Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I own a pair of the Escalante 1.5s and purchases the Racer edition to have another pair of shoes in the rotation. The Racers are the perfect amount of cushion, ground feel, and responsiveness for mid to long distance training runs. The tops allow the winds to flow through and are stable for tight turns. I have not experienced any pressure points while running and have only had to make minor adjustments to the lacing to counter feet swelling. I hope this model becomes a permanent addition to the Altra lineup. I wear the NYC model in men's 11.5, regular width. In comparison to the Escalante 1.5s, the shape of the midsole fits a wider foot better.

I'm a beach runner and was a little concerned about sand getting in the holes. NO PROBLEM at all. They're wonderfully cool in the heat too. Of the 10 pair of altras I've owned, these are my favorite.

First pair I ordered were about a half size to big. I normally wear an 11 in an athletic shoe which is normally a snug fit. I ended up returning the original order and went a half size down (10.5). The feel of the shoe while running is great. I'm just a normal dude who runs a few miles a couple times a week, nothing crazy. These seem to be perfect for me.

The best shaped and built quality shoe of altra's, i have an "egyptian" shape of foot and the escalante fit just perfect, even better than other altras models, better curve to the inside axe of the foot. The Ego sole is brillant too, hope will be present in more models. Thank you for making this genius products

Best racing shoe from Altra and any other brand! The venting, cushion, responsiveness and fit are perfect! The graphics are subtle enough so if you didn't run Boston, Chicago it NYC you're totally good to go in wearing them! They 100% rock!

The Escalante was the best shoe I had run in UNTIL I ran in this shoe. AND I absolutely LOVE saving the racer for race day - getting 100% the full effect. You cannot beat the responsive lightweight feel of this shoe. You can try, and you will fail. You ever just lace up excellence on your feet? Not if you haven't put on the Escalante Racer and that is the truth.

These fix just about everything wrong with the original Escalante. They're light. They're responsive. They cushion well without feeling like pillows. They corner well. They breath well. They have a secure-but-unrestrictive fit. They flex well. I mean if it wasn't for the fact that the Boston's colors look distinctly little-boy-ish and the Chicago's are just kinda bland looking, not to mention feeling like a NASCAR driver with that giant number 18 on the side, they'd be all but perfect. Only note I've got besides the colors is that they are extremely open-aired, to the point where you can see your toes through the upper if you look for them. If it's really cold outside, I could see these being too uninsulated to be comfortable. Other than that, though, they're good for just about every other occasion.

I love the Escalante. Referred to it by my chiropractor two years after breaking up with Adidas when they transitioned to their supposed boost sole. I ended up with shin splits/calf pain. Tried about $1,000 in different shoes and kinda went with Brooks launch, but it was not a perfect fit. I am a marathoner- low end 30 miles week/peak training 55-60. I have been running for 32 years, former track converted to athlete. Since I grew up running bare feet in the Caribbean, I hate running with socks and despise lots of sole. The Escalantes were a perfect fit out of the box, but I hated the knitted upper. Too hot during humid/hot days of Boston summer. Even though I was not running Boston this year, I tried the racer and YES!!! I have found MY SHOE!!! I am on my 3rd pair and would ask that you seriously consider making this a permanent version of your line in different colours. I am happy to represent my city (BOSTON!), but am a pink and purple girl. Thank you so very much for making my feet happy again. Running is renewed!

First, let me be perfectly honest - I'm not a Marathon runner...in fact, I'm not even a big runner...I walk most of the time, but do jog in intervals. I tend to have a goal of about 25 miles a week on the road. I purchased my first pair of Escalante Racers at the end of May, and I've put on about 225 miles since. Yes, they're worn and I'll be lucky to get much more than another week or two out of them, but I moved from a 6mm drop in NB 1080's to a zero-drop Altra - and have been pleasantly surprised at how much better I feel. I generally have flat feet, so I was concerned that the zero-drop would be a problem, but it's been the opposite. I've honestly not put on my NB shoes since I purchased these, and I'm about to order another pair! Altra - two things - please continue to make these iconic shoes (LOVE THIS COLOR COMBINATION)...and I'd love to have a little more sole in them so I could easily get 300+ miles out of them. For anyone reading this - try them out - I'm pretty sure you will never go back to the old, mass produced, off the shelf brands you are accustomed to. Well worth the investment. Happy running (or walking if that is your preference).

It's phenomenal to me how such obvious sophistication in design creates a shoe that feels so pure and simple. The entire design is like a piece of art, not because of how they look (though I do like the look) but because of how they feel and perform. They really are a step above the standard escalante for all the reasons outlined in the description, and they're well worth the price difference. The only reason I could possibly recommend the escalante over the escalante racer is if you prefer a cushier ride (but you will sacrifice some control for it). For a minimalist feel with superior control, a supremely supportive hug in the upper, and ample cushion for comfortable running on asphalt, look no further. I normally wear vivobarefoot shoes casually but prefer some cushion while running. This is a perfect, extremely comfortable, truly elegant shoe.

I've only ran in these a few times but the improvements over the original escalante are definitely noticeable! * Improved lateral stability! * Improved ground feel! * Extremely improved breathability!!! * Improved fit around heal by greatly reducing the excessive padding around the heal!!! * Improved lace eyelet width to accommodate those of us with low volume feet! (Originals are synched as tight as they can go and still not tight enough for my feet.) * Improved laces! * Lighter weight! * Better looking upper! They keep the EGO midsole so they still have more cushioning than any other shoe in the minimalist category. They are still extremely flexible for freedom to move as necessary and to help build foot strength. Thank you Altra for all of the improvements! Now, please make this shoe part of the standard lineup instead of being reserved for special edition!

My doctor recommended this shoe- Thank you Dr. E!! Wow what a nice shoe. Perfect in all ways. I didn't have to down or up size. Light weight, nice colors , breathable, comfortable. I could go on and on. Could you pretty please make more of these in a variety of colors? I think I found my perfect pair.

...but when I do it's because the product is just freaking incredible. I became an Altra convert the first time I tried on the Lone Peak 2.5 years ago, and have worn several Altra shoes (both road and trail) for hundreds of happy miles since. I kinda want to keep these a secret so that I can get a discount on the overstock when they're discontinued, but I feel guilty not sharing the love and these are just too good not to. The uppers are so much lighter, more breathable and just better than the standard escalante. There is a firm, fairly minimalist feel to the underfoot, but on pavement and even on relatively smooth trails they float along with no issues. I didn't run Boston this year, but there's a good chance these will be on my feet for every race I run for the foreseeable future, at least until they fall apart on my feet. No signs of that happening yet!

This is what the Escalante should've been from the get go! The sloppiness of the standard Escalante upper is gone. Additionally the racer breathes such that the shoe is no longer a sauna. I got rid of my standard Escalantes in less than 100mi, but love these! I hope Altra makes the racer a part of it's standard lineup (rather than a Boston special).

This was the shoe I have been waiting for. I have been running in Altra shoes since the Adam (remember?) and I prefer medium to light cushion. The One was a great shoe but the Escalante was even better. Great cushion, light weight and responsive. Too bad the Escalante becomes a sloppy shoe very quickly. Don't even think of a track session in them. Maybe 1 size down from regular Altra is better? Foot goes right, shoe goes left... So I was very excited about Boston Racer. After the first 2 runs they started to ease out like the Escalante. But then they stopped stretching and still sit tight. And man are they nice on the track! Feel super light and perfect cushioning for speed work. I now even prefer them to my Nike Streak LT3. I so love this Boston! It is what I appreciated in the original One and the Escalante. If you feel the origianl Escalante just stretch and stretch, the Racer is much tighter in the same size. I use 11 in mot Altras but 10.5 in original Escalante. Glad I did not get the Racer in 10. Putting on the orignal Escalante now is like wearing Hokas, I feel at least. Big difference in cushioning. Now if only they would put the EGO sole in the Vanish-R. That would make a killer shoe.

I have been running almost exclusively in the Escalante on the roads since its release. In my opinion it was the best shoe Altra had ever made. Well, now it is the second best. The Escalante Racer is lighter, more responsive and the upper knit is just better for me. Being primary a trail runner this is the first shoe that has made me WANT to run another road marathon.

The Escalante Racer is everything it says it is- it fits my feet like a glove, no loose areas, no tight areas, pure comfort. Not to mention light as a feather too. I can easily run with better form in this shoe, and it feels faster as well. I hope Altra continues this model for a long time.

Just received the Escalante Racer, my first Altra and zero drop shoe, and will be adding feedback/updates to this review when I test them on road and track. They are great looking and blue is a versatile color that's compatible with most colors of running apparel. Since the star rating is non optional I rated the Escalante Racer based on appearance and fit but an update will follow. The yellow midsole/foam and the 18 logo add to the great appearance of the Escalante Racer. I'm 12 D(M) US and they are true to size and width according to Altra's relatively wider toe boxes. I've been and still running in 2mm/3mm drop, and hopefully that would ease the transition to zero drop.

Ran a Half Marathon with the Escalante Boston Racer right out of the box, no break in at all. They were so light, so bouncy, and the ventilation was phenomenal. Surprised it was even possible to improve the Escalante platform, but Altra managed to do it. Perfect racing shoe. I'd be curious how they will hold up as time goes on as they are so minimal in construction, might just save them for use in races.

I love the Escalante but the upper was too loose on turns and on tempo runs. This racer really is that. I ended up getting two pairs and have heard rumors there are more "Race" editions in the works. I plan on using this for all of my 1/2 and 26.2 races this year.

Greetings Runners, Backdrop: average 30-40 miles a week at a sub-2 half marathon pace. Purchased two pairs of original Escalante which anointed me an Altra convert. 3 weeks in with new shoe... This shoe doesn't feel like a direct descendant. As per my Escalante review, the Escalante almost feels like a clown shoe until one starts to crank & the a-ha moment kicks in. As is described with the Boston Racer, this shoe is quite a bit firmer. It is noticeable lighter (for those of you counting grams). The mesh breathability has been a long time coming as I recently ran 10 miles at a hotel treadmill (no outside course) & the old version were essentially puddles. Those are the initial takeaways at less than a month in...firmer, more breathability, & for those who read about studies of running economy, slightly lighter. My question to Altra: would it be possible to stock the to-be regular edition Escalante's with outer mesh? A good Patriot's Day to all.