Up until now, my favorite running shoe was the first gen Altra Escalante Racer. So while patiently waiting for the third gen, I decided to try out the regular Escalante 4s.
I got a pair of the Escalante 3s a couple years ago, and they weren’t bad, but I didn’t love them with the puffy fabric material, styling, or the laces. But with the release of the Escalante 5s, you can now find the 4s on sale.
So, I picked up a pair, and they’re my new favorite running shoes!
A Great Base
All Altra’s are designed with a wide toe box. If you haven’t experienced this in a shoe, you need to. It’s eye-opening.
Now anytime I wear a normal pair of shoes (Nikes, Adidas, Brooks, etc.), my feet and toes feel cramped. Unnatural. Compare this to any pair of shoes with a wide toe box, there’s instantly another level of comfort.
It doesn’t stop there though, a lot of Altra’s have a zero heel-to-toe drop. Aka, they’re flat.
I know this isn’t going to be for everyone, but it’s solved so many problems for me. For years I thought it was normal for my feet to hurt after 5-6 miles in regular running shoes that have a traditional heel drop of 8 mm or more. Or stiff hip, or a tight lower back.
Nope.
As soon as I had a couple runs in wide toe box, zero drop running shoe, those pain points vanished. Because of that strong foundation, the Escalante 4s are next level.
Peak Comfort
The midsole, upper materials, and thin tongue are just some of the reasons why I love the Escalante Racers. And with shocking generosity, Altra brought those to the 4s.
The only thing that the 4s are missing? The knit-fabric holes that allow for the best airflow. (Even if those holes make it easy for really small pebbles and water to enter the shoes.)
I know this sounds like I’m gushing with “awe” for these shoes, but here’s the simple reality. If you take the price I paid for these shoes, $97.49, and compare them to what else you could buy for the same amount, there’s practically no competition.
Actually Using Them
With a new routine between work and a massive project my wife and I have undertaken for the last few months, I don’t run nearly as much as I did a year ago.
Instead of averaging 18+ miles per week, I now average 6-10. With that being said, I’ve ran 60 miles with these bad boys and they’re just great.
The 4s are what I imagine the shoes on Spider-Man’s costume would feel like: an extension of you. All thanks to the knit-like fabric that breathes exceptionally well, and the slightly stretchy laces.
And the thin tongue.
Something that should be standard on all shoes! Running shoes or not, a thin piece of material for the tongue helps prevent your feet from feeling claustrophobic and losing blood flow.
The Recap
Look ya’ll, I can’t recommend these shoes enough. I know they won’t be for everyone, since some foot arches aren’t made for shoes with a 0 mm heel-to-toe drop and wide toe box.
But for most people, if you give them a good few runs, I think you’ll be ridiculously happy that you did. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll become confused why there aren’t more shoes like these in the world.
Happy running!