Evolv Nighthawk / Skyhawk
Bargin shoe
OUR TAKE Climbers seeking an afford- able do-it-all shoe can stop searching. The synthetic lace-up Nighthawk (the Skyhawk, pictured, is its low-volume counterpart) can handle just about anything: We used it for moderate roped soloing in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado, as well as sandstone bouldering in Utah and gym sessions. Testers lauded the Trax SAS sole for smearing, gripping pockets, and trad climbing. It stuck to face holds down to medium-size edges— the 5.9 to 5.11 range. Drawback: One tester labelled the Nighthawk “semi- precise” (she hankered for a pointier, more asymmetrical toe). Though it did work on smaller footholds, a more aggressive shoe will be better suited for delicate edging and steeps.
CRAG CRED “The flat last and comfy upper make it great for long sessions,” one tester reports. “I didn’t unlace the Nighthawk once for hours in Eldo.”
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