Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail Running Shoe Review
An in-depth review of the new Altra Lone Peak 9+ for trail running, hiking, and backpacking
February 27th, 2025
Home > Gear Reviews > Running
Our Verdict
The Altra Lone Peak 9+ is our favorite version of the well-loved Lone Peak series. It’s identical to the Lone Peak 9 in every way except it has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, an upgrade long-awaited by current Lone Peak wearers.
The addition of Vibram Megagrip solves our biggest gripe with previous Lone Peak models. Previously, the Lone Peak has been a favorite for long, hot trails that are less technical, such as the Pacific Crest Trail—we even dubbed the Lone Peak 8s Best for Long Distances in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide. But when the trails get steeper with more scrambling, previous Lone Peak models have left much to be desired.
With the Megagrip outsole, the rubber is stickier. This makes the Lone Peak 9+ more versatile. Now you can take that long, hot, sandy trail to your favorite scramble up a mountain. It’s also better for water crossings because the rubber sticks to wet rocks better. These shoes do better in wet conditions overall, so they’re a better option than previous versions of the Lone Peak, and the standard Lone Peak 9, for slippery trails like the Appalachian Trail.
To be clear—the Lone Peak is already a great shoe. But the addition of a Vibram sole to the Lone Peak 9+ is one upgrade we’ve always wanted to see.
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Men's
Women's
Altra Lone Peak 9
Men's
Women's
We believe the Vibram Megagrip makes the shoe perform better. We think the Lone Peak 9 with Altra’s MaxTrac outsole works well for dirt, sand, and moderately technical rocky terrain. But when tackling steeper, wetter, or more technical terrain, the 9+ is best. We previously dubbed the Altra Timp 5 Best Zero Drop Trail Shoe in our Best Men’s Running Shoes guide over the Lone Peak 8 because the Timp 5 has a Megagrip outsole, but now the Lone Peak 9+ is just as good traction-wise as the Timp 5.
With some previous iterations of the Lone Peak, users noticed shortcomings in the upper, limitations in the outsole in terms of traction and grip, and a dip in performance after very long mileage or use in the shoe. Now, hopefully, some of the changes made to the Lone Peak 9+ do resolve or prevent those issues.
The Lone Peak 9+ comes in men’s and women’s versions. It doesn’t come in a wide version, unlike the standard Lone Peak 9. For this review, we tested a men’s and a women’s model—Sam tested the men’s and Mary tested the women’s version.
We used our Lone Peak 9+s while trail running across the Colorado Front Range in wintertime, then took them south to Arizona for some spring adventures on the trails. We even used our older Lone Peak models for our notes on some comparison testing. Overall, the Lone Peak 9+ is a very good shoe (at a great value) for long-time zero-drop enthusiasts and newbies alike.
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Specs
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 0
Stack Height: 25 mm
Lugs: 3 mm
Upper: 100% recycled ripstop mesh upper
Midsole: Altra EGO
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Weight (pair): 22.1 oz (men's 10.5), 18.6 oz (women's 8.5)
Comparison Table Of Similar Models
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S (PAIR) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (PAIR) | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Lone Peak 9+ with Vibram Megagrip Men's Women's |
1 lb. 7.1 oz | 1 lb 2.6 oz* | Moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 9 Men's Women's |
1 lb 6.3 oz | 1 lb 2.6 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Altra Timp 5 Men's Women's |
1 lb. 3.6 oz | 1 lb 0.4 oz | Maximum | 0 mm | 29 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 8 Men's Women's |
1 lb. 5.4 oz | 1 lb. 2.3 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Altra Olympus 6 Men's Women's |
1 lb. 8.4 oz | 1 lb. 4.4 oz | Maximum | 0 mm | 33 mm |
* Weight as reported by Altra. See our section below on weight for more details.
What We Liked
The Lone Peak 9+ is the newest and possibly best-ever version of the popular Lone Peak trail shoe line. This 2025 update, which you can only get at REI and Altra’s website, features a redesigned 100% RPET recycled ripstop mesh upper and is the first Lone Peak model made with a Megagrip outsole (finally!). This is a massive grip improvement over previous Lone Peak models.
Previously, if you wanted the stickiest rubber on an Altra shoe, you had to go with the Timp or Olympus, which are made with a Megagrip outsole. But these shoes have significantly more stack height than the Lone Peak, so if you wanted that close-to-the-ground natural feel and stability of the Lone Peak, you had to live with Altra’s MaxTrac outsole, which isn’t as grippy as Vibram.
Now minimalist running shoe fans can have their cake and eat it too.
As with previous models, the Lone Peak 9+ is zero drop, and uses many of Altra’s proprietary materials like its EGO midsole—the outsole is again the exception. With 25 mm of stack height, the Lone Peak allows you to feel the ground below you while still offering some spring and responsiveness as you push off with each stride. Both our testers have had no complaints about the slightly improved midsole in the 9+ thus far.
What is zero drop?
If you are new to the zero-drop craze, here are the basics of how the Lone Peak works and why it's so popular amongst certain runners. A zero drop in height between the forefoot and heel creates a natural-feeling shoe that allows your foot to contact the ground as it would when barefoot. Most trail running shoes put more cushion under the heel, which is nice for going uphill and taking long strides where your heel contacts the ground first. However, in many cases, the zero-drop design on Altras feels more stable on rough terrain than heavily cushioned trail shoes with an elevated heel.
Below, we’ll get into details on the Lone Peak 9 vs. 9+, all the updates and improvements made to the upper, midsole, and outsole; how they performed and how they felt on our testing runs, and a whole lot more. Is the Lone Peak 9+ a heavy improvement on the recent 8/9? You betcha.
Details
Fit
The Lone Peak 9+ fits like other Altras. If you’ve worn other Lone Peak models, you’ll find the newest model fits similarly. Generally speaking, Altra runs wider than other shoes, though.
If you’re a fan of super-wide shoes, the Lone Peaks are a great option. It has a very roomy toe box, which gives your feet room to spread out and prevents issues from foot swelling in hot conditions.
They’re also wider through the heel than many trail runners. Sam normally wears a 9.5, but he finds the Lone Peaks feel too big in 9.5, so he always gets a half size smaller. Mary is just in between a 7.5 and 8, but has a narrower foot, and for trail runners and Altras, much prefers the 7.5. Aside from the roomier toe box, the Lone Peaks have consistently fit her true to size.
Fit in Toe Box
The toe box is roomier than most trail running shoes and is even roomier than other Altra models, such as the Timp. If you want the absolute widest toe box, the Lone Peak is for you.
Fit in heel Cup
The heel area features a structured cup that hugs the back of your foot. The cushioning is distributed strategically—plush near the ankle but minimalist at the heel itself—creating a secure pocket that prevents slippage. Unlike some trail runners where we need the heel-lock lacing technique, the Lone Peak 9+ stays firmly in place without it.
We did notice that compared to previous Lone Peak 6s, 7s, and 8s, the heel cup and heel area overall on the 9+ is beefier, slightly taller, and has a more durable heel tab as well.
Midsole and Cushioning
The Lone Peak 9+ has 25 mm of stack. This is comfortable enough for rocky trails, but after particularly long runs or hikes, sometimes we want a little more cushioning.
At the end of a higher-volume running week, Sam often opts for a higher cushion shoe than the Lone Peak. Recently, when lacing up his Lone Peaks for his last 10-mile run of the week, after already running 55 miles over steep, rocky Arizona trails in Lone Peaks, he unlaced the Lone Peaks and opted for his HOKA Speedgoats instead, which you can learn about in our in-depth review of the HOKA Speedgoat 6.
Depending on the trails (rocky, steep, wet, or any combination thereof), Mary typically toggles between her Lone Peaks, Timps, and HOKA Speedgoats, and occasionally old-school La Sportiva Bushidos. She is not a diehard zero-drop shoe fan, but has enjoyed working the Altra Lone Peaks into her running shoe rotation over the years. For familiar and technical trails where she wants that natural, close groundfeel and requires good traction—the Lone Peak 9+s have been stellar.
Level of cushioning compared to other trail shoes/road shoes
Compared to other trail and road running shoes, the Lone Peak 9+ has slightly less cushion than average but the same amount of cushioning as the Lone Peak 8, as well as older Lone Peak models. If you haven’t worn the Lone Peaks, the level of cushion is similar to the Merrell Long Sky 2, Brooks Cascadia, or the La Sportiva Bushido (review here).
They don’t have as much cushion as the Altra Timp 5, either. They’re not nearly as cushioned as 30+ millimeter high-stack shoes, such as the Hoka Speedgoat (review here), Altra Olympus, or La Sportiva Prodigio.
Impact absorption and energy return
The Lone Peak 9+ features Altra’s EGO midsole technology. This midsole absorbs impact while feeling snappy when you push off the ground. They feel fast, and the combination of low stack and responsive midsole is the reason. Our women’s shoe tester, Mary, thinks they have good responsiveness and a great midsole feel.
Comfort
We’ve put in several long, 8-10 hour days in the Lone Peak 9+. Whether it’s running, hiking, scrambling, or a combination of all these things, they remain comfortable all day. Neither our men’s nor women’s tester experienced any hotspots or uncomfortable rubbing.
Adjustment to Zero Drop
For those new to zero-drop footwear, expect an adjustment period with the Lone Peak 9+. Your Achilles tendon may need time to adapt and lengthen after years of wearing traditional shoes with elevated heels.
We recommend easing into a zero-drop shoe by starting with short walks or runs. Build up time or mileage in them slowly, and be mindful of any unusual aches and pains. You can learn more on Altra’s website about how to adjust to zero-drop shoes.
Stability
These are quite stable overall. We’ve used them on very technical, unrunnable terrain—gulleys full of loose sand, rocks, and exposed roots to slickly, snowy, and wet trails—and they’ve felt surprisingly stable.
Like previous versions of the Lone Peaks, there is something about the wider fit that makes them slightly less stable than some shoes, though. Once, when Sam was running down a very steep, sandy downhill section of poorly maintained trail, he rolled his ankle (okay, maybe he was running too fast). It didn’t result in a bad sprain, and after a day of rest, his ankle was okay again. But there is something about Lone Peaks that seems to be less stable than some shoes to him. Everyone’s feet and ankles are different, though.
For more technical terrain, Sam prefers the Altra Timp 5, which has a slightly narrower fit, albeit more stack height. He also likes the lower stack La Sportiva Bushido and Merrel Long Sky 2 for the most technical trails.
Mary agrees that the overall stability is great in this shoe, considering the wider toe box and the element of some lateral movement or slip that the Lone Peak design does lend itself to. On steeper uphills or downhills on hardpacked and loose dirt, when tightened properly, Mary had no problem running comfortably and confidently in the 9+s. The better traction overall also helps boost stability on rougher terrain.
Support
The Lone Peak 9+ is a neutral support shoe with similar support levels as other Altra models. It isn’t the most supportive shoe, but that’s not what a zero-drop shoe that allows your foot to move naturally is meant to do.
Arch Support
These shoes feature a zero-drop design and natural foot shape, with minimal arch support. While the arch area has a gentle upward contour, it's considerably flatter than many running shoes, but similar to previous Lone Peak versions. For those needing more arch support, we suggest adding Superfeet insoles, which work well for both running or hiking.
Lateral Support
The Lone Peak 9+ has adequate lateral support. The minimal stack height and wide toe box keep your foot closer to the ground, which improves stability by keeping the center of gravity lower.
Sam finds how his feet fit into the wider last, or mechanical form, of the Lone Peak makes them less laterally supportive than some shoes, though. For this reason, as with previous Lone Peak models, they’re not his top choice for extremely technical terrain.
In the final miles of a 20-mile run, he took a very steep trail down to the trailhead where he’d started. This trail was entirely loose sand and baseball-sized rocks, and after going too fast for half a mile, he minorly rolled his ankle. This could have happened in any shoe, but it did happen in these shoes, too.
Ride
The Lone Peaks offer a stable ride, with just enough cushion for long trail runs, and have excellent energy return. They’re not the most cushy, but that makes them feel springy when you push off with each step.
Outsole, Grip, and Traction
The Lone Peak 9+ is massively better with grip and traction than previous versions of the Lone Peak. The Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole is extremely grippy on any terrain, whether wet or dry.
The outsole and lug pattern is very similar to previous Lone Peak models, with backward-facing lugs in the forefoot and lugs that face forward in the heel area to aid in braking. The lugs are about 3.5 deep, which is enough for everything short of wet, sloppy mud.
Sustainability/Ethical Company
Altra has many diversity partner organizations. They are a member of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, which works to increase diversity in the all-too-white running industry. They work with &Mother, an organization started by Altra athlete Alysia Montaño to break barriers that prevent women from thriving in their careers and in motherhood. Altra also partnered with the Trail Sisters for over 2,000 hours of trail cleanup in 2023. And, they partner with Still I Run, which advocates for mental health awareness through running.
Performance on various terrains
The Lone Peak 9+ has 3.5mm lugs, which are deep enough to bite into hard packed dirt. The lugs are also deep enough for moderate amounts of mud (both our testers ran in their fair share of mud, especially given we were testing in winter). The Vibram Megagrip rubber sticks to slick rock, making them great for scrambling. The lower stack height makes them better for smearing on rock faces than higher-cushioned shoes like the Altra Timp, Altra Olympus, and HOKA Speedgoat.
The moderate lug depth limits traction in extremely muddy conditions and steep and loose slopes. When descending near-vertical terrain over loose dirt, these shoes aren’t the grippiest. However, even aggressive lugs would struggle to deliver traction in such extreme conditions. The Lone Peak 9+s are notably better than previous ones when it comes to the sole and traction, but like any shoe, they do have their limitations.
Our women’s tester, Mary, encountered a whole range of extreme conditions, notably day-old mud and wet and slushy trails from snowmelt. On frozen slush-dirt and moderately muddy sections of trail, the Lone Peak 9+s performed as well as expected. But on squishy, wet, and fresh mud, there was obviously some slipping around. Mary focused on planning her testing runs that occurred on cold but dry days on more technical, rocky, dirt, and singletrack trails. On wetter, snowy, and muddy days, she took it easy with dirt to gravel laps with a variety of elevation to still observe grip and traction.
Wet and dry conditions
The Megagrip rubber outsole delivers excellent traction on wet surfaces, providing confident footing during stream crossings, rain-slicked trails, and even on wet and loose terrain such as wet gravel. This marks a significant improvement over other Lone Peak models, which aren’t ideal in wet conditions. The upgraded Megagrip outsole addresses this former weakness and stands out as the shoe's most impressive feature.
Versatility
The Lone Peak 9+ is very versatile. We’ve hiked, run, trained, and backpacked in the Lone Peaks, and they’re great for all these uses. The shorter lugs are even okay for pavement. You can run out your front door all the way to your local singletrack or dirt roads (we tried this too!).
One of Mary’s last testing runs started at a trailhead near her house and ran up and over South Table Mountain in Golden. This locale has a winding, moderate incline to start, but tons of rocky, loose dirt, and technical tracks you can connect on the top of the Table. She enjoyed running from one end, connecting a few trails, and then dropping down over the other side on a very steep dirt descent into the town of Golden. This trail-to-town run offered some amazing and varied testing conditions.
Responsiveness
The Altra EGO midsole compound feels bouncy and responsive when pushing off the ground. This shoe doesn’t feel mushy or dampened when you step, yet it still gives ample cushion underfoot when you land.
Warmth
The Lone Peak 9+ has a breathable mesh upper that isn’t particularly warm. However, we’ve used them in snowy conditions, and if you pair them with thicker wool socks they’re warm enough.
If you want extra warmth, we recommend the waterproof Lone Peak 9, which will be much warmer than the breathable mesh Lone Peak 9+ we tested.
Break-In Time
We took the Lone Peak 9+ out of the box, put them on, and immediately took them on a 5-mile run. They’re comfortable right out of the box and require no break-in time.
Our women’s tester had to wait for a big snowstorm and icy, single-digit weather to clear upon her shoes’ arrival, but soon after that, she had ample time for less extreme winter testing runs, and she found them comfortable right out of the box.
For those new to zero-drop footwear, your body will need time to adapt. Since zero-drop shoes alter your running and walking mechanics compared to conventional footwear, many people need to break-in their bodies to these shoes. But if you’re used to zero-drop footwear, this won’t be an issue. Altra shares tips on how to break in zero-drop shoes for the first time.
Upper and Breathability
The highly breathable upper is made of a recycled ripstop material with strategic reinforcements of TPU rubber near the toes and ripstop fabric around the heel for added durability. This upper material seems very similar to the Lone Peak 8, and after putting over 150 miles on one of our testing shoes, it’s holding up well with no visible holes or tears.
Through extensive testing, including many long runs in Arizona's spring heat, these shoes have consistently kept our feet comfortably cool. The shoes also suffice in cold weather if you have the right layers (running tights and warmer socks) on.
Durability and Longevity
So far, we’ve collectively put 185+ miles on our pairs of Lone Peak 9+s, over entirely rocky, rugged terrain. They’re holding up about as well as other trail running shoes in these conditions. We expect to get at least 400 miles out of these shoes, which is about average. Mary notes that her Lone Peak 7s have got about 200 miles on them, but the traction and responsiveness isn’t quite as good, and she’s noticed some wear and tear to the uppers—the 9+ seems to have addressed these issues.
They have a TPU rubber-reinforced toe and have no exposed midsole foam on the tread portion. The outsole doesn’t seem to be wearing faster than average for Vibram Megagrip. The toe cap area still looks good as well. We’ve caught our toes on several rocks when grinding miles, when we were probably a little too tired to be running that rugged of terrain (the runner, not the shoes). The toe cap is just starting to separate from this, but that’s not surprising after so many miles over extremely rocky Colorado and Arizona terrain.
Midsole Durability
Even after 150 miles, the cushioning and responsiveness of the midsole still feels like it did when new. And there is almost no exposed midsole material on the outsole.
Wear and tear in upper materials
We’ve exclusively been running on rocky, rugged terrain that would shred many shoes. After countless runs in this rough terrain, the ripstop upper has no tears or rips.
Outsole longevity
The Vibram Megagrip outsole is a softer rubber compound that prioritizes traction over longevity. Generally, more durable outsoles typically offer less grip, and the best trail runners find a balance between grip and durability. Despite the relatively soft rubber, our Lone Peak 9+s still have plenty of tread depth, even after extensive use on rocky trails.
While our trail shoe testing in Colorado and Arizona in January and February is just getting started, we plan to put many more miles on these shoes throughout spring to test for long-term durability and report back with any updates.
Price and Value
At $140 for a pair, the Lone Peak 9+ is pretty average in terms of price and value. There are some less expensive trail running shoes available, but for a Vibram Megagrip-equipped shoe, you’re not going to find many options that cost less. The standard Lone Peak 9, with Altra’s MaxTrac rubber outsole, also costs $140. Since they cost the same, we recommend the 9+ for its grippier outsole, unless you need wide sizing, which is available in the Lone Peak 9 but not the 9+.
The Altra Timp 5, which also has Vibram Megagrip, costs $155. The HOKA Speedgoat 6 costs $155 and the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx costs $160. All of these shoes have Vibram Megagrip and cost more than the Lone Peak 9+.
Features
Volume
The Lone Peak 9+ is a higher-than-average volume shoe. If you have a particularly wide foot or are used to the sizing of other Altras, you will like these higher-volume shoes. But compared to most trail shoes, the Lone Peaks are a higher-volume option.
Weight
The Lone Peak 9+ weighs 11 oz in a men's size 10.5 and 9.3 oz in a women's 8.5. Our women’s sample pair (size 7.5) weighed 9.5 oz on our scales (there was a little dirt caked on the shoes at time of weigh-in).
Stack Height
The Lone Peak 9+ has a 25mm stack height in the heel and forefoot.
Zero Drop
The Lone Peak 9+ has zero drop between the heel and forefoot. Most other running shoes have between 4 and 10 millimeters of drop from the heel to the forefoot. The zero-drop design is unique to Altra shoes and other minimalist shoes, and are ideal for those running close to their natural gait.
Midsole Technology
The Lone Peak 9+ has Altra EGO midsole technology. This cushioned midsole is quite responsive, and bounces back after absorbing impact from each step. While the same material and construction, the midsole has been changed slightly from iterations of earlier Lone Peaks to the 8s, to the 9s too.
Outsole and Lug Pattern
The outsole features multi-directional lugs for uphill traction and downhill control—forward-facing in the forefoot for climbing grip and rear-facing for braking. With a 3.5mm depth and high lug density, this design excels on firm dirt trails and rocky terrain.
Reflective Material
There is no reflective material on the Lone Peak 9+. See our Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark to supplement these shoes.
Style and design
The Lone Peak 9+ comes in a variety of colors, from darker colors to loud and bright neons. Overall, we think they look pretty good. They don’t look like clown shoes nearly as much as some Altras we’ve worn in the past.
Comparison to similar shoes
Lone Peak 9+ vs. Lone Peak 9
Weight for a pair (men's): 1 lb 6.1 oz
Weight for a pair (women's): 1 lb 2.6 z
Cushion: Moderate
Heel drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
The Lone Peak 9+ is identical to the Lone Peak 9 with the exception of the outsole material. The Lone Peak 9+ has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, while the standard Lone Peak 9 uses Altra’s MaxTrac rubber.
Altra Lone Peak 9
Men's
Women's
Lone Peak 9 vs. Lone Peak 8
Weight for a pair (men's): 1 lb. 5.4 oz
Weight for a pair (women's): 1 lb. 2.3 oz
Cushion: Moderate
Heel drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
Continuing down with the changes from the 9 compared to the 8, the Lone Peak 9 has a very similar build. The outsole is the same (unless you upgrade to the 9+), and the midsole is the same and still contains Altra’s EGO EVA, though tweaks were made to the formula from the 8 to the 9 to make the midsole lighter. The upper was the same upgrade from the 7 to the 8—now ripstop mesh for more durability— but in the 9 and 9+ this is upgraded further to 100% recycled ripstop.
You can read our full, in-depth review of the Altra Lone Peak 8s (which are still available) for more info.
Altra Lone Peak 8
Men's
Women's
Lone Peak 9 vs. Lone Peak 7
Weight for a pair (men's): 1 lb. 6 oz
Weight for a pair (women's): 1 lb. 2.4 oz
Cushion: Moderate
Heel drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
The Lone Peak 9+ is similar (and feels similar) to the previous Lone Peak 7, with the exception of the outsole material and a few other changes, like Mary’s observation about the heel and the overall upper durability. The Lone Peak 9+ has the same Altra’s EGO EVA foam midsole as the Lone Peak 7, though the old mesh upper on the Lone Peak 7 was improved upon in the 8, 9, and 9+.
Altra Lone Peak 7
Men's
Women's
Lone Peak 9+ vs. HOKA Speedgoat 6
Weight for a pair (men's): 1 lb 3.6 oz
Weight for a pair (women's): 1 lb 0.4 oz
Cushion: Maximum
Heel drop: 5 mm
Stack height: 35 - 40 mm
Like the Lone Peak 9+, the HOKA Speedgoat also uses a Vibram Megagrip outsole, but that’s where the similarities stop. The Speedgoat has 4 mm of drop, a lot more cushion than the Lone Peaks. The Speedgoat doesn’t have as wide of a toe box, nor is it as wide throughout, but the Speedgoat does come in wide sizing, unlike the Lone Peak 9+. You can read our full, in-depth review of the HOKA Speedgoat 6 for more information.
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Men's
Women's
Who should buy the Lone Peak 9+?
The Lone Peak 9+ is a great trail shoe overall. For those who like a zero-drop shoe but also want quality grip, traction, and build in a shoe for more technical trails, these latest Lone Peaks are a stellar option.
The versatile design makes it a good choice for hikers, backpackers, and trail runners who want zero-drop footwear that’s comfortable and allows your foot to spread out naturally. Even if you aren’t sold on zero drop, you may want to consider this shoe for its stellar comfort, close-to-ground feel, and traction. The addition of the Megagrip outsole makes the Lone Peak 9+ an even better choice than previous versions of the Lone Peak if you’re looking for the most possible grip underfoot.
What Could Be Better
The Lone Peak 9+ doesn’t have the most cushion, and after long days on rough terrain your feet will feel like you’ve been stepping on rocks all day. With a higher stack shoe, this issue wouldn’t be as pronounced. However, many people prefer the lower stack, close to the ground feel of the Lone Peak. So this drawback is a selling point to many.
If you have a narrower foot, you might need to play around with Altra’s sizing, too. Sam has an average-width foot, and he found the size he usually wears in Altras fit his foot with the Lone Peaks, but he always buys Altra shoes in a half size smaller than he does with other brands. For our female tester with a narrower foot, she also agrees with sizing down a half size (she is slightly in between sizes) — this works best for her with this specific Altra shoe. Some of our other testers with a wider foot don’t need to size down with Altras, though. For hiking, some of our testers with wider feet even size up in the Lone Peaks, but for running they stick to their typical size.
How We Tested
We tested the Lone Peak 9+ in both men’s and women’s versions while trail running, hiking, and scrambling in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona during winter and early spring. We ran on Front Range Colorado trails and in the Rocky Mountain Foothills in Boulder, Golden, and Morrison, Colorado. We took them with us to trails across Colorado’s Western Slope, through canyons, and up and over several mountain passes. We also wore them while running trails and backpacking in the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, along the Arizona Trail and Continental Divide Trail and other mountainous desert trails in southern Arizona, as well as in the Organ Mountains of New Mexico.
At Treeline Review, we’ve been a fan of the Altra Lone Peaks since version 1. Our women’s tester Mary has worn and tested them since the Lone Peak 5. Sam, our men’s tester, has worn them since the Lone Peak 4. As a result, we’ve been able to track the changes in each model as they've been released.
Similar Models / Other Shoes You May Prefer
Altra Timp 5
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 29 mm
Weight: 1 lb. 3.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb 0.4 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: Maximum
The Altra Timp 5 has more cushion than the Lone Peak 9+. If you want a zero-drop shoe with higher stack than the Lone Peak 9+, you should check out the Timps. They’re also the winner of Best Zero-Drop Trail Running Shoes in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guide, and you can learn more in our in-depth review of the Altra Timp 5.
Altra Timp 5
Men's
Women's
Altra Olympus 6
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 33 mm
Weight: 1 lb. 8.4 oz (men’s), 1 lb. 4.4 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: Maximum
The Altra Olympus 5 has even more cushion than the Timp 5, and puts your feet 8 mm higher off the ground than the Lone Peak 9+. If you want a more comfortable ride, albeit with less trail feel and more weight, then you might want to try the Olympus 5.
Altra Olympus 6
Men's
Women's
Altra Superior 6
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 21 mm
Weight: 1 lb. 4.2 oz (men’s), 1 lb. 0.4 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: Minimal
The Altra Superior 6 has less cushion thanthe Altra Lone Peaks, with the same zero-drop natural foot platform. If you want the most lightweight zero-drop shoe possible and tons of trail feel, try the Superior 6.
Altra Superior 6
Men's
Women's
Hoka Speedgoat 6
Drop: 5 mm
Stack height: 35 - 40 mm
Weight: 1 lb 3.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb 0.4 oz (women’s)
Cushioning: Maximum
The HOKA Speedgoat 6 is another very popular shoe for trail runners and thru-hikers, and is the Best Overall Trail Running Shoe in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide. It has 4 mm of heel-to-toe drop, which is less than many trail running shoes, but not a zero-drop design like the Altra models listed here. The Speedgoat 6 has a lot more cushion than the Lone Peaks, yet it weighs slightly less. It also comes in wide sizing, like the Altra Lone Peak 9 (again, the 9+ does not come in wide sizing).
You can learn more about the HOKA Speedgoat 6 in our in-depth review.
Hoka Speedgoat 6
Men's
Women's
Why You Should Trust Us / About The Authors
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He’s been a runner since he was a child, when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs on trails throughout Colorado and the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (in the Altra Lone Peak 4), Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, the Colorado Trail twice, and the Arizona Trail, always in trail runners.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or website.
Mary Murphy is an all-around outdoorsperson. Some of her favorite ways to spend time outside include hiking, backpacking, and yes, running. She’s section-hiked on the CDT, CT, and AT; completed the Wonderland Trail; and backpacked around the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Nepal.
Mary has worked as a gear tester since 2019, and has been wearing and testing running shoes prior and ever since. You’ll likely find her running, hiking, or scrambling along Colorado’s Front Range. She’s based in Golden, Colo and is a self-proclaimed gear nerd.
You can read more about Mary on her Treeline author page.
