Alfa Kikut <-> Salomon Escape Outback

[Xixi]

So from looking at photos, it looks like the Salomon Escape Outback is the Alfa Kikut with Salomon's own logo, and in text description, to have Salomon's proprietary WPB membrane instead of GoreTex Warm as in the Kikut. For sure made in the same factory, and I reckon Salomon subbed out Alfa for production; as far as I can tell, Alfa is not a subsidiary of Pon Holdings, parent company of Salomon. I'd ordered a sz 44 in the Kikut from Varuste before I realized the similarities, and after receiving them, thought that perhaps they were at least a size too big. After noticing said similarities with the Salomon version, I ordered a 43 from REI to check sizing. The two models are indeed very very similar. Leather seems to be slightly different touch, but same weight. Different sizes, so I can't really comment on weight differences. Same NNN-BC outsole of course. Seam at the rear heel is slightly more rough/raised in the Escape than the Kikut.

Fortunately, the 44's are the best fit for the whole sizing offered. 43.5 would've fit the bill perfectly. I'll just be wearing a thicker sock and footbed to fill some volume. "Fortunately" meaning I don't have to deal with returning to Varuste, shipping, etc. However, if the 43's had fit, I'd really be ok with using the Escape Outbacks.

[Inspiredcapers]

I too wish there were 1/2 sizes, a couple of my Xplore boots require some ‘socking up’. Those are definitely more cold weather usable boots.