SCARPA BLACKBIRD: the climbing shoe that redefines precision and support

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SCARPA presents BLACKBIRD, a new climbing shoe designed to push the limits of precision and support on the smallest of holds. Designed for technical rock climbing, it introduces for the first time a 3D-printed Pebax® midsole reinforced with carbon fiber, opening up a new vision of vertical performance.

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Developed over six years of research with climbing legend Heinz Mariacher and the SCARPA R&D team, BLACKBIRD is designed to offer maximum control and sensitivity in the most delicate passages.

A new category of performance

At the heart of the project is the Carbon-Enhanced 3D Molded Pebax® midsole, made of Pebax® Rnew and reinforced with carbon fiber. This technology allows for more efficient force distribution on the forefoot, improving support on minimal landings and increasing precision in technical movements.

Integrating a carbon structure into a liner capable of maintaining sensitivity and adaptability was one of the main design challenges. The result is a new performance category based on:

intelligent support
energy efficiency
balance between rigidity and sensitivity

SCARPA BLACKBIRD thus overcomes the classic distinction between rigid and soft shoes, offering stability without sacrificing comfort and feeling on the rock.

Maximum performance without extreme downsizing

Thanks to its innovative architecture, BLACKBIRD allows for less aggressive downsizing than traditional performance shoes.

This translates to:

greater comfort
less foot fatigue
longer and more sustainable sessions

All this without sacrificing precision and control.

It is an ideal solution for:

technical routes with minimal supports
sport climbing on vertical walls
multipitch and long itineraries
boulders that require stability and power

A new approach to construction

The BLACKBIRD project led to a complete redesign of the shoe, intervening on every construction element.

Materials and upper

The double-layer microfibre upper, combined with an Alcantara® front lining, improves comfort and precision in technical passages.

Fit and tension

The full wrapping closure system and highly enveloping tensioning guarantee a direct connection between the foot and the rock, increasing sensitivity and control.

Stability and heel

The internal lateral stabilizer improves stability during the most demanding movements, while the heel with Alcantara® padding and IHC (Integrated Heel Catch) construction offers greater precision and comfort even during prolonged use.