitivity and subtle support. Specially adapted to our slightly asymmetrical models, Bi-Tension runs under the front of the toes and draws down along the sides of the foot, leaving the center pad for sensitivity.
LACING

LACING

Lace system for ultimate adjustability and dialed in fit.
LACING
Technical Specs
Technical Specs
Size Options : 34 - 45 (half sizes)
Weight Reference : 221g; 7.8oz (1/2 pair size 40)
Waterproof/Breathable : PFAS Compliant
UPPER : Microsuede + Leather / Heat Welded Reinforcements
MIDSOLE : Flexan 1.0
Outsole : Vibram® XS Edge (4mm)
Last : FV – Moderately Downturned, Moderately Asymmetric
PROFILE : Moderately Downturned
Symmetry : Moderately Asymmetric
Primary Material : Synthetic
SOLE RUBBER : Vibram® XS Edge
Country of Origin : Italy
Product Code : 70036000
WARNING: Cancer & reproductive harm. For more information click here.
Awards
Awards
2018 Switch Back Travel Best Rock Climbing Shoe
Climbing Magazine Best in Class 2014
2025 CNN Underscore Editors Favorite
2025 Gear Junkie Best of the Rest
Sizing
Sizing
SCARPA Euro US Sizing Chart




All SCARPA non-plastic footwear and our Alien 3.0 uses European sizing.

  • 1 Euro whole size = 6.6 mm = 0.26 inches
  • 1 US whole size = 8.4 mm = 0.33 inches
  • The 30 Euro sizes below cover the same size range as 24 US sizes
  • Euro sizes provide a better, more precise fit for your intended use
  • For mountaineering boots, upsize (1/2+ sizes) depending on desired fit.



Reviews
Reviews
4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 18 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 16 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend these products
FitRated 0.0 on a scale of minus 2 to 2
18 reviews
  • SL
    Sam L.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    INSTINCT WOMEN'S
    I recommend this product
    Bought For Sport Climbing, Gym
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    July 18, 2025
    A Solid Option for Thin Feet

    As a guy with narrow feet (and an extra-narrow heel), these shoes are nearly perfect in fit for me! I have also worn the Chimeras and Drago LV (though maybe a size too large in each) and tried on the new Drago XT. I would place their heel cup volume from large to small in that order, and the Instinct Women's is probably between the Drago LV and XT. Same for the toe box (but not to the same degree).

    Outside of shoe volume, the Chimera and Drago LV are hands down better shoes in terms of raw performance. The single PCB tension along the bottom and the high asymmetry provide more pulling than the moderately asymmetric bi-tension system in the Instinct, and the surround rubber of the toe box provides much better toe hooking. The Chimera has the most sensitivity of the three, but the LV and Instinct are equal. The Chimera has better laces that feel more grippy than the Instinct (I actually swapped the laces) and hold better in the eyelets when tightening the shoe. The Instinct is easily the most comfortable and generally more well-fitting for narrow feet (at least the women's). All three have the same heel cup exterior, which is solid at heel hooking if your heel fits it.

    HOWEVER, I have not climbed in the Drago XT, but I have tried them on. Based on my initial thoughts, the fit of the XT is even more snug than the Instinct W, especially in the heel if you can believe it. I imagine people with larger heels will have to upsize too much to fit in, which likely defeats the benefit…

  • I
    Ian
    Verified Reviewer
    Reviewing
    INSTINCT MEN'S
    I recommend this product
    Bought For Sport Climbing, Gym, Trad, Bouldering
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    June 26, 2025
    The best shoes i've ever had

    Please don't discontinue these, they're fantastic. I have pretty huge/wide feet and these are the only climbing shoes I have found that aren't painful to wear for long periods but also allow me to tackle more technical footwork.

    The laces allow me to have better control over the width throughout the shoe and are far more comfortable than the velcro version for me. Glad they're back in stock I thought they were getting sunset.

  • N
    Nina
    Reviewing
    INSTINCT WOMEN'S
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    July 1, 2024
    Great For Technical Footwork

    This shoe has the classic, precise toebox of all Scarpa's Instincts combined with a snug arch fit and narrower heel rand that fits into finicky heel hooks like a dream. I used the Instinct Lace on the crux right heel of Meadowlark Stand when others wouldn't work. The shoe stays stiff throughout the course of its lifetime; I've used it primarily for steep sport climbing and bouldering. I'm a women's street shoe 7 and find the 37s fit perfectly (I like my shoes pretty tight).

  • GE
    Great edging shoe and shockingly c.
    Reviewing
    INSTINCT MEN'S
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    October 5, 2023
    Performance and decent comfort

    For a performance-fit shoe, I find these shockingly comfortable, even for several pitched. Great edging and a soft-enough midsole that they perform well in overhanging terrain. I moved from a 41.5 la sportiva katana lace to these in a 42.5 (they are sized with some toe curl but I could have gone even smaller perhaps). These are a bit softer in the midsole than the Katana Lace but have a relatively similar foot shape (the Katana lace is a bit pointier). I am really happy with these shoes thus far

  • K
    K
    Reviewing
    INSTINCT WOMEN'S
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    September 11, 2023
    My favorite projecting shoe!

    These shoes fit my foot so well and they are so comfortable, it's hard to believe they are an aggressive style! I haven't found a single la sportiva shoe that fits me well, normally I have dead space in the heel. I have a narrow heel and wider toe box and these shoes are perfect for me. My street shoe is a size 7 so I originally got a 38.5. It fit great but was just a little tight and they didn't really stretch out at all. I opted to get a second pair size 39 and they fit like a glove! I absolutely love these shoes on the rock, they are amazing at edging and even better on overhangs!