REASONS TO BUY
Flexible design allows grippy traction
Waterproof
Great for wide feet
Lightweight
Comfortable out of the box
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited support
Zero drop alignment requires time for adjustment
Waterproof design runs hot
Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof - Women's Review
If you're after a minimalist design that places your foot in a neutral position while allowing plenty of space for the toes along with a waterproof construction, these hiking boots should be on your short list
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ April 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Hiking Boots for Women
Our Verdict
For years, the Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof was at the top of our list when it came to the best hiking boot design for ladies with wider feet. The running shoe inspired construction features comfort out of the box, so long as you don't mind adjusting to the 0mm drop heel. The spacious toe box is perfect for those with wider feet while the ankle cuff keeps the foot in place within the boot. A higher flood level combines with a Hydroguard lining to keep the feet dry in most conditions while the MaxTrac rubber, deep chevron lug pattern, and flexible upper provide excellent traction through most terrain types. If you're after a lightweight and minimalist hiking boot that's perfect for day hikes, the Lone Peak is tough to beat.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Boots |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Hiking Boot Under $100 | ||
| Price | $190 List Check Price at REI | $219 List Check Price at REI | $175 List Check Price at REI | $100 List Check Price at Backcountry | $60 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you're after a minimalist design that places your foot in a neutral position while allowing plenty of space for the toes along with a waterproof construction, these hiking boots should be on your short list | This water-resistant hiking boot is perfect for those seeking all-day comfort, stability, and excellent traction in a lightweight package that performs well in a variety of terrain types | These provide a traditional, time-tested option for those seeking enough comfort, support, and waterproofing to get them through day hikes or short backpacking trips on well-maintained trails | This boot provides comfort, stability, and waterproof performance, thanks to a flexible and breathable mesh upper along with a functional, supportive ankle cuff | Unfortunately you get what you pay for with this affordable hiker, the sole is stiff and lacks flexion while the ankle cuff is overly padded, preventing the cuff from offering any support or stability due to the dysfunctional single hook design |
| Rating Categories | Altra Lone Peak 9 Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra Ra... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP | Columbia Crestwood Mid | NORTIV 8 Waterproof |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Altra Lone Peak 9 Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra Ra... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP | Columbia Crestwood Mid | NORTIV 8 Waterproof |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 1.56 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.56 lbs (size EU 40) | 1.88 lbs (size 8) | 1.80 lbs (size 8.5) | 2.02 lbs (size 8.5) |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Hydroguard | GORE-TEX Extended Comfort | Waterproof membrane | Omni-Tech | Yes, not specified |
| Upper | Recycled polyester mesh | High-tenacity ripstop mesh (85% recycled polyester/15% polyester) | Pigskin leather, mesh | Leather, mesh and webbing | Suede |
| Midsole | MaxTrac | Dual-density CM-EVA | Super Rebound Compound | TechLite | Shock Absorbent MD |
| Heel Height | 0.9" | 1.5" | 2.0" | 1.5" | 2.0" |
| Shaft Height | 5" | 6.25" | 4.9" | 5.0" | 5.5" |
| Sole | MaxTrac rubber | FriXion XF 2.0 | Vibram TC5+ | Omni-Grip | Rubber |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof is perfect for those seeking a flexible, waterproof upper, excellent traction, and the comfort of a trail running shoe. Credit: Trish Matheny
Likes
The Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof is a very modern hiking boot design that essentially combines the comfort of a trail running shoe with the support of an ankle cuff. Altra's are best known for their 0mm drop heel and wide toe box that allows your toes to splay without your feet moving inside the boot. The ankle cuff on this boot is very supportive thanks to two durable metal hooks, and the traction is tough to beat.
The Hydroguard upper kept our feet dry and the Recycled polyester mesh effectively shed most moisture we encountered along the trail. The flood height measures five inches which also provides a great barrier between your feet and the wet conditions you're navigating.
After many years of testing the Lone Peak, we believe the current iterations are true to size and are a great choice for those seeking a more spacious toe box. The boot is also super lightweight, among the lightest boots that we tested.
The Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof is a lightweight running shoe inspired design that's perfect for ladies who prefer more room in the toe box in addition to a more minimalist level of support. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
People either love or hate the 0mm drop heel, which takes a little getting used to. When adjusting to Altra's neutral positioning of keeping the heel and the forefoot at the same height rather than a cushy raised heel, we noticed our calves would feel the burn for a couple weeks as we adjusted to the position.
The Lone Peak 9 Mid is such a flexible and lightweight design that it sacrifices the support and stability most women are looking for. The minimalist construction lacks support for those with high arches and the flexibility in the cuff isn't enough to support a heavy pack.
If the Lone Peak 9 Mid featured better support and durability for rugged trails, it would be at the top of our list of recommendations, however, it's still a great choice for those who are after a lightweight design with excellent traction. Credit: Trish Matheny
Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 9 Mid Waterproof?
The Lone Peak 9 Mid is technically a more affordable option, especially when compared to the most expensive boots in the review. We've tested several iterations of this boot and find it durable enough for well-maintained trails. If you like the 0mm drop, the wide toe box, and minimalist support, this Lone Peak is definitely worth checking out. We love the comfort out of the box along with the waterproof performance in addition to the MaxTrac rubber outsoles that provide a deep lug pattern that inspires confidence on the trails.
What Other Women's Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If you like the sounds of a running shoe inspired design that's perfect for those with wider feet, we highly recommend the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP which has more support and cushioning for longer days on the trail. We also love the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX thanks to its highly durable construction, comfort, stability, and ample traction in the FriXion AT 2.0 rubber with Trail Bite heel that perfect for steep descents.
—Trish Matheny
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