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

Product Information

The mid-height design, combined with a waterproof upper and gaiter attachment points, does a great job at sealing out the elements. 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. 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 Another very popular option for a lightweight hiking boot is the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX. Both the Altra and Salomon feature an aggressive outsole, waterproof construction, and come in low-top and mid-height options. However, the similarities end there. Whereas the Lone Peak offers a very roomy fit and large toe box (perfect for wide feet), the X Ultra runs a bit small and is better suited for narrow feet (good news is they now off a wide version). Weighing in at 1 pound 15.6 ounces, the Salomon is considerably heavier than the Altra (1 lb. 10 oz.), but this added weight undoubtably comes with an increase of support and durability—two areas where the Altra falls noticeably short. For technical trails or hiking with heavy loads, we think the Salomon is the better option.

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During my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail I inevitably switched from wearing waterproof shoes as, like many, I found that given enough rain water inevitably seeped its way into the interior of my shoes. And once the inside of a waterproof shoe is wet, the same system that’s supposed to keep water from getting in keeps water from getting out, making them harder to dry. 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. Don’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! 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.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.

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Despite the mid-height design, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid offers notably less stability and support than traditional hiking boots.

CONS

The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid boots weigh 1.77 pounds per pair. That is crazy light for a hiking boot, no matter what. Some of our favorite hiking shoes, which are low-cut, often struggle to make that weight. Yet, these are not the lightest boots in this review.

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If there’s one thing that Altra does well, it’s comfort: no matter the style, every Altra shoe has a zero-drop footbed and wide, “FootShape” toe box. Many hikers and runners find that these features allow their feet and body to align and move more naturally, resulting in less impact. For us, the wide toe box provided impressive comfort right out of the box. And coupled with the thin yet supple upper, we experienced virtually no break-in period. On soft, loamy trails, the Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM offered the experience of walking on a cloud. Altra EGO: Dual-Nature midsole compound with a responsive, yet soft feel for increased energy return. Mid-height collar and eVent upper do a great job sealing out the elements while still allowing the shoe to breathe better than much of the waterproof competition. 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 such a lightweight shoe, you’ll compromise on durability: one of our toe caps began to separate after just one hike. 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.