I have always run with Asics, Nike, Mizuno.. Each time with a numbness of the lower back afterwards. Stretchings didn’t do much. Until I heard about minimalist shoes and Altra. Last year, I’ve bought a pair of riviera 2 and it was a WOW moment for me as I felt I couldn’t stop running. Never got any numbness whatsoever. I’ve replaced the Riviera by Escalante 3 yesterday and I ran today (10 km as they were brand new.) The toe box is bigger than in the Riviera and it was a great run again. I swear by this brand, period! Very good and straightforward review!
My oldest Escalante 3's are on 1300 miles. Still going strong. Don't believe the need to change your shoes every 300 miles propaganda. Took me a few months to transition to zero drop but well worth it.
I love this review. So refreshing to hear someone give an honest review rather than “this is what everyone else is saying so I’ll parrot the same points.” I’m an Altra lover but I almost never tried this version of the escalante because of how everyone was talking about it. But I tried it on and it felt good! Not the same as my beloved version 1s, but still it’s comfy and awesome. Thank you for being a voice for the people lol 👊
Good review! Sizing, shoe lace length and durability have been my issues with Altra road shoes. Most have been pretty minor but annoying. However, I do love the foot shape design and the zero drop platform.
I agree with the 3's lace length: way too short. The 2.5's length is great, but like Kevin's review on the 3, the outer heel section is getting worn way too quickly. Is Altra choosing to use a softer material that can't handle the mileage? Granted the 2.5 is just that, a racer. Can't expect it to last long.
Hey Kevin, I wanted to get your advice regarding these. I'm just getting into zero-drop running and I find that I'm beginning to like it. As I rotate back between them and some of my older (higher drop) shoes, I noticed I can get knee pain sometimes in the new ones (most of them are 6mm drop or greater). As of right now, I'm considering between getting something like these Escalantes or a low-drop alternative like a Saucony Kinvara. Do you have any advice in this regard? Do you run in any shoes with drop and would you recommend one style over the other? Thank you!
I'm not the main guy, but if you still get knee pain from even 6mm drop, then you'll still get some on a 4mm Kinvara. Just go with any zero drop Altra or Topo full time till you're knee pain free and then use the Saucony occasionally. Once I adapted and the knee pain went away I would occasionally go back to 10mm with a high compression heel. Was fine for random sessions but over time felt no longer right. But 4mm probably maybe less awkward. That's my two cents after years of experimenting.
@@rashb3994 Thanks man, yeah I was beginning to lean towards the same. Zero drop feels more natural for me and honestly more stable. I do still have some others I'll use from time to time, but I'm honestly beginning to prefer the feel of zero drop shoes over the others.
@@KevinHoegler I mean I like zero drop and ran exclusively in Altra for about 4 years, but so many good shoes out there now and to be truthful I feel very little difference running in 6/8mm drops.
@@FatUglySadMan I've run exclusively in Altras for a while, but for me, whenever I try other brands it's the toe box shape rather than the drop that really bothers me.
@@plain-bagel I totally agree. A few millimetres of drop won’t affect me due to my forefoot strike, but I can’t go back to a missile shaped toe box. My toes are finally looking semi-normal after a lifetime of abuse in silly shoe coffins. That’s my experience anyway
I have always run with Asics, Nike, Mizuno.. Each time with a numbness of the lower back afterwards. Stretchings didn’t do much.
Until I heard about minimalist shoes and Altra. Last year, I’ve bought a pair of riviera 2 and it was a WOW moment for me as I felt I couldn’t stop running. Never got any numbness whatsoever.
I’ve replaced the Riviera by Escalante 3 yesterday and I ran today (10 km as they were brand new.)
The toe box is bigger than in the Riviera and it was a great run again.
I swear by this brand, period!
Very good and straightforward review!
My oldest Escalante 3's are on 1300 miles. Still going strong. Don't believe the need to change your shoes every 300 miles propaganda. Took me a few months to transition to zero drop but well worth it.
I love this review. So refreshing to hear someone give an honest review rather than “this is what everyone else is saying so I’ll parrot the same points.” I’m an Altra lover but I almost never tried this version of the escalante because of how everyone was talking about it. But I tried it on and it felt good! Not the same as my beloved version 1s, but still it’s comfy and awesome. Thank you for being a voice for the people lol 👊
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the review!🤜🤛 …yeah altra has been difficult with their sizing! It’s hit or miss!
I believe Altra added 2mm stack height to the padding in the 3 from the 2.5 from my recollection, just to explain the increased plush feel.
Good review! Sizing, shoe lace length and durability have been my issues with Altra road shoes. Most have been pretty minor but annoying. However, I do love the foot shape design and the zero drop platform.
Thank you!! Yeahh it’s hard to find anyone nearly as good as altra in the zero drop wide toe box space. That’s why I keep coming back!
I agree with the 3's lace length: way too short. The 2.5's length is great, but like Kevin's review on the 3, the outer heel section is getting worn way too quickly. Is Altra choosing to use a softer material that can't handle the mileage? Granted the 2.5 is just that, a racer. Can't expect it to last long.
Thanks brother I’ve been thinking about grabbing a pair of these. This gives me more to consider
You’re welcome! They’re a solid shoe!
Great review, thanks! Going with this shoe instead of the Rivera 3
How is the arch support on these? Do they have any, or are they more like in barefoot shoes, with flat insoles?
There’s not really any arch support. I’d say more barefoot but the cushioning is significantly more than barefoot shoes
Seemed your not familiar with OG sizing and standard fit by Altra? Love my escalante racer the ego last long.
I never had experience the OG. I started using Altra’s with the torin 4 and escalante 2. I love the racer too
The escalante I tried before wore out quickly. I stay with torin twice a year now.
Yeah I feel like it’s hit or miss with the escalante
Hey Kevin, I wanted to get your advice regarding these. I'm just getting into zero-drop running and I find that I'm beginning to like it. As I rotate back between them and some of my older (higher drop) shoes, I noticed I can get knee pain sometimes in the new ones (most of them are 6mm drop or greater).
As of right now, I'm considering between getting something like these Escalantes or a low-drop alternative like a Saucony Kinvara. Do you have any advice in this regard? Do you run in any shoes with drop and would you recommend one style over the other? Thank you!
I'm not the main guy, but if you still get knee pain from even 6mm drop, then you'll still get some on a 4mm Kinvara. Just go with any zero drop Altra or Topo full time till you're knee pain free and then use the Saucony occasionally. Once I adapted and the knee pain went away I would occasionally go back to 10mm with a high compression heel. Was fine for random sessions but over time felt no longer right. But 4mm probably maybe less awkward. That's my two cents after years of experimenting.
@@rashb3994 Thanks man, yeah I was beginning to lean towards the same. Zero drop feels more natural for me and honestly more stable. I do still have some others I'll use from time to time, but I'm honestly beginning to prefer the feel of zero drop shoes over the others.
Owl-tra
How is the outsole holding up now?
After 197 miles, still holding up really well. Where I land in my gait, there’s a little bit of wearing but otherwise nothing
Given up with Altra sadly due to the ridiculous sizing every model is a faff getting the correct size.
Yeah I totally understand the frustration. I’ve had a similar experience
@@KevinHoegler I mean I like zero drop and ran exclusively in Altra for about 4 years, but so many good shoes out there now and to be truthful I feel very little difference running in 6/8mm drops.
@@FatUglySadMan I've run exclusively in Altras for a while, but for me, whenever I try other brands it's the toe box shape rather than the drop that really bothers me.
@@plain-bagel I totally agree. A few millimetres of drop won’t affect me due to my forefoot strike, but I can’t go back to a missile shaped toe box. My toes are finally looking semi-normal after a lifetime of abuse in silly shoe coffins. That’s my experience anyway