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Evolv Bandit Climbing Shoe

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Red/ Black/ Grey
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From dime-sized edges to splitter cracks to high-angle jug hauls, the Evolv Bandit Climbing Shoe can do it all. The Bandit features a full-length speed lace that gives you a precise fit with a single pull. Webbed side panels help reduce excessive stretch and provide added lateral support. A stiff, half midsole gives you edging power while allowing mid-section flex for delicate smearing, and the ultra-sticky TRAX rubber sole ensures your forearms will blow out before your footing.

Bottom Line: A well-rounded shoe for all-around crushing.

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Rating for this product: 4

Well made shoe.

By:
February 25, 2011

This shoe has a pretty nice toe box with a super gripping heel. I've used them three or four times now about 5 hours each and haven't noticed a smell that I have read about with other shoes. I wear a 10.5 US street shoe and was originally going to buy the Optimus Primes, but noticed these were cheaper and they seemed to size the same. I bought a half size up and they work wonderfully. They are snug, but don't cram your feet till you can't wear them for more than half an hour. They have a little trouble edging on those dime size holds, but other than that it's a really great shoe.

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How do these differ from the K-Lace?

How do these differ from the K-Lace?

By:
December 13, 2011

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Per Evolv's website:

K-Lace II:
Asymmetrical toe profile (KA-1 last)
SOLE:
4.2mm TRAX® XT-5 high friction rubber
RAND:
2.2mm TRAX® duro-rand
UPPER:
Perforated elastic Synthratek synthetic upper
LINING:
Perforated cotton lining
MIDSOLE:
MX-S 1mm sensitive, full-length midsole

Bandit:
Asymmetrical toe profile (KA-1 last)
SOLE:
4.2mm TRAX® XT-5 high friction rubber
RAND:
2.2mm TRAX® duro-rand
UPPER:
Perforated elastic Synthratek synthetic upper
LINING:
Microfiber lining
MIDSOLE:
MX-P 2mm stiff full-length midsole

If you like sensitivity and feeling the rock better, I'd get the K-Lace's. Otherwise, I've heard better things about the bandit's durability, but I feel like it's mostly subjective anyway, climb what you like. Also, the shape of the two shoes is different, most noticeably in the heel.

Goodluck!

By:
January 19, 2012

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The Bandit has a stiffer midsole and a different lining.

By:
December 13, 2011

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Rating for this product: 5

Got me hooked on Evolv

By:
January 11, 2010

This was the first shoe of Evolv's that I ever owned. I got hooked. This is an excellent all around shoe. It performs well on anything you can throw at it. I particularly love it on slabs. It's edging is hard to beat for an all around shoe, and the heel will not let you down. This is a great shoe.

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This will be my first pair of climbing shoes and I heard that

This will be my first pair of climbing shoes and I heard that all brands size different. Any idea what size I should be if I wear a 10.5 running shoe and an 11 casual shoe?

By:
July 2, 2011

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I agree with Sam above me. I would NEVER buy a climbing shoe that I have not tried on. I have found that in some eVolvs I wear an 8.5. In my La Sportiva Nagos I wear a 7; and in Casual I wear a 9.5. I would try them on and then come to backcountry.com and take advantage of cheaper prices.

By:
July 20, 2011

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I'd go for a ten. But if you can, do try them on.

By:
July 3, 2011

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The best thing to do with a climbing shoe is to try them on in a local store, if possible. They sizes not only differ slightly between brands, but also between different models of the same brand.

By:
July 2, 2011

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Rating for this product: 5

Great shoe

By:
May 28, 2009

These shoes smear and edge like nobody's bussiness, yet they are still aggressive and stiff enough to be able to hold a toe on small holds. I have mine sized very aggressively. I wear a size 12 street shoe and i have these in an 11. They hurt the first time i put them on, but after that they have performed very well and I can climb almost anything in them. I do however prefer a more aggressive shoe for anything more than a 60 degree overhang or roof.

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Started rock climbing recently and was interested in the Evolv

Started rock climbing recently and was interested in the Evolv Bandit, presently on sale. The rental shoes I use are 11 and feel snug, but not tight. My regular shoes are either 9 Wide or 9 1/2. Could you advise me on what size to order in the Bandit (since they are mail order)?
Would you advise another model shoe for a beginning rock climber?

By:
September 13, 2010

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1: I would buy a half size or maybe a full size since your feet are wide.
2: This is a perfect beginner shoe. This was the first shoe I had ever bought.

By:
February 25, 2011

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Rating for this product: 5

Super gripy

By:
January 7, 2010

I absolutely love this shoe it has out preformed many other climbing shoes in the gym,and sticks to the gneiss rock of the Adirondacks like glue. my street shoe sizes is a 10.5 - 11 and the smallest bandit i could fit in to for more than a half hour was a size 9.5 I don't think these shoes smell any worse than any other climbing shoe, but it is harder to wash the smell out of them.

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If I wear a size 11 1/2 regularly (hiking shoes,) but 10 1/2

If I wear a size 11 1/2 regularly (hiking shoes,) but 10 1/2 for climbing shoes (like the Mad rock Phoenix, or La Sportive Mantis lace up...) where should I guess for this shoe?

By:
September 1, 2009

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I was told by an Evolv rep that the sizing is to fit your familiour shoe size. So if you were an 11.5 go for an 11.5 and it should fit snug.

By:
September 2, 2009

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Rating for this product: 4

Good for the money

By:
September 11, 2010

These are a good all around shoe. Being able to wear them all day and still not have your feet burn is amazing, for those long days on the rock. The rubber is sticky and very durable.

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Rating for this product: 5

Had them for months and still glorious

By:
November 4, 2010

I absolutely love these shoes. I had to go a full size down from my street shoe size, 10 to a 9. first few wears were a bit rough, but now they are absolute glory. I can wear them for hours without any severe aching. They do grip extremely well, and edge great.
I read reviews of people having a stinking problem, but having mine for 8 or 9 months and wearing them an hour or longer at a time, mine still smell new.

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Rating for this product: 5

Love these guys

By:
March 4, 2009

These shoes are great. They smear well, edge well, and can climb cracks. I would call them a proformance crack shoe. The lace up is also great, its fast and you can get the tightness you need.

I will for sure get these resoled.

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Rating for this product: 3

Smell Horrible

By:
October 8, 2009

These were my first rock shoes (actually, the model before this--the black/gray ones). They perform fine; my problem is stink-retention. I don't have smelly fit. Never did. I was genetically spared from that curse. But these shoes...there's something about that eco-friendly suede they use that just retains food odor like none other. Even after airing out for a few days, it's still possible to smell the odor if you get close enough. I know I'm not alone on this. Other reviews of Evolv climbing shoes have noted the exact same stink issue.

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3 Comments Last Comment: June 9, 2011 by:

By:
December 17, 2009

all climbing shoes stink. unless maintained i.e. goldbond or lysol you have smelly climbing shoes. congrats on having perfect smelling fee though :-)

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By:
January 14, 2010

*sp feet

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By:
June 9, 2011

Any synthetic material is going to stink more. Just go with uppers made from the real stuff.

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Rating for this product: 4

Stiff sole

By: Backcountry.com Employee
August 13, 2010

The shoes are a great all around climbing shoe. They work great for vertical and slightly over hanging routes and are more comfortable than most other climbing shoes, which makes the great for leaving on for extended periods of time.

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Item: EVL0018
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Well made shoe.

4 star rating

By: dws4466867 February 25, 2011

This shoe has a pretty nice toe box with a super gripping heel. I've used them three or four times now about 5 hours each and haven't noticed a more...

Got me hooked on Evolv

5 star rating

By: Sewers January 11, 2010

This was the first shoe of Evolv's that I ever owned. I got hooked. This is an excellent all around shoe. It performs well on anything you can throw more...

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Material:
Synthratek synthetic 
Sole:
TRAX XT-5 
Last:
slip 
Lacing:
standard 
Asymmetrical Curvature:
medium 
Recommended Use:
climbing 
Manufacturer Warranty:
1 year