Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I bought these hoping they would be similar to the Escalante 2.5s I fell in love with, and they are even better!! They initially felt a bit more stiff in the sole, which I didn't think I would like but it actually doesn't seem to bother me. I definitely run a bit faster in them without trying, and they are still lightweight and have that "almost barefoot" feeling I was looking for while giving me a bit more padding for my feet. I've noticed a trend in new Altra models, including the Escalante 3, where the shoes are getting heavier, bulkier, and more "supportive." Please stop this. If we wanted that kind of shoe we could go to the million other brands out there. I fell in love with Altra because they healed me of PF that I struggled with for YEARS and helped me to run with better form because they are zero drop and foot shaped. Please please do not change this shoe!! New colors would be great but keep the last and the shoe the same, and you will have many customers, myself included, who buy them again and again and again!!!

I run on the road 6 days a week. These shoes are super lightweight, comfortable, flexible and with plenty of toe room for my wide feet. The mesh makes them cool which is important to me in Florida.

I got these because Hokas were giving me plantar fasciitis. With in the first week the pain eased off. Wish they were available more. I would buy them in many colors!

Best running shoes I've ever owned.

I started my running journey about two years ago. My boyfriend bought this shoe for me shortly thereafter. I had tried a couple other shoes and I came to find out quickly that minimalistic was the way to go for me. I love this shoe. I didn't know until I knew. I found my running shoe and truly I have no complaints with this shoe. It works for me and I will continue to buy more pairs as needed. With this last pair, I did take the suggestion and go up a half size and I feel it's a better fit. My other pairs worked well but the extra half size gives my toes more room to breathe and stretch.

I migrated to Altra Running in 2019, first with Torins (not love at first fit) then to the Altra Escalantes. Soon after, I migrated to the Racer for a half marathon which I got a PR in. Now years later, majority of my training is in these shoes... and I just ran a BQ marathon with a time of 3:43:47 (I am 45!) These shoes are the simply the best. My legs felt great during marathon (outside one charlie horse episode - likely dehyrdration issue). I returned to running 4 days later. The mesh top is part of what makes this shoe so spectacular. If you are in a wet marathon or triathlon, the shoes drain water quickly so the shoe is never heavy, this is a big deal during a marathon or even half a marathon, you don't lose precious time because the shoe is wet and soggy. I wear these shoes in runs when it is 12 degrees out. I have no issues. Best shoe on the market.

I am a nurse and wear as my work shoe. I also use it for workouts although wish Altra would come Up with a more reinforced toe for lateral movements. I tend to remove the shoes for lateral movements in workouts. But honestly they are my favorite shoe, just more for unilateral movement. Also, mesh forefoot makes these not outdoor friendly in winter (cold) or rain (wet). Hasn't stopped me from buying three pair.

Getting back into running and wanted a little something more than the minimalist Vivo I was wearing. I still wanted that responsive ride where I could feel the ground beneath me with a smidge of cushion like a yoga mat provides. This shoe gave me this along with a zero drop and roomy toe box. Love them. I choose these from 6 other styles and brands of running shoes without hesitation.

I am a runner and these are my absolute favorite shoes. They fit my foot like a glove. I love the narrow heel but wide toe box. These shoes have great ground feel, I love how the foam is firmer and more responsive than the regular Escalantes, which are way too squishy. I also liked the Outroads for mixed road/trail runs, but the Outroad toe box is slightly too narrow for me and there's not as much ground feel. Although these shoes are marketed as racers, I use them regularly for my everyday training runs. They allow me to get more posterior chain activation because of the zero drop, and better big toe control due to the responsive/firm nature of the foam and the wide toe box. (Please consider making the regular Escalante foam more responsive/firm as well.) The upper is lightweight yet durable, after having them for months they are completely intact. I also love how the heel cup is flexible and not rigid/cardboard like most other shoes. PLEASE NEVER CHANGE OR GET RID OF THIS SHOE!! My only suggestion: PLEASE MAKE THIS SHOE IN BETTER COLORS. The blue and black are just strange and wacky color designs. They look outdated and way too bright. I want the gray, but it is out of stock. Would appreciate having this shoe in more appealing pinks/purples/whites, like the Outroad pink/white color.

Mine are perfect because I went up half a size.

I was looking for a zero drop for walks around the neighborhood. This shoe has the cushioning my feet need to tolerate the cement and pavement. True, it is a bit squishy, but compared to everything else out there it is a good compromise. (Why are people wearing those bouncy house shoes anyways???) Trying to find zero to low drop shoes for pavement that fit a narrow foot and accommodate my toes is proving very difficult. I am relieved and happy to say these fit perfectly. Although the laces are crazy long on my narrow feet! If Altra will come up with a waterproof version that would be wonderful for now I am managing with xero boots!

Long time Altra wearer since the Intuitions and the One's version 2.0 ( ALL TIME fav despite looking like ugly bowling shoes) and One 2.5's, I ventured away from Altra for a while due to disappointment in their constant narrowing of shoes after the Torin 4's. I mean yeah they are foot-shaped if you have a Barbie doll's foot. I went back to these that I had in my closet from 2019 after dealing with some PF, I needed something more firm, less cushion and flat but not overly minimalist. This is the perfect shoe. Now this is all I run in for my road miles (I bought some newer pairs since then LOL). Long runs or speedy workouts or just a casual jaunt this shoe does it ALL. I wish Altra would read some of the reviews on their other shoes, looks like they are alienating a lot of long time fans with these new iterations. And I honestly just don't understand the narrow shoes thing? So many other shoes on the market to choose from if someone needs a narrow shoe? Wish you would go back to your roots Altra, and I know I am not alone here. My only negatives would be a better colorway like someone else mentioned besides the blue and mustard yellow (the other colors appear to be out of stock in most sizes). And the laces on the blue shoes are entirely TOO SHORT, had to swap em out.

I am an aerobics instructor and I am in the gym 3 days a week. These are the most comfortable shoes I've ever had. I love the mesh because it keeps my feet cool, the toe box is plenty roomy.

These are my absolute favorite road shoes. I have owned 6 of these Escalante Racers previously, and I love pair 7 just as much. The cushion is right for me, ample toe box but nicely fitted heel. Breathable upper fabric makes this shoe perfect for all temperatures outside

I stand in my shoes all day with no pain i will Definitely be Purchasing from this company again they're very feminine on my big feet and they make my feet look small which I love they're super light and I love the color.

Perfect to run and walk. Love how they look too.

I love the look , comfort off the charts amazing, good price point.

I love how these shoes feel. There is just the perfect amount of cushion for me and they never squish my toes.

Soooo comfy. No issues at all.love them.

Great shoe, needs no breaking in. This is my 3rd pair.

This is my 5th pair of Altra. I love the wide toe box and lack of elevated heel.

These are my first shoes with a more natural foot fit. I love the wider toe box. They are not too cushiony but I knew that when I bought them and love them that way.

I've been a life-long Nike, New Balance, Asics "running shoe" customer. Always looking for comfort. I'm 50+ and I don't consider myself a distance runner, but I run several community 5Ks and 10Ks throughout the year for fitness goals. These shoes are game changers for me! Light-weight and comfortable. Roomy toe box. I haven't felt this good running in over 20 years!

I work in healthcare and am on my feet for a lot of the day. This is a great shoe. Light and airy, and I like the cushioning in it while staying within minimalist standards. It's not as hard on my feet as some other brands.

I love this shoe and felt compelled to write another review after reading other comments. This shoe is mesh for specific reasons. When you are running 13 miles, 17 miles or a marathon, your feet get really hot. Secondly, if it rains in a race or during training, people still run or continue with the race. I wore these shoes recently for a half-marathon and it down poured on me. Thanks to the mesh, the shoes didn't hold much water, so my pace was never impacted and finished at an 8:40 clip. I am using these for IRONMAN. I have no idea what the weather is going to be. But if it rains, my shoes will remain lightweight because the mesh allows everything to drain. These are not a Torin replacement. Nor are they supposed to be. I use Torins for recovery run days but I wouldn't race in a Torin, its too much shoe for me.