Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I love Escalante racers and have been running in them for over a year now. I had one pair in Black/Pink and one in Grey and was too excited to purchase a new pair in the new Black color (the one with light blue on the bottom). Unfortunately, that shoe didn't feel the same as my older pairs: the shoe has a thicker backside above the heel, and has a tighter feel and shorter shoe laces. I ended up purchasing another pair of the Black/pink version which felt the same as my older pairs and I returned the pair but didn't receive any feedback or reimbursement on that pair.

I have been running in escalate racers for over a year now. I have the black/pink pair and a grey pair (color was discontinued). I needed a new pair and was too exited to see a new color on the market. Unfortunately, this pair didn't feel the same as my previous ones: the shoe is more cushioned on the back of the shoe above the heel bone compare to other colors in this design. The shoe lace is much shorter and the overall width of the shoe is smaller than previous ones too. I will be returning this color and buying one similar to my older shoe (black/pink)

This is definitely not the escalante 2.5. Close, but no cigar. The width is far too narrow. They need to make a true wide size shoe. And the shoestrings were way too short. They provide the heel lock slot, which the escalante 2.5 was missing, but no way you can use that with the shoestrings provided. Good shoe, but not great like the escalante 2.5. The escalante 2.5 would have been perfect if it had had the heel lock slot.

Overall the shoe felt too wide. The does not have any arch support nor is it even contoured for my arch. This is my third pair of Altar's and I generally prefer minimalist type shoes, and barefoot type styles, but this shoe didn't work for me. It's a nice looking shoe but doesn't feel nice

I need a wide toe box and love Altras for the their light weight and comfy fit. After a while, though, the upper loses its structure. I can run barefoot, so this would be fine - except with the cushion it becomes too soft all around. Also, for the first time, the brand applique peeled off the shoe. Haven't used them that long. Now ISO a firm Altra; might try the Superiors. Altra might lose me. :(

I know this shoe got very good reviews but for me they were too narrow and seemed to have a very thin soul. Felt like I was pounding the ground with not too much cushion. I use to wear the Torin 4 which is no more of course!!!!! Hard to find another pair that fits as well.

Got these for running. Already had Superior 5's for trail that fit great, thought these were supposed to have the same type of fit. They do not. The toes are wide, sure, but everything behind the toes it extremely narrow. My foot falls off on the inside. I can run in them but I know it's going to be a bad idea in the longterm. Also of note, when they say "mesh", they mean mesh-mesh, as in, they have actual holes in them that go through to your socks. I can read my socks in these shoes. Never tried them in rain but I feel like that would be of concern. They look pretty fly though, and they fit right, they'd be comfortable.

The toe box is weirdly shaped. It juts out and away from the big toe leaving a large empty space, but crams my pinky toe. Unless you have a deformed big toe that is drifting away from the rest of your toes, I don't see this working well for a normal to wide foot. Narrow feet will just have a wide open space for extra curricular big toe activities. Also, the mesh is very, very open. Small rocks will invariably infiltrate these. I miss my old Boston's and really hoped these would replace them, but this is a big no from me.

I was excited to try these shoes in preparation for my half marathon training. My escalates are hitting the mileage and I needed a new shoe. Unfortunately, the smaller amount of cushion doesn't work for me. I ended up with shin tenderness after running my first 6 miles in them. I wish I could return them for a new escalate pair but I threw out the box and return slip.

I have medium-high arches, a wide wide toe box, and a wider than average heel. The make of this shoe is very tight- for a small, narrow foot. The stitching that secures the laces dig into my metatarsals, effectively cutting off circulation to my toes. I traded out for the Solstice and I am very happy with the fit!

As I've gotten older, I've found my favorite running shoes (a different brand, with a 9mm stack) a bit TOO un-padded. I love Altra's wide toe box and have tried various models over the years but have never liked them for running because of the thick soles. I was hopeful that this model billed as low cushion would finally hit the sweet spot. Unfortunately, they're still more padding than I want.. hey're usable, but feel a bit like running in platform shoes by comparison to my favorites. I'd recommend these, but definitely with caveats.

This shoe is a step up from the excalente, but sooo far from my favorite shoe, Intuition, which as been discontinued a few years ago. I keep trying to find an Altra replacement. No luck. This shoe is not enough shoe for me, to little support and not enough cushion. Please bring back any version of the Intuition!!!

This Escalante Racer is not wide like the regular Escalante. They look great, but I had to return them.

Size 11 too short. Size 12 way too floppy. PLEASE go back to making size 11.5 like you did for escalante 1.5! They were my favorite shoes! I'll buy them in every color!

I have to agree with the multiple comments about the fabric on this shoe. It is an indoor only, treadmill sort of shoe. If you run in slightly wet conditions, your feet are immediately soaked. You cannot run a trail or even run on a path because dirt gets in and you have to scrub your toes afterward. This is also the first Altra I've owned where part of the sole started coming up. With their other shoes, I have been able to get another 4 to 6 months out of them by replacing the insoles. The colors are terrible. White? In a running shoe? And the fluorescent sole on the black? If the fit wasn't perfect, I'd give this shoe zero stars. Unfortunately, I will be ordering another pair because the Solstice, which isn't as comfortable, is no longer available in my size.

It didnt say that this shoe has holes all over in them. Definitely not a northern shoe for us in Michigan. I love the shoes but wish they would come up with some better colors. I'll leave them in Florida I guess.

Read all the reviews si I purchased the shoes .. I don't feel as if theirs enough cushion.. had to buy some insoles .. great shoes but bad on my knees

I do not like the fact that your foot is exposed to the elements under the mesh. It definitely is a breathable shoe. I can not wear these in the rain. Other than that, they are cute and feel comfortable. I had to return them.

Entire shoe is all open mesh. Didn't realize it from the pictures but it is so see through you can tell what color/logos are on your socks! Not practical if in contact with any moisture whatsoever.

I am so disappointed. I found these shoes a few years back because of a recommendation from my chiropractor. These shoes were allowed me to run with no knee or hip pain, it was fantastic. I would order these exact shoes, in the same size, about every six months. Never had an issue. Put them on, lace them up and run. They never had to be broken in. I was anxious about ordering a new pair after the company switched over and i heard the products being used changed. However, i ordered and i am so disappointed and saddened. These shoes do not fit the same/fit well. I can barely tie the laces because they are so short (as other reviews point out) and they continue to give me a blister on my right heel and thats with WALKING in them, i havent attempted running yet because they dont fit right. I dont know what you did to these shoes but it is disappointing because my go-to running shoe is no more. Please bring back the old version.

I have had 3 pairs of escalantes in the past that I love and have worn until they could no longer be worn. In comparison, these feel stiff, narrow and the mesh is irritating to my foot. I have been in barefoot shoes for 3+ years, and the stiffness of these takes away the benefit of being able to feel the ground and creates a more rigid push off. I will not be buying another pair.

2 stars because the coloring doesn't match the description and the shoe squeaks when I walk. Never been wet. Did I get a bad batch? The laces are short and I miss the wider toe box.

I have worn the Escalante Racers for several years (4-5 years?). I loved them for the wide toe box, narrow heel and zero drop. The toe box on these is more narrow than the previous Escalante Racers. I compared them to several previous versions and even got the ruler out to make sure. These are at least 1/4" narrower. Just enough that my neuroma is bothering me again. So disappointing. The laces are ridiculously short which is really not a big deal because it is an easy fix. Finally, didn't your shoe descriptions indicate the drop previously?

Pros: - Nice colors (I got the light gray shoe with the pink/purple sole) - Good fit - Fairly lightweight Cons: - Too squishy!!!!! (I really despise the Altra Ego sole. It never feels stable. Every time I wear these, muscles in my glutes, hips, legs or knees act up.) - That mesh is going to be freezing in winter - Too much stack height (I get that super cushy seems to be the trend, but it's not what most of us are looking for. Every employee I talked to at the running store said they were settling for the Escalante Racer because it had the lowest stack height of the Altra lineup.) Prior to getting this shoe I had the Solstice running shoe (not the cross trainer currently on this site). Please bring it back. It was a far better shoe.

This used to be the perfect running shoe, I've probably bought 8 pairs over the years Altra recently got cheap and decided to make these with 45 inch shoe laces, barely enough to even tie once much less double knot. Nothing makes a run better than constantly having your shoes come untied. Feels like such a dig as a customer to have to buy shoelaces for new shoes, especially when only the blue color is in stock.