Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I am now in my second pair of Escalante, I love these shoes. I have been an Altra wearer for many years now but these are my all time favorites

This shoe is excellent. I bought it in July of 2018 and it is perfect.

I have been wearing the Escalante for months. I needed a new pair and saw the "racer" version. After just completing the NYC marathon, I thought "I need these". I LOVE THEM! They feel a bit more secure than the Escalante but still maintain their breathe-ability. I would highly recommend.

I wore a 10.5 in previous iterations of this shoe, but had to size up to an 11 this time around as the fabric over the toes felt short. The other reviewers are correct the shoelaces are MUCH shorter this time. I set the laces from this iteration next to the laces from the previous iteration and they're a full 12" shorter. I have a narrow mid foot, so this wasn't an issue for me, but it's easy to see how it would be problematic for others. Compared to the Racer 2, the original Racer is a FAR BETTER shoe. It's more flexible, has a better toe box shape and, even with the obnoxious bright blue color, it looks less clownish. I'd like to see Altra switch to a different upper though. The holes in the mesh are so big I collect rocks on every single run and in winter these shoes are FREEZING. Please don't discontinue this shoe!!!!!! Just fix the upper (and maybe swap out the laces).

I love the fit of this shoe, but I live in Michigan and running with mesh in the winter is not ideal. I hope that you come out with a non mesh version. I would absolutely love a shoe like that

I never write comments; however, I absolutely love these shoe for powerwalking (former runner now turned zero drop/barefoot powerwalker). Took second place (walking division) at my last half-marathon in these shoes. I have worn only these shoes for the past year and they have been the best shoes I have found for zero drop/barefoot powerwalking. I agree with other people that have commented - I just wish they had better/more colors for women - preferably navy and/or gray. The color selection is the only reason I took off one star. Otherwise these shoes are fantastic!

ALL of my past shoes (not all Altras) my pinky toe and big toe BUST out of shoes. This pair has ONLY mesh top and sides. the fit/feel is awesome, I foresee busting out of these faster than norm.

I really like these shoes, even though they are my second choice. The only thing I don't like is that they soles wear out quickly, even with trail-running. But what I would REALLY like Altra to do is bring back the earlier versions of the Vanish, which were my favorite shoes, ever. Also, it would be nice if these shoes were ever on an actual sale.

This is the closest I've found to Newton's MV3 (since discontinued) has a slightly more dense (not as squishy) padding than other Altras and a slightly narrower foot. Could be slightly narrower still for some with smaller, narrower feet (who want it to feel closer/more part of their foot) but relieved to finally find something that works again (for barefoot-style, but with some padding underfoot, long-distance running).

I walk a lot. I like that the end of the shoe is soft. I like that the air flows is great. They are very light weight.

I had originally bought the Escalate 3.0, as I've been running in 2.5s for years. That is a TOTALLY different shoe for many reasons and I it gave me pain and I hated it (never said that about a shoe before). The Escalante Racer is much more similar and I love it! I feel I don't have to try and find a new shoe. It is light, minimalist and feels the same. It is slightly narrower in the toe box. I have wide feet and it still works, but i can tell. I also wonder how long the mesh upper will last. But for now, I'm happy again!

I have tried many of the Ultras shoes only to return because to narrow. I have bunions and need room in toe box. I had original toe box shoes that I wore out. I decided to give these a whirl. They are ok. Little more padding make them perfect. I been wearing them and wide in toe box, light, run fast and feet don't hurt. Doing a 5 k in them saturday they are broke in now. I will keep them. They look cheap made then the other shoes so not sure how long they will last. I love Esclante 3 but toe box to narrow need wider. Wish they make them wider . All in all the Boulderboulder do the job.

I love the escalante racer but they wear out quickly!!

I use them for walking 3miles a day. Toe box is why I buy them, but the laces are too short always have to buy new one. The no drop is perfect for my balance, I do have to add cushion.

I love this shoe. I am transitioning to all 0 drop shoes but don't think I will be able to fully transition to barefoot shoes fully. I do not like the open mesh top. My shoes are filled with sand and rain. I don't think I will be able to use them in the winter because then my shoes will be filled with ice and snow. Theses shoes would be perfect if they has a more closed top.

I run daily. Treadmill and outdoors. After an injury I tried MANY other pairs of shoes, but had to return to Altra for the wide toe box. Love the Escalante racers because they are light. Though couldn't use coming off injury because not enough support. You need strong lower legs and ankles to run in these.

I have run in Altra before. Currently I am sidelined with an injury so just using for walking. I love the zero drop and that this shoe isn't super cushy. I prefer minimalist shoes but due to injury needed cushion for recovery. My only complaints are that the laces are short and as some complained the tongue curls up when putting on the shoe. It rubbed a pretty nasty blister on my foot so you have to make sure the tongue is laying flat. The toe box of Altra is great! I have a bunion and I can comfortably wear this shoe.

These were my first pair of altra, everything works out pretty well for with this shoe. actually looking to get another pair because i'm not personally interested in the feature other altra road running shoes offer, so REALLY would appreciate some colorways that are less i-put-no-thought-whatsever-into-how-my-running-shoes-look looking, if that makes sense. Also kinda wish there's an iteration of escalante that is the racer but with grippier outsoles? or a road-trail hybrid version of this.

Great shoe. Very happy with purchase. Good cushion and support. Feather weight. Minor complaint- slightly narrow

The fit of these shoes is Amazing!! I have flat feet with a wide toe box area and have always struggled to find shoes that don't rub raw spots on the sides of my big and little toes! The wide toe box on these is perfect for me, I wish I'd known about Altra years ago! I would always be fit into wide shoes due to my unusual foot shape and complaints, but they never worked for me because my entire foot is not wide. They are also so light and flexible, they feel like I'm walking on air! Only complaint about this particular shoe is that the sole is pretty thin, but I knew they weren't a super cushioned shoe when I purchased. I find that my feet are a bit sore after a a few miles (and no, I'm not a heel striker). Also, I have pretty flat feet, and because of the unique shape of this shoe, I cannot wear my standard arch support inserts with these. But honestly, I'll take the trade off for the comfy fit! Looking into the wrap around arch supports as an alternative and thinking seriously about buying a second pair!

I've been wearing Altras (Lone Peak) for the last couple of years. Anytime I put on a traditionally shaped shoe with a tapered toe box since switching to Altras, I feel like my forefoot is so cramped. I was looking for an option that was a little more lightweight than the Lone Peak (5 oz vs. 10 oz) and more versatile. The Racer looks great and is stylish, I plan to wear for athleisure, but with this shoe, I feel like I could break into a run at anytime. For a comparison to anyone new to Altras, I purchased these as well as a pair of New Balance 996v2 and the difference was painful. For a visual, the Altras are on the left in the photo and the NBs are on the right - look at that toe box difference! So why 4 stars? Similar to a few other reviews, I did find the Racers to be a bit more narrow than my Lone Peaks at the same size, it may be due to style/purpose (a road running shoe vs. a trail runner), but I like consistency in sizing when I commit to a brand. When fully loosened to feel comfortable, I have a small space at the front where the tongue isn't complete covered and my sock peaks through. I'm hoping they'll break in a bit. Since these aren't my primary running shoe (I mostly trail run), it wasn't a deal breaker. Still a huge win over any other brand of shoe.

Overall I love the upgrade in style of the Altra shoes over the years. This is my favourite par so far when it comes to the escalantes. The only 2 things I would critique are: shoe laces are too long and the sides of the tongue fold under when putting the shoe on which doesn't make for a smooth process .