Evolv Cruzer Psyche

Bought the Evolv Cruzer Psyche about 3 months ago and have been very impressed with their performance. I haven't seen many reviews for them so I wanted to share my thoughts.

- They are relatively affordable ($80) compared to other shoes in the category, especially when compared to the Guide Tennies

- The rubber is very sticky and seems to hold up decently. I recently put them to a tought test climbing Eagle Dance in Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rocks. The 2 hr approach involved a few hundred feet of scrambling up 4th class terrain, but where they really proved themselves was the 3:30 hour descent after we topped out. They kepy me safe and confident on slick water polished sandstone, while boulder hopping, and through a fair bit of snow and ice.

- They are very light and can pack down quite a bit. They take up much less space than other approach shoes.

- Relatively comfortable for the full days I was wearing them. If I was hiking for multiple days I would pick something more robust, but for daily cragging and the occasional full day they are excellent.

- The heel can be tucked on top of the sock liner so you can wear them like a slipper. Actually a nice feature if you're bouldering.

Thanks for your review. I have the previous version of the Cruzer and though I really like how comfortable and light they are, I'd love a similar shoe with a bit more support for longer hikes. Do you have any experience with that version of the Cruzer? Can you compare? Would you wear them sans socks? Thanks!

Thanks for your review. I have the previous version of the Cruzer and though I really like how comfortable and light they are, I'd love a similar shoe with a bit more support for longer hikes. Do you have any experience with that version of the Cruzer? Can you compare? Would you wear them sans socks? Thanks!

I have both, and I'd say I like the Phychs much better. They have more support, the toe has more rubber, going higher above the toe, and wraps further around both sides.. I also believe they will last a bit longer, my cruzers lasted almost a year, with the Phychs being 4 months old now, there's minimal wear.. Both are still my go to shoes for non technical climbing. They both compact nicely for multipitch & walk offs.. They also are super comfy with, or without socks!

Chadley wrote:Thanks for your review. I have the previous version of the Cruzer and though I really like how comfortable and light they are, I'd love a similar shoe with a bit more support for longer hikes. Do you have any experience with that version of the Cruzer? Can you compare? Would you wear them sans socks? Thanks! I have both, and I'd say I like the Phychs much better. They have more support, the toe has more rubber, going higher above the toe, and wraps further around both sides.. I also believe they will last a bit longer, my cruzers lasted almost a year, with the Phychs being 4 months old now, there's minimal wear.. Both are still my go to shoes for non technical climbing. They both compact nicely for multipitch & walk offs.. They also are super comfy with, or without socks!

I have not had any of the previous versions of the cruzer, they looked a little too minimalist for what I was looking for. You can wear them without socks after the first week or so, I found that the sock liner was very slick the first week, but once it has been work in, going barefoot wasn't an issue.

I wear a size 11 street show and bought a size 11 cruzer. I am happy with the sizing but would go half a size smaller if you're looking to do a lot of fifth and hard fourth class approaches

I also prefer them to the original Cruzers - the heel cup is a little higher and the insole seems a little higher on the heel, making them feel more secure.

If you liked the fit of the original Cruzers, the slip-on is the same last/shape without laces.

Thanks for your review. I'm in a debate about which version of the Cruzer to get. Does anyone know how they managed to cut weight with the Psyche while still adding more support? According to the Evolv site, the Psyches come in at 6.6 oz per shoe, with the original Cruzers at 7.7 oz. I would have guessed the opposite.

Should I expect any stretch from these post-break-in? I can only seem to find a 1/2 size down from street size, which if I remember correctly fit a bit snug when I tried them on. Street size was pretty comfy.

Chris Reyes wrote:Should I expect any stretch from these post-break-in? I can only seem to find a 1/2 size down from street size, which if I remember correctly fit a bit snug when I tried them on. Street size was pretty comfy.

The slippers are pretty rad too. So light with the insoles out and they feel like nothing on the back of the harness. Feel great without socks and the backs are made to be flattened without messing up the shoe.

I must be the only one who thinks the evolv cruiser psychs are shit shoes. Absolutely the worst pair of shoes I've owned. Fell apart in less than 3 months (less than 30 miles hiked), uncomfortable, climb so-so, with horrible looking yellow midsole. I had an old style 5.10 guide tennie which I loved but wasn't stoked on the new style so decided to look elsewhere. Found the cruisers and was pretty disappointed. The only good thing I can say about them is the rubber seems equally sticky on wet rock and they are light.

How are they for hiking/approaches?  I have some question about their support for wearing a pack or long approaches...