Altra Escalante 4 Review - The update we've been waiting for

Are you feeling nostalgic for the classic Escalante?
Throw your questions in the comments, and let me know what you think of the new Escalanate 4!
To read a full review of the Escalate 4 or any other foot-shaped or barefoot shoe, visit barefootrunreview.com.
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[@MilesLangley]

I love the Lone Peak 8 on the trails. For my road shoe, The Torin 7 is okay (had to go up half a size). But I really want to try out this shoe as a road running alternative. Keen to hear your review for the Altra Escalante Racer 2.

[@barefootrunreview]

I think this would be a good pairing with the Lone Peak. The Escalante Racer may be a bit firm in comparison. But it's a great training tool either way. I love them.

[@andreashjalmarsson9886]

Great review! Compared to Rivera 4, what's the big difference above the more stack in Rivera? For style, in your opinion which is more suitable for everyday wear, Escalante 3, 4 or Rivera 4?

[@barefootrunreview]

The main difference between the Escalante and the Rivera is the fit. The Rivera's more narrow, and "fitted". The upper on the Escalante is more flexible and wider in the toe box. For casual I'd love to recommend minimal shoes. :) but if you still need some cushion, the Escalante 4 is a good choice.

[@RunnerdJK]

Any thoughts on Escalante 4 vs Magnifly 5?

[@barefootrunreview]

I've not personally tried the Magnifly 5, but I've tried ST's in the past, and Terraventure's. I'm really not a fan of the pronounced arch support they all had. From what I've heard that's true across the whole range. Because of that I decided not to review any more of their range. (I've only got so much time and money 😀 ) In generally, I noted that Topo's seemed to be a little wider in the midfoot, and had a little more depth than most Altra models. And the build quality seem to be better overall which I think would translate to a longer lasting shoe. I hope that helps a little! :)

[@RunnerdJK]

@@barefootrunreview thanks!

[@alfredrobinson184]

What insole do you suggest to get some more depth? I tried these and my true to size felt a bit snug. I tried sizing up and then they were too long.

[@barefootrunreview]

I usually say, any insole that you have hanging around. Most altra insoles are around 4mm thick, which is quite thick for a insole. I use some Xero Shoes insoles normally, and I know you can buy them directly from Xero Shoes if you need them. I hope that helps!

[@zollox97]

In Altras I often just remove the insole altogether! Not sure if great for the shoe, but has worked great for me.

[@barefootrunreview]

@@zollox97 interesting. Because most of the foot beds in Altras are a rubberised tacky material, I've never tried them insole-less. I was worried about rubbing. What distances are you running in them?

[@fransera]

​@@barefootrunreviewrunrepeat measurements have most of Altra near the 5.5mm mark. That's thick, I tried swapping out my Racer insole for more toe height but the ride changed somewhat with my thin insole from other minimalist shoes

[@barefootrunreview]

5.5mm! 😮 I've not measured them to be that thick, but they are thicker than most. I have found they, or the midsole doesn't pack out after 50km though, so sometimes it's worth pushing through. But for me. Fit comes first for sure!

[@AllainPL]

I just got those, but it looks like they are not wide enough for me. Also, from what i compared sizes 10 vs 11 they have the same insole width, so that's weird. Currently I'm waiting for the escalante racer 2, because according to runrepeat they should be wider. What is your experience? Also do you have any other WIDE recommendations?

[@barefootrunreview]

Which point of the shoe is not wide enough? I find the midfoot to be a bit snug. Just note that measuring via the insoles is not an accurate way of measuring the shoes, as they may use the same insole across different sizes. Maybe as you've found. Personally I've found the Escalante 4, and Escalante Racer 2 to be a very similar width, but with a bit more depth in the toe box. Overall, the sizing is similar, it's the feel where they differ the most. For wider options, I would suggest Bahe Revive, Lems Primal, but these are more minimal than the Escalante, so you'll have to decide if that works for you. I hope that helps!

[@AllainPL]

@@barefootrunreview For me it's the transverse arch / just before the toes start + my pinky really wants freedom. Thanks for the recommendation i will check the Lems, they somehow did not pop up on my radar. I hope it will not be too minimal :) As for the insoles, the length is different, it's the with that was the same. Maybe it changes for other sizes but the width on 10/11 looked the same Thanks for help!

[@barefootrunreview]

No worries.

[@user-xf4es7eh9y]

the data on that side is widely inaccurate all the time. you really can't trust much of what you read on there. i herd other folks say this and thought they were just being haters, but after doing some research i can see what they mean. the issue is that it's not all wrong, but you just don't know what is and what isnt. so be cautious about it. And yes, different sixes use the same insole, it usualy tells you right on the bottom of the insole which size range it's fot, also these shoes aren' that wide to begin with. Any similar NB in 2E is wider than these in the midfoot and just as wide in the toe. for instance. Even a 2E Hoka, when you compare the insoles, this altra which comes on their widest last, is no wider. actually the hoka had more room inside.

[@barefootrunreview]

@@user-xf4es7eh9y considering we've mentioned companies use the same insoles in different sizes means we can use insoles to compare the size of shoes as you've found. That being said. I understand what you mean by Altras not being wide. The question is. At what point are the shoes wide. If we're talking about the midfoot, they are not. If we're talking about the forefoot and toe box, then yes they are. A simple visual check will shoe you the difference in toe boxes when comparing with Hoks and New Balance like you mention. And that brings to the point that Foot Shape, does mean wide. It means more room in the toe box, and less taper on either side of the toes. You do not see that in conventional shoes like new balance and hoka. What do you think?

[@user-xf4es7eh9y]

This shoe uses Altras OG last, which is their widest one. But here's the thing. take the insole out and compare it to any normal running shoe like a NB or even a Hoka. It's the same. it's no wider than a normal running in 2E. Nevermind that NB and some Hokas come in 4E which is clearly wider than any Altra in the toes. And they don't need that "foot shape" gimmick. And yes, Altras tend to run tighter in the heel but it's the midfoot that gives most folks issues with these poorly designed shoes. Almost everyone I've seen try on an Altra has the lateral side of their midfoot and going to the pinky toe hanging off the side of the shoe. Because they aren't designed right. the quality has also gone down big time since they got bought by VFC. I say all this as someone that owns 3 current generation Altra shoes. So just to be clear, Altra has 3 lasts. the OG which is used in this and the Via Olympus for road shoes. then they have "standard" which a bit more narrow that comes on shoes like the Torin, etc. Then they have another one that comes on the riveras, etc. that's even thinner still. "Foot shaped" is a lie and a gimmick, most folks feet don't fit well in any of their shoes. Running shoe brands LOVE marketing and gimmicks. You get all the clown shoe aesthetic with no extra benefit over any other running shoe with a low drop. That's just the truth. I will say that Altra does generally do a really good job of making stable shoes at least. better than many brands. But. they clearly don't have the talent or resources of other bigger brands and it shows with al ot of the very poor decision they make. The next version of this shoe will prob have 28 mm stack based on how it's going. Anyone remember like not that long when 28 mm stack was considered like.. not very minimal, more like maximal? idk what else to say. I would say, they need to fix their durability issues. quit skimping on materials VFC. Fix some of their silly design choices, stop radically changing everything all the time, constantly adding stack to every model, making every model the same shoe with a few differences, etc. make the shoes ACTUALLY shaped like a foot.

[@nept123]

You are clearly delusional. Try finding a Hoka with a straight big toe

[@jannplanken]

No pic no proof, show me actual picture of the insoles - especially in the toe area. No doubt that 4E would be larger in midfoot area, but show that it would still allow for proper alignment of the big toe in the toebox

[@user-xf4es7eh9y]

@@jannplanken you can't post pictures on youtube. 2E hoka is just as wide at the widest point at the ball of the boot. Overall a larger fit than Altra's widest last and Hoka hasn't even been known for wide shoes like say New Balance. The actual difference in the area between the shoes at the toes is negligible, it's just a slightly different shape. The midfoot on the Hoka is however a bit wider and that bit makes a lot of difference for lot hanging off the side of the shoe on the lateral side like the way you see Altras fitting most folks. I wonder if topo has this issue. somehow i bet they dont.

[@jannplanken]

@@user-xf4es7eh9y link an imgur pic or any of the other similar sites. I have no doubt you’re correct about the width at ball of foot part, I’m strictly talking about toes - especially big toe alignment. Even if the ball of foot is wider, then the constant slight angle and pressure to the big toe I belive increases the tendency for bunions. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be proven wrong, altras are way too expensive for their durability, but I am yet to see a “non goofy shaped” shoe that would allow for the proper alignment of the big toe

[@Gamex996]

I agree I tired whitin amazon ones and vivobarefoot esc magna so from cheap to highend and altra was by far the worst interm of width and quality I returned mine in heartbeat after I tried it. my 10year old sketchers is wider than this. And it's insanely thick it felt like a brick under my feet and I got the higher stack whitin after altra and they fell much better. I am using them for jumping sports e.g volleyball, basketball(don't go jumping in minimal shoes it will break your feet)