Evolv Bandit Climbing Shoe

I just retired my year-old bandit just this weekend as i can no longer tolerate the 2 gaping holes on the toes. For a year this shoe has taught me how to climb and proved more than its worth. This shoe is perfect for micro edges, like some magic they just stick to the tiniest hold/crystal/shelf on slab problems. Many times when i'm desperate i'd just jam the sole to the wall and voila....it sticks. Incredible rubber. The shoe molds really well to your feet. Arch support is excellent, it makes a difference on a long route. When I first bought it I suffered for about 3 mos breaking it. I wear street size 9.5 and I got the bandit also at 9.5, but feels like they're size 9. My toes were curled downward and extremely jammed up together. The pressure from using those toes when climbing routes longer than 5 mins plus the heat forces me to take it off - very often - in the beginning, so it wasnt'a comfortable beginner's shoe. Now I value the support, though. I used this 3 x a week at gym and 1 x / wk on outdoor big wall. The rand (toe) blew at around 11th month. Worth the $$. If you're beginner buy 1/2 size larger. For performance stick with your street size. This shoe does NOT stretch. Although after enough sweating they mold to your feet.

I just retired my year-old bandit with 2 gaping holes on the toes just this weekend after sliding off a slab problem (granite wall, no less)made me realize that there's an end to all things good. This is my ode for this incredible climbing partner. This is a stiff shoe so it provides good support, esp. in the midarch but for new climbers this translates to painful tight fit. Now that i've climbed for a year, this tight fit translates to precision edging and just awesome support. I really, really like how surgical this shoe feels, I can slip the pointy rand in virtually any crack, ledge, micro edges, crystal, shelf, hold, you name it and it'll stick. Oftentimes in desperation i’d just jam the bottom sole into the wall and voila.....it sticks. Amazing rubber. My rand (toe) blew at around the 11th month. I climb 3x / wk bouldering at gym and 1 x outdoors on big walls. This shoe feels half size smaller than the stated size. I wear street size 9.5 and I got the bandit at same 9.5, but was tortured for the first 3 mos. My toes were curled and extremely jammed, which resulted in me taking it off on routes longer than 5 mins and under heat. This shoe doesn't stretch, although it will mold your feet like 2nd skin after enough sweating. Buy half size bigger if you’re new and buy street size if you want performance. This shoe is rated intermediate climbing.

Ive used 5 different pairs of climbing shoes but so far, these are by Far my favorites. It is firm enough so you can really get the sides of your feet on really small ridges on your problem. I used them for both bouldering and sport climbing and they worked well in either type of climb. Plus, if you are the type who likes to use your toe on those little ledges, it has enough curve to grab onto even the smallest hold.

These shoes are real legit i highly recommend. I did a lot of research before i bought shoes and these had really good ratings so i went for it and i definitely do not regret it. Theyre extremely comfortable, the sizing was great, and the best part is theyre really breathable when ur climbing ur feet dont get super sweaty n stuff. Great buy, i recommend to you!

These are fantastic shoes for those whose feet have the Evolv shape. A couple of things to note about them. Very comfortable, even for long sessions and multi-pitch stuff. Decent edges that keep their grip even after they've been "broken in," and very sensitive rubber. I could feel just about anything in them without any pain. I didn't find the rubber to be particularly durable, I blew both the toes within about a month of each other after about 7-8 months of hard, regular climbing. A friend of mine had the same durability issue with the bandits. That said, as a poor college student I felt like I definitely got my money's worth with this $80 pair. Another note, they're regularly 80, not 100. Don't ever pay more than 80 for these.

The Bandit is an excellent all-around shoe. The Trax rubber is at least as good, if not better than 5.10 Stealth. Sized the same as your street shoe, the shoe is tight with toes curled, but not painful. I would go 1/2 size up for all day wear, but I can climb 2-3 pitches easily without needed to take the shoes off. Very well made; my year-old shoes are showing no abnormal degradation despite heavy use. The semi-stiff sole has a great balance between edging ability and smearing performance. I only have two gripes. 1) A slight dead space in the heel detracts from heel-hooking, but that's not what they're designed for. 2) they are relatively stiff and thus are ideal for very steep climbing, although they are not bad. Anything less than 45 degrees overhanging is just fine though.