Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I am in the same boat as many of the reviewers I've read. I have written to your company more than once. Your original escalantes were amazing. I vowed to buy nothing but them forever. Then, they changed. The sizes were smaller and I was told, by your company, to order a half-size bigger. The problem with the extra sizing is that I have narrow heels and the extra space there causes pain when I walk a long way. Now, you aren't even continuing the shoes. I need flat, completely flat, shoes, and a toe-box that is roomy and mobile. My two feet are not the same. I have really been happy with the shoes you used to make. I wish I had bought 100 of them. I thought to do so. They allowed my feet to breathe. Maybe you will reconsider discontinuing the original escalantes, please. The most recent number of a shoe that seemed to work was: ALW1933B440 or 508703 01-23. Thank you. Lisa

Yes please, bring it back - but not in clown colors! I wear my running shoes all the time because my knees can't handle walking around in fancy shoes. Some non-contrasting, mellow, natural colors would be ideal! My TIMP 4s that I LOVE are a dark blue, easy on the eyes greens are great as well.

As countless others have mentioned, the original Escalante Racers are the best running shoes that Altra has made. Please keep making this model. They'll sell very well and keep customers happy. Thanks!

BRING THESE SHOES BACK. We love them. The only shoes my son and I worked. Escalate 4 are squishy. They were hurting his foot and it's annoying , the insoles are moving around when he's running .

Please never stop making the racer.. it has been my favorite running shoe for the last 6 years. I have tried your newer models not a good shoe for me. Sticking to what works better

My PT recommended these. I own 4 pairs; most are worn out and I'm replacing insoles bc I can't find comparable replacement. Tried other Altra's, Xero, Vivo, Grounded. Hope you bring these back soon.

I have tried a lot of zero drop shoes and these are by far the most comfortable, supportive (just the right amount of cushion) and best fitting sneakers I have ever worn. They felt amazing right out of the box. They are just the right fit for my narrower feet with ample toe room. But, they are discontinued!! Why???! I want to buy another pair before they are gone

What will it take to get Altra to bring this model back? As many others have stated, this exact model fit best and the others in the escalante series can't compare. Why deviate from it? Please reconsider the decision of discontinuing this model. We're begging you! :(

This is the greatest running shoe ever. I have tried many others and nothing comes close. The new version is not the same. Please bring them back!

Love this shoe more than any other Altra / minimalist shoe ever! They don't compare to any other Altra's I've tried - Torin 7, Lone Peak 8, Escalante Racer 2. I've struggled with calf and ankle issues, and these are the only ones that help. I don't know what shoe I'm going to use once these wear out because nothing else seems to work like these do. Bring them back PLEASE!

Great for running! My favorite run shoe of all time. The racer 2 is so disappointing, forcing me to ditch Altra altogether. Please bring these back!

The Escalante Race 2 is NOT better. Why would you discontinue a perfect shoe? Please bring this shoe back!!!!!

Best running and walking shoe I've ever had. Came to buy my 4th pair and saw they're discontinued?!

I'm having a bit of an anxiety attack. I became a runner in 2018 out of necessity for mental health and physical health. At a ride & tie race, I talked with a runner prior to my running journey. He highly recommended Altra and to follow training instructions for zero drop shoes. I went to Fleet Feet Sacramento to be fitted. NONE of the 2 dozen running shoes with zero drop, or near zero, were a comfortable fit, including the regular Escalante and other Altra models. Then salesman Kale gave me the first edition Escalante Racer, the '18 Boston. Cinderella! I've NEVER bought any other running shoe for training or races. Fast forward to Dec 2023 and I suffered an injury. I finally landed a good physical therapist in June 2024. I resumed running November 23, 2024. I've been wearing my last pair of Escalante racers and so I am shoe hunting as I'm progressing in the return to run program. I am struggling to grasp the concept that you have stopped production of the Escalante Racer. Reviews here say "Racer 2" is a bad fit and the Escalante Racer was perfect for them. I'm devastated. Please bring back the Escalante Racer. Please. I want to stay brand loyal, but above all, my feet and joints MUST be safe and comfortable for the long haul. Hoka did not feel right when I tested their trail shoe. Fear same for their road shoes. Please help.

Echoing the many other comments. I too have tried a different escalate style (due to out-of-stock OG Racer) and I ended up returning them. No minimalist running shoe compares to this model :(

These were my favorite running/walking shoes. They are so comfortable and look good. I'm so sad they aren't' selling them anymore. I tried the Escalante Racer 2's and they don't even compare.

These were my favorite shoes. They had the right amount of cushioning. They had an amazing fit, perfect ankle lockdown and were snug enough through the midfoot that they never moved on my feet, despite the enormous (in a great way) toebox. My first pair was the Chicago 2018. It had the best colorway of any of the 4 pairs I owned, and the best laces. I got lots of compliments on the red-on-blue foot design of the outsole. After that, I owned solid gray on blue, which was fine, but the laces became and stayed worse. Then solid gray on red and black soles, with (very cool) bright green details. Now I'm on what I assume is my last pair of these, the Bolder Boulder. These shoes are plain ugly. But I still wear them because nothing else fits and runs as well. I don't know why Altra discontinued these shoes. Maybe it's because there were about 20 of us who were buying these on repeat and they were otherwise unpopular and so unprofitable. Obviously, I would have preferred if they had just raised the price, but it's not up to me. 5/5, best running shoes ever

This shoe hits the sweet spot for me - stack height, toebox height and width, narrower midfoot and heel, and responsiveness. My heart leapt the first time I put these on and went running. I felt light and fast and sure-footed; I had sooo much fun running. I have notoriously difficult feet to fit. They are extra wide in the forefoot (a true 7.5 extra wide, but I usually make do in 8 wide/feeling a little clumsy). Narrow in the midfoot and heel. These magically fit me in a size 8 (even with correct toes on!), and don't slide around in the heel. Most minimalist shoes have inadequate vertical height in the toe box that presses down on my big toe toenail (ESCALANTEs included), but these have amazing vertical height. Really regret not stocking up on these b/c reviews say the 2s have a stiffer sole (I hate stiff soles) :/

I happened to stumble across these when searching wide toe box shoes. These were my favorite shoes I've worn. I'm an RN and love the comfort and light weight. Please bring these shoes back.

I wore these for a few hundred miles this summer. I love them. I would like to give 5-stars but the mesh makes them impossible for cold weather. I wish they had a cold weather version.

These shoes are my only go-to for running and walking. Plenty of toe room and good feel of the ground. Airy, light, comfy. Please never discontinue!

Love the fit and feel of these shoes! Just enough cushion that my knees and shins don't hurt, but not too much that I feel unstable. I do have one gripe though... the laces are so short I can barely tie them. Will definitely have to get some different laces.

My feet are very particular about shoes. These feel great! Light and comfortable and supportive.

I've been looking for running shoes that would help my foot pain when I run because I have bunions and these shoes are AMAZING! I've had no pain running, they are light and running is enjoyable again! Absolutely would buy again!!

By far the most comfortable sneakers I have ever worn. I used my first pair while training for a half marathon and probably got about 500 miles out of them. The wide toe box and zero drop also makes them perfect for weightlifting and cross training. My only grievances are the large holes in the top fabric (water and small gravel will get through) and the dang shoelaces are long and come untied all the time- but nothing a double knot can't fix! Also bought a pair for the husband and he loves them as much as I do. Would love to see Altra make them in some more muted colors- color choices are a little "loud" for my taste.