Customer Reviews Altra Escalante Racer

I bought this shoe for trail running. The Escalante Racer is the perfect minimalist running shoe for me. I wish it didn't have holes in the upper because dirt and sand comes in but I realize this is not designed to be a trail shoe.

This is absolutely my favorite running shoe. Just purchased my third pair (new blue color way). The fit is absolutely perfect. It's a very nimble, lively shoe. No need for any upgrades. Just please don't stop discontinue.

I absolutely love these shoes. I'm flat-footed and have very wide feet. For the first time, I walked and had absolutely no foot pain.

These are my absolute favorite running shoes. I normally wear a 10.5, but I sized up to an 11. I run marathons and half marathons in these. Unfortunately I think they're discontinued for some reason, so I just bought 3 more pairs.

I just went for my first run in the Altra Escalante Racers and they are my new favorite shoe! They are lightweight, breathable, and have just the right amount of cushion. On top of that, they are plenty wide, even wider than my Escalante 2's. I really want Altra to keep making these now that I have tried them out. Crossing my fingers.

I run high school cross country and long distance track, and I had horrible shin splints from running in shoes with a lot of heel drop, and once I fully transitioned into these shoes, my shins began to feel so much better, and I will never go back to non-zero drop shoes. These shoes themselves are incredibly comfortable to run almost all distances in, and super light and breathable as well. I have put around 600 miles on these shoes through every weather imaginable, on both trails and road, and these things are incredibly durable. After this many miles I expected them to be falling apart, but they are still holding up great, and I will probably run another 200 miles in them, and then buy another pair. Phenomenal product.

If you are nimble and prefer light/responsive shoes, this is the shoe. There is no comp out there. Barefoot shoes are great, but are not performance oriented. Everything else in the market is heavier or "fancy". This shoe is the shoe. 15 mile trail race: check. Hard intervals check. Easy trot check. Could use in 5k or 20 miler

This is my first Altra shoe I have ever purchased and I have been pleasantly surprised! I loved the lightweight and responsive feel the moment I put them on. I also enjoyed the breathable mesh upper. The natural feel of the shoe has also made me more conscious of my form.

After years of happily running in minimalist shoes (Vivobarefoot), I wanted something a little more comfortable for longer-distance training and marathon racing, and was thrilled that Altra provides an option with low cushioning, a wide toe box, and zero drop. These have been flawless I've logged over 850 miles on my first pair, and they're still holding up great (aside from the expected wear on the outsoles). Looking forward to breaking in my second pair for my next marathon!

The best shoe for running sock-less during the hot/sticky months in the midwest. I use these mostly on the towpath to keep them from being worn out to quickly. Can't say I would run in these everyday but when I do use them I almost always have a blast in them. They just feel correct.

Another great shoe from Altra. Nothing to complain about. Lightweight and responsive.

I've got around 120 miles on these so far and am really enjoying them. The upper mesh is secure and not stretchy, fit is great, and they seem to have just the right amount of cush. I find them to be very comfortable. I bought these because the regular Escalante was just a bit too cushy and the midsole seemed to break down fairly quickly. The stretchy upper and soft sole allows the foot to roll around quite a bit, and I'm not sure that's ideal. I tried the Torin 4.5s, but they caused me some issues in my arches. These have been great so far, though my distance isn't where I'd like it to be yet. Will have to see how these work once I get back into longer runs, but so far so good. My only issue is that the outsole wears very quickly. I land on my forefoot / ball of my foot, then drop my heel, and I'm seeing some pretty significant wear, where my foot first hits the ground. Hoping I can get 300+ miles out of these, such a great shoe! Oh, and one more thing. Don't be afraid of the open mesh top in colder weather. I've worn these down into the teens with just a thicker pair of Injinji socks and have been fine, as long as it's dry. A base layer and I'd probably be good down a bit further, as long as I'm moving.

After reading one of the reviews I ordered these to replace barefoot style running shoes. I now need a little more cushioning. After a 4 mile run I'm hoping this will fit the bill.

I previously used the Escalante 2.5's, which have a much more mobile upper. These only lasted a few months before tearing out (less than 200 miles) and were too mobile in the shoe with any lateral movements regardless the intensity. I've already noticed significant improvement with the Racers as the upper seems to hug my forefoot/mid foot better and is less susceptible to sliding. Excited to take these on my next race and might have to get another pair just to set aside for the gym days.

Haven't done a ton of miles in them yet, but early impression is strong! Super light, foam is responsive and upper is exactly as much as I would want in a shoe like this! Perfect for fast efforts. Haven't taken them past 7 miles but pretty confident they would do up to a half pretty well.

I am a walker, 5 miles a day, and I feel that I am walking barefoot.

I'm loving these so far. They really fit my feet well, have had a couple of amazing runs in them.

A friend said you would be true. Faith from my part. Could it be love at first sight? The wait, time flows slowly, oh the expectations. At last, please be true. It is and you are, bliss. The joy of a perfect stride.

Bought these for track work and to prep for a half marathon. I wore them in a 10k tuneup last week and was very happy. I've been wearing the escalantes for.most of my roadwork and the racers are a nice lightweight update.

After years of running in barefoot type shoes (also sandals) I needed some footwear with a little more protection, and also zero drop. While these are not minimalist shoes, they offer slight cushioning which allows for longer distances, but not enough cushion to eliminate ground feel. The wide platform prevents pronation, which is great for people who are prone to sprains and twisting ankles easily. The mesh upper breathes so well, that feet stay cool, and the feel is akin to a sandal. Fantastic shoe! I anticipate racking many miles training in these for marathon and Tri season.

Loving these escalante racers so much, the ground feel is nice and stable with a good amount of cushion but not too much, the lightweight nature of the shoe is awesome, the mesh is unique and tough so far, the slim profile of the shoe is easily my favorite part, looks like a real barefoot shoe which I haven't seen from Altra before and the foot box shape is just phenomenal. I know this is wishful thinking but I hope Altra makes this shoe for many years, they really figured it out with this model. I can use this for every kind of activity, good looking enough to wear everyday, awesome shoe to train in as well. Will keep my eye out for new color ways! Measuring my foot with a brannock device standing, I'm a 10 & 1/2 so I decided to get an 11 to make sure I had enough space in the front for my toes and it really was the best size. Coming from a former footwear specialist- always go at least a half size up from your actual foot size, your feet/ foot health will thank you for it.

Comfortable fit. Feels healthy for foot but also easy to lockdown mid foot. Sweet spot of protection. I run trails in these. Easy to pick up pace and cruise. ( IE perfect for a 10 mile hilly road run, tempos, intervals). For me: every day shoe, half marathon racing shoe ( I don't do marathons), non technical trail shoe, track interval shoe.. I can would run 5k in this shoe, but feel the vanish xc was better for that purpose due to weight savings I feel that all other foot shaped options out there are either a) less responsive, b) heavier, c) substantially more minimal which slows me down on the road. I hope altra stays true here and keeps this model. I hope they do not try to add gimmicks (plate, this or that etc etc) as I like that the shoe is simple and great already

I use this shoe for walking and everyday comfort wear. It's very comfortable, light weight and breathable; on cool days I can feel the breeze on my toes with plenty of space and breathing room for my toes.

I have wide feet and these shoes fit perfectly. From box to a 5 mile run. Great shoes, will buy again.

Move over Brooks these are my new running shoes. These are feather light, grippy and comfortable. They breathe great because they are all mesh. These will be my new long distance shoes. Thank you Ultra.