I buy climbing shoes based on 2 criteria: they were in my size, they were the lowest price.The Nighthawks have treated me so well since buying them. Durability is good, mine have lasted over a year of 3-4 days a week climbing.
I'm impressed by what evolv's put out with this shoe. It's hard to combine comfort in a lace-up, quality rubber, style and affordability, but evolv's done it well with the nighthawk. Superior to similar lace-ups at the price-point and features. I'd like to see the lace come down another notch to tighten up the toe box, but that's a very minor complaint.
I’ve had these for 3 months now. It has been a great beginner shoe for me. I used rental shoes at my gym for the first month and then ordered the nighthawks. Killer price tag and very unintimidating fit. Totally worth the 80 bucks I paid.
I am a beginning climber-- I started about three months ago. Very early on, it was clear that the rental shoes at my local gym were NOT cutting it for me. Any more than a couple of minutes in those shoes, and I was in excruciating pain and ripping them off. I needed a wider toebox(though I've never needed "wide" shoes) and a more rounded toe to accommodate my mild case of Morton's toe.
My climbing partner(boyfriend) and I spent a long, long while looking for shoes that might serve me well. There's even a list of Morton's-toe-approved climbing shoes out there on Climbing Shoe Beta. Suddenly, we happened upon the new release from Evolv! "This looks like they revamped their old Bandit shoe!" he exclaimed to me. I looked at the shoe, looked at my feet, and took a leap of faith.
I ordered three sizes of Nighthawk(8, 8.5, and 9) and had them shipped-to-store at a local REI for easy return. I normally wear a men's 8(and women's size 10. I'm a lady, but normally buy men's footwear because it's *way* comfier, colors are less gaudy, no pink tax, etc.). There was no way the 8's were going onto my foot without a fight. They won; I didn't even get them over the back of my heel. The 9's...walking around in them I had little heel farts, indicating that my foot didn't fit well in the shoe. 8.5 was slightly uncomfortable, but my boyfriend-- ever the experienced climber-- reminded me that the leather will stretch somewhat as it's broken in.
I've had them for about three weeks(and climb about twice per week) and they have served me very well. We'll see how they withstand the test of time, but for a first pair for somebody with hard-to-fit feet, they're fantastic. I'm having a blast climbing in them.
Fits pretty close to street size, doesn't seem to grow/stretch. I am starting to get a small blister on my big toe, I believe it is from poor air ventilation and my foot getting a little sweaty and moving in the shoe.
I'm revising my previous review. I received a larger size, 10.5US / 44EU, which is larger than any other shoe I have ever bought. They're still too small. My wife wears 41EU and can't wear them either. This is a ridiculous game that should not have to be played. I'm returning both pair and going to a store to try shoes on.
The design does not work well for indoor climbing. The surface area for your toes is too flat which is just awful for climbing. I don't see how this shoe is rated so well it performed terribly for me, causing me to keep slipping off the wall. These were very painful to wear and I couldn't stand to have them on while I wasn't climbing.
Took awhile to break in but they finally feel comfortable to wear. Being a new climber, the rubber is wearing down a bit faster than I would like but that is user error, and I would pay to have them Resoled. Next time I buy shoes, I will probably buy something a bit more aggressive, but I do not regret purchasing these shoes at all!
I've been looking for a pair of climbong shoes that were in the $80-$100 range. I wear a size 15 so it's hard to find a shoe that fits that isn't too expensive. These are a great price and they fit perfectly. Great for gym and outdoor.
I was mostly satisfied with these shoes. They climbed great, but after only having them for 3 months and climbing no more that 2-3 times a week, they already have holes in the toes.
I bought these as someone new to climbing. I normally wear an 11.5 and bought a 13.5. They fit well, still snug but comfortable enough, not claustrophobic for the feet.
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