Evolv Pontas Rock Climbing Shoe Review
I had gotten a pair of the Pontas because Gina Begin and I had decided to fulfill a dream of traveling across the USA and Canada (14000 miles for 6 months) rock climbing. We both wanted to get some new gear for the long trip and because I am so Evolv obsessed I had to get a new pair of Evolvs. Also, the fact that the Talons were not working out for me on typical sport routes, I needed them. I decided on the Pontas' because they are lace-up and I had read great things about them.
Here's my take on these yellow beauties.
PROS
- Versatile
I loved the fact that I could take these on anything! Whether it was slab, overhangs, knobs, crimps, a 5.8 or a 5.11, sandstone, welded tuft, granite, sport climbing, trad climbing, etc etc, I felt confident.
- Comfortable
This was my first shoe that when I slipped it on the first time, it was perfect. I wear a 9.5 and I got these in 9.5. They were perfectly snug but not too tight. I felt that the Talons and even Bandits were a bit off when it comes to sizing. The Pontas though fit perfect to your shoe size.
- Comfortable (again)
Am I repeating myself? No I am not! My feet are weird, they are wide and small. The Pontas fit my wide foot, which was the biggest shock to me. The Bandits were tight around the wide part of my foot and the Talons were like suctioning around that area. The Pontas though are built a bit wider, which is so nice for my wide feet brothers and sisters.
- Stickiest rubber in the marketEvolv's eco-rubber is the stickiest in the market. 5ten may have come out with a new rubber recently, but Evolv still is the stickiest when compared to the Stealth and Vibram rubber making those impossible routes a bit easier.
- Edging
Where the Bandits were great and the Talons were awful, the Pontas were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Standing on tiny microledges and knobs (especially at Smith Rock) can freak out any climber, but with these shoes I felt good. Really good to be honest. The Pontas gave me the confidence to put a strong foot on and move up on it.
- Extended toe rubber
Like a lot of other Evolv shoes, the standard rubber on the toe gives you a little more extra grip making it easier to toe hook when necessary.
- Can get either the lace-up or velcro
- Style
I am always impressed with what Evolv puts out in the style department. Yes, this is completely worthless when it comes to performance, but maybe it isn't. If you feel good how you look, then you might climb better! Never know!
CONS
- Smell BadIf you have not been keeping track of my two other posts about Evolv shoes, there is a trend here. Yeah they smell, pretty bad.
- Not the best bouldering shoe
I said above that they are versatile and you can take them anywhere. Well, bouldering is another story. They are ok for that purpose but the toe is not direct/pointed enough to grab any miniscule ledges or knobs. I prefer a more aggressive shoe with a more powerful toe like the Talons over these.
- Hard to find Cons to talk about
It's difficult to make a review look honest when you have barely any Cons to a product but it's the truth. I used these for about 8 months (2 months of training with travel) and I loved these shoes. Whether I was training in the gym or climbing outdoors, these rocked! (no pun intended)
Recommendation
Any climber looking for a great sport/trad shoe, I would check these out. They are like the Bandits, just better.
Retail: $130
The gear reviewed was given to me for free by Evolv Sportswear with a reciprication of marketing from The Most Epic Trip. Thanks for reading!
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