Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 3

This shoe feels like cheap imitation of the 2.5. I loved the 2.5 for its soft, yet responsive feel. This shoe just feels spongy and not supportive. I had stocked up on some 2.5s, now I wish I had bought more.

I have I think 5 pair of the 2.5s and I LOVE them. 4 are my work shoes and 1 pair that are just for my days off. I work in pharmaceuticals, 12-14 hour shifts on concrete floors-mainly standing/walking, an average of 4 days a week. I wear sizes 7.5-8.5 depending on style and brand and type of shoe. In Escalantes I'm buying 8.5. When the 3s came out, I of course wanted to get a pair to see how they compare and since they aren't gonna make anymore 2.5s I needed to see what I was working with now. And I was disappointed the shoe feels tighter over my whole foot, like I need a 9. And it also seems the stack height is thicker than the 2.5s, not sure if it really is since I don't have the specs to compare. But when I'm walking it definitely walks like there's more cushion. I also seem to have trouble in the arch area where it feels like there's some arch support. Again don't know if there is this is just how it feels. I tend to have pain in the bottom of my heel when I take these off at the end of the day. Which seems like my plantar fasciitis is coming back and I got Escalantes originally to help in fixing that. I waited to write my review for a while after I bought them to make sure I had broke them in and could really tell what my review was. Since I can't get any more 2.5s, and those were perfect for me for work. I'm going to try to give the 3s more time. But am not sure if I will buy anymore of these. Only time will tell. Putting that I would recommend them because everyone has different needs and likes in shoes. And just because I have some minor issues doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the shoe itself or the quality etc.

The shoes look great and feel good except for the left foot. It was too tight across the top of my foot. I completely relaced it and skipped some of the upper holes to make it less tight. So far that's worked. I'm surprised because I've had many pairs of Alta shoes and this is the first time that they were not perfect. I know I could have returned them, but I'm hoping they will work out because I like the shoes.

I am really disappointed in how narrow the Escalante's have become. AND you added ARCH Support? YUCK.....This was my favorite shoe because it had minimal cushion, a flat zero drop, and no arch support. But this new shoe is too narrow (toe box and mid-foot) and it added arch support. It is a great looking shoe, I love the color and will save it for walks (I think, still haven't decided), but it will not work as a running shoe. It already throws off the balance of my body. Stick to the classics please!

I'm not too sure about these. Maybe they feel stiffer than prior versions? Are they running smaller or larger? I'm getting a blister in them that I never got in previous versions of Escalante. But why?

2nd review..Have given them a really fair shot .... nutshell.....have stockpiled on every 2.5 I can find that are even slightly used. These are not a good update and look more like a Keds sneaker than anything. Lost that slipper like feel. Only solace is the Rivera 2 which feels more like the 2.5 than these do Escalante's. Why do you guys keep wanting to fix what was never broken to begin with? Why can't you just listen to your long time fan base and quit pulling the rug out from under us? I am still an Altra gal and loyal to you but dang I get tired of trying to work so hard to get something that use to just works well.

I have a foot neuroma so the extra space in the toebox is great, but I find myself tripping because of it. I won't be buying another pair.

Much to narrow through the mid foot and arch. I could not loosen the laces enough to make it comfortable. Lengthwise it seems to fit true to size. I have a normal width foot with a slightly high arch. I wanted to love it, but had to return it. It made my feet ache after an hour of wearing it around the house.

The width on these are interesting. Overall they fit normally, but where the joints of the big and small toe are, it seems a bit tight. It is also odd because there seems to be an abundance of material in the upper in that area, which sticks out like I have mega bunions on both sides of me feet (both feet). Overall they are very lightweight and comfortable, but the sole is very flexible, which isn't the best when you have arthritis in your big toe joint. The Rivera was flexible and nice for the treadmill, but this is even more flexible where too many miles on the treadmill become uncomfortable fast. If the sole were sturdier, I could give this 1 more star.

I love everything about this shoe, but one thing...I hate the padded tongue. The padding on the tongue of the shoe creates bulk, which means added heat. It also causes the tongue to shift to the side during a workout, leaving a space where there is no fabric between my foot and the laces. The fabric that the rest of the upper of the shoe is made with had to be cut so that the padded tongue could be stitched in. The stitching hits right in the middle of my foot and digs in. I wish they would have just continued to used the same fabric as the rest of the upper, like they do on the Escalante Racer, it would have been much more comfortable. Other than this major flaw, the shoe is comfortable, has just the right amount of cushion to go from a road run to a gym workout. I will continue to use these till they wear out, but really hope they change this nasty tongue issue in the next iteration.

This version felt stiffer to me compared to the 2.5. I wish this shoe had the same stretch and cushion as the previous version. This one just feels like a plain old ordinary tennis shoe, nothing special. Again, just not as much of a cloud-like cushion. It feels too firm. But the fit and foot shape feel fine. No issue there.

I don't know what is going on but I've noticed over the last 2 years the shoe laces are getting shorter and shorter. I can barely tie my shoe once. I always double knot them so they don't untie during runs but what is going on?! For this price I should be able to tie my shoelaces and don't tell me to go out and buy new shoelaces. Overall the shoe doesn't feel terrible on my foot but come on! I sure hope Altra reads this and considers this for the new version. I've had escalantes since 2017 and I've noticed the shoelace length shrinking for the last 2 years even on the lone peaks.

I have worn Altras for over 6 years, but lately, the sole gets holes after 3 months; I only run 15 miles a week. I'm looking for another tennis shoes

I had an old version and I love it. I bought this one thinking it would be the same but They hurt my feet so bad I couldn't wait to take them off. They were super tight and the laces were super small.

Serious design problems. If I run on a road that is even slightly damp, the tread grabs all moisture from the road and wicks it directly into my shoe. Within 5 minutes of running on a damp road (no puddles at all) the forefoot of the shoes are totally soaked to the point that I'm spraying water off the front of my shoes at every step. I have been running in Altras for almost a decade and have never had a problem like this. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so these shoes are pretty much useless to me except on a treadmill.

My first pair of Altras were the Escalante 2.5 and they were AMAZING! I am so disappointed the 3's don't seem to fit right. Too tight on the top and no longer the original fit :(

Adding my voice to chorus. Altra has lost its way. It needs to return to what set it apart from other shoes and made it so beloved by runners. After many years, I'm begrudgingly jumping ship to Topo.

I've had the Escalante since they first came out. With the 3 all I get are blisters on my arch. Every single run there is burning, whether it's 3-13.1 miles. So frustrating because it's not like you can just stop running during race season So bummed I bought two pair!!! But the blisters are AWFUL! The 3s just don't fit the same in the arch for me.

I had the Escalante 1.5 and I loved them but I needed a new pair. My awesome hubsy bought me a pair of these 3s, and I am so disappointed. Why, Altra, why did you mess with perfection?!

I loved Escalante 2.5. I ran through 6 pair. I hate these. Had an issue with something on the top of my foot that constantly had to be adjusted + more. Character limit here is too low to complain lol