Details
Brand
Altra
Heel To Toe Drop
0 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioning
Key Features
• Ideal shoe for road running and racing• Could be used as a daily trainer• Both soft and comfortable as well as quick and responsive• Lightweight and flexible• Altra’s well-known zero drop• Wider toe box for unrestricted toe splay and more natural movement• Stylish and flexible knit upper• ALTRA EGO midsole provides superior comfort without compromising responsiveness or speed
Upper
Uniquely designed emulating the winding Escalante river region in Utah (Altra’s birthplace). the Escalante boasts a highly flexible and comfortable engineered-knit upper. With no seams or overlays, the shoe remains lightweight and continues to offer a more natural range of motion for a runner’s gait and impact. It continues the Altra tradition of a natural wide toe box which is great for those with bunions, but some felt it to be a little lower and not as tall as other shoes under the Altra umbrella. While raved about as comfortable and sock-like, some feel this knit fabric is not entirely breathable but good for colder temperatures. Though it is not deemed great for sweaty feet by a few, most agree it offers good drainage for rainy or wet conditions.
Midsole
Traditionally, one would not equate soft and comfortable with speedy and responsive. But the Escalante is acclaimed for its ability to encapsulate both ends of the spectrum and be both of these: springy and soft. Purportedly named EGO™ for the new cushioning’s dual nature, Altra employs a brand-specific compound blend in its midsole. Altra is not spilling the beans on its secret cushioning but some believe it is not EVA or even EVA or rubber foam blended… but found that the shoe does, in fact, live up to the hype. It actually does produce a discernible energy return and feels soft, even to the touch and Altra states it is built to perform well even in extreme temperatures. In tests, it has been found that the EGO midsole has excellent durability while maintaining its responsive. plush ride. Its distinctive and unique design was inspired by the innately strong but featherweight feel of a spider web. And while the sole borders on maximum cushion with a stack height of 25mm, this is not reflected in the flexibility or responsiveness. Taking advantage of forefoot flex grooves, the Escalante retains the foot’s range of motion, making for a confident ride. So there are certainly those that scoff at the idea that a shoe could be so slipper-like comfortable and still be fast, but many are standing up to say that it is indeed true and laud the Escalante for finding the best of both worlds.
Outsole
When viewing the underside of the shoe, the shape of the sole is identical to that of an actual foot. Altra features this FootPod system in its Escalante to provide a natural fit for the height of flexibility and responsiveness. The dense and firm black rubber of the outsole is laid out to strategically protect the Ego midsole. The rubber, arranged in a pattern to offset wear and tear, also offers additional grip and traction on rough or slippery conditions. The stabilizing, fuller coverage outsole of the shoe is part of the sole unit package that is deemed “lively” and seems to please most.
Breathability
An engineered knit fabric comprises the upper of the Escalante. Its ventilation is not such that one can see through the fabric, but it does offer a little airflow, just not quite as much as some other running shoes that employ knitted uppers. Deemed partially breathable by some claiming that feet tend to sweat some in warmer weather, others find the movement of air around the toes to be very comfortable. The shoe is said to drain water from rainy or wet conditions which helps prevent blisters and chafing but does not perform as well with aerating moisture and sweat from warmer weather runs creating a less comfortable environment. However, by and large, this issue did not seem to be of great concern to wearers.
Comfort
Most feel these shoes fit well but there are those that feel they run too large and some say that a more comfortable fit is attained by sizing up by about a half size. The toe box is roomy and wide and while some noted it felt a little lower, this did not create an issue for most. The upper is knit fabric and provides a great deal of flexibility due to its nature and also that there are no seams or overlays and most find it still fits like a sock, comfortably and snugly. The knit seems to have a drawback to some in that a handful of reviewers have claimed that the heel has too much give and not enough support for confident stability. Overall, most feel that between the upper, the impressive 25mm stack height of cushioning, and the Altra Ego midsole, this shoe is supremely comfortable. Some say it feels like running on a pillow and some claim it alleviated symptoms of plantar fasciitis. While Altra claims the shoe is suitable for even extreme temperatures, most felt it performs best in cooler air, because of the nature of the upper’s fabric and its relative loss of ventilation. Created to meet the specific needs of the female foot, Altra also offers Fit4Her technology in its women’s version of the Escalante.
Style
With a known inspiration being drawn into the design of the shoe, the Escalante is unique. The knit of the upper aims to emulate the natural aesthetic of the Escalante River region in Utah and this symbolism provides a stylish and distinctive shoe appearance. The socklike look of the shoe paired with the considerable stack height makes for an eye-catching design that most find appealing. It is available in a few color option. The men’s version is offered in Gray, Blue, and Red, and the women’s in Magenta, Blue, and Gray. With the Altra logo classically displayed on the side of the shoe and the trademark zero drop even platform, this shoe stands proud and confident.
Durability
Most reviews indicate that runners find the Escalante to be durable. The outsole’s black rubber compound helps the shoe withstand wear and tear and protects the midsole EGO cushioning. Most felt the tread was well placed and strong yet still offered notable energy return. The maximum cushion would be expected to wear down quickly as it is soft and comfortable but it has been reported to be responsive and durable. With an engineered knit upper, one might also be inclined to think it could tear but most wearers feel it held up well. Due to the shoe’s natural foot shape, there is ample room for toe splay and bunions and this may be part of the secret behind its durability. With drainage seemingly very good, there is little concern in the way of moisture management which could affect the lifespan of the shoe. Some claim to get upwards of 300 miles whereas some felt great until about 200 miles.
Protection
The underfoot protection created by the maximum cushioning is substantial. While designed for roads where little danger to the foot is expected, it seems that it would shield the bottom of the foot from protruding elements. The knit upper would not seem to be overly protective and there was not much cause for concern in this area among runners.
Responsiveness
With a midsole as soft and comfortable as the one featured on the Escalante, it would not be remiss to expect a sacrifice of responsiveness. However, Altra’s use of the EGO cushioning blend negates the downside to a little extra softness underfoot. Cited as supremely soft and swift, this shoe delivers a responsive ride sure to please most runners. Wearers have said that it seems Altra has created a secret to success in that their proprietary and undisclosed midsole EGO formula provides all the cushion while maintaining a comfortable feel with a proven energy return. This shock absorption helps to prevent injury and fatigue while also creating feedback to the runner for a more in-tune and confident ride.
Support
The substantial underfoot cushioning and the natural shape of the foot being integrated into the shoe design are both elements that please most runners. The sock-like fit of the upper also garnered praise in its support of the foot. However, the lack of support in the heel area did leave some less enthusiastic.
Terrain
The Escalante fills a niche in the road running arena. Intended for paved surfaces, some reviewers felt that light trails would be alright, and that grass areas could still allow the shoe to perform well. Even with all its added cushioning, technical trails may be uncomfortable as the uppers knit fabric allows too much lateral movement for that type of terrain.
Price
Debuting at a relatively comparable cost to similar shoes in the road running market, it still fetches a heftier price tag. Since its release, the cost has dropped making it more affordable. Though many felt that even at the original price, the Escalante is a worthwhile investment. Some found its blend of comfort and speed too good to be true.
Drop
Boasting an impressive stack height of 25 mm across the shoe, the Escalante’s heel and toe are equal distances from the ground. This is the formula for a zero drop shoe. The thought behind it is that a natural foot motion is beneficial in the running world. While some love this feature, care should be taken in transitioning to a zero drop shoe from those with a higher drop. While the zero drop aims to mimic natural foot motions, it is not for everyone and can create issues with the calves due to a lengthening of the lower leg muscles but, most, with a little attention to how this shoe is rolled into their existing shoe inventory, enjoy the feel of this shoe.
Stability
As a neutral runner with a knit upper, the Escalante does not offer much in the way of stability or control. It is intended as a neutral not employing stability features. In fact, some felt that the lack of heel support created a little instability though, in the form of lateral movement, but generally, most were pleased with the overall fit and performance of the shoe.
Flexibility
Surprising many runners, the 25mm stack height of the sole unit of the Altra Escalante did not hamper flexibility. Incorporating the special EGO midsole and utilizing flex grooves in the forefoot, most found the shoe to provide adequate feedback and allow for a more confident range of motion. The upper’s knit fabric fits like a sock and was unconstricted yet snug creating an environment for improved flexibility and natural foot movement.
Traction
As a road shoe, the Escalante is not equipped with lugs or overly grippy tread, though the features it does have allow for confident maneuvering on paved surfaces even in less than ideal conditions. The black rubber compound of the outsole offers just the right amount of stick and traction for a confident ride.
Bottom Line
Garnering astoundingly positive reviews, the Altra Escalante is the go-to road running shoe for many. The wide toe box and the zero drop features are a large draw but most are pleased with the overall supreme comfort and the lightweight responsiveness of the cushioning. It is considered speedy enough for a racer and soft enough for a daily trainer. If you can wear neutral shoes and enjoy a low drop, this is definitely one to try and would be an added bonus to almost any runner’s arsenal.
