La Sportiva Women's Miura VS Rock Climbing Shoes - Best for Indoor & Outdoor Climbing, Bouldering, and Sport Routes

I wear 8.5 womens (US) street shoe size and used Sportiva's sizing chart (http://www.sportiva.com/about/technology/sizing-boots-shoes), which put me at a 40. I wanted to size down a bit (my current shoes are very aggressively sized, so I didn't want too big of a difference), so I first ordered these in 39.5. While it took some effort to slip into the shoe (though the pull straps are very helpful and something I love in sportiva shoes), once my foot was in I found there was quite a bit of space in the toebox and in the sides of the heels. My toes were touching the end but didn't curl up into the space, and I found the shoe bent/had too much give if I tried to stand on my toes I have very narrow feet, and I don't have morton's toe (my second toe is shorter than my big toe), so I'm used to sizing down a bit - I'll just have to size down even more in these.I haven't climbed in these yet as I'm waiting for my 38.5s, but they feel very well constructed, and the tongue is nice and padded, which I expect will eliminate some of the upper foot pain I get from my current shoes. They are leather, so I expect them to stretch/conform to my feet pretty well. I'm not terribly fond of the flower pattern of these shoes (why not just a color, sportiva?), but I plan to just use some colored sharpie to make these more interesting/personal - in any case, they're not obviously flowers unless you're pretty close to them.I will update my review after I get the right fit and can do some climbing in these, but I'm very excited to try them!These shoes are fantastic but fit differently than older pairs. I love La Sportiva for the narrow fit, great edges, and stellar rubber. I purchased my first pair of Miura lace ups in December 2013, and sent them through 2 resoles before deciding to change it up a little and try these slightly more aggressive velcro Miura VS. I'd read some reviews online about fit difference between the Miura and Miura vs, and decided to go with the same size as my oldies (36) because those were a b*tch to break in and I'd heard the vs fit smaller (due to aggressive sole). Surprisingly, these were much too large! Out of curiosity, I went down to my local outfitter and tried on a new pair of Miura lace ups in a 36, and those fit much larger than my old, broken in Miuras of the same size. Maybe Sportiva has changed their sizing??? Either way, I returned these for a half size smaller to compensate for some stretch that will inevitably happen, and I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival!I had bought these shoes off of amazon in April in the time I have had them they have made me so much better of a climber. The edging and toes are really great. Smaller holds are much easier to stand on then in my old 5.10's. I've been climbing really hard for these past months and im surprised they held up through most of it, but I did rip both a few weeks ago and im devastated. Right in time for comp season just my luck! Would have been five stars if not for the rips but a good buy! Highly recommended.I mostly climb indoors (unfortunately), but this shoe has worked very well (struggles just a tad if you want to smear with a large are of your foot and starts to slide on the ankle on really hard toe/heel hooks). I love this shoe though, I think I'll stick with it for a while. I'd find it in a store to try it on though (I did), you never know about the size with climbing shoes.I've worn women's La Sportiva Miuras VS for years in size 37. For whatever reason, the same shoes I ordered online is big in the heel. Did La Sportiva slightly change the sizing or did I catch a bad factory day? I've since gone to my local REI to fit the exact same shoes, and did not have a problem.I LOVE THESE SHOES! I can climb on the tiniest of ledges with all the confidence in the world because these will stick. As usual with aggressive shoes... not great for outdoor bouldering or multi-pitches, but good for sport climbing if you take them off frequently because they will start to HURT! The only downside to these shoes is that heel-hooking is a little difficult. The heel has a slightly too much space that doesn't keep your heel in place too well.They are very, very strong shoes!!! I love them!!! I thought they are too tight the first time I try them on but since the shoes are designed for just climbing, they work perfectly, more than perfectly I'd say, when you are climbing (like bending and twisting your feet). Love them : )I love these climbing shoes. I think this is my 3rd pair, and I have resoled my others. Great for edging, love the fit.