If you are a fan of zero drop running shoes. Then I’m sure you have heard of Altra running shoes. And if you haven’t, then this article is for you. Today we’ll be looking at two of the brand’s more popular road running shoes, comparing the Altra Escalante vs Torin. One is a moderately cushioned road runner. That is based on a tried and true design. While the other is the brand’s top selling road running shoe. Featuring high cushioning and the brand’s famous FootPod design. But which one is right for you? Below we’ll break down the key differences, specs, images, and in depth reviews for each. So let’s check out the shoes!
Altra Escalante vs Torin
- Both are Neutral road running shoes. Making them a good choice for most runners unless you need a support/corrective running shoe.
- Altra lists the Torin as its best selling road shoe. Which it has been making for over 10 years.
- Both shoes features the brands “standard” foot shape fit. Not the original or slim foot shape offered on other models.
- The Altra Torin is the heavier of the two shoes. Weighing 9.9 ounces compared to the Escalante weighing 9.3 ounces.
- Both shoes feature a 0 drop. Which the Altra brand is known for.
- The Altra Escalante has a 24mm stack height. Compared to a 28mm stack height on the Torin.
- Altra classifies the Escalante as having a “moderate” amount of cushion. While they list the Torin as having “high” cushioning.
- The Torin features Altra’s foot pod technology. While the Escalante has the brands Innerflex midsole.
- The Escalante is typically cheaper than the Torin. Currently listed at $140 compared to $160.
Altra Escalante
MSRP Price: $140
Men’s Link: Click Here
Women’s Link: Click Here
REI Link: Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men: 9.3 oz / 263 g
Weight Women: 7.7 oz / 218 g
Support: Neutral
Drop/Offset Men’s: 0mm (zero drop)
Drop/Offset Women’s: 0mm (zero drop)
Stack Height: 24mm
Cushion: “Moderate”
Foot Shape: Standard
Altra Torin
MSRP Price: $160
Men’s Link: Click Here
Women’s Link: Click Here
REI Link: Click Here
Surface: Road Running
Weight Men’s: 9.9 oz / 280 g
Weight Woman’s: 8.3 oz / 234 g
Support: Neutral
Drop/Offset Men’s: 0mm (zero drop)
Drop/Offset Women’s: 0mm (zero drop)
Stack Height: 28mm
Cushion: “High”
Foot Shape: Standard
Performance Summary
Founded in 2009, Altra Running has become the leading brand for both road and trail running shoes with a zero drop. Meaning the shoe is the same stack height from front to back. And the brand has earned a loyal following from people that are looking for or love zero drop shoes because of this. With most of their models featuring the zero drop and relatively low stack heights. Below we’ll break down two of the brand’s more popular road running shoes, the Altra Escalante vs Torin. There is a lot to love from both of these shoes, but neither is perfect. So let’s get the in-depth reviews.
Altra Escalante
On first impression the Altra Escalante is a road running shoe that could almost pass for a casual daily wear type of shoe. So if you are not looking for that “road running” old person shoe look. Then the Altra may be a good choice based on looks. I’m especially fond of the white & red, red, and blue colors offered in the current model. They also feature the brand’s unique sole design, with tread that emulates the layout of your toes.
On the feet, the Escalante 3 features the brand’s standard foot shape. This is different from the previous models which came with the “original” foot shape. Something that many brand loyalists have commented on. The brand has said this is because of the more structured upper on the newer models. But it may have more to do with the brand push to save money by using the same molds. This combination of structured upper and standard lower lead to the Escalante feeling a bit light on the feet. Something I was not expecting compared to testing the older versions. A slight disappointment. And you may want to go a half size up if you don’t like tight fitting shoes.
Running in the Escalante felt good but not great. They don’t offer a lot of rebound for the stack height and are from a low profile runner. What’s left is a road runner that doesn’t exactly know what it wants to be. For me, they feel better as a daily wear type of shoe for walking and occasionally taking a quick run or for trying to keep up with my dog. But as far as a true road runner, I was a bit disappointed with the latest release.
Altra Torin
When first unboxing the new Altra Torin, I was impressed with the overall look and design. They look like a shoe I would use for running and / or for daily wear. Which is something that I appreciate in a shoe. Altra offers four color options. So there is a good chance you will like at least one of the options. And they feature the brand’s unique sole and footpod design. Which many of the brand loyalists will love to hear.
Lacing up the Torin, the first thing I noticed was the “standard” foot shape. Just like with the Escalante, this layout is much more narrow in the mid shoe and toe box. Unlike Altra’s “original” footshape which they have apparently gone away from in their road runners. Because of this you may want to half or full size up for comfort. The next thing I noticed was the cushioning. For an Altra Running shoe, typically known for minimalist designs, these have plenty of cushion and a stack height to match. So if you are looking for a lot of cushion, then the Torin is a good choice. L=If you’re looking for a minimalist runner, than not so much.
Hitting the road in the Torin to log some miles, they definitely feel more like true running than the Escalante. The added cushion takes a bit more of the road shock out of running. And they seem to give an ok amount of rebound but lack the quick turnover that some other brands offer. Where the Torin loses me a bit is with the zero drop combined with a 28mm stack height. So it’s not a minimalist shoe and it’s not a fast feeling high cushioned runner. The Torin falls somewhere in between. Overall they are a good (not great) road running shoe that does seem a bit lost in what market they are going for. And reading the reviews from long time customers, I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Image Comparison
Below is an image comparison of the Altra Escalante vs Torin. Showing the side, top, and sole views from both shoes.
Altra Escalante Profile
Altra Torin Profile
From above, you can see the similarity in the two shoes based on the “standard” foot shape.
Escalante Top View
Torin Top View
As you can see, the two soles on the shoes are very similar.
Altra Escalante Soles
Altra Torin Soles
Conclusion – Altra Escalante vs Torin
When comparing the Altra Escalante vs Torin, the two shoes are very similar overall. Both have a zero drop and standard foot shape design. While being only slightly different in weight and stack height. Because of this, the two running shoes share some of the same high and lows from the design. All that said, which one is right for you?
Which road running shoe to buy?
If you’re looking for a true running shoe, then my choice between these two road runners would be the Altra Torin. The added cushion and footpod design provide a soft landing taking a large amount of road shock off your legs. And while they don’t offer the quickest turnover in a running shoe, it does have a bit more than the Escalante.
That said, if you’re looking for something that can transition between daily wear and the occasional run, the Escalante would be a good choice. In my opinion it is the better looking of the two shoes. And while it isn’t my favorite road runner. It is a very comfortable and good looking walking shoe.
They’re comparing Altra Escalante and Torin in the beginning of the article and it switches half way down to Escalante and Rivera…??? So confused.
Apologies for the editing error. The headers were miss labeled but the images and review are from the Torin. They have been fixed and again, apologies for the error.