As a member of the USA ice climbing team, I find myself doing a wide variety of climbing year-round. Since my summer training necessitates trading in the crampons for rock climbing shoes, the Scarpa Vapor V accompanied me through just…
As a mere mortal, I am subject to the law of climbing that states that shoes have more impact on performance or ability than any other piece of equipment. Quickdraws clips, ropes catch falls, helmets protect your head, backpacks hold…
Finding the right pair of shoes can be very trial and error, and over the past few years of climbing and Rock Guiding, I have tried a pretty wide variety of shoes. This past month I picked up my very…
As a full-time Rock Wall Coordinator and Head climbing Coach at Liberty University, I’m climbing. A lot. I have worked in the industry for the last 8 years, and during that time have been pursuing my personal goals in climbing…
As a new climber, I was looking for an all around women’s rock shoe that would help me improve my footwork and confidence on the rock. Mike, my buddy over at Evolv, recommended I try out their all-time-best-selling Elektra, a…
The Instinct lace-up is another great climbing shoe by Scarpa. It’s made for steep face climbing and feeling secure on small features, but is also good for bouldering and thin cracks. The Instinct has a moderately aggressive downturn, making it…
When I was in college in Riverside, CA the Five Ten Outlet store was less than a 30 minute drive away, and being a poor college student, these discounted shoes were the greatest thing ever. I began climbing in my…
This is the second Evolv Velcro model I’ve test driven this winter/spring after the Shaman. I wore the Evolv Luchador SC in the same size as the Shaman, US mens 10. I wear a size 10 ½ or Euro 44 street…
Mark Puleio is a New Englander whose passion for skiing naturally led him to a life of exploration in the mountains. He received a degree in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College in Arizona in 1994, which provided a solid and…
The Evolv Luchador is the latest addition to Evolv’s Chris Sharma designed line, the Sharma Series. The lace-up shoe (also available in a velcro-strap closure model called Luchador SC) has a slightly cambered last, and a semi-asymmetrical toe profile. The…