For over three years, the Altra Escalante Racers are still my favorite pair of daily runners. I tried the second generation and noted how much more refined and mature they’d become.
But I didn’t like them as much as the first gen.
Trying the Altra Solstice XT 3s, I was curious to see how they would compare to the OG ones. Again, I don’t like them as much as the first gens, even though I honestly think the new ones are a better buy.
Straight Up Better
I kid you not, the Solstice XT 3s are better in every way compared to the first gens. You name it, and they’re better.
Upper materials? Tougher. Laces? Stronger. Outsole? Dependabler.
Altogether, the shoe is so tight and well-made that I seriously think this shoe can last 3-5 years or more for a regular person. Whether you casually strength train, ruck, power lift, walk, row, etc., these are more than capable.
I don’t do it anymore, but I wish this shoe was around back when I did cross fit training every morning. That’s honestly what this shoe seems made for. From the webbing around the toe cap, to a more rigid feel from heel-to-toe, Altra designed the Solstice XT 3s for serious working out
Especially if you we want a thin soled shoe, so you can better feel the ground beneath you. That alone leads to better balance and form during a leg or back lifting session.
With all that being said, I would still take the XT 1s over the 3s.
Made For Who?
I’m not an intense lifter, crossfitter, or any sort of athlete. I try to train 30-60 minutes 6 days a week to stay mentally and physically healthy. That’s about it.
Because of that, I like my training and lifting shoes to be flexible, minimal, and durable. Exactly what the originals were. Not the Solstice XT 3s.
With that being said, the originals eventually developed tears on the sides of the uppers.
Buying the XT 3s, I was hoping Altra figured out a way to prevent the ripping while maintaining the thin, light materials that keep you connected to the ground.
Nope.
Instead, they’ve gone in the opposite direction and created a remarkably robust training shoe that’s improved in every way the average person would like.
It’s just not what I’m looking for.
The Recap
I never thought I would recommend a pair of shoes that I wouldn’t buy myself. But in the last two months I’ve done exactly that multiple times.
They’re sturdy, reliable, and made to take a real beating in the gym. Day in, day out. Most everything you would want in a shoe for working out, the Solstice XT 3s have.
It’s just not what I want.