Field Use
The "Lariat" lacing system prominently featured in these shoes consists of a bright red cord that runs behind your heel and is connected to the hook-and-loop closures. If you fasten the hook-and-loop straps loosely, the cord will stay relatively loose, too. Crank the closures down and the cord cranks down, too, cinching the heel of the shoe as tightly to your foot as possible. While this seems like a good idea at first, most 5.10 Escalante users end up cutting the Lariat cord because it cuts into the back of their heels. Once this is done the Escalante becomes an excellent all-around shoe, comfortable enough for long days of Trad climbing but also sensitive enough for high-performance cragging when you cinch the straps down tight. The Stealth rubber on the bottoms of the shoes -- 5.10's signature sticky climbing rubber -- holds up well to extended use and grips all rock surfaces well in a wide range of temperatures, from the 40s up to 100 degrees or more. The toe rands are relatively bomb-proof without being bulky; it takes some very clumsy footwork to wear through them. There are raised ridges on the heel of the shoe, intended to provide a more secure heel hook, although in practice they are generally considered to provide little difference when compared to a conventional, smooth heel.
Pros and Cons
The Lariat system is a definite negative against this shoe -- until you cut the cord that runs behind the heel, at which point the adaptability of the hook-and-loop closures becomes a real positive. You have the option of cinching the shoes down tight, turning them into performance footwear or just leaving them loose for easy cragging. The unlined uppers are comfortable, another point in the Escalante's favor, but tend to stretch in hot conditions and as the day goes on. The relatively thick rubber on the toe rands, combined with a moderate layer of rubber on the forefoot, make these shoes sturdy, and the double loops at the heel make getting in and out of the shoes very easy.
Bottom Line
While these shoes will never win a high-performance award, they exemplify the comfort and versatility that 5.10's multitasking shoes are known for. If you can find a used pair for sale, they'll last you a lifetime: Any time the rubber begins to wear down at the rands or the toes, which should take a very long time since these shoes are so sturdily built, just send them in for a resole. Unless you're climbing madly overhanging sport routes or crack climbing all day, these are the perfect all-around climbing shoes at a killer bargain. Just don't forget to cut that heel cord.
