REASONS TO BUY
Spacious and comfortable
Planted feel
Feels natural
REASONS TO AVOID
Minimal cushioning
Niche use
Altra Escalante 4 Review
A comfortable and natural feeling zero-drop shoe that’s great for walking and general use, but has limited usefulness for running
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 10, 2025
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Altra Escalante 4 is made for people who want a lightweight, low-to-the-ground, zero-drop shoe. It checks all of those boxes, which is great if that is the kind of shoe you're looking for. But for any other type of runner, it limits the usefulness of this shoe. We loved wearing them throughout the day, running errands, and going to the gym, thanks to the extremely comfortable upper, natural feel, and planted stability. We didn't enjoy running in them, as the limited midsole left the shoe struggling late in runs, when other shoes thrived. The low stack height and zero-drop geometry doesn't provide much cushioning, especially as the length of the run increases. For minimal enthusiasts, this is a great shoe. For everyone else, we recommend looking elsewhere for a dedicated running shoe.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Even though the Escalante 4 scored poorly compared to more traditional and max cushioned running shoes, our lead men's tester loved wearing them (just not running in them).
Our lead tester preferred the Escalante 4 on dirt rather than on roads, where a slightly softer surface makes the lack of cushioning less noticeable.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning
Cushioning is the biggest weakness of the Escalante 4. Our tests measured 22 mm of stack height, making it the thinnest midsole in our lineup by over 10 mm. Because it's so thin, the Altra EGO foam must be firm to prevent bottoming out. The result is a shoe that cannot protect your legs from the pavement like competitors with more cushion. Our lower legs were significantly more fatigued after running in these shoes than in most competitors.
Feeling rocks through the Escalante 4 midsole is easy.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
This is a zero-drop shoe, which means it places significantly more load on the Achilles tendon and calves than a shoe with a larger drop difference between heel and toe. For runners who are weak in those areas or have chronic lower leg issues, we recommend carefully building up to running in zero-drop shoes or sticking with a shoe with at least a little heel-to-toe drop. Alternatively, it puts less stress on knees and hips than shoes with significant heel-to-toe drops, allowing your gait to flow more naturally.
We can't emphasize enough how good the upper of the Escalante 4 is.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
While the cushioning of the Escalante 4 leaves much to be desired, the upper comfort is top-tier. Thanks to a lightweight, engineered knit upper and Altra's FootShape fit, this shoe feels like you're wearing a comfortable pair of slippers. That's what quickly made it our favorite pair of shoes for daily wear.
With plenty of room in the toebox and the ability to get a great lockdown, this shoe received high marks for upper comfort. Throughout daily wear and running, we had no issues with fit, rubbing, blisters, or hotspots.
Altra Escalante 4 Altra Torin 8
It's easy to see how little support the Escalante 4 has, even compared to other popular zero-drop shoes, like the Altra Torin 8.
Stability
Because the Escalante 4 is low and firm, it feels very nimble and planted. As a minimalist shoe, this makes sense. We had no issues with stability regarding how planted we felt, and we have no concerns about rolling an ankle on uneven terrain. On the other hand, runners who value support and some guidance in their running shoes will likely find that this is not a good option. The general lack of medial support and the overall strain these shoes place on your lower leg as you run mean that this is likely a poor choice for runners with existing lower leg injuries or pronation-related issues.
We think the slipper-esque fit of the Escalante gives it an outstanding balance that allows it to feel lighter than it is.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
The Escalante 4 weighs 9.61 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. It feels lighter than that when you wear it, likely due to the thin midsole and glove-like upper fit that provides an outstanding balance.
Altra's anatomical grooves help aid flexibility, and provide a pretty good grip.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The grip is solid, and we had no issues with the pavement. The grooves shaped into the exposed midsole and outsole do a good job of providing traction on loose gravel. This isn't a trail shoe, but the grip is above-average.
If you love a zero drop shoe and feeling grounded, then the Escalante could be a good fit.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Should You Buy the Altra Escalante 4?
If you're a runner who loves minimalist shoes, this option provides great upper comfort in a lightweight package. Likewise, if you're looking for a pair of athletic shoes that are incredibly comfortable to wear, these are a great choice. For pretty much any other type of runner, we would recommend a more traditional daily trainer that uses modern foams and geometry to provide a more cushioned, responsive, and comfortable running experience.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you prefer zero-drop shoes, but want more cushioning than what the Escalante 4 provides, the Altra Torin 8 is a good option that provides more cushioning in a similarly comfortable package. If you want a reliable, simple daily trainer that is comfortable and has solid cushioning, the Saucony Ride 18 is a solid choice.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Altra Escalante 4 versus top competing products:
—Nathaniel Bailey
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