Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 4

Altra Escalante 4 purchased on November 15th, 2024. First use on November 25th, 2024 with an easy 10km. As result, the outsole on the outer part has already gone (see on the pictures) on both shoes !!! After 10 km !!!! At this price !!! It's simply a disgrace. As a long time Altra shoes user (since the lime one Altra The One and the blue one Torin 1), I can compare several versions of different Altra models. And I can confirm without any hesitation that the durability of Altra shoes has shown an inverse relationship with their prices. I already had a durability issue with my Altra Torin 5, With the upper litteraly cut after 3 months. I feel like Altra has sacrified everything that made their strengths (durability, prices, large toebox, low stack) ton the altar of profitability. Altra was once unique because it was THE company which produced zero-drop with large toeboex shoes. But now, they become A mainstream company among others which sells shoes like others companies, and from time to time, releases a model with large toebox, a big marketing tralala to support it ... I doubt my review will be read by some Altra product manager, neither it will be published ... but one thing is hundred percent sure : these will be my last Altra shoes, and once used, I will choose another brand.

Been wearing Escalante's for over a decade. These are some of the best looking, but probably worst quality. Normally, I get ~5-6 months before getting a hole above my big toe. These lasted ~6 weeks.

I was so stoked to hear that Altra was finally going back to the original design of the Escalante. I loved this shoe right when I tried it on. Stake height is great, wide feel is amazing. But only 190 miles in to my marathon training and the tread has almost completely worn out and is falling off the sole. This adds significant setbacks to my training now that I have to find a new pair of shoes at such a low mileage. I was so excited for this return to quality to be disappointed with it falling apart.

Purchased these through the Altra site. The fit was not correct. Great difficulty reaching a human to initiate return. It's been over 3 weeks and still haven't heard from Altra about shoes arriving.

This is the second review I'm leaving for this model (my first is viewable), after about 150 miles on this pair. I began running in my new pair at the beginning of May, almost two months ago. I run almost daily, anywhere from 3-5 miles every morning, mostly slower jogs during the week and one or two quick days in my Escalante Racer on the weekends. At first, I was moderately pleased with the upgrades in the Escalante 4, although not thrilled (see review), but still planning to stick with the Escalante as it has been my go-to "slow" shoe since the 1.5. Then, over the past month or so, I've been waking up with a nagging and increasing pain on the inside of my right knee. I ignored it as it wasn't affecting my actual run--the pain would set in afterwards. Then, yesterday, I put in a slow 5-miler and this morning I'm now having trouble bending my knee or walking. I'm on my way to the orthopedic clinic now for an xray. I don't do any other sort of athletic activity, and certainly nothing strenuous. I have not injured myself in any way, shape or form over the past two months. No jumping, no lifting, no squatting, nothing. In twenty years of running, the ONLY time I've ever experienced this kind of knee pain was almost twenty years ago, back when I was a heavier heel-striker, new runner and ignorantly used the wrong type of support shoe based on an ignorant friend's recommendation. I tossed the shoe and the problem disappeared. I hate to say this as Altra Escalante, for better or worse, has been my go-to for many years and is the only brand of running shoe I own, but I can think of no other reason except for my new Escalante 4 to explain the issues I'm having with my knee. Faulty design? Premature deterioration in shoe structure/support? I don't know, but I can tell you now that I'll be shelving my Escalante 4 immediately, taking a couple days off and then running only in my pair of old Racers for now and if the pain disappears then, unfortunately, the Escalante 4 may be the last iteration of this model I run in. If anyone else is experiencing the same sort of pains, know that you're not the only one.

Use shoes for walking. Tongue is weird making it awkward to put shoe on. Shoelaces come undone within a few minutes. These flaws are contrast to earlier versions. I would never buy again.

Wearing Altra's for 8 years. The inside heel fabric on the Escalante 4's blew out after 4-5 days of walking and caused blisters, used to happen on lone peaks after 6 months of use. No reciept, no love

I've been wearing Altra shoes almost since they existed, and I've been wearing the Escalante since the 1.0 version back in 2018. The 1.5 version's true sock-like upper gave my small foot, but wide forefoot, all the room it needed, and the midsole foam was the perfect amount of cushioning versus road feedback. I had finally found the perfect running shoe. Yay, Altra! In fact, I still have all three of my retired pairs of the 1.5 - I just can't part with them. Fast forward to the Escalante 4.0. It claims to have an upper with a sock-like fit like the 1.5. It does not; it's much stiffer and not nearly as roomy in the toebox. This is the biggest area where Altra has failed from the 2.5 onward - the shrinking toebox. Also, it claims to have the same Altra Ego midsole foam. Again, it does not. I can put a version 4.0 on one foot and a 1.5 on the other, and there is no comparison. They both may say "Altra Ego" on the shoe, but the midsole foam of the 4.0 is dead right out of the box, providing no feedback and dull, lifeless cushioning. I'm 5'11' and 160 lbs., and after 253 miles logged on the version 4, the midsole is almost completely compressed in the forefoot. All foam compresses eventually, but this seems very premature compared to all the previous versions I've worn. I guess I'll never understand why shoe companies will hit on a winning combination that results in a "fan-favorite", like the 1.5, and then alienate their fanbase by breaking everything that was fixed. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

For yrs 250km/wk in USA/CAN cities 0-injury via LP6, LP5, no insoles, no tying, full cush SW socks to take up vol. 50km in Esc = horrible spasms, LP6 on for 50k = :), Esc walk 5mi = spasm. Return.

this is my second pair of altras and i'm just disgusted with the low quality of their products. it's especially disheartening because altras are the only shoes that i've worn that don't kill my feet, back, knees, and hips. except - one day they suddenly do. i can't even remember the name of the first pair i bought, but they were the most comfortable pair of shoes i had ever worn. i walk a lot at work, but they were worn out after three months. i couldn't have worn them more than 200 miles at that point. so, i bought a pair of escalante 4s, and the heel was beginning to fray after one week. based on data from my watch, i had only put 95 miles on them. my entire body hurts now, and i checked the insert and it's completely worn through. i don't have $130-170 to spend every three months on shoes.

I used a pair of escalante 2.5 for over a year for daily walking and work shoes, they were great. These newer pair had interior heel cups tear and wear out in 2 months of light use. Horrible quality

Wanted use for walking and light/moderate strength training.

I love my lone peaks for hiking so decided to invest in altras for walking. Never have I ever broke anything and now I have a stress fracture and have been unable to walk for 2 months. I have to assume this is the culprit. Lack of cushion or something.

My husband has worn Altra shoes for ages, so I bought him a new pair for his birthday. That was Jan 29th, and today is Feb 23rd and pieces of the tread are just peeling off!! So disappointed.

I have been an Altra fan for 10+ yrs. They have been the only shoe to fit me properly and I have not looked at anything else since I found them (for both trail and road shoes). I just received the Escalante 4. My feet were numb within 20 minutes of a base run. Then again on the second run. The wide toe box is gone. There is pressure on the sides and top of my feet. They fit more like an Asics or Nike, which I can not wear. I am very disappointed. I guess it is time to look at Topos.

When I first tried these shoes on i immediately noticed some type of arch support. I thought it was just my imagination but After pushing through 43 miles, my feet began to hurt. Call me crazy but there's a notable arch. In these and the racer 2's. The Escalante 4's are bulky and stiff. The tread wears quick also. The only pro I can think of is the toe box. Kudos. I don't think I can wear these even for walking. Goodbye Altra.

Altras quality has been slipping over the years and is getting worse. I have worn these shoes casually twice ,and the tounge is already coming un-stiched. Meaning it will not be attached much longer.

Good luck trying to return this! The sizing was off despite it being labelled as "fits small" (it doesn't). Company return website then non-functional for the following 2 weeks. Go elsewhere

Bough these shoes two months ago, the tip of the rubber sole started peeling away. I've only used them to work out and casual walking. I submitted a request to the warranty dept and they denied it. Emily said it was wear and tear. This is the last pair of Latras I'll ever buy.

Thought I'd try something different than the Torin but this is not it. Got the shoes today. Took off my Torins that are getting worn & put the Excalante 4 on. There is not nearly as much cushion in the forefoot as the Torin & the cushion felt weird. Also the tongue is incredibly thin & flimsy & curled in on itself when I put the shoe on. There are going right back in the box to send them back & ordered another pr. of Torin or try the Paradigm.