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FiveTen Diamond
By Sherrie Walter
For
years, women who participated in outdoor pursuits were forced to endure
products designed for the male world. Women suffered through bad fit and
worse comfort to ski, climb, bike and hike in the backcountry. Over the
last fifteen years, outdoor manufacturers awoke to the growing market
for women's products. At first, many of these companies took existing
men's products and adapted them to women. Very few companies designed
products specifically for women. Happily, however, that is all changing.
Despite the progress, the climbing shoe industry has lagged behind, and
shoes designed for women are still few and far between.
The Diamond, from FiveTen, is the first and virtually only shoe in the
American market designed specifically for women. Constructed on a female-specific
last, the Diamond offers a lower volume instep, a narrower heel and a
higher arch. Combined with FiveTen's S-Fit lacing system extending over
the toes and the full lining, this shoe gives a customized and comfortable
fit.
My first impression of the shoe was that I had discovered something different.
The higher arch and narrow heel gave sharp contrast to other currently
available shoes. The full lining made the shoe feel well, even though
the tight fit curled my toes.
The Diamond sports an asymmetrical toe profile and a slingshot heel.
Even with these features it is easy to see that the Diamond is made for
comfort. And, offered only in basic black, the Diamond just plain looks
nice.
The Diamond performs as well as it looks. Slip-lasted construction yields
high sensitivity. The S-Fit lacing and the sling shot heel lock the foot
in nicely. Like all FiveTen shoes, the Diamond uses Stealth C4 rubber
which is the best on the market.
Summary: The Diamond offers the beginner to intermediate female climber
a more comfortable option than the current climbing shoe selection. FiveTen
offers the Diamonds in women's sizes from 3.5 to 10.5. At $138 the Diamonds
are a little steep.
FiveTen has plans to release a new shoe for women in the spring 2000
line, a woman's version of the soon to be released Zlipper that will retail
for $110. Look for it at the beginning of the year.
Sherrie Walter is forced to ski, climb or hike when she can't ride her mountain bike.
For more information, contact:
FiveTen
P.O. Box 1185
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 798-4222
CustServ@FiveTen.com
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