Verdict from 5 user reviews
5 reasons to buy
- The Evolv Rave is magnificently comfortable, according to almost everyone who has tried it.
- Its level of tackiness is quite admirable, say a few of those who have climbed in it several times.
- Based on a small number of reviews, this high-quality rock shoe is phenomenal when it comes to support.
- The Rave’s toe box is roomy enough for those who have a stout forefoot, a wearer claims.
- A user finds the instep fit of this Evolv climbing shoe reassuringly snug.
2 reasons not to buy
- Its pull loops could be a bit sturdier, says one unamused customer.
- According to an owner, the Evolv Rave’s heel zone is baggy.
Bottom line
In a nutshell, the Evolv Rave is a captivating product in terms of comfort. That said, its greatness is a concerted effort, whose key players include the shoe’s supportiveness, sticky outsole, and spacious toe room.
The shoe in question, however, might deter some climbers with its flimsy pull loops. Nonetheless, the Rave is far from being a tough sell, thanks to its short-but-enticing collection of send-specific features.
Tip: see the best climbing shoes.
User reviews:
- 4/5 by REI (4)
Good to know
-Dubbed by Evolv as a shoe for specialist senders, the Rave promises climbing precision without sacrificing comfort. Its high-quality reinforcements and the simplicity of its design translate to a straight-forward shoe that lasts.
-This slipper-type climbing shoe is engineered with two Evolv-owned technologies: TRAX and Variable Thickness Rand (VTR). The former, a.k.a. TRAX-SAS, provides adequate surface traction, particularly underfoot. The latter, on the other hand, delivers extra protection around shoe’s high-wear sections, all while lessening pressure points where the rubber is thinner.
Downturn. The Evolv Rave comes without a downturn, essentially making it a neutral climbing shoe. Kicks without a downward camber are usually sufficiently supportive on edge-type projections. Lasting comfort is expected of downturn-less rock shoes like the Rave.
Applications. This offering from Evolv is an all-around performer that specializes in ascending slabs. Its build quality renders it capable of taking on both man-made routes and rocky surfaces.
Evolv’s Rave is a low-collared slipper built specifically for male and female climbers. Because it is a unisex shoe, it requires women to go down one and a half sizes for a snug and precise fit.
Its moderate asymmetry equates to some pressure around the arch and the big toe. Wearers can expect to get some stretch out of it (about a full size tops) with time and regular use. A secure fit in it is courtesy of the shoe’s stretchy instep and collar.
Midsole. The Rave is able to provide enough support underfoot thanks to its full-length midsole. It has an overall thickness of 1 mm. Evolv engineers furnished it with what the brand calls Arch Wings—a feature that bolsters the shoe’s arch support.
Outsole. This asymmetric, neutral rock climbing shoe relies largely on its proprietary TRAX-SAS outsole in giving climbers a secure ascent, whether on plastic or rock. The compound that powers it has virtually equal amounts of stickiness and durability. It is 4.2 mm thick.
The Evolv Rave’s below-the-ankle upper is made of leather. Its interior is unlined. Both sides of its heel have a synthetic pull loop each, making slipping in and out of the shoe quick and easy.
Walling its lower perimeter is the VTR, which provides a combination of upper-level traction and abrasion protection. On the other hand, its heel has a tensioned rand, whose presence grants ample sticking power on heel hooks.
What locks the foot in place in the Rave is the shoe’s slipper-type closure. It consists of gartered gore panels, which are highly elastic and durable.