Customer Reviews Altra Escalante 4

I had a pair of the escalante 1.5s and they were the BEST shoes I've ever worn. I still have them and prefer to wear them over the escalante 4s, even though they have seen better days. The changes to this shoe are just not my favorite. The shoe doesn't seem as durable, as comfortable, and I am constantly having to tie my shoe because the laces are so short. I love the style of the 4s, I just wish they weren't so different from the previous model. I purchased 2 pair in different colors and would rate them both the same. I think I'll have to try another shoe next time but I want to love these so bad.

I absolutely LOVED the Escalante 1.5 - so much so that I purchased 4 more pairs (of the 1.5 version) after my initial purchase back in 2019. I'm 47 and have terrible feet (collapsible arch, hammer toes, callouses, blisters, etc.) and have struggled pretty much all of my life trying to find comfortable shoes. The Escalante 1.5 was the first shoe I was able to wear comfortably to hike, run, and walk long distances with minimal issues (which is why I stocked up and bought 4 more pairs!). Unfortunately, the Escalante 4 doesn't come close to the 1.5 version in terms of comfort or durability. I've purchased 2 pairs of the Escalante 4 now - I'm not sure what specific changes Altra has made in recent years, but they have not been for the better. Cushioning is so much worse and my first pair of the Escalante 4 ended up with holes in the toes in less than 6 months (while I still have 1.5's with no holes after years of wear?!?). It doesn't make sense to me why they've made these changes when the 1.5 version was such an excellent shoe. I'm to the point now where after being a loyal customer for over 5 years, I'm now searching again for other better options. Altra, if you're reading this, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider returning to whatever you did when making the Escalante 1.5! It was truly magical for my terrible feet, and I'm so sad I'm back to the drawing board in terms of searching for a comfortable shoe.

I really want to like these shoes. This is my first pair of this brand. They are comfortable all around EXCEPT for the blister I got the first time I wore them and ran in them. I normally wear Xeros for my runs but wanted to try a little more support for longer runs to see if that would help my knee pain. I still had my knee pain and now blister pain. lol My next run I had to use mole skin. When I wear them to walk around in I can feel them rubbing where the blister use to be. I have not tried to run in them without mole skin to see if they "stretched out" or got "wore in" yet. If it's a really good shoe that should not be necessary.

First run felt great. Second time out and they felt like a 4 month old shoe. Distance is only 4-5 miles at a time.

I like the width and the zero drop. The cushioning is plush. I have super sensitive feet so not having any tongue cushioning has been a problem for me. Arch support also seems lacking in these.

I bought my first pair of Escalante 4 in gray color in late June and started wearing them in July, just for a few weeksnow , not even regularly, the stitches on the tongue are already broken in the right shoe and soon the tongue will come off if I do not take care of that. I did not expect that an expensive shoe like Altra can be this much flimsy ( this never has happened to my other sneakers in the past ) . Overall happy with the wide toe box ( that was the only reason I purchased Altra) which enhances the comfort. The shoe laces are short as other people have mentioned .

When these shoes work, they work; I love the fit, width, comfort level, padding level, and the way they hold up. I had a pair of these for a full year and they worked great for my long runs in the city and on trails. Bought a new pair this year and after only a month of light use the tread on one shoe came loose- super disappointing. Willing to try another pair and hope that was just a fluke, assuming I get a refund. Overall good shoes if they work.

I have 3 pairs of Altra shoes. I have bunions and use costume insoles. These shoes fit great and my feet are not sore at the end of the day. But OMG THE NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE! Every pair! Even after months. They are SO LOUD. Its embarrassing.

Not only do they feel narrower than the Escalante they are NOT black on black. They are a dark grey.

These shoes do not have as much cushion as the last version of Escalantes. I've started having foot problems (plantar fasciitis) again with this model. Please bring the previous model back. They were alittle heavier but sooooo much better. The shoe laces aren't great either. :/

I have been running in Escalantes for years, but I'm a little disappointed in the new model. I didn't think the laces could get any worse but these have proved me wrong. I have to use a heel lock or it feels uncomfortable, but the laces can barely be tied and when you finally manage that, they don't stay tied. I will definitely be replacing the laces.

I bought this because of the lightweight, minimal nature. Thought itd be a good extra pair of shoes for travel. I bought the black on black because I liked the sleek look of the shoe. It has a snug fit and let's in a lot of airflow with the mesh fabric. The weirdest thing I didn't like with this show are the shoelaces. They're very short and I could barely tie them. I replaced them immediately and I'm much happier.

Not like the OG! There is a lack of support, sole isn't as comfortable. My feet hurt when used for running, ok for the gym though. Mine have 2 different size laces one too short. Quality has slipped.

As a physical therapist and long distance runner in the past, I've been a huge advocate for Altras due to the wide toe box and zero drop aspects. I ordered 2 pairs of the Escalante 4 and they are not at all like the Escalante 3. The toe box is not their original foot shape like the claim and narrower than the past model even. The soles are already showing signs of wear after 2 months of light use and hurt after running 45 min. The laces are by far the worst I have ever had on any shoe. They are too short and do not stay tied even with double knots. I'm so sad because I love my past Altras and have been such an Altra fan the last few years; But with the declining quality and them trying to appeal to the mainstream population and making their shoes more narrow, it may be time to go. These shoes are not cheap so I hope they listen to the other reviews on here like mine and make some changes or they are going to start losing some loyal customers. Picture attached showing the 3rd gen on the left and 4th gen on the right.

Design and quality issues. The unpadded tongue is not comfortable. The toe box is much narrower than the 3 version. Please stop narrowing the toe box on your models! After a week of light walking on the treadmill, the soles showed signs of wear. Sorry, this is unacceptable for such low quality. Please listen to your customers or you will be left without them.

I've been a consumer of the escalates for 5 years / over 10 pairs between escalante and the racers and they are the only shoe that works for me. However, the last 3 pairs I have purchased have had sole that breakdown after 3 months. I only run 7 miles a week. These shoes are not cheap and I have an expectation that the sole doesn't breakdown. I don't know if it is a new manufacturer or new adhesive. Please correct bc I love this shoe.

I absolutely love the escalante and the color choices there were. The fit was perfect although I am normally an 8.5 in traditional running shoe style and sized down to 8. I loved the bright colors of the 3!! Hesitant to purchase a beige color now but seems my options are limited

I usually wear the Torin's but I decided to try the Escalante's out and I'm not a fan. They were great at first but now my feet hurt in them and my left shoe lace won't stay tied.

Toe box shape feels more standard than original. The shows are navy, not black. See image on my navy recliner cover and next to prior years black.

I tried these on in a store and thought they were great, but too narrow. I wear a wide with shoe. Have a pair of Lone Peaks in a wide and they are perfect.

I have been wearing Altras since the company first started. These specific shoes have pros and cons. On the pro side, the toe box width is nice and wide like earlier Altras were. I think the level of cushioning is just right. On the con side, the toe box height is way too short. I have never seen this before on any of my prior Altras. In fact I have never had this problem with any other shoe that I have ever owned. This lack of toe box height bothers my big toes. Some other notes: the shoelaces are way too short. Also I got these in black, but there are really a dark charcoal, not a true black. I could live with the minor stuff, but I cannot use these at all with a toe box that cramps my big toes. I wish I could still return them.