This is my second pair of Scarpa shoes, and the design is radically different from my first pair. Both shoes perform extremely well. My other shoe had a very flexible sole, while this new one has a very rigid sole. The new one is also markedly hooked, while the older shoe was not. After adjusting to the different shoe configuration, I was quite impressed with how well this shoe stuck to whatever absurdly small toe holds it encountered. That was a strength of the other shoe. Both of these made smearing very effective. I have found that Scarpa products never get in the way of my developing as a climber.