Altra Escalante 3 Running Shoes - AW23

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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. The knit material that distinguishes the Escalante from other Altra shoes has stayed with us in the fifth version. It is quite dense and not as elastic as its predecessors, providing better support than the early versions. In the heel and midfoot area, the upper is subtly reinforced and padded. David: The Altra Escalante is a low riding running shoe that has some cross over into daily wear as well. The shoe has a level 0mm drop platform with an ever so slight heel bevel and toe spring. For the most part this is a moderately flexible design that lets you do whatever you want with your mechanics. The shoe feels very similar to a traditional racing flat with a tad more cushion. The mechanics are very neutral throughout. From a "barefoot" mechanic standpoint, this is probably the closest option in the last year. Everything feels pretty natural throughout and there is a small bounce from the rigidity of the forefoot. The outsole traction is decent as well and you can take this on reasonably footed dirt and grass if you wanted to. The shoe has a light and nimble feel to it despite being 9.0 ounces. You definitely have to have some calf strength to be running in this shoe with a flat and low riding geometry. This is about as neutral as shoes come. Not a bad thing by any means, but something to keep in mind. With that said, the philosophy behind Altra shoes is that their minimalist design allows your body to activate and develop its own stability mechanisms. By designing shoes that allow the foot to move naturally, runners are (in theory) able to find their correct path of motion and develop the foot muscles that will help prevent injuries caused by pronation. Sizing

No other shoe I own is as comfortable on foot as the Escalante 3. I love to wear it all day – which I actually do to some extent. By the way, this is what I’d recommend to all runners who do not yet have experience with zero drop shoes: Run slowly and short distances and otherwise break them in by walking around in them. But I digress.

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This change to the feel of the Escalante is like the change in the Altra Superior 4.5 to Superior 5. The Altra Superior is in my opinion the trail version of the Escalante. The nimble, responsive feel of the older shoe has been tweaked to a more cushioned type of feel. Here is a link to our article on the Superior changes: https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-superior-5-vs-altra-superior-4-5/ Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor:Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup

On top of its durability, the outsole also has a solid bite on gravel, damp roads, and even light trails. So when shopping the Escalante 3, it might be one of the rare cases where it is not recommended to size up half a size for a running shoe. Cost ADRIENNE: If you like the Escalante line, you’ll like the Escalante 3. If you like wild prints, you’ll like the SE version I received. Again, Altra is a brand that knows who it is, and the Denver-based company has created another trainer that’ll satisfy the needs of natural runners everywhere. Over the past few years, shoemakers have poured resources into developing newer and better cushioning foams, and Altra is no exception. The company uses three main cushioning materials in its shoes: Ego, Ego Max, and Ego Pro. (Quantic, another cushioning material the brand developed, is being phased out.) I hear you. I’ve got a couple of suggestions, but I know none of them are perfect, and I’m still searching for perfect options for the old Escalante lovers.There’s very little difference between the two versions of the Escalante. You’d generally expect it when one is just an update of the other shoe. 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 With a firmer midsole, you’re naturally being pushed into the final ankle and foot position at a faster speed. David: The Altra Escalante is a minimalist road running shoe that has a very natural feel to it. The shoe uses a 0mm drop platform, meaning there is no difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. The shoe has moderately flexible design to it and a comfortable knit upper. For some this will be a walking shoe/running shoe double and for some it could even be a speed work shoe.

After running about 50 kilometers, I see no signs of premature wear. Therefore, I assume that the outsole will be one of the last parts of the shoe to give way. Since it's incredibly dry in my area at the moment, I haven't had a chance to test the Escalante in the rain. In any case, on dry asphalt, gravel and dirt roads, I never had the feeling of slipping at any time. 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. Even after 5 years, EGO TM has its firm place in the now modernized range of midsole materials from Altra – which in my opinion is completely justified! For me, the EVA-TPU compound is the perfect combination of soft, bouncy and durable. It may not have the luxurious, lush cushioning feel of EGO Max or PRO, but the Escalante doesn’t really aspire to compete with the likes of the Torin or Vanish Tempo, so that’s alright.These updates will appeal to a broader range of consumers, but did they alienate the Escalante super fans in the process? The results are somewhat mixed. On the downside, the toe box is not as wide, and extra cushioning in the midsole makes the shoe heavier and more narrow.

The Altra Escalante 3 is a decent daily option for medium to short runs for zero-drop newcomers. Efficient and experienced natural runners might enjoy it for longer runs and even a half marathon race or two. Those with a wider forefoot will have their needs met, while those on the narrower side will find more comfort in the Rivera. Speedsters will obviously want the Vanish Carbon for its natural feeling and super shoe tooling. 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.Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt:The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt) Looking at our durometer measurements, the Escalante 3 scored 23.8 HA which is exactly the same as the average of our lab-tested road running shoes. This is what natural feels like As can be seen in the pictures, the platform has become a bit wider, which is another stabilizing factor. If you've been paying close attention so far, you'll notice that the Escalante 3 has significantly more rubber material overall. As the heaviest material in a shoe obviously, this will affect the weight of a shoe. Weighing about 20 grams more than its predecessor, I wouldn't necessarily call our test object a lightweight anymore, but rather a middleweight. The one downside that some runners note is that the knit upper feels a bit oppressive. It may not leave the foot feeling as airy and fresh as some more lightly stitched engineered mesh products. Cushioning