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Adidas Escalante Shoe
By Steve Mann
If you've ever enjoyed canyon hiking in the Southwest, such as this shoe's namesake Escalante
canyons, you've experienced the need for a single shoe equally at home in the water or crossing
slickrock. Oh, and that's with a 45 pound pack. To date, the best (but not good) solution had
been either basic running shoes or sandals. I've gone 10+ miles a day in sandals, but my feet
complained vigorously the next day. Enter the Adidas Escalante, a promising water/hiking shoe.
If you canyoneer, you should take a look at this shoe.
Many water shoes may work for kayaking, on beaches, or for day hiking (i.e. with light loads),
but they miss the boat by focusing on being either more water capable or land worthy. For
example, a sandal lacks support for the sides of your feet, or soles of water shoes that may stick
to wet surfaces, but lack the traction necessary for navigating slickrock.
The Escalante blends a little land lover and water dog. A synthetic nubuck
upper with perforations yields good foot support and water drainage. Open mesh cut outs
increase drainage, adding to the shoe's quick-drying properties. A round TPU patch covers the
ankle area for protection. For added foot support there are side wraps of tough TPU along the
outside edge and heel of the shoe. No more sore feet from poor support. A one-piece neoprene
bootie sewn to the nubuck covers the tongue area and rises to just above the ankle to keeping
scree from entering the shoe.
The rubber outsole contours to hug the foot and provide good traction. Patches of a rubber-felt
material are recessed 2mm into the footbed for optimal traction on wet rocks, but does not wear
the material under normal conditions. The sole design keeps your foot close to the ground for
improved feel and enhances the natural movement of the foot.
The Escalante will be redesigned for the Spring 2000 line. Stay tuned for a full report as
soon as the new shoe is available.
Contact Adidas at 800-448-1796 or online at www.adidas.com
Steve Mann is a contributing editor at GearReview.com
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