Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I purchased these in Boston in April 2018 and now have over 350 miles in them as of December 2018. I have loved this shoe. I have run on asphalt track, rubber track, road, sidewalks and boardwalks, in hot, warm and cold, dry and wet weather in this Escalante. I like the cushion and response with a good, not-too-much ground feel. I also like the lightweight, flexibility of this shoe. These are also VERY breathable. I have been accustomed to minimal and zero drop shoes although my previous two road running shoes were the Nike Flyknits...which I also liked quite a bit. I found the Escalante more stable and lower to the ground than the Nike Flyknits. It was a relatively easy transition from the 10mm drop in the Nikes to the zero drop in these Altras, but again, I have other zero drop shoes (including Altra Lone Peak 3.0 and New Balance Minimus trail). I have a narrow foot, but found the Escalante to work for me. They give me my preferred a foot-shaped toe box AND also fit well around my heel...no slipping and no special lacing to keep my foot locked down. These don't eat my socks nor have they caused any rubbing, blistering or hot spots. I love these shoes and have the miles to prove it (photos posted in this review). I'm ready to buy my next pair. Hmmm...should I go with Chicago or NYC? I've traveled to Chicago this year too, so maybe I'll go with those. Maybe a trip to NYC in 2019...which will warrant the NYC Escalante!

I don't really know what to say except that I love these shoes. I prefer barefoot-type shoes like these, where my toes can splay naturally and where my heel is the same height has my toes. I have some other brands that offer the same thing, but they also don't have any cushion. THESE shoes are great, though, on the days where I need just a little softness underfoot (i.e., running days).

I am in love. I have been searching for the right sneaker since I resumed running in March, and after some missteps and a painful case of plantar fasciitis, I think I have found "the one." Today was my second run in the Escalante and I felt AMAZING. The sneakers feel weightless and help with a mid-foot strike. I am interested in trying barefoot running, but the Altra Escalante feels better--not a total minimalist sneaker but right on the cusp. I am hoping for a long relationship with this sneaker. I don't usually bother to write reviews, but for anyone on the fence, go for it! It may take a little getting used to if you usually wear super-cushioned shoes, but I think this shoe will lead to fewer injuries and an all-around better running experience. BTW, I am 47 and previously had knee problems galore UNTIL I started using shoes with a more minimalist style. Good luck!

I've been doing 0-drop shoes for many years but I just got sick of no padding. I still stand behind the philosophy of the barefoot feel as most of my shoes are 6-10 mm soles, I just want more cushion. They're actually wide enough for my very wide feet and are extremely cushioned (in my opinion). No arch support—but that's a good thing. I'm really only gymming in these, as I'm not really a runner unless there's a need, but I think they're a good all around fitness shoe. I don't think I would wear them about the town, unless I was dressed in fitness attire. They're fitness cute but not jeans and t-shirt cute. Altra is probably my new brand, because in the same shipment, I tried a trail shoe of theirs and I really like it too.

I love my Altra Bostons (early 2018 model of the new Escalante Racer). Summer 2018 I had just started running. I tried at least 20 pairs of running shoes at my local running shoe store. Only these fit like a glove. Noteworthy is that I didn't like the standard Escalantes. They were like spongy slippers without support. These road race shoes are my every day trainers and my race shoes. Extremely light, responsive, excellent breathability, tasteful reflectivity, double knot the laces and go! Only bummer is the tongue does slide outside, but that could be my feet - I've often experienced this - and it isn't very bothersome on these shoes. BTW, these are so rad for my feet that I've stockpiled them since no other shoes fit this well and no other shoes seem to truly have 0 mm drop. Thankfully Altra came up with the Chicago and New York marathon themed Escalante racers late in 2018, so hopefully they'll keep producing what fits my "hobbit" feet (as some schmucks on the web like to refer to the shape of foot these shoes fit).

The shoe fit and I liked the wide toe. However, the shoe was not cushioned enough for me and if I put an orthotic in it, the shoe was too tight.

I'd hoped these could be a replacement for Altra's One 2.5, which is no longer made. The fit was good, with enough room in the toe box. However, the sole was very stiff, and not cushioned like the One 2.5.

Altra has one of the better zero drop shoes and it’s wider toe box is good for those of us with bunions. But this particular shoe has minimal padding that likely contributed to shin splints in the first month of breaking in. Recommend with reservations.

These are my new favorite running shoe! So lightweight but still comfortable, and I love the zero drop! My only ask is that Altra come out with better colors.

These are the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever owned! Lightweight and thin enough where I can grip the ground, but plenty of support. I struggle with plantar fasciitis and these have been a game changer!

I'm a longtime wearer of the Altra Intuition and was very upset when Altra discontinued the Intuition. I'm learning to love the Escalante Racer. It's quite different but a great shoe. Less cushioning between the feet and the road, and much less padding in the upper/tongue/heel of the shoe compared to the Intuition, but after a big of break-in time, I really like it. I wish the laces were shorter and less stiff and that the tongue had at least a little padding (the tongue is so thin it tends to roll up when I put the shoe on), but this is my new favorite running shoe. The longest I've run in it is 6 miles, and I'm not sure how it'll do for longer distances, but I'll find out soon and my hopes are high.

Love these shoes. Toe box is roomy and comfortable. I have received several compliments on how cute these shoes are. I am a huge proponent of zero drop shoes. I won't wear any other type. Since making the switch, my lower back and hips are pain free. The shoe is very airy since the material is similar to mesh. Probably would not be a good cold weather choice, but they have been great for the warm weather wear.

One needs to order a half size larger than normal. The half size larger fits great. I love the colors and overall these fit my need. In the reviews it was mentioned that the toe box is wider. I don’t think it is wider than my other altra road shoes.

Horrible. Thank goodness for Zappos Customer Service as they were able to help me with returning them after wearing them a few times. A podiatrist recommended them to me for their wide toe box (which they have), but the rest of the shoe is awful. No cushioning in the footbed; it almost feels flat so that it’s a “negative” heel, where one’s heels slide backwards/down. There is little to no support in the upper or ankle area of the shoe (almost feels like wearing an “aqua sock”) so nothing to hold your foot in place. They gave me terrible calf/knee pain after 3/4 wears. Luckily, I was able to find another brand through Zappos’ team member’s suggestions.

I love these running shoes! These are my first pair of Altras and I can't stop raving about them. I got a half size bigger than my usual shoe size. They are so comfortable and light. I did not want a shoe with lots of padding, and this one has just the right amount of cusion but without compromising flexibility. The wide toe box is great. Can't wait to run my first race in these.

I loved these shoes! I have a very wide foot with a tailor’s bunion, and these shoes were wide enough. The only thing that bother's me is the mesh. It leaves an imprint and irritates my skin without socks. I wear a women's 9.5 wide, and a women's 10 fit perfect.

This is my second pair of Altra shoes, but the first pair of Escalantes. I am going to have to edit my review at a later date because I bought these shoes because my other Altras (Provisions) were wearing out, and it was starting to affect my running form. So, it turns out now that I have a case of runner's knee (I can't say it was the Altras' fault exactly - the other pair helped heal a different condition in my lateral left foot), and I can't run in the Escalantes yet. I have walked in them, and they feel a bit looser and lighter than my Altra Provisions with a little less rigidity and support. I'm sure that that will be a great thing once I'm back running again. For now, they don't offer me a lot of support while I'm healing. I'll still give the Escalantes a thumbs up for comfort and that wonderful but a little bit goofy-looking toe box.