Articles - Review: Red Chili Urban Climber Shoe
Jamie Maddison - Posted on 26 Feb 2010
The Urban Climber marks a brand new concept in rockshoe design; specifically created footwear for indoor climbing and training. It is a somewhat intriguing idea. One that I suspect probably wouldn’t have done well in days gone by, but now with ever increasing wall traffic, is likely to become a clear bestseller. After all, with shoe prices rocketing (some technical beasts now reach upward of a gross £120!) the one thing all indoor climbers/trainers are going to be after is durability. This is what the UC aims to provide.
What Makes It Urban?
Red Chili have gone with a somewhat burly build for the UC, complete with a reinforced double toe rand to counter those wears that so often appear where the fabric and the rubber meet. The whole profile of the shoe is not aggressive, so you won’t cripple yourself silly after just one problem. The double VCR straps and the ‘one-pull’ back loops add to this by allowing the wearer to easily slip in and out of the shoes if they start to feel uncomfortable, or if you just need a rest.
At the same time, the Urban Climber avoids the clunky insensitivity of the beginner shoes and remains technical enough for the hard indoor circuits. On top of this add: perforated leather for breathability, a cushioned heel should you feel the need to go free-running, and lastly a funky colour scheme intended for wearers who wish to show off to the punters, and you’ve got a shoe intended for the urban scene.
Will It Work Outside?
Although marketed towards the indoor environment, the UC isn’t going to fall off your foot if you try to step onto real rock with it. Indeed, the 5mm Red Chili RX1 rubber is a particularly sticky medium, and I cannot recollect any negative thoughts from my tests outside with them. The UC’s main drawback is that the shoe isn’t really technical enough for hard projects or for the super-advanced climber. However, in the role of a warm up/comfort shoe the UC excels, and I would even go as far to suggest it as good primary choice of footwear for the advancing beginner looking for something a bit more technical than the typical novice rockshoe.
Red Chili have been brave in pioneering the concept of the ‘urban rockshoe’. Granted, their claims of the buildering and free running potential of the UC are a bit exaggerated but still, this is a shoe fundamentally designed for the indoor climber. It’s comfortable and stylish, but most importantly, incredibly durable. And that, in a market full of overpriced, under-resilient super shoes, is a godsend.
Features
- Impact Zone heel
- Perforated leather for breathability
- Double stitched toe cap with a wear indicator
- Extra high and abrasion resistant rubber rim all around the sole in eco green
- Double VCR straps
- 5mm Red Chili RX1 rubber
- Cool stylish looks
- 'One-pull' loop
- Slingshot heel
- Colour: Green / Orange
- Sizing: UK 3 - 12, US 4 – 13
Further Information
For more information about the Urban Climber, or any other rockshoe by Red Chili, please visit the Red Chili website.
“Technical enough to send hard while taking the punishment of endless training laps the UC's for you, the hardcore inside dweller, the winter warrior, AKA the Urban Climber.”
Red Chili have gone with a somewhat burly build for the UC, complete with a reinforced double toe rand to counter those wears that so often appear where the fabric and the rubber meet. The whole profile of the shoe is not aggressive, so you won’t cripple yourself silly after just one problem. The double VCR straps and the ‘one-pull’ back loops add to this by allowing the wearer to easily slip in and out of the shoes if they start to feel uncomfortable, or if you just need a rest.
At the same time, the Urban Climber avoids the clunky insensitivity of the beginner shoes and remains technical enough for the hard indoor circuits. On top of this add: perforated leather for breathability, a cushioned heel should you feel the need to go free-running, and lastly a funky colour scheme intended for wearers who wish to show off to the punters, and you’ve got a shoe intended for the urban scene.
(Jamie Maddison hanging about on a wet Thursday afternoon in Sheffield. Photo: Maddison collection)
Will It Work Outside?
Although marketed towards the indoor environment, the UC isn’t going to fall off your foot if you try to step onto real rock with it. Indeed, the 5mm Red Chili RX1 rubber is a particularly sticky medium, and I cannot recollect any negative thoughts from my tests outside with them. The UC’s main drawback is that the shoe isn’t really technical enough for hard projects or for the super-advanced climber. However, in the role of a warm up/comfort shoe the UC excels, and I would even go as far to suggest it as good primary choice of footwear for the advancing beginner looking for something a bit more technical than the typical novice rockshoe.
(Olly Birrell trying out the Urban Climbers on the grit like holds of one of Sheffield's many little buildering spots. Photo: Jamie Maddison)
Conclusions
Red Chili have been brave in pioneering the concept of the ‘urban rockshoe’. Granted, their claims of the buildering and free running potential of the UC are a bit exaggerated but still, this is a shoe fundamentally designed for the indoor climber. It’s comfortable and stylish, but most importantly, incredibly durable. And that, in a market full of overpriced, under-resilient super shoes, is a godsend.
Features- Impact Zone heel
- Perforated leather for breathability
- Double stitched toe cap with a wear indicator
- Extra high and abrasion resistant rubber rim all around the sole in eco green
- Double VCR straps
- 5mm Red Chili RX1 rubber
- Cool stylish looks
- 'One-pull' loop
- Slingshot heel
- Colour: Green / Orange
- Sizing: UK 3 - 12, US 4 – 13
Further Information
For more information about the Urban Climber, or any other rockshoe by Red Chili, please visit the Red Chili website.
