Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 2.5

Been an Altra user for 4 years now and love the shoes. My only complaint with this latest iteration of the Escalante shoe (I'm an original 1.0 user) is that there isn't a solid way of securing the ankle for a more stable position. It seems there are a couple of holes missing, though there is plenty of shoelace to accommodate the extra holes. I've added an image showing what I mean. This is the biggest change and it has been disappointing. Another slight change I've noticed is that the toe box has been slightly tapered, so there's a smidge less toe room than the 1.5 model. I can feel the biggest difference in my pinky and fourth toes, as they run against the edge. I really want to love this new model but I'll be sticking with the 1.5 model until they become impossible to find.

I have been wearing Altra Escalante running shoes for a couple years now with no problems except one: The toe box is too short. I don't mean short in length, I mean short in height from the insole to the top of the shoe. I am petite, but my toes are average in circumference' and your toe boxes, though wide, are shorter than most shoes. This creates a few problems: 1. The big toe pokes the shoe top fabric, causing excess wear, so I will soon have a hole in the top with only very little mileage and wear on the shoe overall. 2. The low height of the toe box shortens even further as it wraps around the toes to join the sole at the inner and out edge of the toe box. This means that the big toe doesn't really have room to align naturally, but is pushed toward the smaller toes, bunion style. Another review alludes to this: "My big toe is in the middle of the toe box." 3. There is no room for thicker socks to customize the fit or warm the feet in winter, nor is there room for any added inserts for additional cushioning or arch support to customize the fit. Ordering a bigger size creates other fit problems, so that is not an option. I cannot see how raising the height of the toe box would hurt the fit for those with flatter toes, and if your shoes had taller toe boxes I would probably own three pairs: one 3 season trail running shoe, the escalante for the road, and a higher top winter waterproof hiker. Please redesign your shoes, or at least point me to an existing shoe with a taller toe box. PS please stop putting those horizontal flanges on the soles below the heels of your trail/hiking shoes. They just kick up dirt and gravel into the shoe.

Appreciate the flatness with cushion. Where these went wrong for me is the knit top. It stretches A LOT. So if you're going uphill or downhillor walking on uneven terrainfeet slide over the edges making for a super unstable ride. It was a real struggle going down a steep incline with these. Maybe some sort of edge support would help with the sliding while still retaining the airiness of the knit top? Happy to have the option to return.

I love the Escalante Racers. However, I wanted some neutral colors to add to my shoe collection. That's all I'm getting with these. They are NOTHING like the racers. I feel like I am going to fall over or hurt my ankle. Way too much cushion, my toes hit something hard at the front of the shoe and my feet feel numb if I try and run in them. I love the racers...stay clear if you think they are alike in any way. Nothing is similar in the two types of shoes and you will be disappointed. I need to look into returning these and just buying two new pairs of the Racers again.

I loved my previous Altra shoes and was looking for a bit more cushion during long distance training. Read great reviews on this but wow did my feet hurt with these. I couldn't even run half a mile.

These are amazing. My podiatrist told me to get a pair of foot shaped shoes and these are incredibly comfortable. I'm going to purchase a pair of trail runners.

And then I tried the Escalante 2.5 and now I'm completely obsessed! Gotta get another pair! Amazing from heel to toe!

I love the Escalante 2.5, and can't wear the newer version. Please keep making this model.

My first pair of altra's and I loooove them! They're so comfortable, like clouds on your feet and the shape!! So awesome, my wide feet feel so comfy and my lame bunion isn't squished

The Escalante 2.5 is my favorite version of the show. It is getting harder to find, since you released the newer model. The new model is totally different & awful. I love this one and want to keep buying them :)

I have been wearing this shoe for about 10 years! I love it and hope they never change. They are comfortable from the beginning. I have a wide foot and they fit better than any shoe I've ever bought.

I have been hesitant to buy new running shoes. I have loved the ones I had previously but they were no longer made (different brand). I have heard all good things about altra running shoes. Tried them on bought them and I'll never go back, in fact I bought 2 of the exact same pair so I'll be good for some time. I love having shoes to support my new running habit.

I just got these yesterday. Philosophically, I want a minimum Al shoe but that's not possible right now for me with a Morton's neuroma. I was able to walk an hour in these easily. Glad I got these instead of the racers for the added cushion. I hope they last me a good while. They also looked better than I anticipated (gray and orange).

I work and run in these shoes. This is my second pair and I hope the design doesn't change. My toes/feet are so happy to have room to move and accomplish all my daily activities with complete comfort!

This is my 7th or 8th pair of altras, of which I've had Lone Peaks, Torin 4s and 5s, and these escalantes. I got these as a warranty replacements because two of my Torin 5s were falling apart at under 300 miles of road use. I only just ordered a replacement for these Escalante 2.5s after nearly 400 miles of use. They are a great shoe. THey have held up incredibly well and I feel that the quality is better than the Torins, particularly in the bottoms. THese are a more minimalist shoe than the Torin, and I assumed that break-in would suck for my calves/shins, but the adjustment period was actually pretty seamless. I wore them overy other run for a week, and after that, switched completely. I was irritated at first that these don't have a heel lock hole, since I alwys lace with one to prevent chronic slippage. But I really didn't need it at all. The hardest thing to get used to about these shoes is that the upper is stretchy, and when you first start running in them, you feel like your foot is sliding around. It doesn't feel as locked-in, tight, or secure as a typical shoe. I actually got used to that, though, and have found it to ultimately be a feature, not a bug. It gives the shoe more bounce, better corners (again, once you adjust), and a lighter feel. The shoe itself feels more minimalist than it is, and I think that's a good thing. You feel like you're barefoot in some ways, but I have had no issue with soreness on long runs. I was hesistant about these, but ultimately, I think they're a great everyday shoe. They're fast, light, and flexible. I deicded to try the Escalante 3s next, and if they aren't as good, I'll likely return to the 2.5s.

This is my 4th pair of Escalante and I still love the comfort and light weight. I use it for training and walking. I still can't let go of my first pair which has been my favorite in comfort and color ( gray with black streaks that's no longer offered?)

I love this shoe but please bring back RED.

Before discovering Altra, my go-to running shoes were the New Balance Road Minimus- once those got discontinued I changed to the Nike Free Run Flyknits. Now that the Nike Free's are nothing like they used to be, I once again had to find a new shoe. Was fitted at a Fleet Feet into the Altra Escalante's and will never miss my New Balance or Nike's EVER again. The Escalante's are far and away more comfortable while feeling more supportive at the same time. Do I wish they came in neon pink or magenta or neon yellow? Absolutely. Will that stop me from buying another pair? No, because they're that amazing, *but* that'd be my only suggestion on how they can be improved- more, preferably brighter, color options.

I misnamed the stiffer shoes I liked in my review, for working out and working on uneven surfaces. That would be the Turin 5 Luxe. The softer, sock-like shoe that I love for daily use is this shoe, the Escalante 2.5.

I LOVE these shoes! Super comfy for Morton's Neuroma sufferers. I will note that if you participate in sports requiring quick changes of direction or working on uneven surfaces, the sock-like upper is not as supportive as other models (like the Escalante 2.5) and the shoe will shift a bit on your foot. For comfy daily wear, these are your shoe. For working out, grab the Escalante 2.5 instead. Both are amazing but for different reasons.

I love these shoes. Please do not change them! The material for the whole shoe and tongue of shoe is perfect. I am new to barefoot shoes and these are the perfect starters. I wear them on long walks and for errands. I can fit my correct toes in them as well!