Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 3

First of all I absolutely love the look of this shoe. And I was really hoping they would work. I ordered "my size" and it was too big. But the real problem with the shoe - otherwise I would've exchanged it for a smaller size - is the fabric - it literally was crunching and causing a little jump as I took some steps to see how they felt Whether I wanted to try a smaller size. Because again in theory I love the shoe. And without this crunchy fabric issue would've been well. Instead I went to a local running the store tried on a variety of brands but settled on the Escalante 2.5 that they still had in stock. I'm a little worried about the full sock feeling of that fabric and longevity (so i can actually understand why that was changed) but the comfort level the shape the size the cushioning were all perfection and after the first day using them I went online to find the exact same shoe (which also happens to be on sale which was great) and ordered it. They're that super! I do wonder whether the non-floral versions of the three have the same crunchy fabric issue But for now I'm sticking with the 2.5 and loving it.

Such a bummer. I have run in the escalantes for years. Thousands and thousands of miles with no injuries. The support in these shifts my foot and gait and now am having arch issues. The racer is still a fav and I hope they don't mess that up as well.

I have been using the Escalante for 2 years now, every 2 months I get a new pair. I'm disappointed with the new model, feels heavier on my feet. Want to go back to the 2.5

I loved the 2.5. it was soft, fit well and flexible. The 3, harder almost, not as form fitting. my gait is off with these and I gave up on making it my running shoes. its now for working as a nurse. overall, its very different from the 2.5 in my opinion and please bring the 2.5 back! this can be a new type of altra shoes but it is not escalante.

I was excited to get this newest version of the Escalante. Last year I bought the Escalante 2 and sold it. Then I bought the 2.5 and have loved it. I wanted to get another pair since it has been a year and definitely the Escalante 3 is not for me. Too padded and the shoe itself is too tight. On one foot I have a bunion and a hammer toe, so I need a wider toe box. The 2.5 was so perfect. I am sad it is no longer being made.

I've run in Escalante's for years and love them. This new version arrived in my normal 8.5 size and I cannot even get my foot in the shoe it runs so small. I am going to try sizing up and give this another try because I do love the Escalante overall. (I will post an updated review once I get the new shoes in - wanted others to beware the sizing.)

This Escalante 3 is different from the ones I bought before-I have developed major heel issues bc of this shoe.I loved the first pair I bought 2 years agosomething has changed . I'm so disappointed that I can't return these now.

This is my second pair of Altra's. My first pair were Torrins, and I wore through them after 3 years. They were the most comfortable pair of tennies I've ever owned. I switched to the escalante 3, not realizing how different they'd be. I ordered the same size 9.5, and the are somehow longer than my torrins, and more narrow all the way through. What I really don't understand is why my feet hurt SO bad after a casual walk. My heels specifically along with the sides and middle. I am so bummed. I want to order a different pair knowing how much I loved my first pair but I don't want to go through this again. Can you please explain to me why the differences, and what is causing the pain? Help me find the right walking shoe? Thank you!

We are a family of runners. For years the Altra Esclante has been our preferred shoe! We've literally gone through almost a hundred pair. UNFORTUNATELY, all the things we love about the shoewide toe box. Zero drop, light weightare gone in this version of the Escalante. I know the company has changed hands recently. It appears the new owners are trying to compete with all the other shoe brands instead of keeping their loyal customers happy! :( I used to recommend Altra 100% of the time. I no longer feel like I can recommend them at all! :( My daughter had her very first running injury as a junior in high school because these shoes don't have room for her toes to work like they are supposed to. The lack of a zero footbed probably also contributed! We are SO disappointed!!!!! If the new owners don't want to go back to the Escalante 2.0 design, please sell me the rights so I can make something good for running in again!!!!!

I loved my Altras! But when it came time to get a new pair and I got these ones, I was not satisfied! I miss the bigger toe boxes and ZERO DROP! These new ones just hurt my feet! Running is just so much harder when you can't actually run in your shoes! Bring back the old escalates! They were awesome!

I'm so disappointed. I get these every year as a gift and I'm going to have to return these due to the change to it! I'll have to shop shoes again . The previous design was perfect.

What happened to the Escalantes? This is by far the worst version of this showle. The cheap stiff sole gives no spring when you push off to run. The toe box has narrowed significantly. Bring back the 1 or 1.5 versions.

The Altra shoes changed this year. The tongue of the shoe has edges that grind the top of your foot. It's very painful. Stick to the older models.

The things I used to love about the escalante was the squishy feel and wide toe box. That is no longer this shoe. It's hard to get any spring since the bottom is so stiff. Going from the 2.5 to the 3 made me have to change how I run just so my calves wouldn't feel tight. It's not even close to the same show anymore. My husband and friends were so loyal to this shoe for 8 years. We're actually shopping other brands for the first time in forever.

Agree with any other reviews here and on other media accounts (ex. Insta). The 3 has not been a good change. It's heavy, clompy, thick tongued (super annoying) and can't feel ground like the 2.5. The 2.5 were perfect. Please bring that model of escalante back. I understand wanting to grow as a company but stop changing what works for your customers. It's turning us away.

My 4th pair of escalantes, but these are not the same shoes. I had to re-lace them to even get them on my feet. Not enough stretch across the toes/arch and the heel padding is narrower. 2 blisters.

I have joint damage to my second metatarsal and the Escalante 2.5 have been the only shoes I can run in without significant pain. Tried the Escalante 3s to no avail. Like a totally different shoe.

Unfortunately, I'm returning these shoes after 3 indoor runs (~3 mi each) due to arch pain in both feet. The footbed was so uncomfortable that I started to feel arch pain within 1.5 miles of my runs, which I had never experienced before. The arch support in this version feels too far back (near the heel), which overly strains the arch near the big toe joint. I best describe the footbed as lumpy in all the wrong places. I'm disappointed because this is my third pair of Escalantes, and I loved the previous versions. I'm a loyal Altra customer and have worn their shoes for the past 8 years, so I'm used to the wide-toe box and zero drop. I only experienced arch and foot strain once I wore this Escalante Version 3. Although the reviews here are mixed, I decided to try them. Unfortunately, they did not work out for me. I wish Altra would go back to the previous footbeds and foot shapes.

The Escalante 2 was the first shoe I ever truly felt comfortable in. I ordered a new pair not realizing the model had been updated, and yikes. I feel like my foot is being put in a cage. There is a weird "toe guard" that crushes by big toe and doesn't let it move properly. My feet are not happy when I wear these. I see many, many reviewers feel the same. There are PLENTY of shoes like your "upgraded" models out there. I was buying Altras because they were unique and actually comfortable. Bring that back, please!

The escalante 3 is inflexible, tough and uncomfortable. Please consider bringing back the 2.5. Such a great fit, great support and flexible.

I loved my Escalantes 2.5. I was crushed when I put the 3s on. They are stiff and clunky. If you want to know what it feels like to run in a cement block, my guess is these shoes are an excellent simulation. Thank goodness the Escalante Racer remains a great shoe. Please, Altra, don't mess those up, too.

I bought a pair in Jan so I could say I tried to like these shoes despite all the negative reviews. We have converted to the racer but it's not a shoe for colder weather. Is there any hope of getting a 3.5 that's more comparable to the 2.5? The 3.0 is rigid with a higher arch...such a disappointment.