Altra Escalante Racer 2 Review - Perfect minimal shoe meets cushion

The minimal Altra Escalante Racer lives on with a version 2. But has it changed?
Throw your questions in the comments, and let me know what you think of the new Escalanate Racer 2!
To read a full review of the Escalate 4 or any other foot-shaped or barefoot shoe, visit barefootrunreview.com/altra-e....
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[@rhidiandavies1991]

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.

[@ericplancke438]

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

[@barefootrunreview]

Oh yeah! You'll enjoy them!

[@small_strides]

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]

@@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]

@@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

[@RaedMohsen]

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]

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.

[@patternview]

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

[@Murphy2043]

It is at least as wide.

[@barefootrunreview]

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]

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

[@maximilianklein2062]

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]

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

[@maximilianklein2062]

@@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]

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. 🤔

[@elvay6847]

You listening to music while making this video? No? Then take the ear buds....

[@barefootrunreview]

They have a directional microphone which yields better autdio quality than the phone microphone. They are a must for now.

[@plastikmaiden]

What's your problem 😂

[@jamesadam4415]

I too have an ear fetish! 😉👂🦻