How to Choose Rock Climbing Shoes

Anatomically engineered parts and design provide the men's evolv Kronos climbing shoes with a comfortable fit without sacrificing performance.
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Imported.
View all evolv Men's Climbing ShoesBest Use | Rock Climbing |
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Climbing Shoe Type | Moderate |
Last | Slip-lasted |
Upper | Synthratek VX synthetic |
Lining | Unlined |
Outsole | 4.2 mm TRAX SAS high-friction rubber |
Footwear Closure | Strap |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.6 oz. |
Climbing Shoe Volume | High |
6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 5 Mens/6 Womens | 5.5 Mens/6.5 Womens | 6 Mens/7 Womens | 6.5 Mens/7.5 Womens | 7 Mens/8 Womens | 7.5 Mens/8.5 Womens | 8 Mens/9 Womens | 8.5 Mens/9.5 Womens | 9 Mens/10 Womens | 9.5 Mens/10.5 Womens | 10 Mens/11 Womens | 10.5 Mens/11.5 Womens | 11 Mens/12 Womens | 11.5 Mens/12.5 Womens | 12 Mens/13 Womens | 12.5 Mens/13.5 Womens | 13 Mens/14 Womens | 13.5 Mens/14.5 Womens | |
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U.S. Men's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 |
U.S. Women's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 | 15 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 |
EU | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 48.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 |
Evolv shoes are not designed to be downsized.
Evolv sizing uses three categories of fit: Max Performance, Performance, and Comfort.
Max Performance : Choose street shoe size. Ultra-snug fit to deliver the maximum possible performance.
Performance : Choose street shoe size and add .5 to 1.0 size. Snug fit for longer sessions.
Comfort : Choose street shoe size and add 1.0 to 1.5 sizes. Comfortable fit for multi-pitch or entry level.
VOLUME
All Evolv climbing shoes come in Low Volume and Medium Volume models.
Low Volume : Designed for a maximum performance fit and lower volume foot shapes.
Medium Volume : Designed for a performance fit and average volume foot shapes.
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Solid gym shoe - in use for a couple of months now and holding up - rubber just as compliant as La Sportiva Finales. For me really no break-in period. Gonna say: pay attention to what evolv says about shoes not meant to be downsized and yer personal foot shape - plenty of volume in this model - purchased same size as running shoe (9.5) and fits fine - except I hafta occasionally tighten em up with the strap after a few routes - this is probably due to the top strap slipping in the buckle. Perhaps one could get away with dowsizing a half size for a "performance" fit - but I can't hack too-tight shoes - I mess up toenails that way.
This is definitely my favorite flat shoe that I've worn. I use this to warm up in the gym and on easier stuff outside. Shoe fits awesome and hugs you nice and snug everywhere. Adjustable strap is REALLY nice for my skinny foot. Sport climb, boulder, multi pitch, it kinda does everything i need it to. Just throw on some more aggressive for the really hard stuff and you have a full quiver. I ended up a half size down from my street shoe but i like my shoes pretty tight. Seems to fit pretty true. Love these babies. <3
Good begginer shoes good for climbs grade v6 and below.
I have been gym bouldering for a few years now with some on/off breaks and have been a V6 climber at my best. I don't mess around with ordering climbing shoes online because they all fit and size differently so I went to try them on instore. I wear a 12 in Vans and the 12.5 Kronos fit perfectly. 12's would have been good too but I wasn't looking for a super aggressive, toe curling pair and since they are synthetic, I'm not expecting them to stretch all that much. I tried on several other shoes in different sizes and these felt the best by far. I feel like they are already pretty well broken in after just 4 sessions. Easy to put on and take off, toe and heel hooks feel good and they smear surprisingly well. Solid choice for performance and value if you are in the beginner to intermediate skill range.
Purchased these shoes about 8-9 months ago, and used them about 2 times a month. as of January, i use them 3 times a week and this month has been an average of 4 times a week on NEW holds that are super rough on the skin and clothes. These shoes put up a nasty fight. considering its been 4 months of constant use, there is very little to no tears, holes, or considerable wear. Im a beginner climber and just sent my first indoor 5.11a, and i climb v3-4 boulders. They get the job done super well and i will for sure get another pair once they start getting holes. I sized down a half size and they are super comfy yet tight enough.
Very well put together. Excellent attention to detail in the finishing. Glad I heeded advise to get normal shoe size for a "performance" fit. I wear 10 in street shoes and a 10 in these are nicely snug. I didn't know rubber could be so sticky. Closure system exceeded expectations. Well worth the $. I recently paid $219 for a pair from a different maker and was very disappointed. Probably won't be going back to that brand. Very impressed by Evolv. I will likely lean towards them for future shoe purchases.
Love this shoe!! I wear a street size 11.5-12 and have a slightly narrower foot. Bought these in an 11.5 and my toes are curled nicely. I had a hard time finding a good pair of shoes that work for narrow feet: the adjustable straps made it work. These are incredibly comfortable with good grip. Love the Velcro. (I also liked La Sportiva’s Taranculace shoe for a narrow foot beginners shoe…but I like evolv more). Highly recommend.
I have been climbing for around 3 years now. Mostly bouldering indoors. I started with the tarantulace from La Sportiva. I chose these after holes started showing up in my last pair. I’ve had them for around 7 months now and I would say they are so much better. Similar performance wise, and I will admit I’m not trying super hard to get better, mostly just for fun. These have a softer footbed and inner materials. The Velcro has been awesome. I am an avid runner and sometimes run up to 60/70 miles a week training for ultras. The fit is so easy to dial in whether I have been training a bunch recently and have puffy feet or not. They are also holding up well. I usually climb at least twice a week. All in all great shoe.
Note these are my first climbing shoes, but I've gotten great use out of them, climbing about 5 days/week at the gym before COVID shut things down. I've worn these mostly inside for gym climbing (both bouldering and sport climbing) for a year now, but they've treated me well in my couple of outdoor trips too. The rubber is great and sticky and despite the moderate last and relatively rounded toe, I always felt like I could trust my feet in these. They fit true to size (I wear 9 in street shoe and in these Evolvs) and are usually comfortable to leave on between climbs and belaying sessions, although I often take them off if my feet are getting too hot and sweaty. The Kronos shoes look great, with muted colors and cool details on the pull tabs and straps. Cons after a year of climbing in them: One of my straps is now starting to fray around the loop where it folds and the toe edge of the soles are starting to wear thru, so I'm now shopping for a new shoe, though I'm not opposed to buying these again. Also note, even with regular lysol spraying after sessions, if you're using these 5 days a week like I did, the synthetic materials can get REALLY stinky. The rounder toe is great for smearing and edging most footchips, but can be a bit hard to get into narrow pockets or the smallest of chips. Despite that, I highly recommend these shoes for all-around climbing if you're a beginner/moderate climber or just not ready for that more aggressive last.
Picked up a pair on sale at my local REI to replace my worn out Tarantulaces. For a flat shoe, they are great - super comfortable, relatively grippy, easy to get on/off. Synthetic is a bonus for a consistent fit, although I heard they can become pretty stinky, so maybe stay on top of that. For fit, I went with one full size up from my street shoe size (9 in street shoes, picked a 10 here). I could have pulled off a half size up, but since they're synthetic (no stretch) and supposed to be my more comfortable flat shoes, I went with the 10. One full size up was the sweet spot for me with toe bend. Primarily use these for long/high volume gym sessions, multi-pitch climbs, or any other day where I prioritize comfort and am climbing tamer stuff. I can keep them on pretty much all the time, I don't have to peel them off after every climb. For bouldering, they are great up to V4ish. Beyond that, I would go for a more aggressive shoe (typical for a flat shoe anyway). If you're a beginner climber, these will handle virtually anything you can throw at it, AND keep your feet happy too. A pair of these and a pair of Shamans would round off a perfect quiver to climb just about anything.