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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Sep 02, 2026 08:56 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 21, 2026 02:51 PM
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Heel Stack Height
22.7 mm
Weight
227.5 g (8.02 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
0.2 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
23.8 mm
Weight
245.2 g (8.65 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
1.0 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Altra Escalante Racer 2
Altra Vanish Pulse
The Altra Escalante Racer 2 and Altra Vanish Pulse are both marketed as racing shoes, but they have different strengths. The Escalante Racer is lighter, so if you want to feel more nimble, go with that. The Vanish Pulse has the more responsive midsole, so if you want a shoe that's going to give back more of the energy you put into it, it's the better choice.
Variants
- Escalante Racer 2 (Black - (Men - US 9))
- Escalante Racer 2 (Black - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Pulse (Black/Silver/Castlerock - (Men - US 9))
- Vanish Pulse (Black/Silver/Castlerock - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
4.8
5.2
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
1.9
6.3
Weight
7.2
6.6
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
4.7
6.6
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
7.2
6.6
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
227.5 g (8.02 oz)
245.2 g (8.65 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
22.7 mm
23.8 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.5 mm
22.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
0.2 mm
1.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
0.0 mm
0.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
79 mm (3.1")
80 mm (3.1")
Outsole Arch Width
74 mm (2.9")
77 mm (3.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
114 mm (4.5")
114 mm (4.5")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.48
3.36
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
5.07
5.00
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
63 mm (2.5")
65 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
99 mm (3.9")
98 mm (3.9")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
6.7
6.1
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
9.3 mm (0.367")
10.4 mm (0.408")
Toe TTS Deviation
6.3 mm (0.248")
7.6 mm (0.297")
Forefoot Fit: Height
9.0
6.4
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-1.6 mm (-0.062")
-4.4 mm (-0.172")
Arch Fit: Width
9.7
9.5
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
2.8 mm (0.111")
4.0 mm (0.158")
Length Fit
7.0
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
5.1
5.7
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
13 mm (0.5")
14 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
12.4%
19.3%
Heel Rocker Angle
20.4°
14.3°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
4.9
6.0
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
36 mm (1.4")
41 mm (1.6")
Toe Apex Position
68.2%
61.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
21.8°
20.4°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
FAST PCE
Primary Foam Type
Unknown
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
Stretch
10.0%
Breathability
9.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
7.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
6.2 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
16.3 hrs
Time To Dry
23.5 hrs
Water Absorption
8.8
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
32.9%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
0.8
5.4
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
63.1%
72.4%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
1.9
6.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
67.7%
74.0%
Heel Cushioning
2.3
3.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
1.50 J
1.96 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
4.18 J
5.10 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
7.55 J
8.56 J
Forefoot Cushioning
4.2
4.8
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
2.62 J
3.01 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
4.73 J
5.13 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
7.30 J
7.77 J
Heel Firmness
10
9.8
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
93.5 N/mm
71.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
118.9 N/mm
94.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
164.1 N/mm
135.0 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
10
9.9
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
101.0 N/mm
86.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
130.2 N/mm
115.0 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
177 N/mm
159 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
3.7
4.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
4.28 J
4.62 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
4.11 J
4.43 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.01 J
4.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
3.92 J
4.20 J
Rocker Stiffness
4.6
3.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
37 N
29 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
4.7
6.6
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
55.7%
62.8%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.1
6.6
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
18.7 N/mm
9.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
354 N
274 N
Heel Compression Depth
3.4
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
7.7 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
11.7 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
14.1 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
9.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
11.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.9 mm
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Altra Escalante Racer 2
Altra Vanish Pulse
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Altra Escalante Racer 2 vs Altra Vanish Pulse: Main Discussion
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