Altra Escalante 4 vs Torin 8

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Altra Escalante 4
Altra Torin 8

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Dec 15, 2025 02:18 PM

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Altra

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 15, 2025 02:35 PM

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Altra

Our Verdict

Altra Escalante 4

Altra Torin 8

The Altra Torin 8 and Altra Escalante 4 are both zero-drop running shoes that promote natural foot positioning and offer Altra's characteristically roomy toe box. They both suit runners who want a more natural stride, but the Torin 8 uses a higher stack and more cushioning for a more protective feel that works better for longer distances. The Escalante 4 sits closer to the ground, delivering a more direct and more natural ride.

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Variants

  • Escalante 4 (Black - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Black - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Black Gray - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Black/Black - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Black/White - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Blue - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Dark Shadow - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Dusty Olive - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Gray - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Gray - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Gray/Teal - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Green - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Light Gray - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Light Gray - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Mint - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (Navy - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (Purple - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (White - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (White Black - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (White/Blue - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (White/Gray - (US - Men 9))
  • Escalante 4 (White/Green - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (White/Orange - (US - Women 7))
  • Escalante 4 (White/White - (US - Women 7))
  • Torin 8 (Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Black/Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Black/Orange - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Black/Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Blue/Yellow - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Dark Shadow - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Grey/Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Light Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Light Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Mint - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Navy - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (Navy - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (Tan - (Women - US 7))
  • Torin 8 (White/Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Torin 8 (White/Green - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

3.9
5.0

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

22.9 mm
27.3 mm

Weight  

6.7
5.9

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.4
6.0

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.6
2.9

Forefoot Firmness 
 

3.6
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.7
5.9

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

241.4 g (8.52 oz)
263.8 g (9.30 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

24.3 mm
27.6 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

22.9 mm
27.3 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

1.4 mm
0.3 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

0.0 mm
0.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Altra Escalante 4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Altra Torin 8 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

79 mm (3.1")
82 mm (3.2")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
77 mm (3.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
113 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.25
2.97

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.98
4.14

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Altra Escalante 4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Altra Torin 8 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

273 mm (10.7")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
68 mm (2.7")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

97 mm (3.8")
98 mm (3.9")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.6
2.9

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

66.8%
69.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

5.4
6.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

72.4%
73.4%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

1.1
4.7

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

0.76 J
2.51 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

2.25 J
6.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

3.81 J
10.90 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

1.4
5.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Escalante 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Altra Torin 8 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

0.80 J
3.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

2.13 J
6.29 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

3.45 J
9.41 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

4.5
7.7

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

55.5 N/mm
82.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

90.0 N/mm
161.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

144.7 N/mm
350.1 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

3.6
8.8

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

52.5 N/mm
138.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

101.1 N/mm
279.6 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

171.6 N/mm
485.0 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.23 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.79 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.66 J
Show Text 

Altra Escalante 4

Altra Torin 8

Comments

  1. Comparison

Altra Escalante 4 vs Altra Torin 8: Main Discussion

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