Changes

The Altra Escalante is a wonderful shoe. It's one of the few shoes that using TPU foam rather than the traditional EVA foam. This TPU foam should last much longer than EVA foam, but it also can feel quite a lot bouncier. I was a little disappointed by the [[Saucony Freedom]] which seemed a little dead in its responsiveness, whereas the Escalante has a really nice spring to its feel. It's also quite close to being zero drop, and unusually is actually slightly negative drop, with the forefoot higher than the heel. The upper is a nice, stretchable material, though it's not terribly breathable. The toe box shape matches the human foot, but like many Altra shoes, I find there is not enough height in the toe box. The cushioning-to-weight ratio is right up there with the [[Hoka Clifton]], a remarkable feat. This is the best cushioning to weight ratio I've seen in a TPU midsole shoe, in spite of the weight savings Saucony put into the upper on their Freedom shoe. The Escalante is one of those rare shoes that makes you want to go for a run, or to run further, even when you know you're too tired. Putting it on after wearing other shoes gives me a sense of comfort and excitement, and I regret that the need to test other shoes means I have to put them to one side for a while. I rated the Escalate as "Highly Recommended", and it came close to being a "best of the best." So far, the Escalante has shown few signs of wear, and I'll do a formal update after 200 miles. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}