Our verdict
To sport, the Evolv Kronos means to be seen in a remarkably comfortable shoe whose edging prowess is nothing short of spectacular. Donning this heel-secure climb-centric offering also translates to ascents where surface grip takes center stage.
Pros
- Incredible comfort
- Worth to buy
- Secure fit
- Superbly grippy outsole
- Worth to buy
- Eastern Mountain Sports
Cons
- Narrow toe box
Who should buy the Evolv Kronos
The Evolv Kronos has enough going for it to be considered a worthy climbing buddy. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer a climbing shoe that ascends technical terrain with a combination of all-around performance and comfort
- Prefer a climbing shoe that is vegan-friendly. It is made without the use of any animal substance.
- best Evolv climbing shoes.
Eastern Mountain Sports
What grants sufficient amounts of grip in this Evolv piece is the proprietary Trax-SAS outsole. It is a full-length component, having a thickness of 4.2 millimeters.
Excellent traction on a variety of surfaces
The rubber compound used in it (a.k.a Trax-SAS) produces and maintains traction on a variety of surfaces in a range of temperatures.
Provides adequate underfoot support
Thanks to the Kronos’ full-length midsole, climbers can reach heights with adequate support underfoot. It comes at a thickness of 1.2 millimeters. It is built both protectively rigid and sensitive.
Provides climbing security and protection
The Evolv Kronos envelops the foot in its below-the-ankle shell made of Synthratek VX—a company-owned synthetic fabric. Its interior is unlined. It comes with a protective rand with varying thicknesses around its lower perimeter, giving climbing security and protection.
Excellent toe hook
This rand has a forefoot extension which lends users the ability to toe hook with added grip.
Offers defenses against wear and tear
The randing at the front tip of the shoe is made extra thick, which increases the shoe’s defenses against wear and tear.
Evolv Kronos vs. Supra
Climbing walls or rocks in the Kronos can be a great experience since it is one of Evolv’s finest. That said, it shares the spotlight with another shoe from the same company—the Supra. These offerings have similarities, and choosing between the two can be a real challenge. If getting both is not realistic in your book, knowing the aspects that set them apart is crucial. Listed below are a few things that can help you identify which one to let slip and which one to keep.
Outsole. Both of these climbing shoes have brand-exclusive full-length outsoles, each having a thickness of 4.2 millimeters. However, the compound used in each is different: the Kronos uses Trax-SAS, while the Supra uses Trax-XE.
Pricing. The Evolv Kronos and its rival are offered at prices that sit around the lower end of the premium footwear spectrum. That said, the Kronos is the cheaper climb-centric piece by being about $15 less expensive than the Supra.
Upper. While both Evolv kicks in this comparison have synthetic (Synthratek VX) uppers, only the Supra has a liner courtesy of Softlin. The competition also has three adjustable straps as opposed to the Kronos’ two.
Randing. Although the Kronos and the Supra are both built with a protective rand (the proprietary Molded VTR), the rival product has greater coverage of it. Supra also has a high-tension heel rand that enhances the climber’s forefoot maneuverability.
