I was super excited to try the second generation of Altra’s Escalante Racers, since the first gen are my preferred road running shoes. It wouldn’t have been fair to use these for a couple runs, fall in love with them, and call it good. I needed to be sure if these were better than the originals.
If they were to become my new favorite running shoes, they had to earn it.
So, I ran over 50 miles in these things. I used them in a handful of different types of training sessions; distance, speed, incline, etc. I ran in them indoors and outdoors. How did they do?
These would be my preferred running shoes if they hadn’t done such a stellar job on the original Escalante Racers. The gen 2s performed consistent across the 50+ miles, but there was one change that kept them below the originals: the firmer midsole.
The Firmer Midsole
It’s pretty self explanatory, the gen 2s have a firmer midsole, which creates a less cushioned ride. After any 8-to-10-mile run, my knees feel tender. Nothing like the pain that happened with the Nike Vomero 17s. But these fail to perfectly blend the minimal, yet soft sole that the original shoes did.
Instead, these felt like the shoes literally matured. Just like we all become firm in certain opinions as we get older, these shoes were sure that a firmer midsole makes a finer running shoe. This tends to be true for short, explosive speed trainings or bleachers, but not for longer distances.
In addition to the tender knees post runs, my right ankle always tightens for a half mile around the middle of a run; usually at mile 4 or 5. At first I thought it was from a lack of stretching before and after training sessions, but even when I made sure to do that, my knees and right ankle always felt the same.
It’s worth noting that the firmer midsole might not lead to a drop in comfort for you, but it did for me.
It’s Not All Bad Though
I must give Altra credit where it’s due, because they knocked it out of the park in so many other ways. For example, Altra revised the design of the threaded upper and it’s so much better.
The design on the original shoes had larger gaps so small rocks and gravel occasionally got in the shoe on a run. That never happens with these though. I ran on a track, treadmill, gym floor, and a mix of road and gravel outside. Not once has something made its way to the inside.
The tongue got an improved redesign too, which makes these feel even more comfortable around my feet. (This is extremely surprising because the gen 1 shoes had an exceptional level of comfort that still stands up to other new shoes.)
Every step feels solid too. With the wide toe box, 0 drop heel, and minimal midsole, I feel connected to the ground. I haven’t tripped or fell, nor do I ever feel like it’s going to happen. (I’m sure it will at some point, like it does in most long-term running shoes, it’s just a matter of time.)
Even the laces are upgraded. The new one’s grip some much more when their tied, so I never experience the shoes getting loose or end up with a lack of circulation.
The Recap
Altra’s Escalante Racers 2s are superior in nearly every way when compared to the 1s. Only one of the many changes that were made, the firmness of the midsole, makes to the 1s more comfortable and preferred to the 2s.
However, everyone is different. The tenderized feeling in the knees, or the temporary tightness in the right ankle, might not happen to you. Because we all vary in so many ways, these could be your next favorite pair of running shoes. Pick up a pair, get some miles on them, and find out for yourself. (And if they work for you, know that I very much envy you because these are phenomenal shoes.)