Altra Escalante 3 Running Shoes - AW23

Product Information

DPT/Footwear Science: A+ (Altra Escalante 3 is the flagship for what a natural feeling shoe is for me) The platform is clearly wider. Measurements of platform vs Escalante 2.5: Forefoot 11.8 cm (+ 0.2), Midfoot 7.9 cm (+ 0,8), Heel 8.7 cm (+0.6) . Stability is usually attributed to the wide base and upper that's narrower than the base. This is what lab data can tell us in this case: At the forefoot, the midsole of Altra Escalante 3 sits at the average (111.5mm vs 111.8mm). At the heel, it is narrower than the average, almost 6mm! (Escalante: 82.8mm, average: 88.7mm)

With the Escalante 3, I have already tested 3 Altra road shoes this year (The other two: Altra Rivera 2 , Vanish Tempo , with Torin 6 underway) and I must say that the brand knows very well how to give each shoe a unique character. While the Rivera 2 is a shoe that feels good at any pace, the Vanish Tempo really omes into its own during moderate to fast sessions. The Escalante again feels different, but makes it hard for me to categorize it. When we look at the outsole of the Escalante 3, we notice that possibly the biggest change has taken place here. The new arrangement of rubber segments is strongly reminiscent of the outsole of the Torin. According to the manufacturer, the segmentation (Footpod TM ) maps the bones and tendons of the foot, which should lead to a more natural running motion. With a similar fit and feel to the Escalante 2’s, the Escalante Racer is an excellent choice for those who don’t mind more ground feel. The weight has increased slightly. The Escalante 3 weigh’s 263/219g for a men’s UK8/women’s UK5. The Escalante 2.5 was 241/196g. The increase in weight is mainly in the more padded, sturdy (and comfortable) upper.Again these differences could be due to the age of my Escalante 2.5. But with the omission of the innerflex groves and the stiffer upper, I genuinely think there’s been a shift towards a firmer ride. Whether it's for daily running, tempo days, biking, hiking, or even racewalking, the Altra Escalante 3 can handle it all. Although the midsole of the Escalante 3 has many great features, there are a few things that some runners may not find ideal. The midsole may feel too rigid for some runners–especially those just coming from the Escalante 2.5. In addition, the break-in period can be uncomfortable for some. Finally, the Escalante 3 does not have the luxurious cushioning of some other Altra models, such as the Torin or Vanish Tempo, so it is not the most highly cushioned among the company’s midsoles. Outsole

Thanks to the shoe's wide midfoot and forefoot base, we never had to worry about losing our footing.

Altra redefined the shape of the shoe a bit, widening it in the midfoot to make it feel a bit more stable. This increases the versatility of the shoe and allows it to be used for running and the occasional gym workout. The Escalante 3 is built on Altra’s original last with its signature FootShaped toe box, making it the widest and most roomy Altra option. In Summary I really enjoy regular miles in the new Altra Escalante 3 and for me it’s a light, everyday training shoe that allows you to run with good posture and provides that very important room for natural foot function. At the end of the day, if you are looking for an upper that excels in comfort and support, the Escalante 3 is ideal. However, if lightweight breathability is your primary focus, then it will not be as strong an option as some other products. Midsole Like I’ve said before, I’ll likely be replacing the insole in the 3.0, just to give the shoe a little more volume and let those toes move. Basically, what sets Escalante 3 apart from other shoes is a heel that is 9.1mm narrower in the upper than the average shoe out there! This might have attributed a lot to the overall stability feel.