EVOLV Phantom Climbing Shoes - Men's Black/White 9.5
Climbing ShoesThe Phantom is the pinnacle shoe in Evolv's lineup, designed in-house by their R&D team in collaboration with Daniel Woods and additional feedback from Paul Robinson, two of the most prolific boulderers in the world. This ultra-performance shoe utilizes a variety of technologies (NEOFLEX, TPS+, and AVT) to create a powerful and sensitive shoe designed for your hardest climbing. It uses NEOFLEX technology in the knuckle box, a two-way stretch neoprene laminate which allows the Knuckle Box to expand in the flex position and actively rebound when not flexed. This alleviates hot spots over the knuckles and maintains performance and fit over time. The TPS+ (Tension Power System Plus) is the combination of the TPS rubber midesole, which maintains the downturned toe, with an extra wing for enhanced arch support. Evolv equipped the Phantom with an AVT (Abridged Variable Thickness) plastic midsole that provides greater toe sensitivity while still maintaining the optimal amount of support and structure where you need it most. The Phantom's Compression Closure system is an advanced 6-point single-pull closure system with double D-ring and hook and loop that secures the foot in a superb fit. Finally, it features the Dark Spine S (sensitive) heel which is the combination of the Dark Spine midsole and a thinner 2mm heel outsole to give the optimal structure and sensitivity for technical heel-hooking.
Product Feature
- DARK SPINE S - For structure and sensitivity, AVT PLASTIC MIDSOLE - For sensitivity and support.
- TRAX SAS - Best friction plus maximum durability, COMPRESSION CLOSURE SYSTEM (CCS) - 6-point single-pull closure for superb fit, TPS+ RUBBER MIDSOLE - For downturned toe and arch structure.
- MOLDED VTR - Evolv's Variable Thickness Rand (VTR) system puts thinner rand rubber in areas to reduce pressure points and hot spots around the foot as well as thicker rubber for increased longevity in the high wear zones near the toe for durability and performance.
- Liner: SYNTHETIC, Midsole: MX-P: 1.6mm, AVT & TPS RUBBER, Outsole: 4.2mm TRAX SAS
- Profile: DOWNTURNED ASYMMETRIC, Upper: SYNTHETIC (SYNTHRATEK VX), Vegan: Yes, Weight: 9oz PER SHOE (SIZE 9 US MEN'S)
Product Details
- Sole material : Rubber
- Outer material : Rubber
- Closure type : Hook & Loop
- Water resistance level : Not Water Resistant
Explore the latest shoes in our Climbing Shoes collection. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast, a fashion-forward individual, or someone seeking all-day comfort, we offer a curated selection of Adventure Shoes shoes to meet your needs.
Our selection of Climbing Shoes shoes prioritizes precision and quality. We understand the importance of both style and functionality, which is why we bring you a carefully curated range of footwear to suit your unique preferences.
About Climbing Shoes
Conquer the Wall: Top Climbing Shoes for Peak Performance
Scaling new heights and achieving peak performance on the climbing wall requires precise footwork and the right equipment. Climbing shoes are essential for climbers of all levels, providing the grip, sensitivity, and support needed to conquer challenging routes. With a vast array of climbing shoe styles and features available, navigating the options can feel overwhelming. Fear not, aspiring climbers! This guide will delve into the world of climbing shoes, helping you choose the perfect pair to match your climbing style and maximize your performance on the wall.
Climbing Styles: Different Shoes for Different Climbers
The ideal climbing shoe depends on your preferred climbing style. Here's a breakdown of popular climbing shoe types for various disciplines:
- All-Around Climbing Shoes: These versatile shoes offer a good balance between comfort, sensitivity, and performance. They're a great option for beginner and intermediate climbers who enjoy different climbing styles, from gym climbing to sport climbing on moderate routes.
- Bouldering Shoes: These aggressive shoes prioritize sensitivity and edging power for tackling difficult boulder problems. They feature a downturned shape and stiff sole for precise footwork on small holds.
- Sport Climbing Shoes: These shoes offer a balance between sensitivity and support, ideal for technical sport climbing routes. They might be slightly less aggressive than bouldering shoes but still provide good edging power and comfort for longer climbs.
- Crack Climbing Shoes: For mastering the art of crack climbing, consider specialized crack climbing shoes. These shoes have a flat profile and a stiffer sole to allow for better jamming techniques in narrow cracks.
Fit for the Climb: Comfort and Sensitivity
Climbing shoes are designed to fit snugly for optimal performance. Here's what to consider for a comfortable and sensitive fit:
- Snug Fit: Climbing shoes should fit snugly, conforming to the shape of your foot. This provides maximum sensitivity for feeling small footholds.
- Consider Downsizing: Many climbers downsize their climbing shoe size compared to their everyday shoes for a tighter fit and improved sensitivity. However, prioritize comfort – overly tight shoes can lead to pain and numbness.
- Break-in Period: New climbing shoes might feel stiff initially. Wear them for short periods at home to break them in before a climbing session.
Material Matters: Choosing the Right Features for Your Climbing Shoes
The material of your climbing shoes plays a significant role in performance and comfort. Here's a breakdown of popular materials:
- Leather: Leather climbing shoes are known for their durability, breathability, and ability to conform to the shape of your foot over time. However, they require breaking in and can stretch slightly with use.
- Synthetic Materials: Synthetic climbing shoes offer various benefits like lightweight construction, water resistance, and faster drying times. They might not conform to your foot shape as much as leather shoes.
- Velcro vs. Lace-Up: Climbing shoes come in both velcro and lace-up closure options. Velcro offers a quick and easy on-and-off experience, while laces allow for a more customized fit.
Conquer the Wall with Confidence: The Perfect Climbing Shoes Await
By prioritizing your climbing style, fit, and desired features, you can choose climbing shoes that elevate your performance and confidence on the wall. Remember, climbing shoes are an investment in your climbing journey. Don't hesitate to seek advice from experienced climbers or staff at a climbing gym to find the perfect pair for your needs. So, lace up (or velcro up) your new climbing shoes, and conquer the wall with confidence on your next climbing adventure!
User Reviews
Great shoes for bouldering and small foot holds
I've many climbing shoes, but after I got these, I'll never get anything different than this model.
Best shoe I’ve ever worn, half size down from the Evolv X1s. Fits amazing, worth the money.
They are stiffer than my old Sportiva Solutions, but more comfortable than my 5.10 Dragons (before Adidas bought them) . Since I had never tried Evolv, I decided to give them a shot and I am pleased. I use them mostly for indoor because I'm in Florida, but I generally climb enough to eat through the toes of a quality shoe in about a year and change. I followed the directions for fit and they fit perfectly.
I am too upset and disappointed, I bought these shoes for a gift and upon receiving them I noticed that the box was in very bad condition so I decided to open it to see the shoes only to realize that they were second hand! Additionally, the box had body hair inside. Disgusting.
Last Update 11/2022. Just commenting on wear/longevity. I've got more than 120 climbing days on mine now and still not needing a resole, they don't smell either which I'm even more surprised about. I've read a few reviews of defects and delaminating but it seems to happen pretty quick if they are going to do it. I'm definitely surprised at how well these are wearing, I'm getting a bit thin on areas I use the most but still in great shape.Updating 02/2022. Have put these through the ringer, they are my favorite shoe ever for sport and bouldering, full stop. There's better shoes for trad but I have not used a better shoe otherwise. I still stand by sizing up one full size, they soften but don't quite break in the same as shoes with more leather or fabric. I would give them a good 10 - 12 hours of climbing before anything comparable to break-in should be expected. But they are simply amazing for what they're made for, they actually do smear better than I was expecting, but for edging and small holds that you may not have trusted before, they are killer. At a gym, even the beveled edges between plywood on certain wall types become confidently in play for footwork.Original:Will update review as I use these more, but wanted to comment on the sizing. I thought these might be sized more like other brands compared to evolv's normal crazy small sizing, they are not. If you have shamans, acros, or oracles, etc., just size these the same. I tried 1/2 size up first, it took me about 5 minutes to get one foot in and I almost couldn't get the shoe back off, not even joking for a few minutes I thought I might have to cut it off my foot. Swapped for 1 size up and they are still brutally tight, and I have used aggressive shoes for years now, at 1 size up, these are just bearable out of the box, that about all I can say. Unless you have very arched feet, I can't imagine less than 1/2 size up being usable, let alone street shoe size. I can say without a doubt there is no chance I could get my foot in a 9.5 of these, my foot is literally about 3/4 inch longer than the entire +1 10.5 size shoe, but my feet are relatively flat so that may be a factor.Otherwise they are basically a shaman with a much better heel and a much better lacing system. I've always like lace better and these are basically velcro with the benefit of full lacing. Adjusting the straps is a bit tedious, but once you get it, they snug up perfectly. The heel is much better than shamans IMO, plenty deep but more narrow which eliminates dead space. If you have a wide heel, this may not work. Also, it doesn't cut in my ankle like many other shoes, anasazi's and most sportivas for example.I do not think these shoes are particularly sensitive, they have the typical thick evolv sole, which means you can stand on basically anything, but can't feel a whole lot. Not a beginner shoe by any means, smearing isn't going to be a lot of fun either, but for edging and steep overhanging, heel hooking, toe hooking, these are absolutely killer. You get a huge amount of power transfer with the shape and the tightness and stiffness.My other one area of concern is the heel straps don't feel super strong, and as hard as these are to get on, that may be a problem. I've been trying to get them on without the straps at all to hopefully save them so we'll see how it goes over time.Will update as I wear them more. So far they're what I was expecting, except the size is just typical evolv which means go up, not down. They're also almost entirely rubber so I'm interested in seeing how and where they soften over time, definitely the most rubber of any shoe I've ever seen, there's almost no visible fabric anywhere.
