When La Sportiva climbers Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold team up for an objective, the results are often breathtaking and groundbreaking. Their most recent project is not a first ascent or a free solo, but an upgrade to the most important tool across all of their prodigious climbs, the TC Pro climbing shoe. Today, La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain footwear, apparel and ski hard goods, announces the upgraded and improved TC Pro climbing shoe for Fall 2021. This iconic shoe, originally designed in collaboration with Tommy Caldwell, has been used for such iconic climbs as the first ascent of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan and the first free solo of Freerider on El Cap, among many others. For this project, Tommy teamed up with Alex Honnold but this time to incorporate their feedback together which led to design improvements that could only be learned by the sport’s best climbers in the most iconic locations.
“It has been a pure joy to witness and support both Tommy and Alex’s accomplishments over the last few years, says Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “Nobody could have quite imagined what they’ve pulled off in climbing and it’s always rewarding to know that they rely on the TC Pro as such an important piece of gear. While the improvements to the shoe are minor and subtle, there’s no question that they further establish this shoe as a top performer. We can’t wait to see what climbers everywhere are able to accomplish in it.”
Designed for vertical edging, crack climbing, and all-day comfort and support, the TC Pro is a shoe unlike any other. Reduced webbing thickness on the medial lacing harness increases comfort in foot jams, while recycled nylon laces and durable eco leather uppers with metal free tanning reduces environmental impact of producing the shoe. An updated rand and midsole pattern increases durability and longevity while an increased amount of rubber coverage at the toe improves climbing performance. A new microfiber insert on the tongue prevents it from rolling while putting it on and the ventilated tongue and perforated leather uppers increase air flow for long days on the wall. For aesthetics, embossed topo outlines subtly draw heritage to El Capitan’s famous Dawn Wall and Freerider routes. The new TC Pro will carry an MSRP of $190 USD.
“Literally every climb of note that I’ve done has been in TC Pros, says Alex Honnold. “All the big link-ups, all the speed climbs, all the solos, everything is in TC Pros. You know, this is the most important shoe for me.” Tommy Caldwell adds, “The only reason it’s not that way for me is because I’m older than you!”
The entire Fall 2021 line for both men and women will be available at fine specialty retailers across the country and at www.sportiva.com in Fall 2021. During the winter of 2020/2021, select samples for media are by working with PR representative Cory Lowe at Cory.Lowe@BackboneMedia.net.
