About the Andrea Boldrini line of climbing shoes:

• Hand crafted in France
• 15 years making shoes
• Known above all else for extremely high performing shoes which are extremely comfortable

APACHE TALISMAN FCS

Andrea Boldrini's top of the line lace-up shoe.

Highly technical, it offers great versatility of use. With a perfect homogenous fit thanks to its new structure combined with the control of the raw materials used.

The new rubber structures and tensions allow for outstanding precision and support and provide free movement of the metatarsus. The upper has been designed to allow both tight or loose fits (scrunched toes or flat toes!) without pressure point thanks to the seams or material overlapping.

This model benefits from the Boldrini asymmetric lace up system that has proved its efficiency for years.

The “Full Contact Sole” (FCS) innovation provides new sensations, a new concept that will (according to Boldrini) be a "revolution" in climbing.

Where it shines: Highly versatile. Sport climbing, multi pitch routes, crack climbing, overhanging rock, and micro-edge face climbing.

• Upper 100% microfibre
• Powerful heel tension, slightly stronger than the rest of the range due to a new manufacturing technique.
• Lateral and heel rubbers designed with a new formula including aluminium particles thus improving support when stretching, lightness and consequently reduced thickness.
• FCS system offers a lot more technical capacities and extra life due to a wider coverage surface
• Rubber: Formula Rubber Tractor (4.5 mm).
• Boldrini stiffness ranking: Extra Supple | Supple | Rigid | Extra Rigid (Lee says: My impression is that it's actually pretty supple)
• Sizes: 32-46 with half sizes (not every size available in stock, check the size drop-down above and contact us with any queries)

Lee's comments:

• Well, I tried them all and I could wear them all quite happily, but this was the shoe I chose out of the entire Boldrini line.
• Top of the line lace up. Throwbacks to the Scarpa Vision and La Sportiva Testarossa, but just so - so much better.
• It is a reasonably soft shoe for a laceup, which encourages a "grab and pull" style of climbing on steep ground. You can really pull with your toes.
• My sizing: 39.5 Muira, 39.5 Solution, 40 Vision, 40.5 Testarossa, 40.5 Mago, Optimus Prime 41 = 39.5 Apache Talisman FCS