In this review the item was free and I get a commission for sales from the link in the blog but you will pay the same price as you would otherwise.  Thankyou for helping to support the site.

Super Speedy Summary Review

This is my ‘go to’ trail shoe when I’m not sure what I will encounter. This shoe is most suitable for the ‘time on your feet’ kind of trail runner rather than your elite super fast speedy person. If you want long distance comfort for long training runs or high distance Ultras with plenty of grip and lots of stability then this is the shoe for you.

In Depth Review

Trail Running can be very different depending on where you live. There is no perfect shoe for every condition and run but I’m beginning to think that after many years of trail running the Altra Lone Peak may well come close to the perfect all round trail running shoe for grip, comfort and durability.

The latest version of the Lone Peak is the ‘4’. I’ve taken a closer look at the revamped shoe that’s got some new threads and new tyres to see if its worth the $130 price tag.

If you aren’t an Altra convert yet there are a few features you should be aware of . Firstly these shoes are shaped like your feet….. and you need to stop to let that sink in for a second. They are not shaped like fashionable torpedos like most other shoes…they are foot shaped.

Foot Shaped Doesn’t mean Wide Fit

For many runners looking at these shoes you may think they look wide, and they are. I’ve found that the longer the distances I run the more your feet will swell and expand and no where is this more important than your toes. If you care looking to run trails of distances above marathon or if you are a heavier/slower bulldozer of a runner like I am comfort is really important and your feet need space to breathe or they get blisters.

Just because the shoes are foot shaped doesn’t mean I still don’t recommend actually ordering these half a size up. Its like running in slippers. Trust me when I say that once you run in Altras you don’t generally go back to any other old brand. It kind of feels like going shopping in your pyjamas.

Upper Materials

The ‘new threads’ on the top are great. Out for a run on a cold windy day in these I can actually slightly feel the wind on my feet. That’s a good thing because it means the upper mesh is nice and breathable to keep your feet from getting clammy.

There is also 4 attachment points for gaiters to help keep splash and stones from getting down your ankle and driving you bonkers on long runs. Despite looking like hiking boots these shoes are very very lightweight too.

I also prefer the mids to the standard shoe. The mids give you extra ankle support like a hiking boot and if you run on very unstable ground you will appreciate the extra ankle stability these shoes give you without feeling like you are wearing hiking boots.

Burn Rubber

The new Lone Peak 4 also has a new updated grip which is slightly more aggressive. When running on rocks I can feel that the material used is much more ‘sticky’ than in the past and close to the grippiest pair of shoes I’ve ever run in. They also don’t clog much in the mud and give you as much grip as possible in the wet. There is extra attention to having lugs that give you grip at the ball of your foot as you ‘push off’ for the next stride.

Hows the Ride ?

The new Lone Peak 4 has the same generous 25mm of cushioning as the previous versions. This is some serious squishyness and ideal for races or long runs on hard terrain or of distances into the Ultra range. For those new to Altra they are also zero drop. Despite what ‘the internet experts’ think it doesn’t take you long to transition to zero drop because of the high level of cushioning these shoes have. Your legs and feet will enjoy the benefit of zero drop within a few weeks.

Every Altra shoe is built on a ZeroDrop™ platform that positions the heel and forefoot an equal distance from the ground. This natural foundation aids in optimal alignment, cultivates better form, and encourages a low-impact landing.

Here is a short video of me giving you a quick look at them.

The Verdict

This is my ‘go to’ trail shoe when I’m not sure what I will encounter. This shoe is most suitable for the ‘time on your feet’ kind of trail runner rather than your elite super fast speedy person. If you want long distance comfort for long training runs or high distance Ultras with plenty of grip and lots of stability then this is the shoe for you.

It also comes in an ‘RSM’ waterproof breathable version for an extra $30 that carefully sacrifices a bit of breathability to give you total waterproof confidence on winter runs.