For what it is . .

By brent Ranked #8 - Climbing Shoes January 19, 2012

Got these on SnC on a whim almost a year ago. For what the Royale is, they're great. For any trad route, or non-techy/non-super overhung sport route they'll crush.

Full leather with toebox lining allows conformity in the toes and perfect stretch everywhere else. The reinforced rand and stiffer midsole mean edging is easy and slopy footwork isn't going to make you throw these things away after a month of use. Tongue of the shoe is ultra comfy and breathable, probably more so than any other evolv shoe I've worn/seen.

I sized em down 1.5 from street and they stretched well after a couple days/week to be the perfect half day to all day shoe. Wearing them hour after hour only feels like someone threw a nice, comfortable, and supportive, semi-sensitive rubber sock on you.

There have been no durability issues with the rubber or any kind of peeling, etc. The eyelets of the leather material get a bit of wear from tightening the laces, but they won't break or tear on you due to some reinforcement stitching in the area.

I believe these are a nice, well thought out addition to any trad climber or a beginning sport climber.

Go for it!

View Details: Evolv Royale Climbing Shoe

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