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Altra

Escalante 1.5

Escalante 1.5
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (97/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.2 oz
Release
2018 Q2
MSRP
$130
Stack Height
24mm heel - 24mm toe

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (97/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 97% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Exceptional (97/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 97% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Exceptional (98/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (98/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Excellent (90/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (90/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 87% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Very good (89/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Very good (87/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (87/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 81% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Average (65/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (65/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 22% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

62%

13/21

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 97% of 2,617 running shoes.

Exceptional

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 97% of 1,872 daily trainers.

97%

Altra

Scores better than 98% of 132 Altra shoes.

98%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Escalante 1.5
Altra Escalante 4
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Escalante 1.5
Escalante 4
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Best value
Lightest / Lowest price / Best comfort
Best overall / Best cushioning / Best durability
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.2 oz M
7.8 oz M Lightest
—
Stack
24/24mm
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2018 Q2
2024 Q2
2024 Q2
MSRP
$130
—
$200
Best price
—
$94.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Exceptional (99%)
Cushioning
Very good (87%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (81%)
Good (78%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (23%)
Average (53%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (86%) Best value
Good (77%)
Very good (86%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

17 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 17 written reviews

Best Overall Shoe

GarminGuy · Mar 4, 2020

5/5

Overall

This is honestly one of the better shoes I have run in. The sole is very durable, and it goes well on the roads, track, and grass/trails. The one downside I would say is that it only really helps if you are running forefoot, because of the lack of cushioning, and there is not a lot of arch/ankle support, so it requires you to do strengthening exercises on your own, but that has benefits in itself. The only injuries I got from this shoe were from overtraining and undereating, so I wouldn't blame it on the shoe. Highly recommend.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Daily trainer, 1.5 best version

Anonymous runner · Aug 10, 2019

5/5

Overall

Better than the 1 and 2 versions. Feels real nice and bouncy out of the box, after a few hundred miles (as most shoes do) it loses that pop you first felt. However the toe box is AMAZING, they are a dream to run on even ground with, a bit sloppy on the trails but I am content on the forest roads for majority of training. The 2 is too tight and constricting in my opinion as i think they overcompensated for the slight sloppy feel on uneven ground. They are however supposed to be a road shoe, save for tight turns, does what you need it to do-keep things moving along smoothly for most runs- the EGO material is really nice for the life of the shoe. I do think the solstice, Esc racer, vanish-R and whatnot make for better racing shoes than the Escalante 1.5-for me it is very much a daily trainer and a staple in my altra shoe collection. They are a tad clunky to do strides/sprints in my opinion, but am able to maintain a cadence of 172-180 pretty well during runs in these shoes. I like the rubbery material thickness on these MUCH better than the 2's. It is just thick enough to have decent grip on gravel/dirt and last the life of them (unless your are running on your toes a lot maybe), but thin enough to not compromise the weight of the shoe. The escalante 2's feel clunkier because the rubber is much thicker on the bottom of the shoe. 130 was a bit pricey when they first came out, I dont like paying much over 100 bucks for a pair of shoes im only wearing for 3 months tops, BUT now that the next version is out these are just under 100 at around 91 dollars if you look around. But also please don't buy too many because i'm trying to stock up before the drought.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

best shoe ever, and I’ve been running for over 10 years at least 100K weekly

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

5/5

Overall

comfortable, light, fast, 0 drop, cushion enough but still feels relatively minimal, wide toe box
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Perfect zero drop

Anonymous runner · Jul 10, 2019

5/5

Overall

Very comfortable shoe, light, plenty of space. One of the best for all sorts of training!
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Zero Drop Heaven

Anonymous runner · Jul 10, 2019

5/5

Overall

For the minimalist distance runner looking for a bit of cushion while still maintaining that healthy midfoot strike, the Escalantes are the perfect shoe. Zero Drop keeps the the heel to toe drop even, and the extra toe space is rather relaxing after miles spent in shoes that strangle the toes
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5