Evolv Shaman

Enjoying the love bump. The grip seems to be a lot better than the hire shoes I was using. Having 3 straps is very comfortable. Can't really fault them. I found the sizing to be a tad on the small side. I'd give 5 stars but don't think I have worn them enough to warrant scoring them so high at this time, but could quite easily have the potential for 5 stars.

I am a long time user of Scarpa footwear and usually wore a 41.5. However, the slow development of Morton's Neuroma in both feet sent me on a hunt for shoes with a different fit that would be wearable and not trigger the agonising pain in my feet. This is probably the result of 50 years of various climbing shoes - not just Scarpa) The shaman have proved really good - I have had to size up though and wear a 43 in the velcro and a 43.5 in the lace. While that's a massive jump, the shoes are still pretty tight. Both the velcro and the lace really hug my foot and there's no dead space. I think I have a wide foot. Also while the shoes compress your toes they aren't bunched and they are held in position by the 'love bump' The toe/knuckle box is generous, both my big toe nails and toe joints aren't stressed.

This should impact on performance I hear you say...... I do Trad, Sport and Boulder and the shoes have performed really well across all the disciplines. My feet feel locked in, footwork is confident, edging is good, the toe works well in pockets and the heel is deep, fits well and feels very secure when hooking.

Build quality may be a weakness, I've had one pair where the rubber around the heel started to separate, but other than that they've been pretty durable. All in all I think they are an excellent shoe.

I am a long time user of Scarpa footwear and usually wore a 41.5. However, the slow development of Morton's Neuroma in both feet sent me on a hunt for shoes with a different fit that would be wearable and not trigger the agonising pain in my feet. This is probably the result of 50 years of various climbing shoes - not just Scarpa) The shaman have proved really good - I have had to size up though and wear a 43 in the velcro and a 43.5 in the lace. While that's a massive jump, the shoes are still pretty tight. Both the velcro and the lace really hug my foot and there's no dead space. I think I have a wide foot. Also while the shoes compress your toes they aren't bunched and they are held in position by the 'love bump' The toe/knuckle box is generous, both my big toe nails and toe joints aren't stressed.

This should impact on performance I hear you say...... I do Trad, Sport and Boulder and the shoes have performed really well across all the disciplines. My feet feel locked in, footwork is confident, edging is good, the toe works well in pockets and the heel is deep, fits well and feels very secure when hooking.

Build quality may be a weakness, I've had one pair where the rubber around the heel started to separate, but other than that they've been pretty durable. All in all I think they are an excellent shoe.