EVOLV Defy Lace Climbing Shoes - Men's Fog Gray/Banana 10.5 Review
The EVOLV Defy Lace Climbing Shoes in Fog Gray/Banana are engineered to meet the needs of both novice and experienced climbers. With a focus on performance, these shoes strike an impressive balance between functionality and comfort, making them an exceptional choice for any climbing adventure.
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Features
- Unlined, perforated leather upper for breathability
- Downturned toe design for superior hooking power
- Asymmetric profile enhances fit and responsiveness
- 1 mm full length midsole (MX-P) for excellent support
- 4.2mm TRAX SAS rubber outsole provides superior grip
- Thicker front toe area with VTR rand for durability
- 3/4 length speed lace closure for a secure fit
Pros
- Exceptional performance without compromising comfort
- Breathable material suitable for extended wear
- Offers great traction on various surfaces
- Versatile enough for different climbing styles
- Easy to adjust lacing system for a personalized fit
Cons
- Break-in period may be required for optimal comfort
- May not be ideal for wider feet
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | EVOLV Defy Lace | La Sportiva Theory | Scarpa Drago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Material | Perforated Leather | Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Midsole Thickness | 1 mm MX-P | 1.1 mm | 1.5 mm |
| Outsole Thickness | 4.2 mm TRAX SAS | 4 mm Vibram | 3.5 mm Vibram |
| Closure Type | Speed Lace | Velcro | Velcro |
| Best For | All Levels | Advanced | Intermediate |
Detailed Review
The EVOLV Defy Lace Climbing Shoes stand out particularly due to their well-thought-out design that caters to various climbing situations. The unlined, perforated leather upper ensures that your feet breathe even during intense climbs, which is a significant feature for those long days on the rock face.
The downturned toe is one of the key aspects of the Defy Lace, providing you with the ability to hook effectively while transferring power seamlessly to your footwork. The asymmetric shape further refines the fit, allowing for precise movement and agility, essential traits for advanced climbing techniques.
One notable advantage of the Defy Lace is the 4.2mm TRAX SAS rubber outsole, which delivers impressive traction on different types of rock surfaces, enhancing your confidence as you tackle challenging routes. The thicker front toe area, thanks to the VTR rand, contributes significantly to durability, protecting the shoe against wear from frequent toe placements.
When it comes to comfort, the balance achieved by EVOLV means that these shoes can be worn comfortably for extended periods. However, like many performance climbing shoes, they may require a break-in period before reaching peak comfort. If you're someone with wider feet, it's worth noting that the fit might feel a bit snug initially, but this usually eases up after some use.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5 | Good balance of performance and comfort, but may need breaking in. |
| Performance | 5.0 | Exceptional power transfer and precision due to downturned toe design. |
| Durability | 4.5 | Robust construction, especially with the VTR rand for toe protection. |
| Traction | 5.0 | Outstanding grip provided by the TRAX SAS rubber outsole. |
| Fit | 4.0 | Snug fit, may not accommodate wider feet comfortably. |
User Reviews
People freaking out like omg it's so tight and fits so small. They're climbing shoes ffs they're meant to be tight af since they're not meant to be worn on your casual strolls. I wear 10m and bought 10.5m since everyone was so unhappy with the sizing and it fits fine but I would have been sooo much more confidence on the wall if I just stuck with a 10. I might even go for a 9.5 on my next pair if I get a chance to try them first. Other brands and types can have odd sizing that doesn't make sense, but not this shoe from Evolv. This fits as per your normal size, excellent option if you must buy online without trying sizes.
Sizing chart does not help. The reviews and Q&A about sizing is confusing. I normally wear Colehaans size 9; and Addidas size 9.5. This climbing shoes at size 9.5 is not true to size and doubt that it will stretch to size (if it does, you probably would need to wear this everyday to work for 6 months). At size 10.5, my toes are still curled up and toe knuckles are pointed up. Settled for 11.5. I'm no expert climber but I want to enjoy learning how to climb and not think about how much my feet hurt in the middle of the climb.
Ordered and received size 15 shoes label says US size 15 but are not even close more like a 10 or 11. My normal shoe size is 13.
Fourth pair of Evolv Defys. Greater closure strength and same moderate last. Love em'!
I picked up the 10.5 up and they fit great. I usually I have problems with shoes being too small or too large in 10.5 but these had just enough tightness to be perfect.I use these in the rock gym, and the velcro is nice for taking them on and off easily.
I wear a 10.5 street shoe and these fit me just about right for climbing. I've only had them out once so far, but once they get broken in I think they'll be perfect.
Fit great
WAY, WAY too small. Size up at least three sizes.