The Altra Lone Peak has been my favourite trail shoe since I tried the Lone Peak 2 back in 2016. Altra brings out new versions just about every year and 2024 sees the 8th. I’ve worn these extensively this year and I think they are the best yet. This isn’t because they are more comfortable or fit better but because they are proving more durable.
Chris Townsend’s Best In Test
I wore the Lone Peak 8s for 300km on the Cape Wrath Trail in the spring. They were soaked most of the time due to the wet terrain and the rainy weather but I had no sore spots or blisters.- Lightweight
- Wide toe box
- Tread could be harder wearing
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Weight: 303g (pair of size 9) Price: £130 Uppers: Ripstop mesh Midsole: Altra EGO foam Sole: Altra MaxTrac Sizes: men 6-14, women 3.5 -10 https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk |
The Lone Peak has a breathable non-waterproof upper, a zero drop sole, and a roomy toe box. It’s designed for trail running but I’ve found it ideal for backpacking and long-distance walking outside of winter conditions. The fit is perfect for my wide feet but might feel sloppy if you have narrow feet.
The midsole, made of a proprietary material, provides good cushioning but isn’t so thick that you don’t have a feel for the terrain. So far it’s kept its shape and hasn’t compressed. The outsole is also Altra’s own. It grips well on all terrain but after around 350km is showing signs of wear. A more durable outsole is an improvement I’d like to see. Vibram would be good!
The toughness of the uppers has been improved for the Lone Peak 8 and so far they are wearing better than earlier versions which did have some fraying and even a few holes after similar distances. There is a protective rand round the toe and a small hard toecap but even so these are not shoes for kicking rocks. The heel cup is firm but not hard. At the back of the heel there’s a small Velcro tab for attaching a gaiter. I’ve never used this. The outsole also protrudes a little beyond the back of the shoe. I’ve never known why.
The shoes are very flexible, both front to back and side to side, which I like as it makes for easy walking and free movement. They’re fine on rocks, including boulder hoping, but I wouldn’t use them for serious scrambling as the sole twists too easily.
Lone Peaks aren’t waterproof in the slightest, a splash of water goes right through. I don’t mind this as it means they stay cool in the heat – though I do wear them without socks when it’s really hot. They dry very quickly.
The zero-drop sole means the heel isn’t higher than the toe, unlike with most shoes and boots. I don’t really notice the difference but some people find it takes a while to get used to.
I wore the Lone Peak 8s for 300km on the Cape Wrath Trail in the spring. They were soaked most of the time due to the wet terrain and the rainy weather but I had no sore spots or blisters and was very happy with them. I’ve also worn them for day walks and overnight trips in the Cairngorms. They’re still the best trail shoes I’ve used.
