Evolv

Zenist Climbing Shoe

Runs small

The sizing is a bit off compared to the Shamans. I usually wear a 8.5/9 depending on the comfort. I purchased a 9 and they are much smaller than expecting.

Super soft shoe!

I personally love this shoe. As someone who likes a really soft shoe that lets me feel the wall or rock a lot more, this has been the best I’ve come across so far. A super sensitive sole that is also good enough to hold up and not flex when it isn’t needed. The amount of rubber on the toe box is great for toe hooks as well. Overall, so happy with the zenists. This is my second pair and will likely be my main shoe I wear going forward

Steez machines

I have been climbing in my Zenist’s for a long time. The first time I bought them the stitching was all messed up and coming out, the Evolv team was kind enough to send me a new pair. Now these shoes are sensitive, so sensitive that once you get used to them every other shoe will feel like wearing a brick on your foot. They don’t have a ton to offer outdoors but are more than functional. The gym is where they shine, these shoes are bouldering machines. Who needs stiffness for support when you have so much sensitivity that you can just paste your foot over a chip and trust it. I love the easy on and off and the fit, they are durable and have lasted me over two years now. I look forward to trying the zenist pro with the new heel lock and closure system when my current zenist’s blow out. The black and white color way also looks soooo steezy.

I adore these shoes

Bought these about 4 months ago and I'm still absolutely loving them. They fit me like a glove, though I did have to get ~2 sizes larger than expected, coming from another brand + my street shoes. My previous pair gave me foot cramps after every climb, but I can keep these ones on for a long time with no issue. Every time I expect to slip off a hold, they've got me, and I can't ask for more than that!

My Do Everything Well Shoe!

I use these shoes for warm-ups, bouldering and super long overhang routes because they are super comfy without giving up any performance. Love the sensitivity due to softness so that I can feel every nuance of the rock when I'm toeing down hard, heel hooking or toe hooking. Durable construction means they'll last. Nice work coming up with this design, Team Evolv!

Amazing shoe

Evolv knocked it out of the park with this shoe PROS: Very sensitive, phenomenal on board climbing and standing on gym volumes. Works pretty well outdoors surprisingly (but I do still favor the phantoms for real rock), The toe rubber hooks very well, and the construction of the shoe it top notch. CONS: The one and only gripe I have is how poorly the heel fits my foot. I thought it was just me, but after talking to about 5 other members at my local gym that have the zenist…..they all have the same complaint! The heel is just SOO baggy and flimsy. Sizing: A nice glove like fit down sizing a 1/2 size from my street shoe with toes fully curled. After one to two sessions the shoe felt broken in fully. My foot is on the wider side with an egyptian toe shape and a “normal” shaped heel. I wouldn’t recommend down sizing any more than a 1/2 size.

Soft and stic

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

10’5

Height:

5' 7"

Weight:

128

I loved my zenist, they were painfully tight at first my street shoe size is around 10?5 to 11 and I got 10?5 in them but they did break in. They smeared really well and the toe was really good even tho it wasn?t padded that much they performed better on bathangs than my x1. And one other thing I loved about these shoes was the heel they basically hugged my heel and ankles no dead space in them I would recommend if you are looking for a soft indoor shoe. You can wear them outside but they are so soft that they would wear down quickly if you wear them outside but they can sure take a beating

Can do it all

If you have a strong enough foot this shoe can do it all! This shoe is soft enough that it works great for smears and volumes, but is supportive enough for me to do whatever I want with my foot. Need to do a toe scum to pull yourself across to a jug? It has you handled! Need to go from an aggressive toe hook to a heel hook? Can handle it with ease! This is my favorite shoe and what I always wear whenever I see a new problem.

Favorite Training/Gym Shoe by far

I typically prefer a stiffer shoe for edging on tiny little nubs outside, but this shoe converted me to the soft shoe gang for everything else. Super comfy and easy to put on and take off for gym sessions. Black and white color is a big bonus for my aesthetic too :)