Altra Escalante 5 vs Vanish Pulse

Escalante 5 or Vanish Pulse? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.

The short answer

Want a natural, low, roomy road shoe? Get the Escalante 5.

Want a low, responsive zero-drop shoe for daily and tempo runs? Get the Vanish Pulse.

Get the Escalante 5 if

You’re on your feet all day or walk a lot

Get the Vanish Pulse if

You want the lighter shoe, by about 1.2 oz

These two are close. Fit will decide it, so try both on.

On the run

Escalante 5: The natural, zero-drop road shoe. Natural and stable for midfoot and forefoot strikers, with more energy return than before. Comfortable for walking and running.

Vanish Pulse: Low, lively, zero drop. Truly low with a responsive midsole, versatile for daily and tempo runs. Not fast enough for serious racing, and traction could be better.

Specs side by side

	Escalante 5	Vanish Pulse
Price	$140	$150
Stack height (heel / forefoot)	24 / 24mm	22 / 22mm
Drop	0mm	0mm
Weight, men’s	9.7 oz	8.5 oz*
Weight, women’s	7.75 oz	Not listed by Altra
Support	Neutral	Neutral
Plate	None	None
Widths	Standard	Standard
Built for	Easy days, Walking & all-day wear, Tempo & workouts	Tempo & workouts, Easy days
Expected life	350–450 miles	400–500 miles

Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.

Fit

Escalante 5. Runs slightly short. Excellent fit for wide feet, with a comfortable, breathable knit upper. Wide available.

Vanish Pulse. True to size with a roomy forefoot and a comfortable knit upper. Wide available.

Try them on

Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.