Twist into cracks, smear with precision: The Maestro Mid Eco makes bold claims as a supportive and soft climbing shoe for long routes. We reviewed the latest release from the brand to see how it holds up on the rock.
Innovation in the world of trad climbing shoes seems to revolve around a few central design tenets. Namely, trad shoes are comfortable for all-day climbing, can withstand twisting into cracks, and are stiff.
The SCARPA Maestro Eco, released in spring 2018, departs from the idea that trad shoes need to be stiff. The Maestro Eco line comprises two shoes: a mid-height version and a low version. They cost $190 and $180, respectively, and use premium materials for demanding climbers.
After reviewing them for more than a month, I’ve found the Maestro Mid Eco to be a high-performing climbing shoe. The leather feels great twisting into cracks, and the shoe’s rubber and randing feel decidedly more precise on the rock than those of other trad shoes.
But in regard to SCARPA’s divergence from typical trad shoe design and stiffness, the difference is there — it’s just subtle.