TAYLOR: Altra has had a civil war going on in the last couple of years pertaining to some updates to a few of the natural running shoe companies’ top models. The Lone Peak 5, however, stays the course.
The update comes with a few tweaks while staying true to its roots. I’ve come to love Altra shoes like the wildly popular (and controversial) Timp 2 and the Rivera. Both fit and feel quite different than the new Lone Peak, but there are some similarities.
TAYLOR: Let’s be honest with ourselves. If a shoe is ugly, many of us won’t even consider picking it up. The Lone Peak 5 comes in a plethora of colors which is rarely the case in trail shoes. And these colors are sweeter than Pooh Bear’s honey pot. The gray/orange I received pops out on the single track.
Looks aside, the Lone Peak 5 isn’t all that jaw-dropping, but it’s a solid shoe in many respects. It has a lot of qualities that I look for in a trail shoe: protection, some ground feel, comfortable fit, good grip, versatility, and durability. It does many things well rather than focusing on doing one thing great. All of those aspects create a rather versatile and comfortable trail shoe.
A major update is the AltraEGO midsole. This is the same midsole found in the Rivera and Escalante. It’s light, adaptable, and protective of your foot with 28 mm of cush. Also, because of the moderate stack height and light stone guard, there’s a decent ground feel. Not many shoes can strike that balance, but the Lone Peak 5 does it so well.
This shoe runs easy on a variety of terrain. The zero-drop and foot-shaped Altra standard allow for a natural-feeling run while hopping from rock to rock. The Lone Peak 5 feels lighter underfoot than it is (11.4 ounces for a men’s 10.5). Also, this shoe is super roomy. It’s really like sitting in first-class. Does anybody remember what it feels like to ride an airplane? This is the most spacious trail shoe I’ve run in, and it’s still secure. This is the fit that the OG Altra fans have been craving.
Surrounding the foot is a quick-drying and durable air mesh. This has been one of the biggest points of contention with past Altras as the upper blows out far before the rest of the shoe. I think this upper will last. Many heavy-duty overlays, both stitched and heat adhered, should give the durability that many have been looking for. The inner layer is quite soft and sits nicely on the foot.
Shop Lone Peak 5 – Men Shop Lone Peak 5 – Women
TAYLOR: Let’s talk about that new AltraEGO midsole. The Lone Peak 5’s formula has a lot less character than what I experienced in the Rivera. It’s not nearly as responsive as some previous Altra offerings.
The MaxTrac outsole provided a good level of traction on most terrain. But I found that as the grade increased, the traction started to slip. Being that I live in the mountains, this was disappointing and even a little frustrating on some steeper, more loose terrain. In general, the traction on this shoe will serve most runners just fine.
Shop Lone Peak 5 – Men Shop Lone Peak 5 – Women
TAYLOR: I’m definitely pleased with the Altra Lone Peak 5. It’s a beautiful trail shoe that performs well in all areas. The Lone Peak 5 can take you wherever you want to go.
You can pick up the Altra Lone Peak 5 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.
Shop Lone Peak 5 – Men Shop Lone Peak 5 – WomenHave something to say? Leave a Comment
