Evolv Kira review
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all climbing shoes.
This shoe has a 9% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn moreVerdict from 4 experts & 100+ users
Pros
- Immensely comfy
- Fantastic edging capabilities
- Excellent surface grip
- Incredible adjustability
- Supportive overall
- Remarkable shape retention
- Heel-hooking wonder
Cons
- Long break-in period
- Limited tongue flap coverage


37% say it's true to size.
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Comparison to similar climbing shoes
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Who should buy the Evolv Kira
The Evolv Kira has great characteristics that make it an endearing kick from top to bottom. Purchase if it:
- You're after climbing shoes that make you take advantage of heel-hooking situations.
- Edging is mostly required to reach the top of your preferred climbing route.
- You're a big fan of Velcro closure and the adjustability it provides.
Who should not buy it
With no break-in issues, the Scarpa Instinct VS is a fine alternative to the Evolv Kira. Also, check out the La Sportiva Kubo if you prefer a traditional tongue.
The ever-grippy Evolv Kira
"Really nice and sticky"—this is how one seasoned climber describes the rubberized sections of the Evolv Kira. Another sender calls it "super sticky."
The culprit here is the shoe’s Trax-SAS outsole. This grippy heavy-duty component is 4.2 mm thick. It covers the entirety of the shoe’s underside, giving it sufficient contact with the surface—ideal for negotiating cracks.
Makes a cakewalk out of heel hooks
There are those who find the Evolv Kira amazing when it comes to heel maneuvers. An intermediate sender said that, in the featured kick, "heel hooks felt solid."
Leaves no room for bagginess
It's been reported that the featured climbing shoe doesn't lose its form, even with successive use. "They kept their shape and did not get overly loose," said a seasoned sender about their Evolv Kiras.
A totally strapped experience
Numerous ascenders are simply stoked about the Kira's closure system. One climber says, "I love the triple strap," while another says, "the velcro straps make it easy to loosen between problems."
Broad-footed climbers take heed
The Evolv Kira can be a bit problematic for wide-footed individuals. The issue is more about the shoe's tongue than the overall fit. Case in point: A tester said this in their review: "The tongue has two flaps that do not allow for coverage of the top of your feet if they are wide."
Easy to wear
Evolv designers opted to give the shoe two heel pull loops and a split tongue for on-and-off convenience. Its closure system consists of two adjustable hook-and-loop (Velcro) straps. The upper strap conceals an adjustable ladder buckle made of a hardy material.
Can withstand the roughness of the terrain
The Kira has an all-synthetic upper called Synthratex VX. It does not have a liner. The rubber rand engineered around the forefoot has a thicker construction than the rest, allowing the gear to withstand the roughness of the terrain, especially during toe jams.
Excellent underfoot support
This trad climbing shoe is equipped with a full-length midsole to help wearers send projects with enough support. It has a thickness of 1 mm.