Review: Red Chili Mescalito

By Greg Chapman

Having used the Red Chili Mescalito for some time now I’d say that the manufactures tagline – a versatile, performance orientated shoe that’s designed to work brilliantly across the widest spectrum of styles – sums this shoe up to a tee. It is not only super versatile but also super comfy and thus a real gem for most climbers!

Despite the unrealistic plethora of styles I threw at this piece of footwear it reacted admirably. From the odd training-board session to meandering up Lakeland VS’s it held up respectively and performed extremely well in the mid to lower spectrums of both sport and trad climbing.

Construction and Fit
The Mescalito is a lace-up semi-asymmetric shoe with a pre-stretched leather upper. It offers a medium level of stiffness and support, whilst also giving a good level of torsion across the forefoot. Although the semi-asymmetric last can be worn pretty tight to make for a technical fit, the speed-lacing (which comes along way down the toe box), padded tongue and forgiving upper give the option for a less technical fit and therefore make the Mescalito a great option as an all day multi-pitch or sun rock holiday shoe. The speed lacing also makes it easy to get on and off whilst hanging about belaying.

The overall volume of this shoe is pretty low, but in all the right places. As such it purveys a good close fit under the arch of the foot and also around heel, an area where it is particularly well fitting leaving little in the way of “dead space” when the shoe is on your foot – interestingly the heels were so good that the shoes performed incredibly well on steep limestone roofs where the heel fit and lateral torsion comes into play far more than the toe box.

Red Chili Mescalito in Action from Rock + Run on Vimeo.

The sole unit, as with all the other shoes in their range, uses Red Chili RX1 rubber. Whilst this offers a decent level of friction it is not quite in the same league as Stealth, Vibram and Mad Rubber. That said the improved level of abrasion resistance and longevity, given by the Red Chili rubber over the aforementioned brands added to the great fit of the Mescalito should well outweigh this possible conundrum to the target customer.


Specification
Easy and fast fitting speed laced upper.
Low profile semi-asymmetric toe.
Pre-stetched leather upper.
Graduated midsole - firm but responsive.
Twin rear pull on tabs.
Super sticky 4.2mm RX1 Red Chili rubber.

Usage
As I alluded to earlier this shoe is a great option for those climbers looking for a shoe to cover a number of disciplines. If I were to pigeon hole it more specifically I would aim it at the Severe to E3 traditional climber who partakes in the odd sun rock sport trip and a spot of circuit bouldering.

Downsides
When considering the target market of the Mescalito one would struggle to point too much in the way of negative observations. If I had to pick a couple of nits I suppose you could remark on the amount the shoe stretches, which is considerable if the shoe is fitted tight. Also the laces do seem overly long, although this is easily rectified with the aid of a pair of scissors and a lighter.


Summary
Overall this is a great multi-discipline rock shoe ideal for the climber who needs a shoe for all eventualities or the more intense protagonist who requires a secondary shoe for wall use or longer/Alpine routes.

Purchase the Red Chili Mescalito at an incredible price here.