Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 1.5

I'm 150lbs, 5'6", and run approximately 25 miles a week minimum - more when I have some long distance races lined up. I run both roads and trails in different Altra brand shoes. The Escalantes are the best (in my opinion) for regular non-racing training miles on roads. They have a 'racer' version of this shoe that is even lighter weight. Visit their website for details on how to condition if you are trying zero-drop shoes for the first time. I wore Brooks Ghosts for years and it took me about 3 months of gradually working the Altras in to my weekly mileage and I had absolutely no problem. PROS: stronger calves from making me use my forefoot more upon landing, better stride rate/turnover, better posture and nagging plantar fasciitis all gone, no squished pinky toes or black toenails. CONS: when considering you need to replace shoes every 300-500 miles, these wear out around the 300 side of that range. OVERALL: If you have nagging injuries that pop up every time you hit a specific distance in your training or maybe you want to work on your form and just get back to the basics, I would recommend giving this brand a try.

I have tried out my new Altra Escalante 1.5 for a few weeks and like how they feel. I wear between size 9 & 9.5. I tried both and the 9.5 feels great (size 9 was tight). I do like the wider toe box, though one does have to get use to a slightly different "look", perhaps not as "cool" as my old Nikes, but they feel better for my feet. I have painful bunions and with this shoe I do not feel the usual pressure/pain. As I age I am needing more sole padding and this shoe seems to be providing plenty. At first it did seem narrow and a little tight in the mid-arch area of foot, but I am not noticing that now. So far so good, and that's saying a lot for my touchy feet!

I only wear zero drop shoes, and have worn the Altra Olympus for a few years, every day, all day. I ordered this shoe along with another Altra shoe and two Merrell glove shoes, and this is hands down the best shoe for comfort! Light, and cushiony. As I write this, I am wearing them with 2 pairs of wool socks, around the house with cold floors, and my feet feel great. I am returning the lightest merrell glove shoe I bought, vapor glove 3, in order to buy another pair of these. When I was trying on the box of shoes that came from Zappos, I tried the vapor glove 3 on first and though I was in heaven, until I tried these on. Celestial.

I have exclusively worn zero drop shoes for running and fitness since the barefoot running craze began in the late 2000s. They are the only type of shoes that don't give me major hip pain when running, and I like the stability when weight training. I have a pair of Merrell Vapor Glove 2s, which are great for indoor use, but the soles are super thin. When I started doing more outdoor running, I was looking for a cushier pair of shoes to protect my feet from the gnarly streets and sidewalks of New Orleans. These Altras fit the bill! They are very comfortable and bouncy, but the zero drop keeps my hip feeling good after runs. They are not cool, fashionable shoes for your post-yoga brunch, but that's not why you get this type of shoe anyway. I did have to exchange for a 1/2 size larger -- typically I am a true size 8, but the 8s felt too tight in the toe box for my toes to spread out adequately. Overall, I'm very happy with these shoes!

I was trying to decide between this and the original Escalante. I wore them both around the house multiple days and couldn't tell the difference between them. So I bought the original Escalante and returned the 1.5. Why? It was $30 less. These shoes run small. I usually wear a 8.5 in shoes, 9 in sneakers. These I needed in a 9.5. First time I ever bought a shoe that large. But it fits. Feels like a sock. So comfy and lots of toe room.

This is the most comfortable sneaker I have ever had. I am normally a 9 wide and the 10.5 reg fits perfectly while leaving plenty of room for my foot to expand in hot weather the narrower heel keeps the shoe on the foot comfortably and the zero drop keeps my foot in place. My old sneakers had to be tied really tight to keep my foot from moving forward. Now no more scrunched toes. I am not a runner but an 80+ walker and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on the looks. I just hope they don’t “update” them

Purchased these after my podiatrist recommended them for my overlapping 4/5th toe. VERY roomy toe box, but snug fitting elsewhere. I love the zero drop and have previously thought of myself as a pronator needing more support— not the case here. I am an 8.5-9 dress shoe (Clark’s typically) and wear 10s in the Brooks adrenaline. I went with a size 9.5. My toes were touching the top in the 9 and Altra recommends some space at the top. I’m in the under 30 age group and I love these! Light and stretchy, remind me of my Nikes.

These shoes are awesome. I wear tennis shoes for about 16 hours a day and these have been so comfortable. They blue ones are a unique color and much more vibrant in person. I would order another pair of these in the future.

Altra is the only brand of shoes (besides some Merrell) that are wide enough for my toes to be comfortable. I love that this Escalante style comes in plain black with black soles. I don't care for all the bright colors of most running shoes. I always have to buy specialty insoles (extra $50) and LockLaces (no tie elastic laces that are about $8). So with those thing added, these are the perfect shoes for my running.

Altra, as always, delivers comfort. My podiatrist agreed they are great shoes - I'm post op and they were the first shoe I was able to wear after surgery and remain comfortable.

So comfortable, comfy. And best this particular has a black bottom where the other colors have white. These are quirky cool. With skirts or stretch pants Good Look especially for someone with ball of foot problems. Try them Zappos is the best

Love these shoes. I have a neuroma and these really help. Also love the zero drop - helps me walk with proper alignment so I don't strain my back.

Wonderful shoe for my very difficult feet. Wide toe supports bunions and healthy toe/forefoot movement, relaxing all pressure on sensitive places. Nice snug heel and true-to-size mid foot for women's foot. Comfortable padding. I'm not a runner, but older woman with significant foot problems, and I'm delighted to have found this shoe.

This is my first experience with a zero-drop platform. I had polio as a child, resulting in one foot being a full size larger than the other--quite the challenge. I've always bought the larger size, as I did with this shoe. I also wear Step-Ahead orthotics for arch supports, so I remove the inserts. My go-to brand has been New Balance because of their roomy toe boxes. My son suggested I try Altra, and told me to kind of "break them in" because of the zero-drop platform. I'm up to wearing them all day and am very happy with this shoe. I tried another Altra style, but a seam in the toe box was irritating. The only issue I have--and it's a personal one--is that the shoe "eats" certain socks on my smaller foot, so I'll have to experiment on a sock style that works for me. I'm going to wait for a few weeks to be sure, but I anticipate getting a second pair. Thanks to Zappos, my family's shoe source, for allowing us to try on shoes at home with no mailing expenses!

I love this shoe but think it might run a little too small so will order another pair 1/2 size up to see if that works. I’m new customer and Love inventory and return policy. Thank you!

These shoes are exactly what I was looking for! I wanted a pair of black shoes with black soles that don’t scream they are tennis shoes in case I need to wear dress pants and still have comfortable shoes. The reviews to get a size half up from your normal size is spot on. I wear an 8.5 and ordered a 9 and they fit perfectly. These shoes are great and I’m glad I got them. I also have the Timp Trail and it also fits better a half size up. The Lone Peak 4 is true to size and I have it in a 8.5. I want to try the Provision 3.5 next.

I love these shoes, as they alleviated my plantar fasciitis. However, I wear between a 7.5 and 8 in this shoe and hoped the 8 would be right. I will order a 7.5 in this particular style. Love the wide toe box and dropped heel is perfect for alleviated pressure on ball of foot, but not too much to cause achilles issues, and causes no issues with a bunion on one foot. I have owned at least 6 pairs of Altras and getting the half size difference for a correct fit is important.

Still running in the Escalantes! Have been using the Escalante as my main road shoe for weekly mileage for a few years. Great for any type of road work out but NOT for trails, rocks, brush, grass - the sole and knit upper will damage easily off road and there is little protection from bruising from rocks with this minimalist shoe. I get about 300 miles out of mine before I need to replace but well worth it for the fit and feel you get from long miles on the road. Air dries quickly, breathes, very lightweight. I would recommend this shoe if you are looking for your first zero drop shoe to try. Altra makes several styles with different levels of cushioning. I transitioned from Brooks to this shoe. If you are transitioning from Asics or Hoka One One, I would recommend reviewing Altra's styles with more cushioning. Altra has something for everyone and I highly recommend giving the Altra brand a try for those out there wanting to transition to zero drop shoes.

Great zero drop shoe for the road. Knit breathes which is great for summer or hot days. Air dries quickly if you are caught in a rainstorm. Lots of room in the toe box and the sole gives you a soft and spongy ride. Great feel for the surface you are running on however, this shoe will not protect your feet from rocks and trail terrain can damage the sole and/or tear the knit upper. Mine last about 300 miles using them on the road only. Short-lived, but well worth it if you are training regularly and staying injury free is your priority. I'm on my third pair and will continue to purchase more. Altra makes shoes that range from bare minimum to bulky in the sole depending on the amount of cushion you are looking for. These place right in the middle - not too bulky, but not too thin. Overall I would highly recommend the Escalante as the version to start with if you are considering moving over to zero drop shoes.

Best shoes to run in! I'm a convert! I used to wear Nikes, Asics, Brooks, Mizunos, and Sauconys to run in, but no more. After a bit of a transition period, I am now able to run in Altras. This newest update of the Escalante is pretty good. It's true the toebox feels smaller, which is to say it's just a tad bit snug or hugs your toes a bit tighter. I don't see this as a bad thing though. Especially for people who are transitioning to this shoe. Now, for someone who has been running in them for years, I can see how this would be an upsetting change. But the fabric is forgiving and will stretch. It also makes me feel a bit more secure in the shoe and I don't find myself tightening the laces as much. If you are attempting to transition to a zero drop shoe, give these a try. It's worth it.

I own two pairs of the older Escalantes and one other pair of the 1.5. I think these are my favorite! The metallic looking black color is sweet, and I use them for fitness coaching right into my workout - they are SO comfortable. I’m 8-8.5 but got an 8 in these as I wear thin socks and do a fair amount of running - the 8.5s felt a little too roomy for me. My other older pair of Eacalantes I did 8.5 and use for walking with slightly thicker socks, so I’d say it depends on your use! The material is flex and the wider toe box makes these feel roomier but you still don’t want your toe to the end. Thanks for another great shoe Altra!

Love this running shoe. The toe box allows for ample room for toes to spread when running. No more pinching of my pinkie toe.

I was looking for something very specific and these were it. Here's what I was looking for/requirements: -Ultra light weight. -"Barefoot" running shoe - could slip on without socks/wear without socks. -ALL black -Actual support within shoe for running/standing on feet all day. These shoes met all of those requirements. I'm glad I invested in these instead of trying to save some money and buying a $60 pair that would've kicked the bucket in a short period of time and not have met all of my requirements. Ive been searching for years. I bought a pair of sketchers barefoot goruns on a whim in 2009 and since I couldnt find a pair of shoes with that slip on, light weight vibe, I had been wearing my goruns for 10 years. The investment was worth it. I read through the reviews and someone said these arent "cool looking": i disagree. I think they look great. Round toe so if youre looking for a pointy shoe, this isnt it. -Only weird thing for me is that i probably shouldve went to a shoe store and had my feet examined. Some shoe stores test you for pronation, etc. These shoes feel like all the support is on the outside of my foot so it makes me feel like my knees are knocking together. Could just be me. Its not enough to make me return them: i wear them all day for work and they are my go to shoe for errands, etc.

This is my first pair of Altras and my first pair of zero-drops. I have knee issues and these escalantes were recommended to me by a fellow runner. So far - although I've only been training indoors on a treadmill - I'm loving them! I wear a size 8-81/2 shoe, I usually size up to a 9 in running sneaks, but I did have to ultimately go with a 9 1/2 in these (and they fit perfectly).

Shoe fits well with ‘correct toes’ that I use for bunion. I plan to get another pair that I could wear at home to provide comfort when I walk and work at home. I found that the shoe gets wet easily when you step on puddles. It dries up quickly though.