A highly cushioned, super sticky, zero-drop trail running shoe that promotes a natural running style
If you like the idea of barefoot running but are reluctant to miss out on the support and comfort offered by regular trail shoes, then try out the Altra Lone Peak 4 trail running shoes. With a zero-drop design, mega grip and a ton of room in the toe, these are the ideal way to transition to a more natural running style without compromising on performance.
Altra Lone Peak 4: The stats
| Best for: | All types of off-road terrain |
| Heel to toe drop: | 0mm |
| Weight: | 482g / 17oz (women’s UK 4.5) |
| Waterproof: | No |
Features of the Altra Lone Peak 4
Outsole
The outsole is made up of multi-directional, carved lugs that both increases the traction and reduces the weight. Some of the lugs are positioned directly beneath the metatarsals to ensure that maximum traction is provided right where it is needed most. The MaxTrack Rubber is super sticky on almost all types of terrain.Lacing
The ghillie lacing system means that the laces sit totally on top of the shoe, rather than looping inside the shoe. There is also a static webbing cinch strap at the midfoot which helps to customise the fit of the shoes.
Cushioning
There is a layer of cushioning that sits directly under the foot to reduce the impact of hard surfaces. This is made of recycled materials. It is combined with an EVA midsole and a StoneGuard that deflects rocks into the midsole to offer flexible protection on rugged terrain.
Toe box
The Lone Peaks are design to really let your toes splay, and the wide toe box provides LOADS of room for this. Some may find the toes too roomy. But I’m certainly coming round to it. The toe cap also has a sandpaper textured panel for help with fending off rocks and debris.
Gaiter trap
There are loops on either side if the shoes, a velcro tab at the back, and a hook at the bottom of the laces to attach gaiters to. This unique hook-and-loop tab design means you don’t have to connect gaiters underneath the shoes (which can cause debris build-up).
Altra Lone Peak 4 review
As a complete newbie to zero-drop trail running shoes I was a little nervous taking the Lone Peaks out for their first spin. And yes, my calves felt it a little the next day, as did the muscles on the base of my feet! But, sensibly, I kept my run to under 5 miles and stayed off-road and on-trail all the way.
Because they felt so very different to the La Sportiva Bushido’s I’ve been wearing recently, I wasn’t able to enjoy them for the first few runs. However, now that certain muscles are starting to catch on to the fact that they need to start working a little harder, I’m really starting to love the Lone Peaks.
Fit and comfort
If you like a roomy toe-box, then you’ll LOVE the Lone Peaks. The space in the forefront of these lightweight trail running shoes is vast. Initially I found this slightly disconcerting and felt like the shoes were far too big. But having recently struggled with blisters between my big toe and the toe next to it, I’ve found this extra space to be a huge benefit in that regard. And despite the super roomy feel, my feet feel very secure in the shoes, even on steep descents.
There is a ton of cushioning throughout the sole that is comparable to the Hoka One One Challengers, but in a much less bulky kind of way. This further adds to the overall high comfort levels of the shoes, as does their low weight.
Grip
The combo of deep lugs, sticky rubber and the tread pattern makes the Lone Peaks mega grippy on every type of terrain I have tried them on. They perform especially well on wet, steep, muddy and slippery trails and they shed mud effectively. On dry, loose trails they also hold their own very nicely making them one of the most versatile trail running shoes, in terms of grip, that I have worn in while.
Stability
The flat nature of these shoes means that your muscles have to step up and do bit of stabilising for you. That said, I have not found these shoes unstable in anyway, and despite the highly cushioned sole, haven’t gone over on my ankles since I’ve worn them — even in the dark! There are certainly trail running shoes out there that feel more stable that the Lone Peaks, though.
Versatility
The comfort and grip make these one of the more versatile trail running shoes I’ve worn this year. However, if you are mixing between different styles of trail running shoes then the zero-drop makes the transition between shoes a little more tricky to manage. I’d also happily wear them as lightweight hiking shoes for day hikes during the summer.
What I love the most about the Altra Lone Peak 4
The super springy, cushioned sole, the mega grip on all types of terrain and the exceptionally roomy toe-box. Yes, that’s pretty much the whole shoe — I’m really enjoying them! If I had to choose one thing, however, it would be the cushioned sole, I think!
What I don’t love so much about the Altra Lone Peak 4
They take a little bit of getting use to and their zero-drop design makes switching between different shoe types slightly troublesome.
Verdict
If you enjoy having a roomy toe-box and are happy making the transition to zero-drop shoes for a more natural running style, then there is little to fault in the Altra Lone Peak 4 trail running shoes. They provide superb grip on all types of terrain and in all conditions, and are exceptionally comfortable. If you prefer more support and a stiffer sole, however, then these may not be the shoes for you.
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Altra | Amazon | REI | Backcountry
Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
