Conversations
Altra Lone Peak 5 trail runners
Quote from nathanu on September 23, 2022, 2:30 pmI've been a bit of an Altra snob for quite some time when it comes to backpacking footwear for a couple of reasons:
- They're lightweight. I read somewhere that a pound on the feet is like six pounds on your back. I don't need any help piling weight on 🙂
- They're comfortable on the trail. Admittedly a subjective metric but I really do like the way that they feel and wear.
- The soles are sticky. I don't think that they're as sticky as the Solomons but they do seem to have some solid grab when going over slick surfaces (rock).
- They dry fast. I've done the waterproof shoes before and, for me, they tend to keep more water in than out. The fact that I'm typically too lazy to take them off before a water crossing doesn't help. Ultimately though, waterproof shoes are heavy all the time and, for me, offer little benefit since I don't do a good job of not dipping the tops under water. Altras are light all the time and they dry much faster than anything waterproof.
Ok, so, back to the story. I had Lone Peak 4.5s and LOVED them, until my last pair. I had heard a lot of people complaining that the front plastic came undone and then the shoes just started falling apart. I hadn't been impacted by that until my last trip when, the front came down and then the sole came apart from the shoe about halfway through what ended up being a 12 mile day (was supposed to be ~7). I was mad.
I broke down and bought a pair of the Lone Peak 5 Altras though and, today is day one and I'm wearing them to work 🙂 but I've gotta say, I'm kindof digging them. I've got my trip from Neels Gap to Hog Pen Gap this weekend and will break them in proper but thought I'd share in case anyone else was on the fence.
I've been a bit of an Altra snob for quite some time when it comes to backpacking footwear for a couple of reasons:
- They're lightweight. I read somewhere that a pound on the feet is like six pounds on your back. I don't need any help piling weight on 🙂
- They're comfortable on the trail. Admittedly a subjective metric but I really do like the way that they feel and wear.
- The soles are sticky. I don't think that they're as sticky as the Solomons but they do seem to have some solid grab when going over slick surfaces (rock).
- They dry fast. I've done the waterproof shoes before and, for me, they tend to keep more water in than out. The fact that I'm typically too lazy to take them off before a water crossing doesn't help. Ultimately though, waterproof shoes are heavy all the time and, for me, offer little benefit since I don't do a good job of not dipping the tops under water. Altras are light all the time and they dry much faster than anything waterproof.
Ok, so, back to the story. I had Lone Peak 4.5s and LOVED them, until my last pair. I had heard a lot of people complaining that the front plastic came undone and then the shoes just started falling apart. I hadn't been impacted by that until my last trip when, the front came down and then the sole came apart from the shoe about halfway through what ended up being a 12 mile day (was supposed to be ~7). I was mad.
I broke down and bought a pair of the Lone Peak 5 Altras though and, today is day one and I'm wearing them to work 🙂 but I've gotta say, I'm kindof digging them. I've got my trip from Neels Gap to Hog Pen Gap this weekend and will break them in proper but thought I'd share in case anyone else was on the fence.
Quote from Rob6 on September 24, 2022, 2:34 amEarly this spring I was prepping for my first multi-day bike ride along the Great Allegheny Passage trail, and was looking for shoes that would be suitable for both cycling and hiking since our plans included both activities and I was looking for a silver bullet that would be good for both.
I'd heard a lot of good things about the Altras, so I went to my local REI to try them on. Now, I've never thought my feet were narrow, but my feet swam in the Altra Lone Peaks (not sure which iteration). They seemed like a good design, but there was just too much side-to-side movement of my foot inside the shoe. The REI rep mentioned that they tend towards being wide.
I'm not saying anything negative about them, just that they seem to take a walk on the wide side (a nod to Lou Reed). So anyone considering them should definitely try them on if at all possible. Fit is everything. I ended up choosing Salomon X-Ultra 3 Aero Low, and they've been great for me and my purposes.
Early this spring I was prepping for my first multi-day bike ride along the Great Allegheny Passage trail, and was looking for shoes that would be suitable for both cycling and hiking since our plans included both activities and I was looking for a silver bullet that would be good for both.
I'd heard a lot of good things about the Altras, so I went to my local REI to try them on. Now, I've never thought my feet were narrow, but my feet swam in the Altra Lone Peaks (not sure which iteration). They seemed like a good design, but there was just too much side-to-side movement of my foot inside the shoe. The REI rep mentioned that they tend towards being wide.
I'm not saying anything negative about them, just that they seem to take a walk on the wide side (a nod to Lou Reed). So anyone considering them should definitely try them on if at all possible. Fit is everything. I ended up choosing Salomon X-Ultra 3 Aero Low, and they've been great for me and my purposes.
Quote from nathanu on September 24, 2022, 3:48 amThey are definitely wide but, for me, that's a plus. My feet are wide to start with and tend to widen more when hiking. Couldn't agree more though about trying them first. REI will actually let you take a few laps around the store to get a feel for them
They are definitely wide but, for me, that's a plus. My feet are wide to start with and tend to widen more when hiking. Couldn't agree more though about trying them first. REI will actually let you take a few laps around the store to get a feel for them
by nathanu