Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 3

I had been using Escalantes since the beginning, but the shoe has slowly drifted away from the original offerings. Maybe it's VF Corp, but who knows? The Escalante 3 looks snazzier than ever, but the shoes is tighter than it's predecessors. No Altra running enthusiast wants a "standard foot shape" or we'd be buying Hokas! The 3 feels small and my toes are crowded even with my thinnest socks. The shoe has a funny crease near my big toe, which has never happened in the past. The midsole has held up and durability has not been an issue (though I've only seen tears in my Lone Peaks after much abuse). Overall, I haven't been enthusiastic about running in these and I switched to a unnamed competitor brand, T___ A_______ and I have been much happier. I still love my Lone Peaks, but I'm sure Altra will be acquiesce to investor pressures and put those on the "standard foot shape" platform in time too. If Altra offers a daily runner in the "original foot shape" platform, I'll be back, but it seems like they're phasing it out year to year.

I run and walk in this shoe. Crease at toe appeared on day one. 6 months after, the crease still there and now there is fray and a hole developing (my shoes are not too small). For a very expensive shoe I'd consider it an intentional failure that altra even tried to sell this defective shoe. Are there any methods I could follow to claim this manufacturers defect? I'm still a fan of altra. I just would like them to do better.

I have comedically wide feet. I have short toes. Finding shoes that fit is really challenging. My first pair of Altras was the Torin 6 and they blew out in the same way at about 250 miles. These blew out between 110-130 (I wasn't super diligent about logging them in Strava every time I used them). Inspecting them today after my run, after they blew out I'm seeing that my midfoot is kind of bulging out the upper a little right where it blew out. Maybe a half size bigger would've saved this? Not sure. I've only been running for a year but this is way more expensive than I thought.

Really wanted to love this shoe. Wide toe box, light weight, minimal cushioning. However, what I discovered after a couple of days of every day use was something else. The shoe is very tight and narrow in the mid shoe. And I have a narrow foot - between a B and C. I kept trying to loosen the laces but it didn't make a difference. It's fine if you only use them for running, but considering the shoes is listed as one of their best for Lifestyle and Everyday, there's a real problem in the comfort department. I sure hope Escalante 4 remedies this problem. There are so few shoes with a wide toe box.

These have always been great, but they used to be able to withstand a beating. Now they don't seem to last nearly as long.

I love my Escalante 3 shoes. I don't use them for running but as my daily work/office shoe. I was able to get the black/grey color which fits perfect for an office setting. However, when I came to purchase a new pair they no longer carry that color combo Very disappointing.. Had a similar color issue with the new Lone Peak 7, hate the color options. Please bring back normal colors like black/grey.

These are my all time favorite shoes, light and super comfortable. Unfortunately the terrible color combinations make most of them unwearable, I suggest you hire/contract a designer outside of Utah.

So hard to be consistent with Altras. My Torin 5s are somewhat sloppy in the forefoot. The Escalante 3 is the extreme opposite, too tight for comfort. With more room in the upper this shoe would be perfect. Going back.

The shoe feels good but all I could think when I opened the box with the Escalante 3s was how boring of shoe it looks like now. My Grandpas new balances look the same almost. I just feel like this shoe is now not as sleek and its appeal doesn't resemble the previous models. I feel like more arch support has been added too.

I've used Altra for 11-12 years. The first ever Instinct was TOO minimal. I ended up running in the first ever Torin, and subsequently bought three pairs I loved that shoe that much. Sadly I have never met another Altra I loved as much. I will say, I've used a previous version of Escalante (1.5 or 2 maybe?) and they felt "squishy"...like my foot wasn't firm upon landing during my gait. I can't run in the Torin anymore because it's too soft. This model of escalante seems pretty good so far (after 10 miles). I can usually tell after a couple, once the firmness eases from a few miles into a run. I did intervals per my Garmin 955 suggested run the other day. Got a little of a hot spot on the bottom of my foot...Nonetheless. Also, per usual....laces are crap, and often not long enough. I wish you'd have round laces, or, round eyelets, so I can use my lock laces. I hate your laces. Main thing I will say to Altra. Please, stop making so many drastic changes from year to year. I know you don't want to hear this, but I mostly run in Newton. Why? The only make minimal changes to the upper annually (you can't tell the difference when running). The sole/cushion? It's only changed/updated every 4-5 years. And up until the scamdemic, their prices also stayed the same. I don't know why Altra struggles in comparison. You also, continue to have TOO MANY MODELS. Go back to about 3 or so models for road, and trail, each....and perfect that. As a company, you're spread too thin across too many areas of running. Just stick to the roots.....road and trail.

Good thing - Nice style design for casual use - Good cushion as a walking shoe Bad Thing - Deeper and too narrow footbed = friction points and edge blisters I purchased a pair thinking of replacing my Esc1&2 that are almost near retirement at ~600kms. Even having wide feet and low arch, I never had blister issues on my >20kms long runs with my Esc1's and Esc2 which both have more flat and wider footbeds. Now with Esc3, I need to tape my arch edge hotspots if running >4kms to help with avoiding blisters. -Loosening the laces after a run/walk takes a little more effort compared to previous versions

(sorry for the 3 star reviews but i only rated it low, so you can read this review and new product suggestions) Great, shoe just picked it up and works for me, i have narrow feet, so this update is no issue for myself Suggestions: Can you please add a Goretex version for this version or the next update Also if you could create a cross-trainer (not like the solstice xt 2) but this shoe but with a mid-sole cage and stiffer upper materials to help lock the foot down for lateral movements with this stack height

Like the shoe, but very quickly into use they developed a squeak in the sole. Not sure what's causing it, but it's very frustrating and seems avoidable.

This new model hugs your foot a little more and maybe feels less roomy in the toe box. I still love the stability and ground feedback. With the D/C of the Racer, please make the 3.5 lighter. Do Less!

So this is my second pair of escalantes and the #2 did not provide much stability but I loved the fit. I have a higher arch so keens do not fit me well in general. I got the 3 and love it's cushion and it definitely has more stability but the height of the shoe changed and so it is less comfortable than #2 for my feet. Does Altra have to change each model of shoe every year? In my mind the 2 is a better version than the 3 for my feet.

I want to love this shoe and in some ways I do. They cleaned up the sloppiness of the 2 and dialed in the fit, but the ride is too firm. Soften it up a tad for the next version and it could be 5 stars

I thought my old Escalante shoes were almost perfect. The top was a little too stretchy for me but for road running it wasn't bad. Comfortable for sure. I just bought the 3s and they are too narrow for my feet. I get too much pressure on the sides of my feet at the widest point (outside base of pinky toe). I wish they made the Escalante in the original fit. I won't go "standard" anymore. I'll stick with the original. Wasn't the original fit what put Altra on the map?

The midsole seems firmer and less flexible than the Escalante 2.5 and the upper fits snug. The width is ok, but it has less volume, so I feel pressure on the tops of my toes. The shoe might be ok in the gym, but overall, I find it uncomfortable to run in.

I have now gone on a few runs with these shoes and had them on for long days full of walking. They are very comfortable - these shoes get wider where your toes are, which allows your toes to subtly spread as your feet hit the ground. I am sure there is some specific science behind it, but it lead to a really smooth feeling run. Wearing these, I went for the longest run I had ever done (by quite a bit) and my feet felt great. However, what these shoes offer in comfort, they lack in style. Because of the wider toes, they do not have the same aerodynamic look we have become accustomed to with most shoes. I couldn't help but feeling that I was wearing clown shoes. And when I just wear them around as normal shoes, they look odd. So, if you are looking for comfortable running shoes, or have troubles with your toes, pain in your feet when running, etc. I would recommend these shoes. But if you aren't a serious runner and are looking for something that is serviceable but also looks good, I would probably look elsewhere.

These are definitely not like the Escalante 1.5s I had a handful of years ago, especially when it comes to cushion. I was expecting the same level of cushion from when I owned them before, but with the ankle more secure. They definitely got the ankle locked in much better, but was not what I needed in the cushion department. After a car accident, herniated discs, neck surgery, etc, my body has decided it needs the extra cushion plus a zero drop shoe. Was so hoping that I could switch back to this one since the Torin 4.5 plush have been discontinued (and the new Torins are NOT it). Probably would have kept these if there had been the same level of cushion from the 1.5s. Really bummed and saddened that Altra seems to continue to move further and further away from what brought myself and others to this brand.

The shoes for great while running and walking. The annoying thing about them however, is that the toe box indents right after the big toe. Because of this, you can feel the mesh rubbing on your toes

The whole purpose of the Escalante line was to provide a wide toe box, and earlier versions were great because no other shoe provided comfort and space like the 2.0 and 2.5 Along comes 3, and the toe box is more narrow because they've added more cushion which cuts down on room for the toes. Bad move on Altra's part. I will go back to wearing 2.5