I've converted my Roam to 584mm wheels (often called 27.5" or 650b) and 47mm tires, though they actually measure out to about 49mm, or basically 2". I've also had 50-622 tires on it (2" on the stock wheels). Both of these combinations are at least as fast as the stock 38mm tires. Many people like narrower tires, and that's terrific, but wider tires aren't the speed liability that most believe them to be, and they offer a ton of advantages in many areas. My MTB uses 52-584 tires (Vittoria Mezcals) and those babies are fast.

If you already have the Escape, and it's a disc brake model, you could consider swapping to 584mm wheels. I bet you could easily get a 42-45mm tire in there, and your overall diameter would be 668mm (with 42mm tires) or 678mm (with 45mm tires), which is darn close to the stock 35-622 tires (692mm).