Altra Escalante Racer 2 Review - Perfect minimal shoe meets cushion

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Күн бұрын

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@Good4uNot4me 4 ай бұрын

You were on point with the review. I had the Escalante 4, the shoe was softer and it used to bounce from side to side when picking up the speed. I didn’t like the breathability so I returned and got the racer 2. The shoe is firmer but it helped when picking up the pace and the upper has a snug fit on the mid foot to prevent the foot from sliding. The racer 2 is a better shoe imo. I’m thinking of getting a minimalist shoe to strengthen my feet. Do you think that I can strengthen my feet with Altra 0 drop shoes or do I need a minimalist shoes ?

@barefootrunreview 4 ай бұрын

Great! I'm glad they worked for you! I think both of your statements are true. - You can build foot strength in Altras - You can build more foot strength in minimal shoes! Personally, I advocate the careful use of minimal shoes to allow the body to adapt to forces without cushion. This allows specific areas of the feet and lower legs to strengthen. At the same time, we have to be careful to build up slowly and allow our tissues and bones to adapt to the higher stresses of minimal shoes. I write a lot more about this on my website, specifically this post. barefootrunreview.com/the-case-for-barefoot-running/ Feel free to ping me if you want more advice! I'm always happy to talk about this.

@small_strides 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the review. I have 2 pairs of the Escalante 3s - those were the first Altras I owned. I actually enjoyed them.😅 I was considering getting the Racer 2, but based on this and your Escalante 4 reviews, I think I'll stick with 'real' minimal shoes. My current go-to is the Xero HFS II. I wear them for workouts, some easy runs and races. Ran my current HM PB on them. Any thoughts on which other Xero might make a good companion shoe? Also, requesting you to review some Xeros on your channel

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

@@small_strides if the Escalante 3's work, stick with them! You'll find the cheap right now. :) And as long as you're pairing them with some more minimal I think you have a perfect rotation. If you head over to my website barefootrunreview.com, you'll find reviews for nearly all Xero Shoe options. But I've not got videos yet, because this is all new for me. For me the Xero shoes Speed Force II is great. Very minimal, that true Xero shape and lighter than anything else. The HFS II didn't work too well for me, it seemed a little stiffer and more cushioned than the typical Xero options. But that's a personality thing. The prio Neo can be a nice compromise between the HFS II and Speed Force II. Anyway. Hopefully that helps. Let me know if you'd like to know anything else!

@maximilianklein2062 5 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview I love the escalante 3 - as sneakers/walking shoes, in winter, when I can't weat thin soles... but I'd never run in them - they are way too heavyvfor running

@andrasczigany 3 ай бұрын

I have the original Escalante Racer at 700+ km (used only on road). Except some tread wear and a bit softer, it looks like new.

@barefootrunreview 3 ай бұрын

Awesome! Keep on rocking them!

@andrasczigany 3 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview I have used them for 6 hour races, hill training, track intervals. Walking in Xeros, but for running this is the most minimalist I dare to rock. I love its feel and the knit upper is awesome. Just ordered the version 2. The original needs a successor and I usually give some transient time for my soon to be retired shoes to ease into the change. I use two Altra Outroads for training (just started breaking in an Outroad 2) and the Lone Peak 7 for trails. I had some issues with one of my Outroads: big tear after 300km on the inner side of the upper, but it was handled via warranty. Otherwise I think they are quite durable. My other Outroad has over 900 kms running on light(ish) trails/asphalt and although the lugs are at most 2mm and definitely less bounce than brand new, the upper just started to have some small tears/holes. I suppose it will get a second life as a daily walker.

@barefootrunreview 3 ай бұрын

@@andrasczigany that great. If you ever want to try more minimal shoe for running, I can help. And I think it's beneficial for the occasional tune up run. As for the shoes, it's good to hear you're rocking other Altra models. Do you reach for you Lone Peaks much? Or do you mainly use your Outroads?

@andrasczigany 3 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview I use the Lone Peaks only for per se trail events or racing: only got a bit below 200km in them since last fall. I will double that in the weeks as my goal race for this Autumn comes up in five weeks, which is a 115km trail event. I live in a hilly area in a bigger city and not getting into a car to get somewhere to run, so my daily training runs are usually have some kms of road/pavement. My experience with the Lone Peaks is that running in them on hard surface is not a forgiving endeavor. My knees are not liking that. So I usually train in the Outroads. Those can handle moderately technical trails in my experience. Beware: I have an MTB Cross Country background so potentially my categorization of trails is a bit skewed. For long run trainings I like to go to hiking events. I think this is a Hungarian speciality (I can not really translate it to English): it is hiking through checkpoints (with some refreshments provided) under a time limit, with a flexible start time (usually 10-100 kms in length, occasionally multi-day). Much more lightweight than a running competition (on the money too). It is really a cooperative family atmosphere event. So those tracks are usually very technical high hill/mountain like trails, where the Lone Peaks are much needed. Next summer I am planning the Grossglockner Ultra Trail, that (ie.: the Alps) is definitely Lone Peaks territory.

@barefootrunreview 3 ай бұрын

@@andrasczigany nice! That all makes sense. Good luck with your upcoming Ultra. I'd love to dispel the myth that less cushion = harder on the knees. In many situations it can be the opposite due to higher ground reaction forces in cushioned shoes. At the same time, there are other variables that come into it, so it's hard to be black or white about it. But in general, less cushion puts more stress through the feet and ankles, more cushion puts more stress through the knees hips and back.

@ItzikMuskal Ай бұрын

I'm currently running with the Topo ST 5 which has a 14mm stack height. I know you don't like the Topo because of the excessive arch support. It doesn't bother me since I have high arches. Will I still get the foot strengthening benefits of a barefoot running shoe with the excessive arch support? I was planning on purchasing the Altra Escalante Racer 2 for my spring marathon and rotating it with the Topo ST 5. Do you think that would work out pretty well?

@barefootrunreview Ай бұрын

Glad to hear you know my stance. 😅 I did like the ST5, but the arch bugged me way too much. Theoretically, any supportive design will mitigate foot strengthening benefits. Even cushion. Even rubber! But arch support is that one step too far in my opinion. I like your thinking of rotating between shoes though, that way your body doesn't get too habituated to one shoe and running pattern. You could go for the racer, but you could also go more minimal, and start very slowly with them to increase the foot strengthening gains. First starting with walk/everyday use.

@ericplancke438 5 ай бұрын

Très bonne revue , les miennes sont en commande... à suivre !

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

Oh yeah! You'll enjoy them!

@AndreS_22246 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the excellent YT reviews and website - both very good 👍 I would love a recommendation of a competitor to the Escalate Racer for me to try? Does anyone know of one? I have had three pairs of the original Escalante Racers and found the midsole breaks down too quickly. My ideal running shoe would be exactly half way between the Xero HFS 2 and Escalante Racer. Eg a bit more Cush than X HFS but more solid and durable than E Racer. Any ideas? Many thanks 🙏

@barefootrunreview 4 ай бұрын

Sure thing! The two shoes that come to mind are the Bahe Revive, and Lems Primal. Both sit at around 10mm in stack height, so remain flexible and somewhat minimal. The fit of the Bahe is a little deeper than all the shoes mentioned, so beware of that. Both have good width throughout the whole foot. Worth a look I think

@AndreS_22246 4 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview thanks very much, greatly appreciated 🙏

@rhidiandavies1991 5 ай бұрын

I usually wear pretty minamislist trainers but bought a pair of these for my longer road runs where I want a bit of cushioning. All the reviews said they fit true to size but I have the same issue with the mid and fore foot width. I find the outside of my foot spills over the side and my pinky toe gets cramped up against the upper too, which is the absolute worst thing for running long distance in. Really disappointed because I like everything else about the shoe. I considered buying another pair half a size up but over-long shoes is not ideal for running in. It's a shame that altra only offers the wider fit on a couple models, and even then there's rarely enough stock to service the demand for them. Back to vivo for me.

@chchanrus 3 ай бұрын

I'm a Korean runner who loves zero drops Your review was helpful Thank you I run about 10k 44m in Vibram v-trail 2.0 I am looking to buy a new pair of shoes to improve my time, escalante racer 2 or torin 7, what do you recommend? Or any other type of running shoe? I'd love your opinion

@barefootrunreview 3 ай бұрын

I'd stick to something lower stack like the Escalante Racer. The Torin will feel large and bulky compared with your Vibrams. For me the Racer would be my shoe of choice for racing right now.

@chusti1054 2 ай бұрын

is this one softer than the escalante 3? i have pruchased the escalante 3 but i'm thinking moving on to the racer 2 (around 20 € more expensive)

@barefootrunreview 2 ай бұрын

Mmm they're similar softness, but they feel very different. The Racers are more minimal and flexible, which I think is great, but it depends if your feet are used to that. You could rotate between the Racers and the Escalante 3's to get some variation?

@chusti1054 2 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview I use barefoot shoes for general walking (Merrell vapor...) and the Escalante 3 for traveling or very long distance walks... But for running I used non barefoot cushioning regular shoes like Nike alphafly and similar😁

@barefootrunreview 2 ай бұрын

@@chusti1054 No idea how you squeeze your feet into Nikes still. :) All sounds good. I think the Racers could work well for you then. You seem to have good experience.

@Good4uNot4me 4 ай бұрын

Can you review the Topo Magnifly 5 ?

@barefootrunreview 4 ай бұрын

@@Good4uNot4me sorry I've written Topo off for now. The arch support in the models I've tried are just a no go for me.

@RaedMohsen 5 ай бұрын

I got the escalante 2.5 before and hated it because it felt too cushioned and unstable. Do you think this is more minimalist and firmer?

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

100% yes. The standard Escalante range has always been somewhat soft (apart from the 3). This Racer 2 is firmer and more stable for me.

@AndreS_22246 4 ай бұрын

What do you think of the insole that comes with both the Escalante and Escalante Racers? I hate them!!! They are weirdly squishy and make any ground feel impossible. I like the Escalates when worn with ‘normal’ insoles taken from other barefoot shoes. Have you tried reviewing the shoes with different insoles?

@barefootrunreview 4 ай бұрын

@@AndreS_22246that's an Altra thing. Most of their insoles are thick and squishy. I find they tend to flatten over time. I did try both models with a 3mm in sole, but felt I could get a better lockdown with the original insoles. And for me Fit comes first.

@AndreS_22246 4 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview thanks. Yes I agree about fit and lockdown, and that you need the correct ‘volume’ from the in sole to achieve that. I actually bought some quite hard EVA foam in 3mm thickness and cut an insole shape from that. So my ideal set up is: Escalante Racer, take out their insole, add my DIY 3mm layer and a Xero shoes insole. Sounds daft but I love it!! (Although I wish the Escalante was more durable…) Thanks for your excellent channel and website.

@patternview 5 ай бұрын

Does the Racer 2 still have the same shape as the Racer 1 or did the toebox get more narrow?

@Murphy2043 5 ай бұрын

It is at least as wide.

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

I never ran in the OG Racer, but from all accounts I've heard the racer 2 has the same fit as the original.

@maximilianklein2062 5 ай бұрын

Same fit and shape, but feels differently since it is much heavier and stiffer... the racer two is like weight training for your legs

@danandr79 2 ай бұрын

US9 corresponds to 27cm, so you only leave 0.5cm more than the length of the foot? Don't you have problems even on long distances?

@barefootrunreview 2 ай бұрын

Conversions to metric measurements vary from shoe to shoe. If you check a few charts online you'll find different numbers so we can't trust these measurements 100%. So I attempt to give sizing advice based on subjective feeling and related to other shoes. If you know your sizing in another model, I can try and help advise a little better.

@cvetkovicslobodan 4 ай бұрын

Perfect shoe

@barefootrunreview 4 ай бұрын

Glad it works for you!

@maximilianklein2062 5 ай бұрын

The Racer 2 is a horrible update. The racer 1 was ok, I've ran thousands of kilometers in them. However it had one problem. It was a bit heavier than traditional lightweight trainers and way heavier than running flats. They were in fact the heaviest shoe in my rotation. They were heavier than my Asics Nooosa 14, which is ridiculous, given the noosa is a definitively non- minimalist shoe. However, the pros weighed out the cons. Zero drop and wide toe box, plus the flexibility was worth the extra weight. ....but here comes the racer 2. A slap in the face of all who loved the original racer. It is 249g in standard size. That is ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

What weight did your original Escalante Racers come in at? Oh yeah. What size too?

@maximilianklein2062 5 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview Racer 1 EU43, 216g/218, Racer 2 EU43 249/251g It's ridiculous these are the heaviest shoes I have in my rotation. I also have the Metaspeed Sky, the the Asics tri Noosa 14, the Nike Alphafly 1, the Merell Vapor Glove 6 etc.all of which are lighter. I weighed all shoes on the same scale

@barefootrunreview 5 ай бұрын

Wow. I measured my racer 2's EU42.5 at 220g. I'm surprised that 1/2 size could contribute to that much weight gain. I wonder why yours are weighing much more. 🤔

@maximilianklein2062 4 ай бұрын

@@barefootrunreview me too...

@maximilianklein2062 4 ай бұрын

@barefootrunreview p.s. I've returned them by now. Even if there was something wrong with my scale or my shoes, I didn't see the point in keeping something that's inferior to its predecessor in every respect...I have a pair of racer 1's that will last another 500k ...