Altra Lone Peak All-wthr Mid, Men's Platform

Product Information

During my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail I inevitably switched from wearing waterproof shoes as, like many, I found that given enough rain water inevitably seeped its way into the interior of my shoes. And once the inside of a waterproof shoe is wet, the same system that’s supposed to keep water from getting in keeps water from getting out, making them harder to dry. Footshape Toe Box: Allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally for more comfort and stability in uphill climbs and downhill descents. Mid-height collar and eVent upper do a great job sealing out the elements while still allowing the shoe to breathe better than much of the waterproof competition.

Altra Lone Peak All-WTHR Low - Review - Trail And Ultra Altra Lone Peak All-WTHR Low - Review - Trail And Ultra

Altra EGO: Dual-Nature midsole compound with a responsive, yet soft feel for increased energy return. Similar to the Appalachian Trail, along the WHW there were days where the cold rain felt near constant. However, these shoes remarkably kept my feet warm, and more importantly dry. The same cannot be said for my hiking partner, who was sporting the older women’s Lone Peak 2.0 NeoShell lows. She suffered the soggy fate of having water find its way down her ankles and into her shoes. This leads me to believe that if you’re going to bother getting an Altra NeoShell shoe at all you’re probably better off getting a Mid-sized shoe to begin with. To ensure that these boots really are designed for All Weather, Altra uses an eVent waterproof breathable inner bootie that keeps water out, as well as a treated textile fabric on the outer. We measured the flood height at 3.5 inches, which is rather low for this category as a whole, but for the lower mid-cut, it seems appropriately tall. The thru-hikers favour trail runners have had an update; the Lone Peak 7’s are the latest incarnation of the zero drop legend.Wearing these for hours at a time on the foot was almost unnoticeable, so even though they did not win in this metric, they were so close that we gave them a very high mark in regards to their overall weight. Water Resistance Many hikers buy Lone Peaks for their light weight. With thin uppers, limited support, and moderate cushioning, they weigh about a half-pound less than my recommendations for the best hiking shoes. They're a little heavier than many trail runners, but that's often a plus for hikers. Waterproof hiking boots aren’t typically praised for their breathability, but we’re pleased to report that the Lone Peak RSM is a standout in this area. While it certainly can’t compete with non-waterproof mesh versions, we came away impressed with the Lone Peak RSM’s ability to keep our feet cool on moderately warm days. Even during a handful of summer hikes—outings we typically reserve for trail-running shoes—our feet never felt soggy or damp due to moisture buildup. All things considered, we found the eVent upper to breathe better than similarly equipped Gore-Tex models.

Lone Peak 5 - Altra Running Lone Peak 5 - Altra Running

What we like: A comfortable, light, and breathable boot that’s especially ideal for wide feet or those prone to blistering.

Conclusion

Some companies like to offer different choices for men and women when it comes to shoes and apparel. Sometimes models that are available to men are not available to women and vice versa with each sex being offered their own special load outs with different styles and names. However, the Lone Peak 3.0 Neoshell Mid is available in both men’s and women’s sizes with minimal design aspects tailored to properly fit our differing body types. So I’m happy I can say this shoe is available to everyone! The NeoShell I'm all about those roomy toe boxes, but not all about the zero drop. (For what it's worth, the podiatrist who trained me in hiking footwear had the same take on Altra trail running shoes.) Sadly, I quit hiking in my Lone Peaks after my second calf strain in fifty miles—after zero calf strains in my previous 10,000 miles in other brands (and none in 3000 Altra-free miles since). Some of my customers, co-workers, and friends have had more serious issues in the Altra Lone Peak, including injuries such as stress fractures, broken ankles, and ruptures Achilles tendons. The NeoShell is a “breathable” waterproof material developed by Polartec. However, rather than lining the interior of the shoe like other waterproof designs the NeoShell is wrapped around the exterior of the shoe. In doing so the lining attempts to stop water from the onset before it even has a chance of getting to the interior fabrics. In my experience, it would seem this design choice paid off.