Evolv Shaman

Priced: $144.95 - $150.00 Rated:   - 5 stars out of 5 by 41 reviews.
Evolv Shaman
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Evolv Shaman -

The Evolv Shaman is the most advanced, highest-performance climbing shoe that Evolv has ever released, designed from scratch by Chris Sharma. It fits like a glove, and is the most comfortable down-turned climbing shoe we've ever tried. Imagine: a no-compromises, aggressive, technical climbing shoe that doesn't feel like a torture device!
Built on a new last, with a strong downward camber and asymmetrical profile, the Evolv Shaman is perfect for hardcore sport climbing and bouldering steep terrain. The “knuckle box” distributes weight across your big toe, and the "love bump" midsole keeps that toe in a position of power for edging while also helping these shoes retain their downturned shape. The tensioned heel and arch rand eliminate dead space in the arch, transferring even more power to the toes, and a heel counter provides additional tension for secure heel hooks. Triple velcro straps keep the arch from flattening out on you.
The guys at Evolv have worked tirelessly with Chris Sharma on this shoe, tweaking and modifying prototypes repeatedly until they were absolutely perfect, and the Evolv Shaman is a worthy result. Even Sharma's girlfriend is impressed!

Midsole:

  • The ''Love Bump'' midsole puts your forefoot in a comfortable position of power and fills in the dead space behind your toes
  • Full-length MX-P 1.5mm midsoles have medium stiffness for edging power on long face routes yet are flexible enough for smearing
  • Love Bump” midsole eliminates the deadspace under the toe area. Helps maintain downturned fit and give extra power for edging.

Fit:

  • Pigskin lining wicks moisture for a secure fit and great feel
  • 3 rip-and-stick straps draw the arches of the shoes into your feet for an excellent fit
  • A third strap closure for added security and to create a sock like fit through the arch of your foot

Fabric:

  • Microfiber lining in the forefeet, cotton in the heels and leather on the footbeds limit stretching and offer great comfort

Straps:

  • Arch tensioning middle strap

Upper:

  • Flexible and durable synthetic suede uppers resist stretching and dry quickly
  • Upper- Synthetic(perforated Synthratek upper for slight elasticity

Features:

  • Profile-Highly asymetrical (CS-15 last)
  • Rand VTRrand (Thicker in front area)
  • Heel counter for extra structure
  • The evolv Shaman rock shoes are part of the Chris Sharma Signature Series
  • Ideal for hard sport climbing and bouldering on steep terrain
  • Developed from the ground up by Chris Sharma
  • High-performance, 4.2mm TRAX XT-5 high-friction rubber soles stick tenaciously to rock
  • Toe rands of varying thicknesses enhance durability in high-wear zones, such as the front of the toe, without being cumbersome
  • Downturned shape features a roomy toe box to allow your big toes to stay bent in a position of power while you're climbing
  • The ''Knuckle Box'' works in combination with the ''Love Bump'' to provide room for your big toe knuckle to stay in a position of power
  • High friction toe patch
Moosejaw

The Evolv Shaman is flat out one of the best rock climbing shoes you’re going to find, you guys. This Evolv climbing shoe features a microfiber lining in the forefoot, a “love bump” that puts the forefoot in a comfy position and helps fill the space behind the toes, and a “knuckle box” that allows the big toe knuckle to stay in a position of power while you climb. These design technologies are combined with unique materials to make the Shaman one of the most comfortable climbing shoes ever, and recognized as award-winning climbing gear.


Gearx

The ultimate performance climbing shoe developed from the ground up by Chris Sharma ideal for hard sport climbing and bouldering on steep terrain.


The Shaman incorporates several key design elements that work synergistically to perform at the highest level: The big toe “knuckle box” and “love bump” midsole keeps the big toe in a position of power to obtain maximum strength for edging and grabbing; the tensioned heel and arch rand eliminates dead space in the arch for secure heel hooks and transfers power to the toes; the multi pattern lining (leather forefoot liner for increased sensitivity and feel, cotton heel for non-stretch performance), give the best feel and function for demanding climbs.


Zappos.com
Get a grip! Maximize the power needed for grabbing, smearing, edging and scaling even the toughest climbs by slipping into the EVOLV™ Shaman.
Designed by renown American rock climber Chris Sharma.
Down-turned profile and defined "knuckle box" for enhanced comfort.
Synthetic upper offers a snug, glove-like fit.
Leather forefoot and cotton heel lining for increased friction.
Hook-and-loop straps for a secure lockdown.
Heel pull loop for easy on/off.
MX-P, 1.5mm, half-length midsole features the "love-bump" to reduce the dead space under the toe area.
Two-piece, 4.2mm TRAX high friction rubber outsole.
VTR3D rand.
Made in the U.S.A.
Backcountry.com
Smelling salts not included.
Evolv's mad scientists melted down lightning bolts, kryptonite, pure attitude, and locks of Chris Sharma's hair to create the mold for the Shaman Climbing Shoe. At a top secret unveiling, several people were carried away on stretchers after fainting at the sight of the Shaman's revolutionary and aggressive profile. Built with input from the master himself, this shoe features a love bump under the toe to eliminate deadspace and a heel counter for structure and tension. Throw in Evolv's proprietary Trax XT high-friction rubber and the result is a shoe that's so advanced, it can even help you find features in drywall.

Oregon Mountain Community
Chris Sharma was instrumental in the design of the Evolv Shaman and its already won the Editor's Choice awards from both Climbing and Urban Climber magazines. A combination of exclusive technologies, unique materials, and a radical new last make this an ultra high performance shoe with an amazing level of comfort.

Mountain Gear

Designed by Chris Sharma, Evolv’s Shaman is intended for the highest level of sport climbing and bouldering on steep terrain. Down-turned camber, down-turned asymmetrical toe, and an arch-tensioning middle strap enhance the fit and provide optimum performance for your next project.


REI

Developed from the ground up by Chris Sharma, the evolv Shaman rock shoes incorporate an aggressive downturned shape and high-quality materials to meet your needs on steep routes.

Made in USA.

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Average Price History: Price History
Review RatingNumber of Reviews
27
12
2
0
0
Activity:Climbing
Asymmetrical Curvature:aggressive
Average footwear weight (pair):1 lb. 6 oz.
Awards:2012 Award Winner
Can be resoled:Yes
Footwear closure:Rip-and-stick
Lacing:hook-and-loop
Last:Slip-lasted
Liner:Leather forefoot and foot bed, cotton heel
Lining:Microfiber forefoot, cotton heel, leather foot bed
Material:[lining] pigskin, [upper] synthetic
Midsole:MX-P: 1.5 mm half-length
Outsole:TRAX XT-5 rubber
Profile:Downturned asymmetric with the "Knuckle Box" (SHM-1 last)
Rand:VTR rand (thicker in front toe area)
Recommended Use:rock climbing, bouldering
Shape of last:Cambered
Shoe Profile:Aggressive Profile
Sole:Two piece 4.2 mm TRAX® High Friction Rubber
Style:Velcro
Upper:Synthetic (perforated Synthratek upper)
Warranty:limited lifetime
Weight:Weight-284 g. 100oz ¿ pair size 9
Compare specifications to related products.

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Evolv Rasta ShamanEvolv Rasta Shaman$91.99

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Evolv

Evolv Shaman Reviews:

Positive Reviews:

Just wrote this review for the Rasta Shamans...obviously these are the exact same shoes, so I figured I'd post here. Wasn't sure what to expect. I had never had a pair of performance climbing shoes, with an aggressively down cambered toe. This was my first. Let me revise that. I'd tried some on, and they didn't fit. So I didn't buy them. And then I tried the Shaman. The Knucklebox fits my long toes perfectly. Even with my Morton's toe, this is the first asymmetrically lasted shoe (90% of climbing shoes) that fits my foot! And then the love bump is just a premolded part of the sole, but it makes such a difference for snug fit and feel. No void of space underneath my toes, they are ensconced snugly in rubber above and below. Heel is great, a little movement but secure enough that it'll never come off, no matter how sketchy the hook. Three velcro straps allow me to customize the fit greatly, if I was to want for something, it'd be some sort of way to reduce the heel volume for my less meaty feet. Asides from that magic adjuster, these shoes are above and beyond what I was expecting, and are worth every penny. And they don't look half bad, either :) I'm not so much into Rasta, so I call 'em my Rainbow shamans, or maybe Stoplight Shamans? Regardless, they're awesome. Fit is true, in the Demorto's I sized down 1 1/2 sizes to 10.5, here I stuck with a 12. Incidentally the shoes are the same length when I put them side by side. Once I get used to climbing with this much power and feel to my toe, I may end up sizing down to 11.5. We'll see. Hope this helps!
Byron G - customer at Zappos.com on 12/20/2011

The shamans feel amazing! The knuckle box and love bump features really allow for a snug yet comfortable fit. The heel can feel baggy at times, but the full-coverage rubber allows you to hook pretty much any feature you can find. The velcro is pretty quick to get on and off (I tend to not care how much time it takes, but the shamans are quick, for what it's worth) and it's easy to get your foot into, even if you downsize a bit (I went with my street shoe size, which seemed to fit perfectly!). The edging power of this shoe is above and beyond every shoe I've ever worn, but the edge does round out somewhat quickly.
Now for the cons. My biggest issue with this shoe is the durability. I've climbed in it a few times a week for about six months now, and it's almost time to retire the pair I'm using. The velcro has been fraying for a long time now, and the toe cap is peeling off. The edges are completely rounded out, and the toe has lost some of its precision. The second biggest issue I have with this shoe is the stench. I have pretty smelly feet to begin with, and across the board, Evolv shoes make this problem 20 times worse. I'm not sure what it is about Evolv, but they always smell. Bad.
Overall, I would highly recommend this shoe for people looking for an aggressive sport-climbing shoe with powerful edging and hooking capabilities. Just don't expect it to last you forever.

Daniel Hupp at Backcountry.com on 09/04/2012

My problem with most climbing shoes is the fit. I have a very wide toe box and squared-off toe profile. This is the only aggressive shoe I have ever tried that fit me. I have not climbed with them much yet, but I can vouch that they made some bouldering problems laughably easier than my old shoes. I actually had to go UP a half-size from my street shoes and my La Sportiva Mythoses and my toes are still curled plenty, whereas they are not really curled at all in the Mythos. The tongue gusset is split nearly to the toes, which makes these shoes very easy to get on and off. That's a good thing for an aggressive shoe that you don't want to walk around in. Also the velcro straps go closer to the toe than in other shoes, and there are 3 of them that go all the way across the shoe. This lets you control the volume of the shoe a lot more than with other designs (i.e. La Sportiva Solution). Overall, the versatile fit and edging/hooking performance are the biggest reasons to buy this shoe. I cannot comment on durability yet.

tra2892442 at Backcountry.com on 12/02/2012

have climbed in these shoes twice and so far I LOVE THEM! I can edge on anything, my heel stays put, the three velcro straps enable a perfect, snug fit on all areas of the foot. I cannot testify to the stretch of the shoe as I have not worn it long enough.
If it helps, I am a women's size 8.5 always. I bought these in a 8.0 us, which is men's sizing (39.5 Euro) and they were a little uncomfortable (for about 3 minutes) and after, felt great. If there is any stretch to them, which I presume will be minimal since they are synthetic, you may wanna take my sizing selection advice and go a half size down. I will most certainly be following up if they do stretch. In addition, I have a slightly wider foot than most women's so Evolv definitely caters to this.
Over all, I recommend theses shoes more than any I have tried (La Sportiva - Miura XS, Five Ten - Anasazi, Millet - D. Dulac Pro Model)

Rat a Tat Nat at Backcountry.com on 07/20/2012

Excellent all-around shoe

I've been climbing with the Shaman since it came out - nearly a year. I've projected really thin, slightly slabby limestone sport routes in these, and climbed very overhanging boulder problems as well. In these ~10 months, I've used The Shaman for bouldering (sandstone in Joe's, Font; granite in Bishop, Montana) and for sport climbing (dolomite in Ten Sleep, limestone in Spain, granite in Sweden and Norway) - and I've been increasingly more pleased with them wherever I take them. As a lot of people say, the shoe starts rather stiff (but not *that* stiff). However it breaks in extremely nicely, and has an incredibly long life. With its leather lining, the shoe is very comfortable against the skin. And, as by design, the shoe still performs even when fitted slightly toward the large size. The shoe generally fits the foot well, not putting strange pressure points on the foot (ball, toes, heel), so you can climb without feeling like you're deforming your foot. I love this shoe.
Christine at Rock/Creek Outfitters on 04/04/2012

Great aggressive shoe... and comfortable

After my first trip to the gym, I nailed some routes that I had been struggling with. The stiff aggressive sole is great for edging on micro holds and definitely gave me more confidence in my footwork. Given that my last shoe was the 5.10 Coyote and not aggressive at all it's not surprising that these outperformed them, but the difference was truly night and day. The best part is these are pretty comfortable. I ended up going a half size up (10.5 to 11) since they didn't have my normal size, and that's also what Chris Sharma told me to do on YouTube. They are still quite snug and definitely do the job, though I think my regular size would have been perfect.
Gurusevak at Moosejaw on 10/19/2012

First thing is first
-out of the box these look sweet.
-newer version has a wider middle strap which makes a world of difference in the security of the fit
-sized aggressively for best fit i wear an 10.5-11 street shoe and got a 9.5 and after 2 months they have stretched to perfect. the first few weeks are a bit rough but once they stretch out you will be glad you downsized
-heel hooks are BOMBER, nuff said
- edging is solid after the rubber breaks in you can stand on dimes confidently
-toe hooks are also pretty good but take some practice with the toe box design
-only down side of these shoes is that they may encourage bad foot work because you can stand on such little stuff

ac64567404 at Backcountry.com on 04/12/2012

Edging Extraordinaire

These shoes are incredible. I had my reservations about Evolv's rubber, but after putting these shoes to work over and over again I can say the rubber is great. Where these shoes really excel is on the tiniest edges. They can stick to 'em like glue and you have complete confidence. I really like them for anything vertical to overhanging. Climbing on slabs in these would be a nightmare. I can't speak to much to sizing since it is different for everyone, but I went down one full size from my street shoe and they are definitely tight. You may not have to go down as much. For me, they are too painful to wear for anything longer than one pitch.
Joshua S. at REI on 04/04/2013

Great Shoe

I followed the advise from past reviewers and bought a half size down from my street shoe. These bad boys are tight, but not too tight. I had got the Primes in a full size down and could not walk in them. A half size was perfect. They are stretching nicely. The shoes climb great and are very aggressive. It feels like I need to put less pressure on my toes to stay on the holds. Also, they work excellent on the smallest of chips. I say they feel too narrow, that was when they were right out of the box and my little toe was crushed. They have since stretched a little to allow room for my littlest piggy.
Joel in CB at Rock/Creek Outfitters on 12/12/2012

great for bouldering!

all the stuff youve already heard: surprisingly comfy, edges amazingly... those are all true. i do, however get some dead space in the heel, but isnt limiting my ability to heel hook. toe hooking rubber works nicely, not as good as solutions of team five ten, but still really good. the velcro straps and split tongue make for easy on and off, a plus for gym climbing/ bouldering. i got mine a half size small from my street shoe and it was pretty darn tight, but they have since strecthed and molded to my foot. i'd say theyre a bit wider than the evolv predator, so the shamans fit me better for my wide ish feet
Clark at Moosejaw on 03/30/2013

Neutral Reviews:

No better than my $85 5.10 Coyote shoes IMHO!

I think these shoes are over rated d/t Sharma's name in climbing. Nice shoe - for sure - soles are super sticky - but I didn't find my climbing improved or was any better with these than my 5.10 Coyote's costing 1/2 the price these shoes did honestly. Had I not worn mine once already I'd be returning them for a refund for sure.Just not worth all the fuss and noise that others seem to be making over them.Velcro is nice for easy 'get them on' and 'get them off' easily and quickly - however - that feature can be had in shoes on sale or costing much less IMHO!Bottom line - over rated. Buy if you are into keeping up with the latest and greatest gear or are a gear nut.
Michael at Moosejaw on 07/17/2012
These shoes, in my opinion, are "pretty good". I don't think they edge as well as Sportiva solutions and aren't quite soft enough to be a super sensitive slipper. Just my opinion, I use these for mid-grade all around climbing but can't give 5 stars.
JJ - customer at Zappos.com on 08/01/2011