Shoe: Altra Escalante Racer
Reviewer: Gary Manley, experienced runner, England Athletics Qualified Coach, Obsessed with running.
Date: April 2024
Summary: A lightweight, low stack racer with a wide forefoot. I personally love this as a training shoe and have run miles and miles getting through quite a few pairs.
In a Nutshell:
- For runners who want zero drop, low stack and lightweight trainers than can be a traditional racing shoe or a daily trainer (at least for me coming from barefoot shoes).
- But it is very low stack with good ground feel which some people might not like. If you are coming from barefoot these will give you a hint of cushioning to be able to push harder. If you are used to "normal" shoes then you might struggle.
Upper:
Fit:
- Semi-form fitting: Generally, the upper offers a snug but comfortable wide fit, conforming to your foot without feeling restrictive. It's a good middle ground between a super-racing tight fit and a relaxed everyday trainer fit.
- True to size: The Escalante Racer fits true to size. I have wide feet and love the fit of the 8.5 in this trainer. In all other running shoe brands I am a 9.5 for the width, so for me anyone who says this show isn't wide enough is a real outlier.
Materials:
- Breathable mesh: The upper is primarily made of a thin, breathable mesh that allows for good ventilation and keeps your feet cool during runs. Note it does not keep your feet warm in the winter or dry in the rain, I mean you can't have it both ways but good to know for winter training.
- Seamless construction: The use of minimal seams helps reduce irritation and potential hotspots, especially during long runs. I have worn this shoe racing 5k and 10k and on 13 miles long runs and have had no issues with comfort.
Lockdown:
- Strategic overlays: Minimal overlays are strategically placed in the midfoot and heel area to provide lockdown and support without adding unnecessary bulk.
- Lace closure system: The standard lace closure system allows you to adjust the fit for a personalized feel.
Midsole:
The Altra Escalante Racer's midsole is designed to deliver a balance of responsiveness and cushioning for faster-paced runs. Here's a closer look at its key features:
- Altra EGO™ midsole foam: This is the core material of the midsole, known for being lightweight and responsive. It provides a good amount of energy return, propelling you forward with each stride. Compared to the standard Altra EGO™ found in some of their other shoes, the Escalante Racer's version is reported to be a touch firmer for a more performance-oriented feel.
- Lower stack height: The Escalante Racer boasts a lower stack height compared to some other Altra shoes. This lower stack height allows for a closer to the ground feel, which some runners prefer for better responsiveness and proprioception (awareness of your body's position).
- InnerFlex™ technology: These are strategically placed grooves that flex naturally with your foot during the gait cycle. This allows for a more natural and efficient foot strike, particularly beneficial for midfoot or forefoot strikers.
- Zero Drop Platform: A core feature of Altra shoes, the Escalante Racer maintains a zero-drop platform. This means the heel and forefoot are at the same height, promoting a more natural foot strike for some runners and a more balanced feel throughout the run. I love the ride of this trainer.
- Responsiveness over cushioning: While the Altra EGO™ foam offers some cushioning, the focus of the midsole is on responsiveness and a propulsive feel.
- Suitable for experienced runners: The lower stack height and firmer midsole might be more suited for experienced runners with good form who can handle a less cushioned shoe or those coming from a barefoot shoe background. Those who prioritize maximum cushioning might be better suited for a different Altra model.
Overall, the Altra Escalante Racer's midsole prioritizes a lightweight, responsive feel for faster runs. It achieves this with a lower stack height, a firmer version of Altra's EGO™ foam, and features that promote a natural foot strike.
Outsole:
The outsole of the Altra Escalante Racer is designed to be lightweight, flexible, and offer sufficient traction for road running. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:
- Material: It uses a strategic placement of rubber compounds for durability and flexibility. The forefoot uses a more flexible rubber compound to allow for natural toe-off and a smooth transition during your stride.
- Traction: The outsole features a low-profile lug pattern. These lugs provide good grip on dry pavement and light rain. However, they may not be ideal for very loose surfaces like gravel or wet trails but they do grip better than the Altra Vanish Carbon or Tempos.
- Durability: Generally, the outsole is considered durable enough for high mileage road running and in my experience they do last. I am a high mileage runner and these are some of the better lasting Altra's.
- Flexibility: As mentioned earlier, the forefoot section of the outsole is designed to be flexible for a natural toe-off and efficient running form. This flexibility allows your foot to bend and move naturally during your gait cycle.
Here are some additional things to consider about the outsole:
- Not for off-road running: The low-profile lug pattern is not suitable for aggressive off-road running or very loose surfaces. That being said I have used them to good effect on my local parkruns summer route where a third of the route is on grass.
- Balance of flexibility and durability: While the forefoot prioritizes flexibility, the outsole should offer enough durability for most road running needs.
Overall, the outsole of the Altra Escalante Racer prioritizes a balance between flexibility for a natural running feel and durability for road running. If you need a shoe with super aggressive traction for off-road adventures, this outsole might not be the best choice. However, for most road runners seeking a lightweight, responsive shoe with a natural feel, the Escalante Racer's outsole should deliver a good experience.
Performance:
- This shoe is meant to be like a traditional racing flat. Having come from barefoot shoes I find this is great a a daily training shoe. It is great for building my foot strength and more durable than carbon racers but protects the feet more than traditional barefoot shoes.
- I find this shoe works at all paces and have used it from 7 minute kilometre training runs through 18 minute parkruns.
Overall:
- I do find one of my feet starts slapping the ground when I am wearing these and am tired. That being said this is probably the most comfortable shoe I have. It is durable, great for hot weather and suitable for fast and slow running.
- The new version of this shoe is supposed to come out later this year. So there could be good deals on these or the new version might be a big step up.
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