Altra Vanish Pulse

The Altra Vanish Pulse is the fast-paced shoe that takes over from the Escalante Racer 2 in the road range of the American brand, moving it from under the umbrella of the versatile Escalante 5 into the Vanish series, which inevitably brings to mind the stain remover, a masterstroke from marketing people who have surely never removed a stain in their lives, oh well. It keeps the recipe that made its predecessor popular (low profile, zero drop, 22 mm stack) and trims a little of its more spartan spirit to gain some structure. For those looking for a super shoe with a carbon plate and a towering midsole, the Vanish Carbon 3 is a very interesting option.

The thick, very breathable knit upper (watch out for rain and puddles) keeps the foot ventilated during hard efforts, with a flat tongue that reduces pressure points on the instep and a rear pull tab for a quick fit, an interesting extra for triathletes. Compared with the Escalante Racer 2, the fit is tighter: the midfoot and heel are much snugger than in the other Altra lasts, despite the advertised FootShape™ Original, and the weight goes up by 10% over the version it replaces, which is not critical because it is still very light, but worth bearing in mind.

The midsole debuts FAST PCE foam, a treated EVA compound that seeks a quick response without adding volume, and stays at 22 mm with the classic Altra zero drop, but it does not match other supercritical foams on the market and (as it could not be otherwise) is closer to the traditional racer concept of shoes like the Adidas Adizero Adios 9. The rubber outsole covers practically the whole sole, something unusual in such low shoes, and holds up well on asphalt. One of the last options left on the market for feeling the ground you run on without gimmicks, and a great choice to take in your suitcase without it taking up half the space.