Altra - Men's Lone Peak 9+

I bought a pair of shoes from Altra they were consider no drop/ barefoot trail shoes. I wore them for two caminos close to 300km of hiking. Also for hiking at home here in the USA Midwest. I just picked up my second pair. They are not exactly the same but I’m breaking them in only had them for a week. They are a wide toe box as well which gave my toes lots of room to move with no blisters either trip. I included a link for the shoe I just bought. [shoe link](https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/trail/mens-lone-peak-9%2B/AL0A85RG.html)I’m 6foot6inches tall weigh roughly 285lbs (2metes 130kg).

The lone peak 9+ so far for me feels like a big durability improvement over the last few Altra trail shoes Ive had.

bugger, I just bought LP9+ to replace my well-worn LP5. Guess I won't throw away the LP5 yet!

Topos are mostly all minimal drop, vs Altra zero-drop. If you want a longer lasting shoe, go for altras olympus or new lone peak 9+, both have vibram sole.

I love these! Perfect for JMT. The lone peaks are my perfect shoe for my wide feet

Bought LP9+ and returned immediately. LP9 have the issue the toe bumper rubs over the big toe, making them uncomfortable

Bought LP9+ and returned immediately. LP9 have the issue the toe bumper rubs over the big toe, making them uncomfortable

This is where I am. My feet aren’t crazy wide, but the outsides of my feet are really sensitive (probably from years of skiing). I’ve tried other brands like Brooks and several Topos but they just aren’t even close to as comfortable. I love the feel of Altras LP’s as basically being slippers. I can’t even find other hiking shoes now that are anywhere as comfy. I just wish they had vibram soles - I don’t trust them for Class 3 and 4 stuff. They don’t stick to rock as well as vibrams. I even tried the Altra Timps but they are not sized the same and I toe bang or am swimming along with my outside of feet rubbing. So even thought the durability might not be there, it’s worth it for me to have feet that don’t hurt. And I only go through about two pairs a year. Once done on the trails I make them my dog walking and yard chores shoes for another year. Edit - awww shit, I did not realize the 9 Plus have vibram. Awesome!!

This is where I am. My feet aren’t crazy wide, but the outsides of my feet are really sensitive (probably from years of skiing). I’ve tried other brands like Brooks and several Topos but they just aren’t even close to as comfortable. I love the feel of Altras LP’s as basically being slippers. I can’t even find other hiking shoes now that are anywhere as comfy. I just wish they had vibram soles - I don’t trust them for Class 3 and 4 stuff. They don’t stick to rock as well as vibrams. I even tried the Altra Timps but they are not sized the same and I toe bang or am swimming along with my outside of feet rubbing. So even thought the durability might not be there, it’s worth it for me to have feet that don’t hurt. And I only go through about two pairs a year. Once done on the trails I make them my dog walking and yard chores shoes for another year. Edit - awww shit, I did not realize the 9 Plus have vibram. Awesome!!

I just got a pair and did a nice 5 day trip in cottonwood lakes basin/mount langley((14k) and they were great. i’m sure they won’t last as long as other boots/shoes, but they feel great

Altra Lone Peak in wide. Fingers crossed for the 9± in wide. Vibram Megagrip would make it the perfect shoe for me.

I've split a few uppers before I moved to the wide versions. Currently I'm running in a pair of Altra LP 8 and 9+, both in wide. They feel fantastic. I prefer the stiffer Vibram Megagrip on the 9+, also I hope it lasts longer than the Maxtrak on the 8's... Maxtrak is pretty shit in the wet and wears quick if you do road to trail.

Check out Altra Lone Peak 9+ Wide. They come in a standard width and and a wide width. If the toebox isn't your cup of tea - La Sportiva Bushido is a well liked shoe and specifically the 3rd iteration also comes in a wide last. Topo is a good shout, but they're quite snug in the midfoot. Although some models come in a wide last, I think they're only available in the US.

In my experience, less than 200 miles.

So have I, and they’re falling apart on mine. Treads half gone, seam between midsole and upper tearing. I’ll still use them because apparently they’re the only shoe I can reliably log heavy miles in without foot pain, but I’m definitely annoyed by their longevity.

As someone who runs in the UK mud and whose favorite shoes are Lone Peaks- they are utter shit in the mud.

The wide Lone Peak 9/9+ is wider than the wide Mtn Racer and wide Terraventure but somewhat similar to the wide Ultraventure. The wide Ultraventure doesn’t have enough grip for me (it’s more a hybrid road shoe), so wide LP9+ is my shoe. Altra has improved durability recently and I’m curious how long these will last. Especially with the new vibram outsole.

I have worn the LP9+ for at least 200 miles in the last month…

It felt about the same to me as a non-wide Altra Lone Peak, depending on where exactly you mean by midfoot. I have a tailor’s bunion and fairly prominent styloid process, so those are my typical pain points, rather than on the medial side. Also, Topo does a 30 day trial period so you can run in them (you prolly know that).

No, I hear you — I’m just trying to find a runnable approach shoe that fits my stupid fat feet. The Topo Terraventure in a wide would be a look. (Too narrow for me, but I need an Altra Lone Peak in wide size). The Altra works alright, but it’s pretty dang soft for climbing

That’s my favorite shoe! The regular version is fairly wide, too, but it’s nice they offer a wide for folks like me (bad tailor’s bunion). Topo offers a few options in wide, including the Mtn Racer 4, but it’s not as wide as the wide Lone Peak.

It’s nice they offer the Mtn Racer 4 in wide. The 3 wasn’t available in wide. Unfortunately, it’s still too narrow for me. Same with the Terraventure. The Ultraventure in wide fits me, quite similar to the wide Lone Peak, but I don’t think it has enough grip. I really wish Altra offered a Lone Peak with a 30 mm stack height for a little more cushion on rocky terrain (and had it available in wide). But that’s probably an uber niche market.

Altra lone peak 9+. May be recency bias but so far theyre perfect. Altra really nailed it with this one.

Went through a pair a Altras recently, lasted about 9 months before falling apart. Switched to Topos and they’ve been great so far. Only had them about 2 months though.

Been Running the Altra Escalante 3.5, Superior 5, Lone Peak 7 since 2023 and recently got the Lone Peak 9+ with the Vibram sole. Before I was running in different Salomons and Brooks, never ran in Hokas. Got the LP9+ in February and I love them. Got about 300km in them through almost all imaginable conditions. Did run the Grand Canyon with Snow and Ice, Sedona, muddy and wet Forest Trails. They feel a little bit harder then the LP 7's but the grip and speed is way better. Didn't had any issues with quality or outer material ripping. Will buy another pair and recommend to other runners. But be careful when switching to no drop, it takes time to adjust and the first weeks and months will feel horrible. 5mm drop to nodrop may sound like not much but it's a quit big difference especially on the calves and ankles. You have to keep in mind the stack hight aswell. The LPs have a lower stack hight and will feel more direct and "connected" to the surface since you will feel rocks and roots more. To conclude, it's a very personal thing and the best advice I can give you is try out and see for yourself. Happy running ✌️

Comfortably but as already said 50 times, poor durability.

Neither would I if they made road version Vibram soled shoes that fit with as much toebox width and vertical volume. But, alas, I'm wearing Mountain Racer 3s and Lone Peak 9+ wide on concrete. My bunion foot does not fit into any other shoe with a decent level of cushion. I've not tried Escalates. If they'd make the Torin 2.5 again, with Vibram soles, my feet would be very happy.

So it really depends on your intentions. Do you want to run into the old age of the dog or just until you get more shin splints? If you are willing to change you body in the long term: 1. Take off your shoes and go for a run. On concrete or asphalt or grass to start but then harder ground. It can be short at first a hundred meter a few times etc as a warm up or cool down. The way you will be forced to run from discomfort is actually a healthier gait. Once you know this feeling, put on some shoes and run. This is a long adaption time (6 months) and there is lots of info around about it. 2. Get some zero drop shoes with a natural shape. [Altra Lone Peak 9+](https://www.altrarunning.com.au/collections/lone-peak-9). Greatest shoes ever made. If you are not use to wearing flats it may take some time for your Achilles to lengthen and adapt to the zero drop. 3. Glutes are key to running do some Pilates and learn to switch them one. 4. Give you Ridgy some love from me. My first dog was a Ridgeback, we would use each other as a pillow:)

imo, the 9+ are a much better trail running shie.

5s were also my last LPs and I was never sold on them. Even in US size 11s (I’m 11.5s in literally everything else) they were just a tiny bit long and those extra couple of mm were enough to make me more prone to trip over on the trails than in other shoes. Also, the grip was really crap, particularly when it’s a purpose built trail shoe. They also felt kind of sloppy in the rear, and made me a little more prone to rolling my ankles. Never seriously, but more than other shoes. My go to uo until now has been Merrell Bare Access XTR. They stopped making them several years ago, but I’ve been able to find them on the web here and there enough to keep using them. The LP 9+ I have in a US10.5 (which seems crazy to me, the 11.5 wearer) in the Wide version. They have a bit more cushioning than my Merrells which I enjoy (and yeah they do feel a bit more than the LP5s but the specs have both the 5s and the 9s as 25mm stack height), but the trade off is slightly less feel. I‘m ok with that trade. The 10.5s make for a better fit, but it wouldn’t work for me width wise in the standard width, but with the Wide option, it’s perfect for me in all ways. the vibrant sole completely fixes the grip issue, and they’re no longer sloppy in the back. I’m liking them so much, that even with a pair of near new Merrells, I’ve actually chosen to do my long runs the last two weeks in the LPs. I’m loving them.

REI is having its 20% off one item sale this week. Go get a good pair of shoes. Whatever best fits your foot. I just did my first hike in Altra Lone Peak 9’s yesterday. They were fantastic. But obviously you need a shoe that fits your foot. With the REI 20% sale and the 10% rebate on top of that you’re looking at real close to $100 for top of the line shoes when all is said and done. Good luck

They are my favorite travel shoes, especially when it involves walking 15-20 km per day 😄

I bought a bunch of 5s and am on my last pair. Got the 9s and have run \~4 times with them. Stack height is still the same 25mm. The main difference is that the 9 soles feel really stiff to me, like cages on my feet; I kind of hate them. My ankle started to hurt during my last run in them. Lone Peak 5s are far from the nimblest shoe I have worn, but they feel really nimble/light compared to the 9s.

Lone Peaks are very light, zero drop, minimalist running shoes. They're actually very specialized and not really a good choice for an all around shoe in my opinion. I love them for running and hiking, but would never buy a pair to just wear around town. They aren't durable enough to be worth the cost for going to the grocery store and back.

I'm just starting out and went with zero drops. I have a super wide foot and it's a high arch. I got a high arch insoles and went with the Altra Lone Peak 9 Trail-Running Shoes in a size 13. I've been loving it. Definitely notice it works your calves more, so I've been doing more of a 'hike jog' run as I'm getting back into shape. No complaints here

Damn, I am in the same boat - It is hard finding US16/17 sized shoes. At the moment I am stuck with only two options: \- Altra Lone Peak 9 \- Asics Gel-Trabuco 13 G-TX And out of the two options above, the Asics is really the only one, as I find that the Altra needs more cushioning for the longer races (I am 6'5/230lb). Wish there were more options for people with large feet.

I wear the Lone Peak 9s for work. 12 hour shifts. Concrete, mud, dirt, rain, snow, etc etc. They are a great boot especially for the summertime. Lightweight, breathable and comfortable. I wear Lowa Zypher GTX mid for the winter time and I really look forward to when the weather breaks so I can wear these… also only had my pair for about 2.5 months. So far quality hasn’t changed.

Altra Lone Peak 9 - ticks all your boxes!

Altra lonepeak 9s are my favourite. Sportsshoes is a good place to buy

I second Altra. The new Lone Peak 9 is great.

I had the 7 and 8. My 7s are a little over a year old and pretty worn on the soles. The just got the 9 and had to return them, they made them much more narrow across the mid foot and I could barely pull them on. So weird. Won’t be getting more due to how fast they wear out for me personally and the sizing issue.

Going completely against the grain here; I wear LPs around town and haven’t had issues with them wearing out (ever though I’m a bigger chap). I haven’t found a shoe I like to run or hike in as much as the LPs (except for one, see at the end) However, if you are thinking about the all weather LPs I wouldn’t buy them. I had a pair and they just aren’t LPs. Can’t quite put my finger on it but they fit different. And they are not waterproof. Our local running shop has lots of complaints about them. I’ve searched a fair bit for a waterproof zero drop day to day shoe and I’ve finally found one that I love and have worn all winter; xero ridgeway Chelsea boots. They are perfect when it’s wet out. And strike a nice balance between cushioning and being more minimalist (but not as much as a vivo). But get half a size bigger than your normal shoe as they are a little snug.

The real answer is they can be awesome if they work for YOUR feet. People with narrow feet and a high arch tend to hate them and they can even cause a high arch to collapse from lack of support. My feet, on the other hand, are wide and flat so Altra has always felt great for me. Recently I have switched over to Topo. My problem with Altra is that anything with more cushion than the Lone Peaks loses too much foot volume with the increased padding. The Topos give me the extra padding, more inline with an Altra Timp, but don't squish my mid foot like the Timps do. I still wear Lone Peaks 9's from time to time, but I have less fatigue in my feet with the Topos.

I have had about seven pair since the 6’s. I retire them around 400-500 miles. Usually they are crushed and the soles are pretty worn. I bought the regular 9’s, and I currently have no plans on switching up.

Terrex Free Hiker Low and Altra Lone Peak 9, both are confortable and grippy, prefer trail runners over boots since they feel lighter.

I love the Lone Peaks but they are terrible in UK mud. The only Altra model worth getting for UK mud is the MT King.

I wear Lone Peaks as everyday shoes. A great shoe.

I just hiked the fiery gizzard in Altra lone peak 9's for the first time it was very nice

Lone peak 9+, my most favorite shoe I’ve ever used

I just got the Altra Lone Peak 9s. Terrible quality. It's insane. I had the Altra Lone Peak 7—great shoe, Great Quality. I wore it basically every day in NYC and it lasted just under a year in solid condition. I tried to got the LP 8 but they didn't have any wide sizes so I tried the 9s. Please stay away from them. I can't believe the quality difference and even the sizing are different. It honestly pisses me off cause I love the LP 7s. I think Altra Lone Peak just threw quality out the window at this point and are just trying to pump out the next series to make it seem like they're improving when really they're digressing.

Living in Southern California, my hiking shoes are year around hiking shoes. I love my Altra Lone Peaks. I've had Line Peak 6's and 9's and they are both great for trail running and hiking.

Is that a Wide Lone Peak? It's an older model, I know the LP 9 out now was made to be way more durable. Also, rinsing the dirt off your shoes helps the upper last way longer... how much were you using them over the 10 months? that's kind of a long time for a shoe.

Is that a Wide Lone Peak? It's an older model, I know the LP 9 out now was made to be way more durable. Also, rinsing the dirt off your shoes helps the upper last way longer... how much were you using them over the 10 months? that's kind of a long time for a shoe.

Lone peaks are the answer. I also have had hit or miss quality with altra, but they’ve gotten better again. Even still, my lp 5s and 6s held up until the lugs were flat. Lp 5 is likely the most comfortable

Switched from hiking boots to trail runners (altra lone peaks) and it’s the biggest upgrade I’ve ever made to my hiking game. Can hike all day, 0 blisters, they dry fast if they get wet, and my feet feel so so so much happier

When I decided to try runners instead of boots I tried several... Nike was okay, but not great. Adidas were awful. Solomon were too boot like. I got Altra Lone Peaks and LOVE them. The zero drop took a little getting used to, but I'm on my second pair after wearing the first pair for almost 4 years. Never had a blister, no support issues and most of the time I forget to cinch the laces right at the trail head and I don't even notice. Incredibly comfortable, right out of the box.

My husband is a 13EEE and the Altra Lone Peaks (regular) fit him well.  They also have an extra wide version of some of their shoes. 

Second this. I only use trail runners outside of winter and I favour the regular Lone Peaks (although the Altra Superior is also a good shoe). They dry easily, and you can always use some waterproof socks for wetter trails. I'll use hiking boots in winter but I really notice the extra weight compared to trail runners. 

I love my Altra lone peaks. I have the high-cut waterproof and low-cut non waterproof, I mostly hike the whites in the high-cut. I prefer to have the tiny extra bit of protection over my ankle bone and i generally like waterproof boots better. The low-cuts are for local trails or longer runs. Also, yes you can run in the high-cut. I do a few times a week in the winter ✌️

I used to wear waterproof hiking boots but switched to trail runners. I have wide-ish feet and strong ankles - I don't need ankle support and have never had issues even with a heavy load. I prefer the quick-drying nature of trail runners, plus the breathability, traction, and flexibility. Since you say you have narrow feet, I would take a look at the Hoka Speedgoat, as u/AliveAndThenSome mentions below. Another narrow foot choice is the Addidas line of trail runners. Some people rave about them. My two-cents on Altra Lone Peak and Hoka Speedgoat: The rock plate in the Altra Lone Peak line is great, but you still get the "feel" of the terrain. The Hoka SG is far better at protecting the bottoms of your feet. Both are incredibly comfortable, have good-great traction and are comfortable for wide feet (narrow feet may slide around). I did a drying test on both pair last year and found both dry quickly IF you remove the insole when it gets wet or keep them dry and remove them before making a water crossing. In the field, I walked through creeks and got my feet totally wet (not on purpose) in November with nighttime lows in the upper 20s. Shoes dried by morning and the insoles were still damp, but dried as I hiked. Good luck!

I switched to trail runners after years of wearing boots for two main reasons: comfort and quick drying. Hiking Boots and Hiking Shoes made my feet ache and sweat after just a couple of hours of hiking; therefore, I looked for an alternative. I heard about hikers wearing trail shoes, and since I was a runner, I thought I'd give it a try, so I did, and I never went back. I wear Altra Lone Peak (flexible, comfy), Topo Mtn Racer (stiff), and Hoka Speed Goat (comfy, bouncy), depending on my mood in that order. My go-to is the Altra Lone Peak as they have a rock-plate and are zero-drop. I just find them to be like a glove, allowing me to "feel" the ground when I hike. I have hiked extensively in Pennsylvania, a place that I believe is one of the rockiest places on earth. Rocky as in, the trail is rocks where every rock is pointy and the points all face upward ready to pierce your foot. For reference: I've hiked all over the West and consider the Rocky Mountains to be comfortable by comparison. If you want to really protect your feet, then Topo Mtn Racer or Hoka Speed Goats will give you that added bit of protection, and a bit of bounce. As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain. I do caution when it comes to wet and slick rock though - for that, I have no answer, but good luck. My Altra Lone Peaks saved me from nearly sliding off a cliff on sandy terrain in Arizona, kept my footing bouldering up a mountain in Pennsylvania, and across a ridgeline of scree along Mount Hood in Oregon.

Altra Lone Peak have a rock plate which provide for protection for your sole, but your toes are exposed.

I wanted to like these, but I have wide feet and they are just to narrow to be acceptable to me. (Only mentioning because OP said they also have wide feet in a different comment.)

I too have wide feet and ended up buying these 1 size up (like I do for all my running shoes).

Just picked up S/Lab Ultra and loving them after Speedcross (narrow), Challenger (clunky and sluggish) and Lone Peaks (lovely but flimsy)

This was the only thing I didn’t love about my Lone Peaks (can’t remember which model but 2022ish). They were a joy to run in but fell apart in various ways after less than 200km. Giving them another shot, planning to get 9+ and try again

I use them all the time on thru hikes and hiking in the Lake District. I use Altra with the Vibram mega grip which is really sticky and gives you confidence. The only downside is they don't last as long as boots

I hike mostly in the Pyrenees. The model I use is the Lone Peak

The width felt the same to me. The Lone Peaks felt stiffer but they’re otherwise pretty similar

I think you can grt some deals such as old versions, off colors and get good prices on trail runners… there’s probably not a new model at full price for under 100 that would be trustworthy lol shop deals, rei resupply, backcountry etc to find solid options like the lone peaks or saucony peregrines i like alot and usually can find good prices… got a pair on amazon for 50 bucks that was the 13s which r their best year haha

Yes lone peaks are good shoes, but without vibram still not under my favourites. You could try the Kjerag maybe.

Lone Peaks with a SOLE Wide footbed

I have had a few trail running shoes. Xodus Ultra, Lone Peak, Terrex Agravic Speed, and now Speedgoats. They are all so different. Road shoes seem to be convalescing around some common principles related to uppers and midsoles, but trail shoes are still all over the place. I like a good heel counter in a trail shoe. Right now my favorites are my Speedgoat 5s. They were half the price of the Speedgoat 6 and they are really comfortable.

Lone Peak for ultras. Lone Peak for teaching. Lone Peak for yard work. Lone Peak for love making. OK. Maybe not the last one.

I think you mean lower stack height. I personally prefer a lower stack height for that reason- less risk of ankle injury. For example, I don’t mind walking in my Altra Olympus but if I’m running I reach for the Lone Peaks.

I’ve used Lone Peaks for years, but for the last month I’ve been really enjoying the Olympus.

Find them TTS or maybe a 1/2 size up if you like a bit more space. Are you looking for more cushion? These have a pretty high stack compared to the rest of their lineup. Another option for wide feet is the Lone Peaks. Less cushioned and lower stack.

Lone Peak has very minimal cushioning. I’d try the Timps they are medium cushioning.

As someone that hiked 750ish miles last year, I will never use boots for anything but deep winter conditions. Lightweight and breathable trail runners are an absolute game changer for hiking. “Waterproof” shoes are definitely something you don’t need either, they are way warmer, and if they do actually get wet, they won’t dry for a very long time. Shoes are super personal, so I definitely recommend trying them on in person. I am personally biased towards wide zero drop shoes, and honestly the only trail runners that fit my super wide feet are wide Altra Lone Peaks.

I’m in AZ.  I’ve really enjoyed my Norda 001’s.  I’ve used Lone Peaks, but they get torn up.  I have Speedland GSPDX’s, which are great for longer distances, but the stack height makes the shoe feel disconnected from the terrain.  Norda’s are firmer, so I think of it as a race shoe.

Unsure of what terrain you're talking about here, but I'll take a crack at it. My feet: 4e width and square at the forefoot, narrow heel, high collapsible arch. My playground: wet and rocky Scottish west Highlands. For high scrambling with technical rock: la Sportiva tx4. (Don't be put off by your experience with the brand - Sportiva do a number of different lasts, including some I can't wear at all and some which are magical. Tx4 is wonderful in fit.) These are not UL but hold up to hard technical terrain like the Cuillin in terms of precision, grip and durability. I default to these when there will be long steep scree or precision technical footwork short of rock climbing, and they are truly comfortable for long mountaineering days. For brushy veggie muddy off piste: Altra lone peak wide. Caveat that my models are a couple of years old because I don't run as much anymore after an injury, so I'm not sure what the current version is like. The ones I have are lightweight and deeply luggy in the sole. I pick these as my UL default whenever I can. For generalist purposes: la Sportiva tx hike boots. I can't vouch for much other than fit here as I've just gotten them, but they fit my wide feet fine so far. They are intended to be my multiday option for when UL is not on the table. They are waterproof, cut as low boots, luggy, and stiffer than the Altras. Hope that helps.

Altra Olympus. I have tried the lone peaks and prefer the extra cushion.

Go with Topo or Altra. Ultraventure 4 is my current go to. Great cushion and stability. Terraventure or Lone Peak are good picks if you want a more grounded feel.

I agree, a trailrunning shoe with a somewhat thicker sole and a little tighter/more stable fit is what I use as well. Plus Vibram soles. Works for Via Feratas too. I wouldnt buy another pair due to durability, but I used a pair of Altra Timp for 1½ years and they were pretty good. Would not use a Lone Peak though. Maybe the 9+ with the Vibram outsole. Right now its Topo Pursuits.

The only Altra a bough recently was the Rivera(?) and that are good so far! I stocked up on an older model of Lone Peaks during a sale.

Did my first run in my Olympus 6 a couple weeks ago. It’s was awful. Returned them. The weird heel cup tore my feet up. The huge cushioned was a nice ride but I had to make a conscious effort to pick my feet up higher on anything that wasn’t perfectly graded. Plus they exhausted my ankles due to having to counter the cushy feel. I know many people love them. Not a shoe that works for me. I went back to my Lone Peaks.

I also use lone peaks. A lot of people are fussy about shoes and differences between 6,7 etc. I bought 3 pairs of 7s from Sierra for $59 and I’ll be good for a while.

IDK if I'd recommend Altra for gripping on the trails. I almost broke my ass a couple times at my last race because my Lone Peaks were absolutely useless on rocks with any degree of moisture. Part of the race was a descent down a stream bed and I banana peel slipped and landed hard. They also weren't great with padding and I felt every....single...rock.

I did a 100K in Lone Peaks, but I changed pairs. However, that was the older Lone Peaks. The Olympus used to be good but the new version has this insanely high heel counter that is painful to me. Beyond that I've had Altras last a long time and ones that ripped in their first run. Altra has very spotty quality.

Tried to switch cold turkey to lone peaks and killed my calves, had to give it a week of slow short walks to build up to it, I am good now

Really appreciate this kind of comparison, thank you! On a tangent, I'm really annoyed at how close Topo is to having my size. I'm a 14 4E on the Brannock, and wear that size in Brooks running shoes. Altra LP Wides (14W) were a revelation as the first off-pavement shoe to ever really fit me. And now there's all this hullabaloo about Altra falling off and cutting corners, and everyone's like "get in loser, we're wearing Topos now". They make up to a 15 in 13/18 men's shoes, but only make wides in 4 shoes, and for some unknown reason they make a 14 wide in exactly one shoe - the Ultrafly. Just... come on. You're a "wide toe box" company. Stock the wides.

personally, altra lone peaks for only trail and olympus 5s when mixed (on pavement for part of the run). altra customer for life!

I used to use New Balance 4E Hierro which fit well, but I was really disappointed in their grip. I was sliding all over the place on anything remotely slick which isn't really good for a trail runner. I switched to the Topo Pursuit shoes and they are wide, comfortable, and very grippy. The Terraventure get great reviews but they were substantially narrower. They were similar in width as the Hoka Speedgoat so wouldn't work for me. Altra had wide shoes at some point, but they progressively narrowed them to the point that I could no longer fit into the Lone Peaks. Supposedly, they are making them wider again and migrating to a Vibram sole which hopefully will be a vast improvement with their shoddy proprietary sole. Their quality control in generally has been poor. Brooks were always too narrow. I could never fit into the Cascadia.

Altra Lone Peaks. Wide toe box, low drop. They are awesome and only used for my disc golf obsession.

I ran through six pairs of Lone Peaks, they rocked for traction but usually exploded around 300 miles. After 10yrs of Altras I switched to Mafates and immediately stopped rolling my ankles, had near-complete resolution of my bilateral anterior tibialis pain, and the shoes easily last 100-200 miles longer. Mafates all the way if no other reason than durability

I snagged a pair of these off recommendations on Reddit, and they’re great! Feels good, light, and seemed to be holding up after 6 months of use. Treads wearing down a bit from cement tee pads, but they’ve easily seen over 100 rounds now. Super breathable too.

I was an Altra fanboy for years, but their quality is just plain awful. Every pair I’ve owned in the last several years, be it road or trial shoes (including multiple pairs of LPs) has had the sides blown out of them well before shoes should start to fail. I’ve switched to Topo trail shoes and so far they’ve held up much, much better.

Altra LP's are quick-drying. My problem with them is that while they're super comfy have a pretty shallow footbed, my feet/ankles would ache after a long day on rough terrain, backpacking with about 35lbs. I've since switched to Hoka Speedgoats and all that is a distant memory. Super cushy, excellent grip with the Vibrams, and they're okay at drying out, though not as good as the LPs. No, they won't last forever but the payback in end-of-the-day comfort is huge to me.

Physical protection from pokes and rocks aside, my experience, and others have shared similarly, that boots do not really do much to prevent ankle sprains. Boots generally have higher/thicker soles, so if you do turn your ankle, it's a higher fulcrum point and you could turn your ankle even more than if you were on a thinner sole of a trail runner. The only time I turned my ankle significantly was when I was wearing big, heavy, think leather-upper Vasque St. Elias boots. The firmness of the ankle wrap on those meant I couldn't 'get out of it' by turning forward or any other split-second reaction. Once it started over sideways, there was no getting out of it. Contrast that with trail-runners; I currently have Speedgoats, but have hiked with Altras, Salomons, Oboz, and others, and it's the same. If I turn my ankle, I seem to be able to quickly compensate and prevent myself from putting all my weight over on a completely turned ankle. I do that on every hike, sometimes twice. Never injured myself that way.

Varies person to person. I like altra lone peaks. I an tempted to try the new mount to coast t1’s ive been seeing advertised online for a little more support for the long runs.

I have flinstone feet, and I love my altra lone peaks!

Personally I’m an altra guy. Olympus 5s have given me 450 miles on average across the two pairs I’ve ran through. Good and durable vibram with a thick midsole for protection. They’ve been my 50-100 mile shoe of choice. I ran a pretty rugged 50 mile ultra recently that emulates the AT with rocks and roots and the Olympus performed well. It even rained before and during and my footing and grip was solid on all surfaces and the wet rocks. The Lone Peak fits extremely similarly but has less cushion for more ground feel. I’ve never been able to get down with Topo because of their high arch (I have medium arches and they’re still too much for me) but they may be right up your alley. They have a few models to explore that are all pretty well built, 5mm drop or lower, and a wide foot shaped toe box. In either avenue, if you have a local running store trying before you buy is always a nice luxury!

During training for the Camino I alternated between Altra Escalante and Lone Peak. Based on the thin sole and rapid wear I chose not to take the Escalantes. Personally I think the Lone Peak sole is a much better fit for the Camino.

I have some Merrill moab 3 that have really held up to tee pads. I also have some altra lone peaks that have worked well. A bit of shoe goo boot and glove on the toe helps too as I tend to drag a bit. That being said, be careful of anything too grippy, just ask my right knee why, lol

I also enjoy a minimalist shoe in my day to day life! I personally hiked the JMT (and every other trail) in Altra Lone Peaks. They have a wide toe box and zero-drop, and combined with toe socks my feet felt great. I brought my Xero sandals for water crossings and at camp. Altras were super popular on trail. People were certainly out there in more minimal shoes, but I like to err on the side of cushion for multi-day hikes. The JMT can be very rocky and the descents are long, so that’s another consideration.

Hello follow 818er. I use Altra Lone Peaks year around. They drain well and in my opinion, have superior traction. If I absolutely need waterproof, then I use Merrell Moab. 99% of the time I’m using my Lone Peaks though. Even in the snow.

Hoka ATR for springy. Altra lone peak for wider toe box and less stack height 

I bought some new lone peaks and my first run a broken stick went straight through the bottom of the rubber sole and into my foot. Not sure if it was just a freak accident but I’ve never had anything like that happen before.

Altra lone peak are my everything outdoors shoe

heh, are you me? I have spent the last 2 months trying to find the perfect shoe/sock combo. I have a problem pinky toe and toe socks were making it much worse. I think I have the beginning of a tailor's bunion and arthritis in my pinky toe from it that makes any pressure turn into pain. I tried the Pursuit 2, Ultraventure 3, Terraventure 4, Traverse all in 11.5. I was comparing them to the Altra Lone Peak, Timp 5 and Olympus 5 in 11.5. I agree with just about everything you stated. For me the terraventure pinky toe discomfort was very noticeable and actually the arch of my foot overhung the side of the shoe the mid foot was so narrow. Traverse was in the running with the Pursuit 2, but ultimately both had a deepish heel cup with stiff backing causing discomfort on achilles area. I ended up going with the Timp 5, but really wanted the Pursuit 2 to have worked out since they felt the most immediately comfortable to me. Update: I found a week before doing the JMT that Timp5 also gave my pinky toe discomfort on long hikes. And just 2 days before I left for the JMT I found that Timp5 has a “Standard” foot shape that is narrower in the toe than the Lone Peak’s “Original” foot shape. I picked up a pair of lone peaks the day before I left and used injinji toe socks without any issue. Wish I would have gone with the extra cushion in the “Original” footshape Olympus on the JMT for that darn SOBO decent down Muir pass.

Be aware that the timps have a different foot shape. Took me too long to figure out why they didn’t fit like the lone peaks.

Just got back from 3 day 35 mile backpacking trip in big bear wearing Altra Lone Peaks (which are zero drop - I don’t have any special insoles) When I first switched from Solomon boots I was in heaven - sooooo much lighter. I had no blisters, hotspots etc - the extra wide (and a bit odd) toe box is roomy in a good way - I wear either darn tough or smart wool hiking socks with them. Even with zero drop and no added support, I did not experience any muscle or joint issues (carrying around 30-35 pounds). Many folks in the group (it was a pretty big highlander event) had switched to Topo’s mostly due to durability issues with the Altras. Many reported not being able to get 500 miles out of a pair, which seemed like a bright line for them. I’ve had my Lone Peaks for a couple of years - did a few backpacking trips of varying lengths and hike many times per week usually 5-10 miles in canyons. So far they are holding up. One other possible issue: when Darwin on the Trail switched from lone peaks to topos, he cited durability issues (and quality issues) but he also talked about them being “awkward” due to tie box shape, and I found this to be true. Somehow they seem to find lots of rocks etc to trip over in weird ways that feel to me like they are related to the shape. I mean maybe I would have found that rock anyway 😊 But I found when I talked to folks who had tripped up on a rock fall segment, I’d look down and they had on lone peaks. Anecdotal clearly, but did line up with my experience. Also I found I felt almost any rock I stepped on, and clearly a heavier boot would be more protection and comfort in that terrain. One person in my group wore trail runners with a carbon fiber sole insert - but I didn’t catch the brand or model. I decided to keep my Altras as they are holding up just fine, but I may at some point look at Topos or ?? Hope that helps

Altra Timp 5 Altra Lone Peak Topo Ultraventure

Currently IMO: Tarkine Trail Devil 2 > Topo MNTN Racer 3 > Altra Lone Peak The Tarkines feel a lot like SpeedGoats with a wider toe box and the grip isn't as good in the wet, not bad, just not as sticky as the Vibram sole on the Hokas. I did 100km race in the Topos, and they're fine in a rotation, just prefer the Tarkines. The Altras are just a bit lifeless, but I don't get blisters in them because of the toebox, so better than a standard shoe if I run long.

I wear Altra lone peaks all the time. They are a great shoe.

Same. I’m very tough on shoes and Altras seem to take the punishment well.

I am in the same boat with wide flat feet and about 200lbs. I have found the best success with the Altra Lone Peak (although I know you said you didn't want zero drop). The other shoe that has worked for me is the Inov8 Trailfly in wide. They also just released the Trailfly Max if you want a bit more cushion. Both are 6mm drop.

Lightweight trail runners aren’t sturdy and long lasting like heavier shoes and boots can be. The trade off is less density and thinner materials for lighter weight and less fatigue. A Vibram mega grip sole is a nice feature, and you should get 300-500 miles from a pair of trail runners but to get the longest life from your shoes you’ll probably have to be willing to do some running repairs to the uppers. I have some old model Altra Lone Peaks that I’ve taken well beyond their intended lifespan by replacing insoles and patching the uppers.

I found the Lone Peaks to last longer than the one pair of Timps that I've had. The Timp soles just wore out really fast. But they were pretty comfortable!

They sure aren't what they used to be..... I've had the LPs since the yellow ones that felt like a cloud, maybe the LP 1.5 or 2? Anyway, they've improved the upper a lot, but the sole has only gotten worse and worse over the years. I'm finding the heel cups are wearing out on my faster than anything lately. I typically get at least 500 miles on a pair and aim for 750ish before they retire to non running. I've had to abandon all of their models except the Lone Peak, which seems to be the only model they didn't drastically change and still holds up to some abuse. The rest they either completely changed the fit or the durability evaporated.

I’ll add. It depends on what your road shoes are. I can’t imagine running trial in, say, Hokas with a 5mm drop. And all that foam. I need to feel the trail and bit more in able to navigate the roots, rocks, and uneven terrain. Speaking as someone who used to run pavement but now runs exclusively trail. If it’s a rails-to-trail type surface, any running shoe. But once anything gets technical, like a true trail, I would not want to be in thick foam runners. One misstep on a root and call me Mr. Twisty Ankleson Edit/add: I run in Lone Peaks, Altra. Zero drop shoe, pretty minimal. Used to run in Hoka on road, plus one of their trail shoes.

I started wearing Altra Lone Peak hiker shoe and it changed everything. The box toe allowed my swollen feet to feel comfortable even after climbing Mt Washington. I’m on my second pair! I also noticed thruhikers wearing Altra’s too. Check them out.

I alternate between them and Lonepeaks. Pretty happy with the balance. I avoid wearing them for trails exceeding 10km, or ones I expect to have pointy rocks. I also don't like them on stairs.

I used Altra lone peak shoes for both the Appalachian trail and the Portuguese Camino. No problems at all during the AT but had heel issues on the Camino. Turns out that Altras are “zero drop” meaning heels are not elevated. Since the AT was very hilly the zero drop did not bother my heels but the Camino was much flatter.

I hiked in Altra Lone Peaks last year. They worked fine. I wouldn't hike in my xeros though. I save those for day hikes. I tried an overnight nighter in those shoes and I regretted it immediately. No cushion, no protection from rocks and they were super heavy once they got wet.

Neither. Altra lone peak.

I prefer Altra Lonepeak. But Speedgoats are especially great for the longer hikes (4+ hours). They got more cushion.

Ive used vibram 5 fingers, they're ok unless you have lots of sections with smallish loose stones, then it started hurting the ball and heel of my feet. I much prefer Altra now - used to have mk2 but they are discontinued, now lone peaks - they have soft thin minimalistic soles that still give protection to rough surfaces, have a wide toe box and zero heel drop, so you get some of the benefits of barefoot with a bit of comfort

Lone peaks wore through the soles a bit too quick for me, after going through 2 pairs in 6 months, i switched to Merrells Moab. The sole rubber is more dense and lasts longer from wear, although i did enjoy the comfort from the Altras a bit more. I also do trail running and still use lone peak for that (and moabs for backpacking / hikes)

My altra lone peaks are approaching the same mileage as yours and need replacement for sure, but more because of sole wear. They were my first trail runners for backpacking and I’ll probably get another pair, but I’ll definitely try on a few others while I’m shopping just in case.

Altra lone peak. I have very wide feet and its the only running shoe I can wear. I had never done zero drop before these either, but theyre great and I wont go back to shoes with any amount of drop

I wear Altra lone peaks for all of the above

I would use any trail running shoe that works for you. I personally love Altra lone peaks because I have very wide feet and prefer zero drop.

I went through a mess of shoes and settled on the Altra Lone Peak (maybe LP2, or 3 at the time)... now I just keep getting them because they work for me.

Same. Had too many uppers blow out after only 200 miles. The shoes still had tread and life in the foam, but uppers just toast. Won’t go back until the reviews are consistently better. The only model that seems to buck is the Lone Peak, but it’s not my jam. I really liked the Timp.

Lone peaks and 001 are completely different shoes. I’m not sure how they can be compared at all (I own both). 

I gave up on Altra for years and gave them a try again this summer. The newest Lone Peaks, most slippery shoe I’ve ever hiked in. I fell so many times, there’s absolutely no grip when rocks or roots are at all wet. They also rubbed the side of my big toe real bad and got horrible hot spots. After about 80 miles on them from North Twin to Gorham on at AT, I switched back to Bedrock sandals and am not looking back

I wore alta lone peaks for years and switched to topo terraventures recently, I like them more than the altras. Altra is a 0mm drop while the topo terra have a 3mm drop. I feel like the topos are generally better built.

I've had Topos, Hokas and all different kinds of Altras. The Altra Lone Peaks were by far my favourite - glorious shoe. My form just felt so much smoother and they were roomy without being clown shoes. As for the other altras I had, the Monc Blanc's had awful heel slippage, horrendous collar on them, and the Olympus had too much cushion and so were bad for technical trails, though the Olympus was still decent. Word of warning, the zero-drop aspect does make a difference. I was fine for a good while but eventually ended up with achilles tendonitis so if you do get any adjustment niggles then be sure to do some prehab for that. If i were you I'd get a pair of Lone Peaks and just bring them into the rotation. Play it by ear and listen to your body. Good luck

Vans ultra ranges for dry days, altra lone peak for the mushy stuff

I haven't worn boots in about 5 yrs now since I discovered Altra Lone Peak shoes. I've 2 pair now, one for creek walking and another for trails. My foot fatigue vaporized.

Try Altra Lone Peaks with an insole that supports your arch and lifts the heel slightly. Lone Peaks are great for the toe box but the zero drop doesn't work for everyone.

Altra lone peaks. I have wide feet and these accommodate that and have a wide toe box

As a person with torn ligaments in my ankles from rolling them over the years, I go with Lone Peaks because I'm closer to the ground. But +1 for Altras. OP note, Altra brand shoes are 'zero drop', so your calf muscles will need to stretch by a quarter inch or so. Do this WELL before your hike by putting 100 miles or so on them, or you will massively, tearfully regret it.

I bust both sides of my first, and last, pair of LP's at 100km. These were rocky tough trails but still..

I have wide feet and walk/hike/run miles in Altra Lone Peaks, love them so much because they are zero drop (better for my Achilles) and have good cushioning and also very good traction. But they are also firmly “sneaker” shoes and could not remotely pass for nice shoes in a restaurant. Shoe choice also depends a lot on what kind of terrain you’ll be on — rugged hills/parks/ruins? Or more city walking/museums? Do you do a lot of walking/hiking at home? Also in Italy just be ready to be dying on your way up some steep hill and along will come some local doing the same thing in a pair of heels lol

Altra lone peaks have been my go to for like five years

even when you encounter water they dry out much faster, I only use full waterproof when snow hiking and it's important to keep your feet warm and dry. I've actually considered retiring my old hoka speedgoats to be watershoes for kayaking type activities. I also have a lot of boots and shoes. My opinion just on the trail runners I've had: Hoka speedgoat the most breathable but the most fragile, shallower lugs, great on compacted dirt fire roads in the heat but get torn up on rockier trails like gorgonio. Salomon speedcross more durable and less breathable, deeper lugs on the bottom for softer dirt, I probably liked these the most for an all around general purpose if you are going up some of the higher mountains Alta lone peak, probably inbetween the speedgoat and speedcross in most ways including breathability and lug depth. These have a very roomy toe box which makes it a darling for PCT through hikers for those extra long miles, however because of that looser fit they don't feel as secure when scrambling on rocks.

The altra peak lone peak was literally designed for wider feet. Love them. [https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/men/activity/trail-racing?prefn1=width&prefv1=Wide](https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/men/activity/trail-racing?prefn1=width&prefv1=Wide)

they'll still get wet, and then they will take ages and ages and ages to dry out. This goes double if you're doing a lot of river crossings (Mt Hood immediately comes to mind). My Altra Lone Peaks take about 30 minutes of movement to dry off :)

I really love my Altra Lone Peaks. I only have about 60 miles on them, but they're 60 *gnarly* miles and I can't imagine hiking in a non zero-drop shoe again.

I love hiking in my trail runners (Altra lone peaks) and have worn them for distance hikes with a ~10kg pack in both Scotland and the Dolomites. The biggest bonus for me personally is that my feet are in significantly better condition after a multi day hike wearing trail runners than they were wearing boots. I actually prefer them for wet conditions as although your feet will get soaking wet, they dry really quickly, whereas if your boots get wet they could stay wet for the rest of the trip and rub your feet. I was sceptical but I’m a big convert now! If you’re worried about ankle stability you can always do some calf strengthening exercises.

I'm an altra fan and imo the lone peak and olympus are their most durable shoes. Great for wide feet. However, I don't find them to be the best for scrambling despite having done some burly objectives in lone peaks. I've heard scarpa can be a good fit for slightly wide feet and are very durable as well. I'm eyeing scarpas ribelle and spin planet for the same reason as you - want a mountain runner that handles exceptionally well as a scramble too. Their ski boots are amazing fwiw.

Altras all day everyday. I completed the JMT last year in lone peaks

I converted to trail runners 7 years ago. I love Altra Lone Peaks but the quality has slipped. People will say you need ankle support but you really need stronger ankles. Ease into them as there is an adjustment period.

There is an Altra Lone Peak All-weather, which has a waterproof lining. I’ve used the regular Lone Peaks plenty in Scotland and though they get wet easily, they also drain and dry easily. I’ve had several times when I step in a bog but by the end of the hike my feet are dry again. They are incredibly comfortable too, at least for me.

I'm on Altra Lone Peaks or Timp but nervous about my upcoming JMT as far as their durability as I average about 150 miles/pair. For the extra length I might opt for the Timp 5 with the Vibram sole for the extra comfort and wear factor.

I have these and my feet get beat up on the rocky trails in the northeast/ADK. I wouldn't go back to boots but my solomon low tops were a lot better for that type of terrain and not much heavier. only reason I still sometimes prefer the lone peaks is the wider toe box and they are less constricting. Ideally I would have a shoe that mixes both.

I'm going in on Monday to buy these. I tried them a couple of weeks ago and am looking forward to adding them.

I had 3 pairs of Altra running shoes. The soles would wear fast, like 200 miles or so before you're essentially running on the foam. I think the most I ever got out of a pair was 300. For reference I'm 5'8" and 160lbs, running on road, bike paths, and sidewalks. So I wasn't exactly stressing them out past their design limits. I've currently got some Lone Peaks that feel well built and have solid bottoms, hopefully they last a while.

Altra Lone Peak is so narrow. I'm disappointed, they were supposed to be wider that my Superiors but guess not...

altras suck. the tread got destroyed in like 2 months and the only time i've felt more like i can slide off of shit is when i wore xero's 360's with literally flat soles. to boot, the tread started separating from the foam lowers within a month because my form sucked at the time and i was rotating over the outside front of my foot. anyway, the shoe shouldn't have failed when it cost so much. horrible. the nike goretex trail runners were wayyyyyyyyy better than altras. but the zero drop was really comfortable so i bought the xeros after the altras, but those were only good for PERFECT conditions because they lacked tread. for winter, i got the insulated van hiking boots (MTE sk8-hi) that are waterproof for winter and those were sick, but really too heavy to play with during anything but the shittiest of new england weather. shoes never got wet from water, but def got wet from sweat because they're thinsulate lined. for this season, i just got a pair of vivo magna forest esc and its like the best of all of it. the michelin soles are fucking INCREDIBLE, i feel like a mountain goat but still have the xero feel i liked. the only downside is now that i actually have grippy bois is that they actually transport moist soil back into the house. this is normal for good shoes that give traction, so i leave a thick bristle brush by the door and clean em out before i walk inside. long story short, if you think altras are durable, you're probably noodle arming and not committing, and then walking around a grass course. i've heard the OG varients were good, but the pair i bought, the pair my boss bought, and the pair the other dude in my league bought are all dogshit and they're from the last year and a half.

I wear Altra Lone Peaks and they dry pretty fast when I get them wet.

Altra lone peaks with some darn tough wool socks are a phenomenal combo

For light hikes I wear lone peaks. For big days I wear Olympus. Also consider topo athletic.

I’ve done 4th class and talus in my Altra Lone Peak shoes and it wasn’t a problem

It’s pretty common on this sub to complain about the durability of Altras but it’s all I’ve worn for years and I usually put around 400 miles of running and a lot of miles of walking on each pair of Lone Peaks. After all that mileage, they usually look about like your shoes

Altra lone peak and speedland

I love my Altra Lone Peaks and Topo Ultraventures. I’ve been doing most of my hikes in the Topos. Not completely zero drop but wide toe box and vibram soles. 

I haven’t tried these but have several pairs of Altras. My favorites are the lone peaks that are also zero drop but have a smaller stack than the olympus. The Olympus looks like too much cushion in the heel for me.

I Love Altra too much to dog them out by throwing. They are a good shoe!! Agreed!

Altra built a reputation, particularly among thru hikers, for having a good shoe with a wide toe box that has a lot of features that thru hikers want. Unfortunately like many companies they seem to have started cutting corners and the quality has gone downhill, however they remain popular because of the reputation that they earned early on. Fit is the most important factor in choosing a trail runner, however Altra Lone Peak (particularly the newer models) have issues with durability, and their grip isn't as good as many other trail runners out there. That being said I've hiked many miles in the whites in them, particularly the older models (mostly 3s and 4s, I started having issues with the 6s), and they aren't terrible. Now I hike in Topo Terraventure, they have a similar wide toebox, however they are more rigid in the back, and they have Vibram soles, so they have better grip (although I think I read somewhere that the latest LPs have Vibram soles? Or am I imagining it?). I've talked to a couple other hikers who said Topo is too narrow in the back or midfoot for them, but they're a great fit for me. So IMHO there are better options out there, however if you can't find a better trail runner that fits your foot as well, Altras are decent for the whites.

Altra lone peaks. Not the most durable but the zero drop wide toe box is absolutely amazing and worth it

I had the exact same problem with my Lone Peaks, big hole appeared after about 270 miles. Switched to Topo Athletic Terraventure 4. There is noticeable wear on the tread after 250 miles (mostly on trail but with a bit of tarmac which won't have helped), but the upper is surviving. I've got the waterproof and normal versions. Waterproof version doesn't fit great around my heel for some reason so I mostly use it for hiking.

Have you used trail runners for backpacking before? I like Altras because they have the widest toe box. But they are zero drop and that doesn't work for everybody. They work great for me but I know plenty of others have disliked them. A lot of people like Topos and Hokas as well. The point is that shoes are way too individual for anybody to successfully recommend one that will work for you.

Yes, they aren't known for durability. But then again most trail runners have shortened lives from backpacking. They're not really designed for that usage. A more substantial hiking shoe will hold up better than trail runners. But I got 900 miles out of one pair of Lone Peaks on the PCT, and 750 from another pair.

Yep, it was the soles that wore down on mine too. The uppers held up just fine.

I injured my calf running in those.. are they really made for long distances? 😅

I have fairly sweaty feet and I find that non-waterproof shoes work best for me. Shoes like the Altra Lone Peaks, Hoka One One Speedgoats, or anything else with a lightweight, breathable mesh upper. I wouldn't wear those unless I was staying on the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon. Any of the trails that drop into the canyon are going to be steep. You'll want something you can lace tight to minimize your foot movement within the shoe. You're feet are already going to be moving more than normal. I've spent a fair bit of time in the canyon (Rim to Rim to Rim, multiple Rim to Rivers), and I've seen people wear everything from boots to flip flops in the canyon. The two best pieces of advice I have for people hiking in the canyon are: 1. Be extra cautious. You hike down into the canyon. this takes more of a toll on people's legs than they realize. Then, the climb out is more miserable than needed (it's already miserable) because they thought it was easy to keep going down. 2. Take care of issues with your shoes and feet as quickly as possible. Stopping to put leukotape or moleskin on a hot spot as soon as it starts will save a lot of pain later.

I use their Terrex cold rdy boots and they've been nothing but fantastic, great for outside of winter too, personally, they don't feel heavy or bulky to me and I never feel too warm in them. The Terrex Free hiker are also really good shoes and probably more suited for all-rounder hikes outside of winter months, only reason I didn't stick with this one is because I already use the Altra lone peaks, but I don't have a bad word to say about their shoes.

I tried the most popular ones from couple brands and were the worst ones for me. Personally like Altra LP for technical terrain - short/mid runs, Olympus 5 fits me really well but the weight is little bit annoying, some small parts like altra sign, inside peeled off after 400k.. it's comfortable, ran 50k+ and my feet felt really well but not buying again. Asics Trabuco fits me really well, but new 13 got reduced toebox width so it's not for me anymore... so many differences across brands / models. Visit [https://runrepeat.com/](https://runrepeat.com/)

Lone peaks wrecked me, timps saved my hike

I moved to 6,000 feet and needed winter hiking boots. None I tried at REI worked for me. I hike in Altra LP or Bedrock sandals in warm weather. Anyway ordered Lem’s boots online and have worn them for all my winter hiking. Basically for everything. Wear them every day. LOVE them. They wouldn’t work for long hikes below zero but 10-15, snow, snow shoeing, up to 3-4 hours they’ve been great. I got them a half size large to fit thick socks but they also work with thin ones. Soles are flexible, wide toe box, zero or minimal drop, thin inserts.

Altra don't have a lot of 'hiking' options. The most popular is Altra Lone Peak (what I use(d) and I think it's still the most used shoe on the AT) but others fit differently and have more padding. No one can decide what's best for you. FWIW, I've switched over to Lem's Shoes for hiking (or Bedrock sandals). Same principle of footbeds as Altra, minimal cushion, zero or near zero drop, but I get more wear from their soles.

Second vote for Lem’s. I hike in Altra LPs but have really loved my two Lem’s styles. Hiked in their boots all winter. Definitely worth trying! They’ll be my next pair of summer hikers.

I forgot my wading shoes last weekend so wore my Lone Peaks up the stream flyfishing. That's pretty tough on a shoe. Did great. This is my second pair. Love these shoes. Better for hiking than wet wading, though.

I like Altra superior or lone peaks

I've been debating this too - I have feet as wide as swim fins, so I'm stuck with Altras. I like the rock plate in the Lone Peak, but some of their other shoes have a higher "stack height" - more padding under your foot. Might be worth trying. I have heard you can hack up a pseudo rock plate out of rigid plastic, like they make gallon milk jugs from.

After trying a couple pairs of boots, I realized the majority of long distance backpackers I’ve communicated with wore the altra lone peaks at this time so I got some, now I wear them everyday, for work, for fun, for hiking, and even in the gym.

They have the protection for sure, 25 mm stack with a rock plate. It’s not the most cushioned shoe but it’s enough for most people. Hundreds of people thru hike with them every year, as I did on the AT. As others have said, the traction is suspect. Lone peak with vibram sole comes out this January if you can wait.

Good to hear bc I just got a pair two weeks ago. My feet don’t hurt after playing now, even after multiple round days. Put my foot in my old Terrex’s and felt how pinched my toes were and literally put those Altra’s on. Have my seal of approval so far!

I swear by Altra. I hated the Lone Peaks. Not enough padding and my feet hurt like crazy after around 10 miles. It made it almost too painful to walk. I switched to Altra Olympus and love them. They have more cushion. I have worn them right out of the box into a long backpacking trip with no blisters or discomfort whatsoever. That said, they are not sturdy. Actually, I think I’m on my 5th pair in 2 years and I am a weekend overnight backpacker. I’ve had the treads come loose less than 15 miles out of the box. Their durability is crap to the point it’s hard to believe a legit company accepts this as their product. But they’re so comfortable, I get them anyway. But I buy from REI so I know I can replace them for free within the first year. And I’ve just accepted the cost of comfortable shoes for me is the $150-200 they cost every year.

Seconding Altra. My wife has wide feet, and Altra's wide toe box + wide sizing options are great. She loves her Lone Peaks for trail and the Via Olympus for road.

I've run in Lone Peaks in the past, but currently running in Experience Flows. My daily route is about 1/3 road and 2/3 non-technical trail, and they've been fine for that. They're 4mm drop. They make a trail version called Experience Wild, but I haven't tried those yet.

Hey folks. Looking for the perfect training shoe for wet days and I haven't been having a ton of luck. Here's what I'm looking for: - wide toebox. My feet have gotten wider over the years and I'm pretty much limited to Altra or Topo. - light and runs like a road shoe. - lugs that can handle wet clay mud. The trails I run daily have been wet for the last 2 months. They're mild trails that road shoes work great on them dry, but when they're wet road shoes make it feel like I'm running on ice. - comfortable on road - I have to run 3 miles to and from the trails I run in the mornings. - low drop preferable, but I can live with zero drop. No high drop - it kills my hips (I have hip impingement) I've tried Altra Lone Peaks (ok, but pretty clunky - especially on road), Altra Experience Wilds (best so far, but didn't hold up. Upper separated from the lower at 350mi), and Topo Ultraventures (really wanted to love these, but they feel heavy and clunky and my feet actually bruise if I wear them on much road). I also tried Craft Nordlite Ultras, but had to return them because they were not only too short, but incredibly narrow. Anything out there that runs like a light and responsive road shoe, but has lugs that will work in wet mud?

Trail runners are massively popular here in the UK and like in the US for thru hikes (outside of winter) they are the most common footwear. My personal choice are Altra Lone Peaks. I don't think I can ever go back to a normal toe box in a shoe now.

I bought my Altra Lone Peak's online at John Lewis of all places. They were selling them £30 cheaper than anywhere else I could find.

I adore my Altra Lone Peaks and once I wear them through I will be getting another pair. Yes they get soaked through simply by being within 5km of a water source but they also dry out in no time at all.

I’ve never been to a parkrun that “needed” trail shoes, which one do you typically run? That said, I do (or did, I’ve been rather lazy) wear trail shoes to one of my local parkruns. I wear a UK men’s 13.5 or 14 depending upon brand, so your mileage may vary, but I particularly like Saucony Peregrine and Altra Lone Peak shoes. The peregrines are bigger and heavier but I find them very grippy and comfortable to wear. The Lone Peaks are less grippy but are lighter, flatter and have a large toe box (Altras USP is they sell “foot shaped” shoes). Ideally you’d go to a local running shop and try a few on. They offer free “gait analysis” it’s mostly just nonsense designed to get you to buy unnecessary “stability” shoes, but it does at least give you the opportunity to run on a treadmill with the shoes on to see how they feel Edit: in the UK sportsshoes.com are often a good place to look for cheaper shoes. They have the Altra lone Peaks from £70 (though the wide fitting one is £115) and the peregrines are about the same price. The trouble is they’re often limited in sizing - for example they don’t stock the peregrines in an E width. It’s worth trying them on in person, particularly the Lone Peaks, or any similar “foot shaped” shoes, since you might find they’re naturally wider and you don’t need the E width in those models.

I’m a fan of Altra lone peaks. I’ve also used some Hokas, but altras fit my feet better.

I'm a huge fan of Altra Loan Peaks. Two years ago I did a 50 mile, four night backpacking trip to Glacier National Park in them, then just this weekend I did 70 miles over three days with about 30% running in them. Up over passes we encountered lots of scree and boulder fields and they performed great. 

Adding Altra Lone Peaks since I don't see them in other comments. While they get hate on this sub due to inconsistency in quality of late, there's a reason they're so popular. Breathable, drain well, wide toe box, good groundfeel while protecting your feet, grippy on almost every surface. They are low stack and zero drop so be sure to ease into them if you haven't done zero drop before. As for quality, I did have a pair where the upper started to separate around 250 miles, but I've also had several pairs that I've retired after 400 miles with only normal wear and tear.

Still rocking Altra Lone Peaks. They’re not perfect (durability issues and the foam is bottoming out prematurely) but they have wide toe boxes and are comfortable out of the box. I tried Topos but the arch support was too intrusive, so I’m still on the hunt for the perfect shoe.

As someone with a forefoot that is too wide for almost every shoe on the market: Altra Lone Peak and nothing has even come close

I think the lone peaks work great. How the soles feel on rocky trails is going to be up to personal preference. I've had success pairing them with superfeet trailblazer insoles. If you like the feel of the lone peaks but are concerned about comfort in the soles, I would recommend trying the timp 5. Similar shape to the lone peaks, but they have more cushion and a vibram sole.

I've worn the Altra Superior (Altra's standard fit), Timp (same), Escalante (same) and Lone Peaks (Altra's original fit, which is wider). In my experience the toe box on Topo shoes is about the same width as Altra, but the Topos are a bit more snug in the midfoot than Altra's standard fit shoes, which I like.

Altra Lone Peaks for me… I’ve considered experimenting with Topos but haven’t yet. The Altras solved a lot of problems for me when I switched to them and I’m kind of loath to change. I tried Timps once and didn’t love them at all for trail.

I've always enjoyed Altra Olympus when I want something cushy. The new Olympus have a weird heel that some people don't like though. I'm 5'11" and 230lbs currently for reference. I also like the Lone Peaks a lot but they have a lower stack height.

My first ever trail runners were altra lone's (6?) because I wanted to see what a wide toe box was like, and I fell in love with how large the toe box was, but the shoe durability and shoe fit (apart from the toes) weren't the greatest (I don't have wide feet). Got the inov8 trailfly G 270 about a month ago and the wide toebox isn't as wide as altra and coming from the altra my toes do feel a little bit more "trapped" (it isn't actually trapped, it just feels trapped). My only true gripe with the shoe is the tongue at the top. I don't like the tiny sliver rather than a normal tongue with padding which is much more comfortable

This is where i hike and i wear altra lone peaks. You want breathable quick drying shoes in the whites. I also love the wide tor box and 0 drop. I wear them to work now 😂

LPs and Timp 5s for me!

Shoes are very individual so you just have to check around and see what works for your particular foot shape. For example I can’t do Hokas, Topos were too narrow in the toe box, and brooks Cascadias were just too narrow period for me. Ended up going Lone Peak -> Olympus -> New Balance Heiros. Currently trying the North Face Alta Mesa 300s which seem promising as well.

This is what I’m taking on my 2025 Camino. Last Jan I bought a pair and have worn them for a year, planning to buy a new pair for the Camino in the size bigger! Really happy with the shoe as a whole! I love a wide toe box

I buy all my Altra on eBay, some early lone peaks came in dope colorways.

Wide version is pretty wide. Only available in black color though

I just rolled my ankle in my lone peaks today :( Stupid tree root covered in leaves...

I love them. I felt like it was the first time I was wearing a shoe in my life.

I love mine, I just hiked to Mount Washington in them last week. I very, very rarely slip and love the traction they have. I also hike in Hoka Speedgoats but I prefer Lone Peaks.

Ive hiked a good bit of my time in the whites with altra lone peaks. They work fine imo.

My old lone peaks turn into mowers as well! 😂

Just the newest Lone Peak version. Not perfect, but the best I've found. As wide as the toe box is, I'm worried that if I get wide fit lone peaks, the toe box will be too wide.

I wear some old Primus SG and FG shoes depending on the terrain I am running and they are still going strong after many kms. Longest I have done is a trail half marathon but not sure if I would want to do much further. My volume has increased past that now so have bought some altra lone peaks for longer distance runs, but still really enjoy swapping back for the shorter runs

Altra Lone Peak are available at Sail and MEC. They have wide but the regular is often large enough.

Any chance I get, I'm barefoot. If I'm at home, I'm not wearing shoes, and I exercise shoeless in the house, too. I *cautiously* think this is why I made the switch to Altra zero-drop shoes without ever even knowing that it presents problems for so many people to do so. Might also be why I immediately felt more comfortable with Altras and will suffer no other shoe anymore.

Do you live in the Amazon Rainforest? No offense, but why trail runners for daily wear? Get some Altra Riveras if you want the road equivalent. That's what I wear for road running, and my old pair is now my daily use pair, and they're super comfortable and *made* for hard surfaces. You'll wear your Lone Peaks out so quickly on hard surfaces.

I just finished 4 months travel through SE Asia. Ran 3-5x a week, lots of rain and very humid and sweaty. Only shoes I had were my Altra Lone Peaks. They were great for all the hikes I did, good enough for road running when needed, and comfortable enough to wear all other times of day. Not ‘waterproof’ but they dry very quickly and don’t feel heavy when they’re wet

Altra Lone Peaks are the closest to a one shoe solution in my rotation. Hiking, scrabbles, mud, smooth single tracks, camp, driving. They do it all. But I also wear Giros for clipping in, La Sportivas on rock and in crampons, Tevas on the river and Brooks when running on pavement. Altra Lone Peaks won’t ever replace those specialists. And the Altra Timps are my favorite technical trail runner. Good luck.

I have Altra lone peaks as zero drop with some cushioning, and Merrell trail glove as zero drop with very little cushioning. I like the Merrells a bit better but the altras have more grip on rough terrain.

Lots of people recommend trail runners for what you’re looking for. I prefer Salomon as a brand because they fit my feet better, but have heard all good about Altra Lone Peak. I tried them out but needed better arch support. The HOKA speedgoat are also highly recommended. I’d start there and try some things on to see what fits your foot best. A trail runner that’s lightweight is a good fit for most hikers who aren’t doing extremely technical hikes needing a lot of ankle stability or other support.

My Superiors and Lone Peaks would start to fall apart at 200 miles. The outsole was ok, but the uppers get shredded. I see mixed reviews on Topo. The most durable of theirs I’ve found is the Terraventure 4. It’s low stack and uses traditional EVA instead of their Zipfoam proprietary midsole blend. Zipfoam feels soft but wears strangely as if the foam directly underfoot compacts a lot after a couple hundred miles, but the foam in front of your toes doesn’t compress creating this sort of steep slope directly in front of toes that almost make the shoes feel too small. The EVA in the Terraventures has worn consistently without these symptoms. I just wish they sold that model in a wide. Nothing has matched the width of the Altra Superior 3 and 3.5. Even the latest superiors have been slimmed down and are lower volume.

Totally personal preference but zero-drop takes getting used to. I picked up lone-peaks for hiking and then started running and I really like them but that’s because it’s all I know. I’m thinking about grabbing some shoes with a bit of drop (3-5mm) for trails with a lot of very to give my calves a rest. Note: I’m a noob so take this advice with a grain of salt.

I like the Altra Lone Peak. I wear them at work (high school teacher), walks and runs on pavement, and trail runs, both long and short.

Looks like the Altra Lone Peaks are on sale. Zero drop, pretty cushioned, and wider toe box. I've been a huge fan to the LPs for years. Definitely try them on if you don't have much experience with zero drop footwear, they take some getting used to.

I'm always loved the altea lone peaks but gljust got a new pair and the toe cap is falling apart already. If you drag your foot at all (I know) then don't get them.

I run in Altra lone peaks and have been for about 7 years. I have recently added the new Altra Mont Blanc speed into my rotation. I just ran and finished the Sedona canyons 125 and did the first 50 miles in my lone peaks and the last 75 miles in the Mont Blanc speeds. No issues.

I have both La Sportiva Bushido 2s and Altra Lone Peaks and have used both throughout the Whites. I’ll generally choose La Sportivas for better protection or grip, Lone Peaks for comfort. You can get away with Altras on those boulder fields but I choose not to.

Altra Lone Peak are just hard to beat in my opinion. But I do more hiking than trail running tbh.

Flat soled Altra lone peak shoes for light day hiking and trail running or endurance training. Oboz Bridger med high boots, waterproof / goretex for backpacking, longer trekking hikes.

I have the Xero Mesa Trails and the Altra Lone Peaks, both with extensive use in wet conditions. The Xero's are my absolute go-to shoe. Added benefit being the lightweight and packable size.

I use Altra Lone Peak. Zero drop, nice fit (blister free 50 milers with regular socks). 🏃💨🤙🏻

I can get pairs on special under $100, sometimes $79. Just normally bright yellow or some crazy color. They’ll give a solid 500 Miles before breakdown. Then depending on how they’ve been ran, can still be used for workouts but fresher pair for races.

I wouldn't dismiss Altra because of the minimal drop. I may be biased because I've been running in Altra's for several years now, but I rotate my Altra Torin 8 (0mm drop) with Hoka Clifton 9 (5mm drop) and, more recently for longer runs, Brooks Ghost 16 (10mm drop) with no issues. May take a few training runs if you're not used to the low drop, as with any shoe. I'd say the closer you can get to zero drop for trail running purposes, the better, but the type of trail you run may determine what is good for you. I'm in central Florida - non-technical, grassy and sandy terrain which gets sloppy during the summer rainy season, so the low drop and low stack height of the Altra Lone Peak is perfect for these conditions, providing a comfortable and stable platform. Good luck!

I've only worn Altras for about a dozen years, including multiple road (Escalante Racer, Rivera) and trail styles (King MT2, Superior, Lone Peak, Mont Blanc BOA). I weigh 170 lbs and always get 500-600 miles on a pair before I feel the cushion is shot. That's the industry standard and I've never had a single concern with tread or upper durability. Looks to me like you may be dragging your feet a bit on highly abrasive terrain.

My favorite is Altra. It is wide foot box and zero drop. Zero drop means they are flat like slippers and some people don’t like that feel. Great shoe but they are not durable but if fairly new will last the Camino. A few places have slippery rock but that is rare. Lots of road walking so a higher cushioned sole is better. For example Altra Lone Peak is great for dirt but a bit thin for asphalt.

For performance (under 15 miles): Altra Lone Peak Marathon to 50k: Salomon Ultra Glide Easy day, shorter runs, not too technical: Topo Ultraventure Road: Puma Deviate Nitro (I never would have tried this shoe had my favorite shoe not been discontinued and an enthusiastic salesman not swore by it, but I now love it)

I did the 50 miler there as my first ultra! Super fun event put on by good people. I used lone peaks and it went fine. Not too technical, a bit of sand running but mostly packed dirt. I wouldn’t go road shoe although some people did there are some sandy hills and rock scrambling (first half mile) that trail shoes are good for. Any shoe that is comfortable will be a good call. It’s a loop course so you can always bring other shoes to switch out to if your current pair isn’t working. I had no issues with sand in the shoes or anything like that, but dirty girl gaiters are always a fun and good choice

Kind of depends on what you want from your footwear. I converted to trail runners. They are lighter and more comfortable than traditional hiking boots, but I sacrifice durability. I buy shoes more often, but the tradeoff is worth it *to me* I like the Altra Lone Peaks. Wide toe box and zero drop suit me well.

I walk and run in zero drop Altra shoes 100% and have for several years now. I spent more than a year transitioning by running in a mixture of Brooks, then Hoka, then Altras. My trail shoes were the last change I made and even though I'd been running all pavement miles for a while at that point on zero drop the change was very noticeable on trail running. Calf and Achilles soreness galore. I'd never switch back at this point, but take it very slow.

Hoka Speedgoats and Altra Lone Peaks are some of the standard favorites. Note that if you aren't already running in a zero drop shoes like the Altra then do NOT just jump into those, you're calf muscles will go into early retirement. But as with any shoe go to a store and try on different brands and make sure to get plenty of training miles in them first. I personally run in Lone Peaks but I also have a new pair of Altra Olympus meant for longer training distances (all my shoes are Altra and have been zero drop for years). The lightness, feel, grip, and drainage ability of the Lone Peak are why I use them in all Spartan race distances thus far. I've tried on the Hokas but find them a little to narrow in the toe box (another benefit of the Altra shoes).

Lots of choices for you in my opinion. First and foremost I say every individual will find different shoes that are best for them. I do not marry myself to any one brand or shoe because the models change yearly and our feet and body mechanics can change as well. So something that worked for me once, may not work for me later. If you purchase the shoes from Running Warehouse or REI you have a trial period to try them out. I do not condone abusing running warehouse’s 90 day return policy, but it is nice to know you can try something out and if it doesn’t work for you can try something else. I am currently in Hoka Speedgoats, which is a cushy shoe that I thought I would never wear! Why am I running in them? The combination of the Vibram grip outsole and being able to run for many hours without my feet getting sore is why. I love the Altra Lone Peak that I also refer to as “Trail slippers“ because they are so damn comfortable. BUT I went through the exact same thing as you with my feet banging all over the insides of them as soon as I got on technical trails where I was constantly torquing in different directions. So those shoe felt amazing in the shoe store and on easy rolling dirt trails, but very different on a technical downhill. I still think they are awesome shoes for hiking or even just wearing with my jeans, but not for my trail running needs. I do think finding a good grip shoe for Trail Running is very important and I have yet to find any comparison to the Vibram outsoles when surfaces get wet.

Altra lone peak with wide toe box. Blister free throughout my entire walk.

Altra lone peaks for hikes and walk into superiors for running. Get off those roads.

I’ve been rocking lone peaks since 2.0 after switching from some la sportiva. I have gone through at least 7 versions of lone peak including a pair of high top water proof ones. I enjoyed them so much. This season I got a pair of topo UA4 to try and I’m in love all over again. It’s not a lone peak at all but wow are they comfy.

I wear a 11.5 EE and love my altra lone peaks, got those in 11.5 wide and they fit perfectly

**Absolutely!** I’ve got wide/voluminous feet too and know the struggle. A few trail shoes that have worked really well for me (or others in the same boat): * **Altra Lone Peak** – Foot-shaped toe box, zero drop, super roomy. Great for comfort and natural splay. * **Topo Athletic Ultraventure or Terraventure** – Similar to Altra with a wide fit, but with a slight drop and more structure. * **HOKA Speedgoat (Wide version)** – Surprisingly comfy once broken in. The wide version gives more volume than you’d expect from HOKA. * **New Balance Hierro v7 (2E width)** – Cushioned, roomy, and solid grip for trails. * **Brooks Cascadia (Wide)** – Good all-rounder with trail stability and comes in wide sizes. Make sure to try them on if you can—volume fit can vary a lot even among “wide” shoes. Good luck out there! 👟🌲

Altra LP, Saucony Perigrine, Topo MT or Terraventures, Brooks Cascadia, and the list goes on. I am biased for Altra Lone Peaks for its ultimate comfort. The Olympus are a bit chunky for trails in my opinion but it is up to you to try them on and decide. Altra LP are comfortable out of the box. The outsole is durable and work well for most conditions. If you run on wet trails, find a shoe with Vibram outsole (Olympus for Altra). IMO, on trails the lower the drop the better. The zero drop is very unnoticeable. Most moderate and harder trails are constantly changing under foot, having a drop of greater than 4mm for me is detrimental for stability. If you are running easy trails or gravel paths a regular road shoe will be fine. The advantages of a trail shoe are foot protection, water drainage and grip. Otherwise a pair of road shoe can handle flat paths of gravel or packed dirt just fine. Go to a specialty store and try try, try. Remember sales associates can give good advice......but they can also be misinformed or biased. They can recommend but you need to make the decision based on your preferences.

Lone Peaks are minimal shoes. If you're not used to that, it will take time to strengthen and condition your feet to the new shoe. Plenty of people (myself included) complete ultras in Lone Peaks. If you want to give them an honest try, you should train in them for a full season to allow time for your feet to adapt. FWIW, I train in my Lone Peaks on quite technical/rocky terrain and don't have foot pain issues. as for your comment on them being sloppy - if its excessive slop and causing undesired foot movement inside the shoe, then your foot may not be the right shape for Altras. You might consider Topos, which can be a little more snug around the midfoot. I'm not a topo fan because I don't like the stack height, I feel unstable at the ankle due to my foot sitting higher in the shoe, this is why i like altras so much better. You could also try Inov8 Trailflys. best of luck

I've also done probably ~500 miles in Altra Lone Peaks, a few hundred in Hokas, a few hundred in Topos - but I've done a few thousand in Cascadias. The drop is a bit aggressive for me but my feet and tendons are so much happier with the Cascadias. Though I'd like to try the new wide Topo Traverse...

Hey! I hiked the PCT last year - also started in the Altra Lone peaks and ended up with plantar fasciitis. Then, also switched to Topo Ultraventures, which improved the PF but didn’t quite cure it, and I got some blisters. I ended up in the Hoka Stinsons. Wider toe box than the Speedgoats. I now swear by them. Shoes are highly individual though as everyone’s feet are different. Based on our similar experience, maybe these would work for you. As for blisters, try adding injini toe sock liners under your socks. This helps to decrease friction. If you don’t have gaiters, they can help keep out debris (which also causes friction). Keeping your feet as clean as you can will also help w blisters. If you have more than one pair of socks, give the pair you aren’t using a rinse and hang dry them on your pack during the day so they have less dirt in them (also a friction culprit).

The Lone Peak is a very popular shoe for ultra running, and I also ran my first ultra in the LP 6 earlier this year (they fit me better than the 8's) which worked really well. I'd personally get a pair of Lone Peaks for trails and a pair of Escalante (I prefer the Racer to the 4, but use both) for road and use them respectively.

I'd had a pair of Lone Peaks for about two years that I've worn primarily for hiking / backpacking. While the sole and upper material have held up reasonably well, I've found that the cushioning breaks down really quickly in the Lone Peaks. Also, while I thought the wide toe box felt roomy and comfortable at first, it allowed some movement of my foot laterally across the sole causing friction/blisters when hiking long distances. I have regular width feet so I've since switched back to a more traditional shaped hiking shoe - Brooks Cascadias and like them much better. They've also help up better so far. The Cascadias have a 12mm drop and regular toe box so probably not what you're looking for. I haven't tried Topos, which would be more comparable to the LPs though.

These are my current ones and I looove them. The wide toe box is a game changer for me.

I love my lone peaks. If I wanted longevity I’d be getting leather boots with the repairable soles… but fuck that!

only pairs of shoes ive had the tread wear out before the rest of the shoe... and i mean that as a good thing, im constantly blowing holes near by pinky toe whether disc golf or everyday use so now i just wear lone peaks or crocs for anything and everything

Best trail shoe out there. When a rep had me try a pair on in 2012 they were the first pair of shoes I've ever immediately stood up in and said I'll take a pair. I've been wearing them ever since. The Lone Peaks mainly, but the superiors and a couple other different models as well. I still have not had any issues with durability that wouldn't be normal wear and tear from most other trail shoes, except if you wear them all the time on concrete, the rubber will wear out quicker. I even use their Lone Peak all-weather ones in the snow. Hope that helps! r/TheBackpackingList

Our goto's since 2013 have been Altra "Lone Peaks". While they've changed since the inception and people complain with every new version, we still buy them whenever they need to be replaced.

I have fat, hobbit-esque feet, and have found La Sportiva and Altra both have good shoes. Altra are frankly road/smooth trail biased, while Sportiva tend to be good on more technical terrain. For hybrid stuff I'll do Altra Lone Peaks, and have a buddy that really love their Timp and Olympus. I run my ultras in Bushidos (which I'll probably change soon), but LS has a bunch of "Mountain Running" shoes in their lineup.

I'm big on my lone peaks, they're pretty awesome, though the width threw me off at first. Now I have all of my shoes as wides and my foot has expanded to fill them which they tell me is healthier. The 0 drop stuff is supposed to be good too, but you have to ease into it to avoid achillies issues. Altra sold out to corporate at some point semi-recently so quality seems to be dropping, but Topos are a solid competitor. Topos offers shoes with varying drop and widths ranging from 'accessible' to 'very wide'. Wide-ish is great for hiking, but too wide and you'll slip around. As far as ankle support, I can't be much help as I'm pretty stable as-is. I haven't had any issues, but I'm not likely to regardless of what I wear. I'm usually taking a <30 pound pack over passes in the rockies, and no issues yet. I did do one pass in my Xero sandals and that felt like an injury waiting to happen in the snowy talus.

Altra lone peak. Not waterproof. 1/2 size bigger than street shoes. Injinji liners. Smart wool socks. For every hike since I found this combo 6 or so years ago. I live in the valley. 75% of my hikes are/were within 90 minutes.

Lone Peaks ftw I’ve had 3 pair, used them from Florida to Oregon, they do get beat up kinda quickly but it’s a trade off I’ll live with. I just get the old models on sale when they come up

I have tried all the fan favorites... Lone peak, speed goats, topos etc. Can't do it... It's either blisters or foot pain. Found these that work great. On my second pair now. https://www.saucony.com/en/peregrine-15-wide/59977M.html?dwvar_59977M_color=S20991-100#cgid=saucony-peregrine&start=1

What part wears out first? I’ve never tracked it but mine last about as long as any other brand of light trail runners I’ve had. I’ve been wearing lightweight sneakers for hiking since I started hiking in the early 2000s. Back when everyone on the trail had hard soled boots. I think it’s just part of a lightweight shoe that they don’t last. I had one pair of high top all weather lone peaks where the sole delaminated prematurely and altra gave me a full refund.

I have the Caldera 6 and I prefer it to my Altra Lone Peaks

YES! I also only wear zero drop shoes. I've been running in Altra lone peaks. With getting into ultras I'm starting to want a bit more cushion but I much prefer to have the responsive feel of the line peaks on more technical trails. Still researching my options there.

I'd personally never pay almost $300 for shoes I'm going to beat up on the trail. Altra Lone peaks are just as good, and you buy two pairs for that price. they're very tough and have a huge toe box. Ive ran multiple marathons and a ultra with them and they were great.

My experience with getting a wider shoe in order to get a larger toe box, is that the heels are also wide and I don't get as good a fit as I do with the Altras. I've just ordered Lems and Xeros to try them out. I narrowed it down to those brands because they also have a zero or minimal rise from toe to heel.

I wear minimalist shoes / earth runner sandals in day to day life, I also day hike and run in them. I have always chosen a more cushioned option for back packing. I wore Altra Lone Peaks on the JMT last year and if I were to do it again I would choose the Altra’s (or some other cushioned zero drop shoe like Terraventures) over a minimalist shoe without a doubt. The trail is a lot rougher than anything that exists in the area where I live, and while I definitely trained for it it’s also just a lot more mileage per day than what I was able to do in the lead up to my start date. So I feel that the cushioned option gave me more room for error and stopped the worst of the soreness from kicking in. That said - I do regret not bringing a more robust pair of sandals as an in-camp shoe. I opted for very light pair of thin foam sandals for the weight savings. I think I would take the weight penalty if I were to do it again and bring something like an earth runner.

Similar here, going from FiveFingers to Altra Lone Peaks and never looked back

I had the same pair of Saucony shoes and loved it. I would switch between that and my Altra Lone Peaks, though the Saucony had a longer life.

I am a fan of Hoka and Altra on the trails and regularly alternate btn speedgoats and Mont blancs on my longer runs, but that won’t work for everyone. Others chimed in on transition but I will also note how the zero vs (typically) 4mm drop is less noticeable on trails vs roads. As with any new shoes, ease into the mileage. Don’t just rip a 20-miler in your new zero drops. Also, topo or altra, I recommend finding a good running store to try out a few options and see what feels best on your feet. I’ve found the biggest difference in feel when running comes down to the stack height and less so the heel drop. If you like the higher stack/cushion, that will narrow your choices in either brand. For Altra, I think Olympus, Timp and Lone Peak are their flagship trail shoes. There are good options out there but what works for me may be a fail for you and vice-versa. Good luck!

Started with Lone Peaks, got numb toes and nerve damage. Swtched to Timps and they've been great. I needed more cushion.

I mostly hike in Altra lone peaks. Lighter than speedgoats. Unless it’s not summer weather, in which case I’ll wear scarpa ribelles or sl actives

I have Lone Peak Altras and I’ve noticed I’ve just stopped wearing them on tough terrain. I prefer my Merrell Moabs, mostly because they’re thick-soled—and relatively cheap as they are always on offer. I keep the Altras for smoother trails; I find them particularly good on loose descents.

Altra Lone Peak for the win

I used Altra Lone Peaks and they lasted the entire trip and were comfortable. I had experience walking with that brand and style as I had bought a pair the previous year… so when it came time for the Camino I bought the same style, sized up, and broke them in a little. Don’t forget to buy a larger size than you typically wear!

Thanks this is really helpful. Feel no arch support at all in my Altra Lone Peaks, so hopeful that switching to Topos will help pronation issues (less ankle/knee strain).

Trail runners are the best. They are lighter, more breathable, and more comfortable than a hiking shoe. And when compared to a normal running shoe, trail runners have a more aggressive tread, which you want for unpaved surfaces. I tend to go more for something like an Altra Lone Peak, which is zero drop, with a wide toebox. For more technical stuff, I'd go for something like a Hoka, low drop, less wide than the Altras. On the long trails, you'll see more Altras than any other shoe---for good reason.

Sadly my experience with Lone Peaks is that the toe box is great but the midfoot is a squeeze. Altra are wider than most brands but not a truly wide shoe. YMMV. 

Altra lone peaks are my best friends and a great first pair of shoes to hike with and get used to zero drop

I've used the altra Olympus line since I thru'ed the AT. Have used them all throughout the whites and like them. The 2 main advantages in my mind are: vibram soles (IMO, these are much much better than the default altra soles on the timps and lonepeaks that I have also used), and high stack height (helps with the knees on the rocky descents in the whites)

I always wear Altras LP or Olympus but only buy them on sale for less than $100. Usually weird colors or last years model.

I've used altras exclusively for 9 years now, but my current pair will be the last trail shoes I have from them. The longevity of the uppers was never great, but its just beyond bad now. The quality was consistent a few seasons after Altra was bought by VF, but the cost cutting has really killed the quality in the last few years. Considering trying Topos, or other low/zero drop options when this pair of Lone Peaks is done (will probably only just reach 350 miles) I still really rate their Escalante road shoes though.

I started an AT thru hike on Lone Peaks. Had to switch to Altra Olympus due to painful plantar fasciitis after 300 miles of terrain that was much less severe than the White Mountains. I eventually landed on HOKA Speedgoats - more padding, decent grip. The wide version was wide enough but not as roomy as the Altras. Every foot is different and lots of people love Lone Peaks. My feet just couldn't handle the minimal cushioning.

I was a fan of the Lone Peaks, but the durability is an issue. I'm also missing the weep holes in the "nose" of the toe box. I've moved over to Topo Athletic Terraventures. Minimal drop at 3mm. Wide toe box. Stiffer than Lone Peaks, with a much longer life span. Both shoes work for my feet.

I tried on my altras for the first time at running room. Sold me on that pair pretty quickly for comfort. Found them cheaper online, but was very happy to be able to try them on.

Yes I use these. I just ran 15m of trails in them this am. I hesitate to give anyone shoe advice (everyone's feet are different) but I really like these. I tend to run more difficult and rooty trails. The only thing I don't like about these is that for very rooty trails the heel height really contributed to ankle rolls. I run about 190 pounds. My go to shoe for races and medium distance is the Nike air terra kiger. My system is the wild horse for long training runs, the kiger for races and most training days (they are lighter and lower heel, less padding), then I keep a pair of altra zero drop for an occasional form check. I'll run like a 5k in them to regain more nuanced feel in my form to check myself on making sure my stride length and strike points stay where I want.

I love a wide toe box but can’t do zero drop. I don’t like the lack of push off and I’ve had plantar fasciitis in the past which is not suited for zero drop. I use Topo and Altra low heal to toe drop but not zero.

Altra trail runner fan. I was forced out of boots years ago due to neuropathy in both feet. I have done many long distance hikes in them including the John Muir Trail. They have drawbacks; eg, feet get wet more easily crossing streams but it something I can live with

I use Altra trail runners when traveling because they are light and comfortable and can double as normal shoes in a pinch, but for normal hiking close to home I stick to boots. Trail runners wear out too easy and are too expensive for the amount of hiking I do.

I do xero shoes for everything but backpacking. I've done trips in them for shorter times and have done okay but I'm also a fan of altras. JMT is longer so I wouldn't do xeros the whole time personally.

Durability aside, try on both shoes. If you’re not thru-hiking then durability doesn’t matter much. Yeah, it’ll be annoying if they give out sooner than you expected, but the comfort can be worth the money. For me, Altras are the most comfortable by far. I wanted to switch to Topos due to the rave reviews and the vibram sole, but I had to immediately return them due to their pronounced arch support. My feet hated them and my altra trail runners and road shoes are the most comfortable shoes for my feet I’ve ever worn. I was late to the game so I’m sure I missed out on the glory days, but until another company comes out with a wide toe box and no arch support trail runner it’s altra all the way for me.

Trail runners all the way, trail runner technology has come a long way! They’ll be more breathable and lighter than boots. Altras are a classic thru hiking shoe but don’t have great longevity. Topo, Saucony, and Brooks I’ve had good experience with all of them. There’s also Salomon and Merrell, but I’ve never tried them. I’d recommend ordering a few pairs off of REI to try them out. You can return them even after using them.

Only time I use my Crispi boots is when I’m hunting and might have 100+lbs on my back packing out an animal. Anything else I use my Altra trail runners.

I got a pair of Altra trail runners recently and they are literally my favourite pair of shoes now. The lower drop and wide toe box, as well as the excellent lugs and grip suit me so well. I’m much more confident on downhills thanks to them! Will check out the boots when it’s time to replace my Meindls! 

Trail runners for sure. I love my Altra's, though I have to say, I don't like the sole. The grip is pretty crappy, especially if it's wet. I love a vibram sole and wish Altra would shift to that material.

I strictly use trail runners. Like the Altras, though there are a lot of wide toe box shoes out there now. Gone through s lot of scree with them. I do go through them quickly.

Yes but a stiffer trail runner will be more comfortable on the rocks. La Sportiva, for example, is better for scrambling than an Altra. Both will work but for Dolomites would suggest something stiffer, with firmer lugs.

My Altra trail runners are all I ever hike in. The slim and grippy sole makes them extremely safe in scree and rocky terrain.