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

Product Information

Footshape Toe Box: Allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally for more comfort and stability in uphill climbs and downhill descents.

Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM Hiking Boot Review - Switchback Travel Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM Hiking Boot Review - Switchback Travel

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.Last year Altra debuted the Lone Peak 3.0 and Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell. These new designs improve upon their predecessors while retaining everything that’s made the Lone Peak series a crowd favorite. However, in addition to the 3.0 upgrade Altra also released something more unique, the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid. While the traditional Lone Peak designs are geared primarily towards trail runners (a style recently co-opted by long-distance hikers), the Mid was designed for all the hikers in the crowd. This new hiking shoe offers everything we love about the Lone Peak design with the added support of a boot. With the updated 4 RSM, Altra replaced the waterproof NeoShell upper of version 3 with eVent fabric, which has proven to be a very capable performer in the wet. Most of our time in the Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM was spent on wet trails in the Pacific Northwest, as well as one long outing into the alpine. Overall, the Altra’s eVent upper and over-the-ankle design did a great job of keeping water at bay, which made it a great companion for wet-weather hikes. We’ve spent a good amount of time using Gore-Tex-lined footwear recently, and it's nice to see that the eVent fabric provided similar levels of protection. As a mid-top hiking boot, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR extends up around the ankle, and the traditional lacing system allows the wearer to get a snug and secure fit that protects effectively against a rolled ankle. The upper material is soft and flexible on its own, giving credence to the concept that compression equals rigidity. GaiterTrap: Hook-and-loop tab allows strapless gaiter attachment that prevents debris from building up beneath the shoe. 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.

Trail shoe M LONE PEAK ALL-WTHR Mid 2 col. BLACK - Altra Running

We also are not super impressed with their performance in slippery conditions. The tread is very shallow, so they do not gain good traction in scree or mud. Weight 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.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. With a listed weight of 1 pound 10 ounces for the pair (our men's size 9 was 1 lb. 11 oz.), the Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM is one of the lighter mid-height hiking boots on the market. The Altra manages to undercut other popular options like the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX (1 lb. 15.6 oz.), Vasque Breeze LT Mid GTX (1 lb. 11 oz.), and Hoka One One’s Sky Toa GTX (1 lb. 14.2 oz.). The Altra even comes in lighter than some waterproof trail running shoes like La Sportiva’s Akyra GTX (1 lb. 11.4 oz.). In other words, for those who enjoy moving fast and light but don’t want to sacrifice over-the-ankle protection, the Lone Peak Mid is an attractive option.

Altra Running - Europe | Official Website Altra Running - Europe | Official Website

Altra Lone Peak All-WHTR Mid 2 are a lightweight water resistant boot perfect for fast moving hiking and trail running, whatever the weather. Altra says: You’ll be hard pressed to find a mid-sized shoe as lightweight as these. The pair I have are quite a few ounces lighter than my previous mid-sized shoes from Keen and are only marginally heavier that the Salomon trail runners I used on the Appalachian Trail. Still, compared to most trail runners these shoes will still be a great deal heavier. For example, my pair of NeoShell Mids are nearly a half pound heavier than my regular low-cut Lone Peak 3.0’s. Even so, if you’re looking for a compromise between weight and ankle support than these shoes are one’s to keep your eye on. CONS Midsole Comfort Wide toe box and zero-drop shape give the boot excellent out-of-the-box comfort (especially for those with wide feet or that are prone to blisters). If cramped toes are a continual problem when searching for the right hiking shoe than look no further. One of Altra’s shining features is a generously-sized toe box, and the Lone Peak 3.0 Mid is no exception. Rather than tapering sharply at the front, the NeoShell Mid stays nice and wide giving ample room to stretch and wiggle your toes to your heart’s content.Disclosure: Altra donated these items for review, but this article presents an honest representation of my experience using the gear. Comfort is a subjective thing that has a lot to do with fit, body type, and the specific types of hiking you do. The Lone Peak's roomy toe box, moderate cushioning, and minimal support works for many hikers. When it works for you, the Lone Peak can feel like your favorite slipper with trail traction. For others, though, that big toe box may be uncomfortable or feel sloppy on technial terrain. Personally, I found the Lone Peak pretty comfortable on easier trails but not on steeper, tougher trails. That being said, plenty of people absolutely love that comparatively loose fit and max toe room. eVent fabric and thin upper allow the Lone Peak to breathe better than most other waterproof shoes. We’d be remiss not to provide a comparison to Salomon’s wildly popular X Ultra 4 Mid GTX hiking boot. Both the Altra and Salomon boast aggressive outsoles, waterproof constructions, and come in both low-top and mid-height options. However, the similarities end there. Whereas the Lone Peak has a very roomy fit and wide toe box, the X Ultra runs a bit small and is better suited for narrow feet. The Salomon is also heavier than the Lone Peak at 1 pound 11.2 ounces, although this translates to a sizable increase in both support and durability—two areas where the Altra fell noticeably short. For technical trails or hiking with a heavy load, the Salomon is far and away the more capable boot. If you prefer the trail runner-like personality or have particularly wide feet, however, the Lone Peak has its place.

Altra Lone Peak All-WTHR Mid 2 | UK | Ultralight Outdoor Gear

The Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid is a lightweight, durable, and overall comfortable shoe. The external NeoShell layer provides excellent waterproofing even keeping dust and other small particle debris from entering the shoe. The ankle support is effective and more importantly, comfortable. Despite using an identical design to that of it’s more breathable brethren, the NeoShell Mid’s midsole was noticeably more stiff, feeling somewhat less cushioned than its non-waterproof counterpart. Still, the midsole design, combined with the snug ankle fit and the spacious toe box, mean the NeoShell Mid keeps your feet happy for miles and miles. No doubt, that limited support can be a springboard for some hikers to develop their lower bodies and show off their ripped calves. But not me. That light-duty build took its toll on mt (flat) feet, (genetically) weak ankles, and skinny calves. On easier trails tha I normally hike, I had trouble with rolled ankles, cramping feet, shin splints, and calf strains. The soft midsole and roomy toe box made for a sloppy-feeling boot on technical and off-camber terrain. This was a longer term review spanning the better part of a year. I was able to take the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mids into a wide variety of conditions logging nearly 200 miles in the shoes. They endured miles on sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, and arid foothills in southern California as well as the damp, rainy October weather surrounding Scotland’s 96 mile West Highland Way (WHW). PROS Available for Both Women and MenDon’t let a few looming clouds keep you off the trails. With the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2, you can set out for a hike no matter the forecast. Water-resistant, lightweight bootie construction protects you from the elements, with the same legendary comfort you know and love from the Lone Peak Family. Roomy Original FootShape™ Fit, responsive Altra EGO™ midsole foam, and a grippy MaxTrac™ outsole keep you moving all day. Bag that adventure, even if there are a few raindrops! With an eVent upper, gusseted tongue, and over-the-ankle cut, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is fully capable of sealing out the elements. Compared to a standard hiking shoe, the boot’s mid-height build offers a sizable step up in protection and prevents water from coming in over the collar during steam crossings or while hiking through deep mud. Throughout testing, I found that the Lone Peak did a fantastic job keeping moisture at bay, even during sustained downpours. Our team has spent a lot of time testing Gore-Tex-lined footwear, and it’s nice to see that the Lone Peak’s eVent fabric provides similar levels of wet-weather assurance. However, it’s worth noting that unlike many Lone Peak offerings, the ALL-WTHR Mid does not include a gaiter trap at the heel (although you can always add a patch of Velcro to achieve the same effect). Being so lightweight, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR has given up some durability by using such thin materials. Many users have reported durability issues with these boots and feel that they do not last particularly long before materials begin delaminating. We also saw reports of wear occurring due to rubbing, which in turn can cause the waterproof eVent liner to fail, often around the top of the metatarsals.