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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)

Better than about 96% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 96% of 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 score out of 100. 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 score 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 ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (98/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (90/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (90/100)

Rank

Ranks above 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (87/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (87/100)

Rank

Ranks above 82% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (85/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 77% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Below average (63/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (63/100)

Rank

Ranks above 17% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score 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

Better than 96% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Exceptional (97/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 96% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

96%

Altra

Better than 98% of 126 Altra shoes ranked.

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
HOKA Clifton 9
Escalante 1.5
Escalante 4
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best value
Lightest / Newest / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.2 oz M
7.8 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
24/24mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2018 Q2
2024 Q2 Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$130
—
$165
Best price
—
$129.95 Lowest price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (86%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (77%)
Good (76%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (17%)
Average (46%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (82%) Best value
Above average (69%)
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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99th percentile

+4 percentile points vs this shoe
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98th percentile

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Saucony Triumph 22

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98th percentile

+2 percentile points vs this shoe
PUMA Velocity NITRO 2

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97th percentile

+1 percentile points vs this shoe
Altra Escalante 4

Escalante 4

Daily trainer

$129.95

97th percentile

+1 percentile points vs this shoe
Brooks Ghost 16

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97th percentile

+1 percentile points vs this shoe

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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