Review: Evolv Cruzer Psyche

The Approach Shoe for Modern Climbing Life

If the Cruzer Psyche had an Instagram account, it would have 200k followers by now. It lives the #vanlife, poses on the #pdxcarpet, encourages you to #livethelifeyoulove, and then heads to the tasting room for some #craftbeer. It’s at home in all facets of a climber’s life. No, this isn’t an approach shoe for shouldering a 55-pound pack on an alpine trad mission, but for sport cragging, bouldering, gym sessions, a stroll through town—and for racking as a descent shoe, the Cruzer Psyche has no equal. “I was skeptical that this shoe, with barely a half-inch midsole and simple canvas upper, would be anything more than a glorified pair of socks,” said one of five testers we had wearing it, “but it handled approaches with 20+ pounds of equipment, can scramble and climb 5.9, and at a hair over 13 ounces for a pair of men’s size 9, they weigh practically nothing.” Bonus: A microfiber lining feels soft next to skin and the heel folds down easily, making these great for wearing as a slip-on in between burns.
$75; evolvsports.com

See the rest of our 2016 Editors’ Choice Award winners.