Evolv Shaman LV Women's Climbing Shoes - AW23 Review
The Evolv Shaman LV Women's Climbing Shoes are crafted for climbers who push the limits across various climbing styles. With a modern cambered design, these shoes shine on both overhanging routes and steep ascents that demand precision in footwork. Their vegan synthetic upper is not only environmentally friendly but also ensures a snug fit that maintains its shape over time.
These climbing shoes excel in their versatility, adapting well to different rock types and angles. If you’re searching for a reliable shoe to accompany you on your climbing adventures, the Shaman LV could be your ideal companion.
Related Products
Features
- Synthratek VX Upper: Lightweight and vegan-friendly, perfect for eco-conscious climbers.
- Extended Toe Rand: Enhances toe hooking security.
- Back Strap: Facilitates easy on/off wear.
- Knuckle Box: Provides ample room for your toes, preventing discomfort.
- Thickness Rand: Reduces pressure points for extended comfort during climbs.
Pros
- High level of comfort straight out of the box.
- Excellent performance on varied climbing surfaces.
- Durable construction that maintains shape and support.
- Eco-friendly materials employed in design.
Cons
- May feel too tight for those with wider feet.
- Not as suitable for beginners due to advanced design.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Evolv Shaman LV | La Sportiva Theory | Scarpa Drago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Material | Synthratek VX | Microfiber | Suede |
| Closure Type | Hook & Loop | Hook & Loop | Lace |
| Best For | Overhangs and steep routes | Sport climbing | Bouldering |
| Weight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Medium |
Detailed Review
The Evolv Shaman LV Women's Climbing Shoes offer an impressive combination of comfort, support, and performance. When tackling overhanging routes, the tensioned heel rand provides the power needed to grip those small edges securely. Furthermore, the unique love bump plastic midsole positions your toes into a crimped state, optimizing your force application during climbs.
One of the standout features is the knuckle box, which accommodates your toes without cramping, allowing you to focus entirely on your climbing technique rather than discomfort. The thickness rand also plays a crucial role in minimizing pressure points, making these shoes suitable for longer climbing sessions.
However, if you have wider feet, it might be worth trying them on before purchasing, as they can feel somewhat constricting. Additionally, these shoes are targeted more toward intermediate and advanced climbers, so they may not be the best choice for beginners just starting out in the sport.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Exceptional comfort with minimal break-in time. |
| Performance | 10/10 | Outstanding grip and support on diverse climbing surfaces. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Constructed from resilient materials that withstand regular use. |
| Value for Money | 7/10 | A premium option that delivers quality but may be pricier than alternatives. |
User Reviews
These shoes are amazing, I ordered them 1/2 size up where as my other two pairs of Evolv shoes (Kronos and Zenist) are 1 size up and when I first put them on I thought I made a big mistake in getting them in size 11 instead of 11.5 like my other two pair but I'm so glad I kept them. After a few days of wear (not even at the gym yet, I've found just sitting at the computer helps so much to break in new shoes less painfully) they started to mold to my foot and now I understand exactly what people mean when they say that, it's actually incredible, if you look inside it looks like a big mold of my foot as if the shoes were designed for me.If you have an incredibly wide toe box like I do and struggle to find aggressive shoes that don't hurt your feet so bad you can't even function with them on give the Shaman's a shot. I expected to only like them on overhangs but I was surprised to find them perfectly acceptable on vert and slab as well, they really are a great all around shoe (though as some have mentioned smearing are really the only thing they don't feel really good with but even then they're fine, just obviously not the best). The love bump is an especially nice feature, it definitely helps keep power through the toes with less discomfort. I hope Evolv never stops making these shoes because Chris Sharma's design is incredible and I never want to stop being able to wear them, no joke. Even with things like smearing not being the best with this shoe, the fact that it actually works well for my weird foot shape makes these easily the best climbing shoes I've ever worn.
These shoes have been great. They are very aggressive fit. I purchased in August and have lasted about 4 months of climbing, 4 times a week. I normally wear a size 11 and down sized to a 10.5. It took about two months with a lot of pain at toe box for the shoes to fit. Do not down size! I've used for indoor and outdoor rock climbing and wear them walking around the gym (i don't take them off between climbs) Overall my favorite climbing shoes I've owned so far.Fyi: My gym I climb at is new and also the walls are textured with almost like fine sandpaper. So you might get more time out of your shoes then I did.
I'm sure this pair might fit great for some people but for me the toe box was too tight and uncomfortable. Bleeding after a few climbs and cannot endure the pain. Didn't even size down.
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