Altra Escalante 4 Review
This week we’re moving quickly in our Altra Escalante 4 review! When the running world went barefoot-crazy partly due to the success of the book ‘Born to Run’, runners really enjoyed the ground feel and posture that they got from flat or zero drop shoes that were really flexible with no midsole cushioning. The issue that occurred was that after a few miles the runners feet got sore. This was amplified when the runner got tired and wasn’t able to hold a good running posture. This made them heavy on their feet and their feet feel even more battered.
Enter the Altra Escalante
What the Escalante offered was a lightweight, flexible, anatomically shaped running shoe with a midsole that was firm enough to give a good level of ground feel but soft enough to protect the feet. It was an instant success. It has continued to sell well too, despite the current trend in the running shoe market moving to maximally cushioned shoes with curved shaped midsoles aka rockers, that essemtially make running easier by doing some of the work for your feet and legs.
Zero Drop Heritage
The difference between the Altra zero drop running shoes (where the level of cushioning or stack height is the same right through) and most other running shoes on the market is that you run in an Altra shoe. In other brands you ride the shoe. The rocker, midsole or high heel to forefoot drop pushes your foot through the gait cycle. Not all Altra shoes are now zero drop like the Escalante 4 being reviewed though. They have followed the popularity of curved or ‘rocker’ shaped midsoles and a (still modest) 4mm heel to forefoot drop in the new Experience range, for example.
Altra’s zero drop running shoes like the Escalante 4 are designed to allow your feet to function as nature intended, rather than replace your feet. They combine the flat cushioning with a broad and rounded toe box. Not having a higher heel on the back of your running shoe encourages the runner to land more on their midfoot, with the foot touching the ground under the runner’s centre of gravity. This reduces breaking force that your body has to deal with and loads the foot in such a way that the arch can compress best. This stretches out the planta fascia on the base of your foot, a large elastic-band-like feature of your foot that absorbs the shock upon being stretched and recoils to spring you into your next step.
The broad, rounded toe box gives your feet the room to spread uninhibited by the shoe. This not only gives the runner cushioning and propulsion, but also balance. Plus, as the runners foot is working inside the shoes with every step they are getting stronger.
Escalante 4 vs. Escalante 3
The Altra Escalante 4 has had a few minor tweaks to it to make it feel and perform a bit more like the earlier versions. The Escalante 3 felt a bit more like a training shoe than previous models. The width of the base was increased and the shoe was a little stiffer. Previous versions have always felt flexible, light and responsive. They almost felt like a racing shoe. They were just that little bit softer cushioning and had a slightly more relaxed fit. It meant you still felt light on your feet, nimble and your gait was uninhibited. For a lot of hardcore Escalante fans version 3 just tipped over the line and started to feel like an everyday training shoe. The added stiffness had taken away the nimble feel and the shoes didn’t feel as light and as natural. The Escalante 4 has fixed all that. This doesn’t really show up in the specs of the shoes. The midsole is still made from Altra’s Ego foam. It is still 24mm in stack height. The density of the foam is the same. The flexibility has improved due particularly to tweaks to the outsole. The flexibility allows the foot to function a bit more naturally and you get a little bit more ‘spring’ in your step. This has restored the natural nimble feel that the Altra Escalante has been known for.
The upper of the Escalante 4 has also been stripped back a bit. It is still an engineered knit but is a single layer. It still hugs the foot around the heel and through the midfoot like the previous version but allows for more natural foot movement rather than supporting the foot and potentially inhibiting some of the natural movement. This change to the upper has reduced the weight of the Altra Escalante 4 down to 212g in a women’s UK6.5 and 269g in a men’s UK9.5.
Sizing
Altra are similar in length to Brooks, Saucony and Topo Athletic. If you use Hoka, New Balance, La Sportiva or Inov-8 for example then I would suggest trying half a size larger.
Altra have several different ‘last’ aka foot mould shapes. The Original fit has the most volume and width and is used for the Altra Escalante 4 alongside flagships like ‘Lone Peak’ and ‘Olympus’ which are Altra’s most popular trail running shoes.
Injury Prevention & Transition to 0mm Drop
If you’re not used to this kind of running shoe, it’s a good idea to gradually increase the time you spend in the shoes, alternating with your current shoes. Give your feet and lower legs the time to get used to working again without getting overloaded.
Transition to a Roomy Toe Box
Some runners find that because their feet have been restricted in their current footwear and in effect ‘forgotten’ how to work, it takes a while for things to spread out and function better. It comes back quite quickly. Just gradually build up the time in this kind of running shoe. Eventually there should be gaps between your toes for them to function at their base on landing. If the toes have been squashed into a low-volume pointed toe box, there likely won’t be!
The Altra Escalante 4 has re-invigorated my enjoyment of running. They feel so light and natural. During faster running sessions my posture is at its best and my stride feels a lot smoother than it did in the previous version. The cushioning feels softer than the version 3, which is probably due to the added flexibility through the midfoot.
In summary the Altra Escalante 4 is a lightweight running shoe that allows your feet to function as nature intended. They are surprisingly versatile, enough for fast running and racing, plus slow recovery runs for the experienced runners who enjoy a lower level of cushioning.
Other Considerations
Hoka Mach 6: A faster feeling training shoe that uses a rocker shaped midsole and super critical foam. Designed for the same type of running as the Escalante 4 but, designed to do more of the work for your body. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mach-6-review/
Topo Athletic Magnifly 5: If you’re looking for a shoe that allows your feet to function and you to run more naturally then the Topo Magnifly is the only rival to the Altra Escalante 4. The Magnifly supports the foot a bit more is a bit stiffer and has a firmer feel to the cushioning. This doesn’t allow quite as much foot function. Which is better depends on how strong your feet are. How good your posture is and how often you are looking to use the shoes. In my experience the Magnifly does flex up as it breaks in and becomes a very comfortable training shoe but, it never feels as light and fast as the Escalante 4. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-magnifly-5-review/
Topo Athletic Cyclone 2: The super critical foam feels a lot softer than the midsole of the Escalante 4 but, there isn’t a lot of it so you do feel like you are running and not being bounced down the road by the foam. There is a rocker but it’s not too controlling and the broad rounded toe box offers space for your feet to function. The heel to forefoot drop is 5mm but, this isn’t very noticeable as the foam is so soft and the shoe quite flexible. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-cyclone-2-review/
New Balance Rebel v4: Like the Hoka Mach 6 this is a shoe that you ride. It has a rocker and a responsive foam. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-rebel-v4-review/
Brooks Hyperion Max: Similar to the Hoka Mach 6 and NB Rebel v4 these shoes have a rocker and a soft responsive foam. So, although it is designed to do a similar job to the Altra Escalante 4 it doesn’t offer the same level of foot stimulation and therefore foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-hyperion-max-review/
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