Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

This is undoubtedly the best running shoe I've ever owned. Excellent ground feel but with just enough cushion and perfect amount of toe box space. Please never quit making this shoe.

My Altra Escalante racers get between five and six hundred miles before I feel I need give them up for training. I have two pairs in circulation at any given time. I use them for all my road running, track and a lot of trails too. I'm on my 5th and 6th pair; it's safe to say I'm a fan. After I decommission a pair of shoes, they are still perfectly usable for less strenuous activities. I keep a pair around as sneakers until the next one wears out. The Escalante Racer's former city theme was great... I qualified for the Boston Marathon running in Bostons. I'm sure they gave me an edge when thought of my destination emblazoned on my ankles. Covid got in the way of the event, but the qualification stands! I switched to Altras after having been very happy running in Mizuno Hitogamis for my first few years as a runner. I would have continued with the Mizunos but they were discontinued and I cast about for a new shoe before finding Altra Torin and then these lovelies. The Mizunos were great shoes. But when I tried out the Altras I found that they had been lacking in a few ways. Since switching to Altras I've had not a single blister or corn. I had no idea what "foot shaped" meant until I realized there's a shoe that just doesn't squeeze or chafe or rub, it's just there making your run feel great. Compared to my previous shoes, the Escalante Racers are very light on the foot, cool and pleasant to slip on and off. They have little in the way of cushioning. If you like a cushy ride, Altra has other shoes for you; I'm after the feel of the road and the feeling of flight, and the Escalante Racers deliver. The airy cool upper combines with the light soles for perfect all weather running in Cali. I've got Altra trail shoes for more rugged terrain or inclement conditions, but for everyday training and racing I don't feel I need to look any further than the Escalante Racer.

I use these shoes for most of my miles, and they are holding up great. They are both more minimal and softer than the Torin 4 and the Torin 4.5 plush, and they have a much better upper than the Escalante 2.5. Please never stop making this shoe exactly how it is. I race and do tempo work in high drop super shoes, but I run most of my miles at all sorts of paces in these shoes, and I never ever want to stop.

I've been using altra since 2017 and I've used many model and by far the Escalante racer is the best one yet. Shoe is very responsive, lightweight and can be good for all kinds of runs and durability to handle all kinds of terrains.

By far the best running shoe I have ever used. I was brand agnostic until I tried the Escalante 1.5. I was about to order the 2.5 when I read some of the reviews for the Racer. I tried them, and doubt I will be using anything else for a long time. I bought my first pair this past July, and they were perfect for hot days. Now that we are into cold and rain, they are still perfect. I very much hope they never change. Over 800 miles of use, I still have perfect traction, and there is not a single tear/rip. I am pretty sure I can still get a few hundred more miles out of them, but figured it was time to get a new pair to see if I can feel a significant difference.

Great running shoes, if not perfect. Just about to pass 700 miles on my first pair, likely to hit 800. They feel the ground well, but still cushion the feet. This is everything I want in a shoe. Please make always.

I have run in Escalante / Escalante Racers for the last few years and if nothing changes about them - I will run in them forever. These are BY FAR the best shoes ever made. Please Altra, never change them (other than adding in some new designs/colors)

I run between 40-55 miles per week and use it for speedwork and tempo days and long run workouts, with the Escalante 2.5 as my easy day/long run shoe. Fantastic shoe! Light and peppy, this shoe has pop and is the fastest feeling shoe I've tried (including some Carbon Fiber plated supershoes). I've run my current 5K PR in this shoe - which as a 40 year old is faster than my HS 5k cross-country PR - and I anticipate these shoes carrying me to many more PR's in may distances.

This is the best running shoe I've experienced to date. I've been running in New Balance 1080s, Saucony fast witch, and back when ASICS had Ryan Hall's red and white racer (amongst others). This shoe design has figured it out. The foot box is spacious for the forefoot. The rest of the shoe contours well so you are not sliding around. There is enough cushioning to take this shoe on long runs. I plan to race marathons in it. Being more adjusted to less cushioning and smaller drops, it was an easy transition into this shoe. The insert does not slip out and slide around (as it does with the new balance 1080s). This shoe is exactly what I want to run in going forward. I hope they do not ever take this off the market.

I run XC, and long distance races (Half Marathon, Marathon). I bought this shoe and it is the best shoe I have ever ran in! When you run slow it feels like a normal running shoe (But light), though when you run fast you feel like you are flying! If you run any distance this shoe is great. Nice job Altra.

Great shoe, very responsive midsole, great bounce off the pavement, felt like I had an extra kick wearing these out of the box. Very breathable, and super light. Great all-purpose shoe from short track workouts to fast longer runs. Has to be my favorite Altra road shoe so far.

I saw some review that said the size ran small but the size 14 shoe fit my size 14 foot perfectly. I've been searching for a zero drop road shoe for quite a while and from the moment I put them on in my living room I knew I'd found my new road shoes. I ran 8 miles with them the next day and a marathon a few days later and my feet feel great.

Three years ago, I got my first pair of Escalante Racers and fell utterly in love. Multiple pairs later, I still train and race (marathons mostly) exclusively in these shoes when on pavement. The zero drop, wide toe box fit, light weight, and highly breathable mesh uppers (I can feel the wind through these!) combine well with the durable sole to provide just-enough cushion with great road feel and "pop" off the ground. I get about 400 miles out of each pair. Unlike the Escalante, Altra has not changed the fit or construction of the Racers in an attempt to upgrade and I hope they keep on that wise path. This is a nearly perfect shoe!

After being thrilled with the Lone Peak series (bought two in a row!), I decided to get road shoes, and didn't want to skimp on cost. These are so comfortable as an everyday shoe, but even more comfortable running. I'm no expert runner; I lumber about like a 210-lb, 6'2" elephant, but with these I felt a little more gazelle-like. Highly recommended, and I got tons of compliments on the white/yellow/red color scheme. Definitely getting another pair when new color schemes are available. 10/10!

Ive been running for about 4 years and have had knee/hip/lower back issues coming and going. I've learned overtime that getting your body back into its natural state is how this all gets fixed. It took me some time but have finally worked my ways into the zero drop game! I've tried on the Escalante 2.5 and those were a bit to squishy for me, but then I heard about these and I couldn't be happier! It's my shoe I always grab for whatever distance and pace. It's very light, so it doesn't effect my gait, tired form or not. The mesh is VERY breathable so your feet can breath and it has a great balance of cushion/ground feel and the responsive pop it gives you is fantastic! Highly recommend for anybody looking to feel connected to their natural gait :)

I've been searching for this shoe for 36 years. Perfect daily trainer...just enough cushion to protect my knees from concrete but not so much that you loose the pop...I use the Vanish for speed work but they aren't enough shoe for everyday training and the exposed foam sole don't hold up well to higher mileage. I previously ran in the Brooks Pure Connect but they've been discontinued (and I was using them for a transition from standard us running show to 0 drop as they were 4mm drop). The Esc Racer's are light weight, neutral and have a rubber sole which should last a few hundred miles. I'd recommend these to anyone looking to make a transition from semi minimalist to full ZERO Drop. As other's have mentioned I'd like to see some additional colors...maybe all matte black upper and matte black sole? Looking at reviews of other Altra's, it appears the next iteration will probably have some changes in an attempt to "enhance the performance"... I encourage Altra to resist destroying this perfect running shoe.

I have been wearing Altras for years and the Escalante Racer does not disappoint. The fit is the same as all other Altra shoes I have worn. They are very comfortable. I wish they were also available at other retail stores (e.g., Road Runner Sports).

There really isn't much to say. It's a great shoe all around. I'm approaching 500 miles and they're holding up well. Likely get somewhere around 750-1k miles out of them. And they're comfortable.

Absolutely love this shoe. I rotate it in every 3rd or so run. I am hoping that eventually the sizing gets nailed down. I own a couple pairs of esclante 2.0 in size 9 and would say it is true size. I own a pair of timp 2 and while length is correct it is tight around my foot. I own this escalate racer and other width of toe box is perfect. I think it runs just a bit long. But overall I am happy with it. Super light. Great comfort. Extremely breathable. As long as they don't mess this shoe up I will always have a pair of escalate racers until the day I stop running. If there was a gripe I'd say bring some more color options.

Fantastic shoe for workouts and racing!! Light and responsive, plenty of cushion to keep me happy for long run workouts of 14+ miles! Ego midsole is bouncy and protective but super responsive with the fantastic Altra toe box. My favorite workout and race shoe!!

I've been looking for shoes like these for decades.

I am fairly new to the running scene and contemplated for a while on what shoes to buy. A coworker steered me in the direction of Altra and I decided to try the escalate racer. I have put about 100 miles on them and have not been disappointed. They are extremely comfortable and lightweight. I have wide, flat feet so I was kind of skeptical. I will buy another pair when they come out with better color options. Overall a great show!

For a past 5 years or so I have run exclusively in Altras. More recently, I have been disappointed in the longevity of their shoes, as my Timp 1.5's blew out after about 100 miles. The Torin line has gotten worse in my opinion, with the Torin 4 stack being too firm and the upper suffocating my feet. I have switched to other brands for trail and long distance shoes, except for the the Escalante 1.5 which I've run about 400 miles in and use primarily as my short distance road shoe. This Escalante racer builds on that excellence in a super light, breathable, and responsive shoe. It fits true to size and still has a toe box/width reminiscent of old Altras that has seemed to be lost in other lines of their shoes. If you are on the fence, I highly recommended this shoe for fast road miles as it is one of the most comfortable and quick shoes in my recent memory, although the longevity has yet to be tested.

The Escalante Racer is sublime. It's a nearly perfect shoe. The upper is so comfortable, secure, and breathable, and the midsole is incredibly responsive. It fits great, grips the road well, and seems durable. It's a home run, and I hope that every runner gives it a try at some point. Unfortunately, I had to return the shoes because my joints just don't work with such a firm ride anymore. I have arthritis, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that I need more cushion from my shoes these days. But if your joints are in good shape and you want to try one of the best fast shoes of the past 10 years, buy the Escalante Racer now (and go about a half size down).

Perfect amount of cushioning. Perfectly light weight. I have a pair of the regular Escalantes as well. Those are too squishy. If you want to push your pace, this is the shoe to get.