The Altra Escalante 3 is a lightweight, zero-drop shoe designed for faster-paced running.
Best useBest Use Learn More
Fast RunsFast Runs
SurfaceSurface Learn More
Roads & PavementRoads & Pavement
StabilityStability Learn More
Neutral
Stable
CushioningCushioning Learn More
Barefoot
Minimal
Low
Medium
High
Maximal
Product Details:
As one of Altra’s most popular shoes, the Escalante has a refreshing midsole that delivers a closer to the ground feel for fast and nimble training or racing. With Altra’s Standard foot shape and a 0mm heel-to-toe drop, the Escalante 3 has all of Altra’s classic features and now includes a more trustworthy and comfortable upper.
What You'll Love
- Lightweight cushioning
- Moderate amount of toe splay room
- Updated upper to be more comfortable
The Altra Escalante 3 gives runners who prefer a roomier toe box or a 0mm drop a lightweight and versatile option. With an EGO midsole, the Escalante 3 has just enough protection for moderate amounts of mileage but also provides fresh responsiveness underfoot allowing runners to pick up the pace during faster efforts. Finished off with an updated upper and Standard Fit, the Escalante delivers a better lock down while still giving runners enough volume for toe splay.
Model Number: AL0A7R6M000
Specs & Fit
Shoe Specs (Men's Size 9)
| Weight | 9 oz 255 grams |
| Heel Stack | 26 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 26 mm |
| Heel-Toe Offset: | 0 mm |
How It Fits (based on D Medium width)
| Sizing: | True to size |
| Heel Width: | Average |
| Midfoot Fit: | Average |
| Toe Box Fit: | Roomy |
Technologies
MIDSOLE
- Altra Ego is a midsole compound designed for high energy return, providing high levels of durability and responsiveness.
- Inner Flex is comprised of a flex grooves system that provides additional flexibility and cuts weight for increased performance.
- FOOTSHAPE Design follows the natural shape of the foot for ultimate comfort.
- Standard Footshape is Altra's most common footshape that sits right in the middle of the Original and Slim fit options. This fit will be slightly slimmer than the Original roomier fit.
OUTSOLE
- FootPod Outsole follows the natural construction of the human foot for maximum flexibility and a responsive ride.
UPPER
- Engineered Knit Mesh conforms to the foot for a sock-like wrap that is sleek and breathable.
- Decoupled Heel uses minimal construction on the upper for a fast feel.
Videos
Customer Reviews
Headed in the wrong direction for meI've in many different iterations of Altras since they first came out. The zero heel / toe drop and the wide toe box were the biggest factors. I ran Boston every year and did several IM races as well. They fit well and I was able to put many miles on them. The recent upgrades seem to have a narrower toe box and I find the uppers don't last as long. While I am still running in them I will reluctantly begin to look at other brands to find a shoe that works better for me.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Excellent versatile shoeI love this shoe for anything from tempo and pacey runs to 15-20 mile long runs. It really can do it all. They remind me of the Torins from 2019 or so. Excellent.
Good shoe overallIf you are not accustomed to running in zero-drop or shoes with minimalist padding, then be careful with this one. It is a very light and comfortable shoe, one of the best Altras that I have worn. But it is easy to forget that the sole is pretty thin compared to the Hokas and even most standard Brooks and Asics now. This is a great shoe for cross-training, as the wide toe box makes it great for gripping for lifting workouts, track work, etc.
Great ShoeI bought this shoe for walking. I really like the fact that it zero drop. Runners warehouse was great
Love itI was worried that this shoe would be to heavy as a race shoe or even an up Tempo shoe. But this shoe has a great response and yet soft yet not cushy or mushy soft either. I can do 7 minute miles or do slow easy runs and I feel comfortable either way. And I am an older senior runner.
Interesting too is with other shoes even other Altra models I get outside wear as a supinator. However with the Escalante my wear is almost nonexistent. Great shoe.
Narrow toe box with version 3Unfortunately this current version (3) has a much more narrow toe box than version 2.5, so it is no longer a good fit for me. Strange how Altra is moving away from one of the features that it was seemingly founded upon - that there should be plenty of room in the toe box for toes to splay out. Obviously is still works for some people, but for those of us with "fan-shaped" feet (narrow heel, wide in the toe area), it is too narrow. Sad.
Too much padding, shallow footbedI had a previous version of the Escalante before. I think it was the 2.5. I also have the Escalante Racers. The Racers are much closer to the previous Escalante than these are. These have too much padding and run hot. The toe box is very shallow as well. I usually wear a 12.5, moved up to 13 in these, and still the toe box just isn’t as comfortable as all the rest of my Altras. I also have Lone Peaks and Superiors for trail shoes. I bought these for recovery days, so they will be useful for short recovery runs in colder weather. But the shallow toe box causes me pain at anything over 7 miles. Very disappointed in these shoes. I’d like to see them cut back the padding and make the toe box deeper. They will still have a use, just not what I intended.
This is a shoe that really stands aloneThe Altra Escalante has a very unique design that really has little or no comparitive shoes that are in the same class. Namely a zero drop, low stack height (26mm). Finding a shoe to compare the escalante to is a very short list. This probably explains why this shoe rarely is found at below the retail price except for a few brief weeks in between getting last years model when a new model is released and the occasional memorial day sale. Its almost impossible to not have this as one of few options when looking for zero drop low stack height options. This shoe is definately for a market niche of people wanting a lot of road feel with zero drop. That being said, the escalante is always in my rotation because I need foot strength training. I find that this shoe is the best alternative for that purpose. In addition, this shoe is the only shoe of all my running shoes that I feel ok running in without socks. I just cant run in shoes sockless that are heavier and have a larger stack height. Here are the Pro's:
- The escalante has mantained the same feel since it was first released. What you see is what you get, a shoe that gives runners a very natural low to the ground ride.
- For a low stack height, zero drop shoe, it is actually very accomodating and comfortable. No design elements that make the runner conform to a certain stride. The escalante is accomodating to all types of runners.
- Durability - for a shoe this minimulist, it does last a fair amount of miles. This shoe has consistantly made the 400+ mile mark.
Con's:
- Looks - this shoe really doesnt grab attention. For runners that look for a shoe that helps motivate them to run, this shoe is really not it. Since the very first version, the shoe variations are just different solid colors for the entire shoe (all blue, all black, all grey, etc.).
- Midsole material - while Altra midsoles are very consistant in that they last and provide some bounce, their is nothing about any Altra shoe that I can say gives a lot of energy return. As with most Altra shoes, the runners feet must be prepared to do some heavy lifting. But this is exactly why this shoe strengthens the runners foot and exactly why they stay in my rotation. So this could just as easily be a pro.
All in all, I think Altra can improve a bit in quality. I do compare the Altra lineup with Topo and generally find that topo shoes are a bit higher in the quality category. I like Altra, I use them and the running world would be less without them. That being said, if one or two big players come to market with zero drop shoes with a foot like shape, that Altra would clean up some of the loose ends.
Just as good as the Escalante 2I went through 3 pairs of the Escalante 2. These are made a little different, but for me they fit exactly the same, perfect. The tongue is thicker but I don't even notice while running. I have a wide foot because of taylor's bunyon.
5'8"/160lbs/16-20mi per week
Enjoying the 3I've worn the Escalante 1 and several pairs of the Racers. I tried the 2.5s but found the upper too stretchy for my hilly neighborhood and my feet slid forward on descents. The 3's upper is much more secure and gives me a good lockdown. I've seen people complain that the 3 is narrow. I personally sized up a half size from my Racers and it's perfect. I also think the outsole is an improvement too, seemingly more durable and the length-wise tread feels less obtrusive than the horizontal pattern of the 2 and 2.5.
More narrow than I thoughtIt's a great pair of shoes but the midfoot is more narrow than the Escalante Racers I was running in before.
Pleasantly surprised!I really did not think I would like this upgrade. I thought the 2.5s were okay, but earlier versions were better. This is a great shoe although very different than the original Escalante. It has nice cushion and is light. I find no pressure spots and my foot does not slide off to the side from lack of material under the toe box. My only complaint is the tongue which is stuffed instead of flat.
Now a Great Running ShoeExcited to see the improvements here. I felt the 2.5 was a great kick around shoe, but was to laid back to be a true running shoe. The 3 takes what was great about the 2.5 and gives it more structure and is now my favorite Altra only behind the Vanish Tempo.
Proof that stack height doesn't equal CushionThe escalante is proof to the world that you can have a shoe that has moderate stack height that is every bit as plush and soft a ride as the shoes with 33mm+ stack height. The escalante 1 through 2.5 are maverick shoes providing a comfortable ride that is very capable of going the distance. I ran in 2 marathons in my Escalante's and had no issues. Escalante 1 through 2.5 are 5 star shoes only because 6 stars doesnt exist. Escalante 3 does have me a bit concerned. While still providing comfort and spring in a zero drop low stack height, in my opinion both comfort and springiness took a step backward in version 3. Ughhhhh, if its not broke dont fix it! If anything make version 3 version 2.5 with just additional color selections. Pleassse Altra, in coming versions of this shoe go back to 2.5 and previous and make any changes (if you really have to that is!), insignificant! Why do shoes have to change when they are so close to perfection as is? I'll never understand this. Altra 3 still a fine shoe, but lacks the wow I had in previous versions. I hope that version 4 continues from where version 2.5 left off and NOT version 3.
Not true to sizeRuns half size too big.
Different and DisappointedI thought this would be a successor to the Escalante 2.5 that I really enjoyed running with. Sadly, it's a different shoe. The upper isn't has flexible. The toe box seems narrow maybe due to the lack of flexible knit material. The Ergo midsole feels more firm and not as cushy. It seems like Altra is targeting a whole new audience. It was nice running with Altra but I've moved over to Topo!
Welcome UpdateI have an older version of the escalante and like them a lot but skipped the 2.5's. Really enjoying the 3.0 update!
