Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 3

I love this brand! I have owned over seven pairs of Escalante's. But this latest version is terrible. I've been looking at other brands. I can't believe I feel like I have to cheat on the shoe. Bring back your earlier design.

As much as I wanted to like these shoes, I could not. They are a dramatic departure from the 2.5 generation and feel like an entirely different type of shoe. Much stiffer, much less flexible. My pet peeve on the shoes that the laces are several inches too short which means they come untied regularly. Gritting my way through these so I can go back to the 2.5 or the racer.

Left shoe was making a weird indenting/crimping as I walked. Putting weight on that foot causes this indent, it was super distracting and I could feel the top of the shoe taping my foot as I walked. I just don't think the fit was right, maybe too big? I also wasn't WOWED for the price.

Escalante 3 totally departed from the design we loved! I am holding on to the very first Escalante version - all worn out but still the most comfortable shoe I ever owned. I also still use 3 pairs of Escalate 2.5 and have retired one. What I liked about Escalante were the wide toe box, the lightweight with just enough sole not to feel rocks in the street, the flexibility, the absolute minimum arch support, and the feeling of barefoot with no snugness anywhere.

I've run in Altras for years. I went to them for the foot shape design. My feet hurt in these new Escalante because they are too narrow and stiff. I really miss the 2.5 version. Altra please stop making narrow shoes. You're loosing what made you great. Please redesign most shoes back to the wide version.

As another reviewer has stated it's too tight on the midsole area feels like it squishing no matter how loose you tie the laces and the laces are too short so I laced the shoes in a weird way that looks dorky but it worked without that wouldn't have been able to keep this shoe. Also had to add a dr scholl's insert (the yellow half insert I think its #480) that's another $50 ontop of the cost of the shoe. The only reason i gave as many stars as i did is bc of the style the look the color options. Yes should have some more color options but i liked the navy coral with the pink/white laces that is so cute! Honestly though I want the old version back!!!

This is my third pair of Escalantes. I didn't know about the change and just bought. They are clunky. Feels heavier and less minimalist. Something with the ground stike is different, as well. My feet and back are not happy after my first run in them. Pretty sad as I loved the previous versions so much.

I have loved all other versions of the Escalante. This is way too stiff and not as minimalist as prior versions. Huge disappointment

I am joining the group that says " go back to the old style". Nothing about the Escalante 3 works. The lacing is different, the sole is different, the fit is different- I quickly returned the pair I purchased and searched the internet for the " old" style! I do like the new colors just not the shoe!

This shoe has too much cushion. I bought some new shoes and I did not try them on. I didn't know they redid the shoe. I've been running in the new shoes and my feet are hurting me all over because I cannot get a good footing inside my shoe. It's too much cushion. My feet hurt everywhere.

Why did they ever get rid of the 2.5s? Literally the best shoes ever. These are such a downgrade. I love Altra but come on, stay with the stuff that works please :(

I LOVE my Escalante 2.5s. I did get the racer because I read reviews on how disappointing the new model is. I tried it on in store, and it has way too much cushion. Do we need to petition to get the 2.5s back? I've read the comments, emailed the team, and I have some feedback: 1. You already had cushioned alternatives. CS said there's a "push" for more cushioned shoes. Yet, the Escalantes were a cult classic for people who want a minimal shoe without risk of injuries. 2. In my mind, this was your flagship product. The changes made are clearly not appreciated by your returning customers. Please listen and do something to change them. 3. If we wanted cushion, we would use Hokas. Bring back the 2.5 as an option at least, please!!

I've been trying to deal with this shoe, but it is causing numbness in my toes and my calves are wrecked. I'm disappointed that these can't replace the 2.5's, because that shoe has been amazing for me.

I finally found a pair of running shoes in the Altra Escalante that I loved love to run in. Escalante 1.5 was what got me back to be able run again. I've owed over 12 pair of the 1.5 and the 2. I was disappointed in the 2.5 but was able to deal with it. But the (3) is not an Escalante period. It is a completely different fit. I have tried 2 pairs of the (3) and absolutely done with Escalante. Whether it was a 5k or half marathon they have made my feet and legs hurt and had to hang up running for 3 months to heal and now running in my old 2.5. I've tried all the other versions of Altras, however the Escalante was what worked for me. It seems like many of the reviews I've read are stating the same thing. Please bring back the 1.5 or the 2.

After years of running in Escalantes, I'm disappointed. These don't fit the same as prior versions. The toe box is not roomy. My big toes ached immediately (which had stopped when I found Altras).

I LOVED my Escalante 2.0 and 2.5. I have been running for over 25 years and when I found this shoe my feet felt SO before, during and after a run (including a marathon and 1/2 Ironman)!! I wore this shoe for approximately 5 years. I'm on my 2 pair of version 3.0 and I'm truly trying to love them but I just can't!! The toe box is narrower and unlike the 2.0 and 2.5 they are stiff and uncomfortable. My feet/toes actually hurt when I'm done with a long run. I did try the Torin as well in hopes to stick with the Altra brand and philosophy but that did not go well either. So disappointed and frustrated to have to look for a new shoe.

I loved the Escalante 2.5s but altra has ruined everything I loved about the 2.5. The tongue feels scratchy. The shoelaces are short and the toe box is so much narrower that my toes went numb during my run. There was also more cushion, which I'm not entirely against, but these just don't have the spirit of the old altras.

The fit and feel of this shoe are great, except the new tongue design makes them too uncomfortable for me to wear them. I can't tell whether it is the stitching on the side of the tongue or whether the tongue isn't wide enough to cover the lace holes, but I get so much discomfort (and redness) on my medial dorsal foot where the lace holes/tongue edge are, that I cannot wear these shoes and will have to return them. I wear an over-the-counter arch insert, which takes up a little more room in the shoe, so that may be a factor.

I really wanted to like these shoes. I have wide feet and a flat arches and these shoes should have worked perfect for me. Alas, they did not. No matter what I did, use with orthopedic shoe inserts or without, these made my feet hurt when engaging in physical activities. I needed new running shoes and was excited to try these but no matter how I tied these, inserted in these or not, my arches would start hurting. There is a little support in the arch but not for my feet. I couldn't tolerate the pain I get whenever I do activities so these became my sedentary work shoes.

The redesign of the tongue, has them very tight on my foot. They are very uncomfortable. I have a very narrow foot, so my foot is not the issue. I have a couple pair of the 2.5s, and love them.

Bought these for my wife very comfortable but shoes developed holes in the toe box stitching within 2 months. They were only used for walking. Never happened before. Poorly made and not covered by warranty. Disappointing customer service.