Red Chili X-Cube
The marketing blurb I received with the X-Cube proclaimed it as built for the hardcore and more.
Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great perks.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
All-Access
Intro Offer
$3.99 / month*
- A $500 value with 25+ benefits including:
- Access to all member-only content on all 17 publications in the Outside network like Rock and Ice, Climbing, Outside, Backpacker, Trail Runner and more
- Annual subscription to Climbing magazine.
- Annual gear guides for climbing, camping, skiing, cycling, and more
- Gaia GPS Premium with hundreds of maps and global trail recommendations, a $39.99 value
- Outside Learn, our new online education hub loaded with more than 2,000 videos across 450 lessons including 6 Weeks to Stronger Fingers and Strength Training for Injury Prevention
- Premium access to Outside TV and 1,000+ hours of exclusive shows
- Annual subscription to Outside magazine
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Red Chili X-Cube, $125
- Steep rock: 3.5 Star
- Face climbing: 2 Star
- Long routes: 1.5 Star
- Upper: Leather, lined
- Rubber: 4mm Vibram
The marketing blurb I received with the X-Cube proclaimed it as built for the hardcore and more. Its sole is aggressively cambered, but the shoe lacks downturn and needs more forward tension in the toe box. Like Saltic’s Vampire (reviewed above), the X-Cube is versatile enough to deal with steep plastic and vertical rock, but doesn’t dazzle on either terrain. My favorite feature: soft, unlined leather uppers that break in quickly for a cozy fit.
+ Good all-around technical performance.
– Expensive. More-specialized models give better steep-rock or face-climbing performance.
