I ordered two pairs of these before they sold out - one at street size and the other half a size up - intending to keep the better fitting size and return the other. The street size is super tight, but without being painful. The half size up was comfortable right out of the box. I decided to keep both pairs because they feel so damn good! In the gym, these things have helped me do problems I couldn't do in my old 5.10/Adidas shoes. It'll be interesting to see how the Zenist Pro compares.
Agreed! I can't wait to try those out! Should be coming early next year
11 месяцев назад+1
Great review, thanks for the insight! I got a pair of Zenist recently, and I also had the Shaman which I bought a while back. Both pairs are size 11, my street shoe being 10.5, but the Zenist are a bit tighter out of the box. I feel like it's gonna be a pain to break them in, but I'll get there!
@@IclimbV5Mfer Had to return them, just way too tight for me. Got a pair of Scarpa VSR in 42.5 instead, way more comfortable. I'm still a novice though, I like my shoes a tad roomy.
Thats an epic review! You should have way more followers :) Right now I am climbing in Scarpa Arpias and I am a fan of the easy lace system as well as the flexibility. The only downside is the missing toe hook rubber and the heelbox is so big that I slip out of precise heelhooks. I am especially interested in the Zenist because they are vegan and many good shoes aren't. Do you think Zenist would be a good upgrade for the Arpia or can you recommend anything else besides? Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!
Dude! Thank you! The goal is to have more followers.... Slow and steady, lol. But I would say the zenist is a great choice for an upgrade! Especially if you gravitate more towards indoor climbing. I had the same issue with my narrow heels and scarpa, but was fairly impressed with the fit of the Drago if you're ever curious. Let me know if you have questions
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 Thanks for the quick reply. That is great news, I just ordered two pairs and hope one of them will fit me okay. In france they don't have the Zenist shoes anywhere. I like the Drago too actually but I am currently looking for vegan options. Not sure if there is any shoe worth mentioning apart from the Zenist.
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 I had the same with my drago's (LV), even though the heel was baggy I send most my projects with those. Turned to Evolv's Oracle's in search of perfect fit, after trying on all shoes of 3 stores here in the Netherlands. None of those sell Evolv btw, had to buy them online. Apparently I have normal front foot (male), but narrow heel. So female / LV options are always too cramped in the toebox, when trying to get a good heel with downsizing. However! I missed the softness of the drago's when smearing over volumes or little nubbins whilst bouldering indoors, and started to wear those again for most of the session... So with your review I felt psyched to go for the Zenist, as Evolv seems to have a good fit on my feet. Awesome reviews! Looking forward for your opinion on the Madrock Drones, especially coming from the zenist.
Really liked the review! I'm wanting to get a soft bouldering shoe, and im deciding between drago and zenist. Could you go into a bit more detail in the difference between the drago and zenist? and which one would you recommend if you had to choose one?
Hi Felix! Sorry for the late reply. I have spent a lot of time in both shoes and really enjoyed both. I would say I like the heel like the Drago's quite a bit more as well as the toe rubber. It's also a bit softer and smears nicely. I do prefer the zenist for edging as well as longevity. I have been wearing them for close to a year with minimal wear.
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 No need apologize! I found the video very helpfull in terms of sizing and explaining how the shoe felt. Thanks for the help!
I actually am still wearing them pretty consistently and have not developed any holes yet! Very happy with their longevity in the rubber... The Velcro not so much
If I have a noticable gap under my heel from scarpa vapour v's, would you say I could expect the same from the evolv zenists? or is the heel quite shallow
Thanks dude! I haven't had a chance to actually wear them yet, so that is definitely going to be a future shoe... I've been very interested in their performance
Any thoughts on the edging on these relative to the Veloce and Skwama? Also very much appreciate the sizing thoughts and seeing the last compared to the Shaman!
The theory is a fantastic shoe. From my experience, I would say the theory is slightly softer so would do a little bit better with smearing on walls/volumes. The zenist edges a little bit better and I would say has much better longevity. Thanks for the question!
Currently climb in 2016 Shamans and like the fit, but they feel quite stiff for indoor climbing. Do you think there's a sizable increase in performance indoors switching from the Shamans to the Zenist?
Also curious how they compare to the also-soft Phantom, designed for bouldering. For reference, I came from TC Pros last so the Shaman even feels soft right now.
The zenist was designed as an indoor comp focused shoe and I think it definitely shines with overhang as well as smearing on volumes. So would it be a sizable increase in performance? I would say in those categories, definitely! They are definitely softer than the phantom as well! Let me.kniw if you want any clarification or have any other questions!
Funny thing: Evolv fits me very, very good. The new Shaman and the Phantom are a 9,5/10 in terms of fitting. The Agro is a 8/10. The Zenist however, are a 1/10 for my feet. :/
Hi there! I am a relatively new climber looking for some shoes to bump my performance. I've been climbing for about 7 months now using rental shoes-- the evolv titan in a size 8 which fits my foot perfectly. My street/running shoes are size 8.5 standard width but I do have a slightly wider foot. I ordered the butora gomi wide in a size 8 but could not even get the shoe on no matter how hard I could not get it on. Would the Evolv Zenist work in a for me in the same size I use rental shoes in? Thanks!
Hi Cameron! I wouldn't necessarily recommend the zenist as a transition to aggressive/performance shoe. The shoes I typically recommend would be the evolv Geshido which you would wear probably 1/2 bigger than your street shoe. The gomi is a great show also but you would size that about 1/2 size up also. The scarpa vapor is another great transition shoe the I would recommend sizing down 1/2 size. Hope that helps!
I hate this model, supper narrow forefoot with baggy AF heel makes no sense. The middle of forefoot looks wide, but the front toebox, which should be the widest part of the shoe, is narrow as fxck. Heel hook is terrible, my heel easily pops out while small toe feeling crushed. However it’s very durable, mine already last for 7 months. I really want to wear them down so I can get rid of them.
![I Tested The NEW Evolv Shaman Pros [Honest Review]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/B0_YkGfDpPI/mqdefault.jpg)
![I Tested The NEW Evolv Shaman Pros [Honest Review]](/img/tr.png)
I ordered two pairs of these before they sold out - one at street size and the other half a size up - intending to keep the better fitting size and return the other. The street size is super tight, but without being painful. The half size up was comfortable right out of the box. I decided to keep both pairs because they feel so damn good! In the gym, these things have helped me do problems I couldn't do in my old 5.10/Adidas shoes. It'll be interesting to see how the Zenist Pro compares.
Agreed! I can't wait to try those out! Should be coming early next year
Great review, thanks for the insight!
I got a pair of Zenist recently, and I also had the Shaman which I bought a while back. Both pairs are size 11, my street shoe being 10.5, but the Zenist are a bit tighter out of the box.
I feel like it's gonna be a pain to break them in, but I'll get there!
How are they doing
Now?
@@IclimbV5Mfer Had to return them, just way too tight for me. Got a pair of Scarpa VSR in 42.5 instead, way more comfortable. I'm still a novice though, I like my shoes a tad roomy.
Loving the plant background Jonathan. Sick vid man!
Hell yeah! Thanks brother!
What a beautiful intro! 👌
Thanks man! Getting a little better each time
Those are some nice shots in the beginning!
Very stable videography!
Thorough & honest review! 🎉🔥
Thanks najeary!!!
Thats an epic review! You should have way more followers :)
Right now I am climbing in Scarpa Arpias and I am a fan of the easy lace system as well as the flexibility. The only downside is the missing toe hook rubber and the heelbox is so big that I slip out of precise heelhooks. I am especially interested in the Zenist because they are vegan and many good shoes aren't. Do you think Zenist would be a good upgrade for the Arpia or can you recommend anything else besides? Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!
Dude! Thank you! The goal is to have more followers.... Slow and steady, lol. But I would say the zenist is a great choice for an upgrade! Especially if you gravitate more towards indoor climbing. I had the same issue with my narrow heels and scarpa, but was fairly impressed with the fit of the Drago if you're ever curious. Let me know if you have questions
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 Thanks for the quick reply. That is great news, I just ordered two pairs and hope one of them will fit me okay. In france they don't have the Zenist shoes anywhere.
I like the Drago too actually but I am currently looking for vegan options. Not sure if there is any shoe worth mentioning apart from the Zenist.
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 I had the same with my drago's (LV), even though the heel was baggy I send most my projects with those. Turned to Evolv's Oracle's in search of perfect fit, after trying on all shoes of 3 stores here in the Netherlands. None of those sell Evolv btw, had to buy them online. Apparently I have normal front foot (male), but narrow heel. So female / LV options are always too cramped in the toebox, when trying to get a good heel with downsizing.
However! I missed the softness of the drago's when smearing over volumes or little nubbins whilst bouldering indoors, and started to wear those again for most of the session... So with your review I felt psyched to go for the Zenist, as Evolv seems to have a good fit on my feet.
Awesome reviews! Looking forward for your opinion on the Madrock Drones, especially coming from the zenist.
Really liked the review! I'm wanting to get a soft bouldering shoe, and im deciding between drago and zenist.
Could you go into a bit more detail in the difference between the drago and zenist? and which one would you recommend if you had to choose one?
Hi Felix! Sorry for the late reply. I have spent a lot of time in both shoes and really enjoyed both. I would say I like the heel like the Drago's quite a bit more as well as the toe rubber. It's also a bit softer and smears nicely. I do prefer the zenist for edging as well as longevity. I have been wearing them for close to a year with minimal wear.
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 No need apologize! I found the video very helpfull in terms of sizing and explaining how the shoe felt. Thanks for the help!
Hi, How long did the zenist last for you? Did it get a hole or did you need to do any resole?
I actually am still wearing them pretty consistently and have not developed any holes yet! Very happy with their longevity in the rubber... The Velcro not so much
Very nice review. Do they perform well on a moonboard or are they too soft for that?
I think they work very well on the moon board. I think you will be surprised how well they edge for a soft shoe
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 Thanks for the reply!
If I have a noticable gap under my heel from scarpa vapour v's, would you say I could expect the same from the evolv zenists? or is the heel quite shallow
God I love the one take video!! What do you think about the Phantoms??
Thanks dude! I haven't had a chance to actually wear them yet, so that is definitely going to be a future shoe... I've been very interested in their performance
Any thoughts on the edging on these relative to the Veloce and Skwama? Also very much appreciate the sizing thoughts and seeing the last compared to the Shaman!
Great question! I would say it fits right in the middle of these two. Same with all around sensitivity
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 Got it! So... slightly firmer than the Veloce and softer than the Skwama?
Exactly! A little more structured and aggressive compared to the veloce as well
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 Sounds great! Likely easier to resole than the Skwama as well...
How does it compare to La Spotiva Theory ? I am planning to buy a new climbing shoe but can’t decide between the two
The theory is a fantastic shoe. From my experience, I would say the theory is slightly softer so would do a little bit better with smearing on walls/volumes. The zenist edges a little bit better and I would say has much better longevity. Thanks for the question!
@@theshoeruclimbingreviews8145 thanks 😆
Killer mustache / intro muzik
Ah hell yeah! Thanks, man! The stache is staying
Currently climb in 2016 Shamans and like the fit, but they feel quite stiff for indoor climbing. Do you think there's a sizable increase in performance indoors switching from the Shamans to the Zenist?
Also curious how they compare to the also-soft Phantom, designed for bouldering. For reference, I came from TC Pros last so the Shaman even feels soft right now.
The zenist was designed as an indoor comp focused shoe and I think it definitely shines with overhang as well as smearing on volumes. So would it be a sizable increase in performance? I would say in those categories, definitely! They are definitely softer than the phantom as well! Let me.kniw if you want any clarification or have any other questions!
🔥🔥🔥
This is lit
Hell yeah, dude! Thanks!
Funny thing: Evolv fits me very, very good. The new Shaman and the Phantom are a 9,5/10 in terms of fitting. The Agro is a 8/10. The Zenist however, are a 1/10 for my feet. :/
Hi there! I am a relatively new climber looking for some shoes to bump my performance. I've been climbing for about 7 months now using rental shoes-- the evolv titan in a size 8 which fits my foot perfectly. My street/running shoes are size 8.5 standard width but I do have a slightly wider foot. I ordered the butora gomi wide in a size 8 but could not even get the shoe on no matter how hard I could not get it on. Would the Evolv Zenist work in a for me in the same size I use rental shoes in? Thanks!
Hi Cameron! I wouldn't necessarily recommend the zenist as a transition to aggressive/performance shoe. The shoes I typically recommend would be the evolv Geshido which you would wear probably 1/2 bigger than your street shoe. The gomi is a great show also but you would size that about 1/2 size up also. The scarpa vapor is another great transition shoe the I would recommend sizing down 1/2 size. Hope that helps!
I hate this model, supper narrow forefoot with baggy AF heel makes no sense.
The middle of forefoot looks wide, but the front toebox, which should be the widest part of the shoe, is narrow as fxck.
Heel hook is terrible, my heel easily pops out while small toe feeling crushed.
However it’s very durable, mine already last for 7 months.
I really want to wear them down so I can get rid of them.