The Strata FW11

A low-cut classic with broad appeal. Designed to balance maximum utility with comfort and style.

The Crest FW11

A fully winterized boot with a Wellington base and a lined leather upper.

Grant Statham

For our first Persona Series, we enlisted Grant Statham, a seasoned alpinist working in Western Canada as a mountain guide, climber and avalanche specialist. Grant has been the safety director for the World Freeskiing Championships in Alaska three times, and is currently Parks Canada's Avalanche Risk Specialist. As a climber, his many conquests include the SW Pillar of Bhagirathi 3 in India, The Wild Thing on Mt. Chephren and all along The Watchtower in the Bugaboos.

Last season Grant accompanied us as our guide for an incredible backcountry snowboard trip. A few months ago we caught up with him again to discuss his work, what he needed in a proper pair of boots and how he would apply his years in the field to the design of the Crest.

Ransom: How did you get involved with the Ransom by adidas team?

Grant Statham: We first met while skiing together in the Monashees Mountains of British Columbia. Over beers and days of snowcat skiing, I learned a bit about the Ransom by adidas products, and they must have learned more about me. A few months later, Fraser Avey (Ransom/United Front/Stussy) contacted me to ask if I would be interested in getting involved in their Persona Series… and here we are today!

R: What kind of technical features did you apply to the Crest? What was lacking in the market for this kind of boot?

GS: I was looking for a high quality winter boot that met a few conditions: It needed to slip on and off easily and not require lacing; a good boot should hold the foot down so the sock doesn't end up at the toes — which is very common; it needs to be warm enough for the winter cold; it needs to be waterproof, for standing around in the wet snow on those mucky spring days; it needs a high quality footbed, which is rarely seen in a boot; and it needs to be fashionable — not some clunky gumboot.

R: In your mind, how do most footwear companies when it comes to winter boots?

GS: Most of them come with a lacing system that does not actually lock the foot down. Common boot lacing systems cinch around the ankle and the lower leg. I suppose this looks fashionable, but it means that the boot is too loose around the foot and it never really provide a snug fit. This means my socks slip down immediately and drive me nuts! Same with the footbed, why put all this work into making a nice boot and then provide a cheap felt footbed? Overall, I think most boots out there fail when it comes to fit and comfort.

R: How is the Crest different?

GS: This boot keeps up the fashionable look, but brings the utility and comfort of a nice fit without the need for lacing. Similar in a way to a skate shoe, which has laces for fashion but they're not really used. The Crest follow the same philosophy, laces are mostly there for the look and it's designed to just slip on and off. With the internal neoprene cuff your foot is locked down against the comfortable footbed. These boots look good, are easy to slip on and off quickly, and are just comfortable and practical.

R: What was one of the worst footwear purchases you have made in the past?

GS: Big clunky winter boots. The types that as soon as I wore them I realized that my socks fall off my feet and the laces are useless.

R: How will you use the Crest and Strata in the field?

GS: I'll use the Crest for a few things: In the winter it'll be my primary outdoor boot in town and around ski lodges, checking the weather plot or avalanche training. The Strata will be my goto shoes at the end of the day. My feet often hurt a lot after 8 hrs in ski boots, so these will be perfect after hours around the lodge.