Rock Shoes: Red Chili X Cubes
1st Mar 2006
£65.00 | Velcro | size reviewed 9.5 (foot size 10) | weight 549g | high asymmetry
The X-Cube is a distinctive looking shoe with bright orange and yellow colouring. This boot uses an open two part padded tongue with two opposing Velcro straps holding it in place. The upper strap has a larger attachment area that means the strap can be placed further back to pull the heel in tighter as required (Similar to the Katana and Bomba). The shoe is unlined and reasonably broad with an asymmetric shape. Even though it is broad it is still very adjustable to very narrow feet, although this definitely requires the straps to be trimmed. The X-cube is definitely in the all rounder camp. It does everything well, edging, smearing, has an extended rand for toe spragging and is pointy enough for most pockets. It’s heel isn’t the best for hooking with, but is far from poor. We’ve never heard any complaints about the rubber Red Chili use and did not find these boots wanting when it came to grip. Certainly a contender for best “all round” high performance shoe.
This review was carried out as part of a massive comparative review of 25 pairs of Performance Rock Shoes. We think that this could be the biggest review of such shoes ever undertaken. You can read the whole review here.