Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Review

Likes

Our wide-footed testers tend to appreciate the Altra Lone Peak 9 WP the most, and nearly everyone marvels at the comfort provided by the large toe box. If your toes always touch the insides of your shoes, you too might be amazed at how nice a bit of extra toe freedom feels.

The out-of-the-box comfort is fantastic, requiring no break-in period for the shoes themselves. The flat sole, however, can change your gait a bit, so newbies unused to walking with zero heel-to-toe drop for miles might experience sore muscles if they bust out from the trailhead with a big hike too quickly.

The feeling of support is non-traditional compared to most hiking shoes. The sole is soft and pliable, and when we step on sharp rocks or exposed roots, we can feel a pressure point. Interestingly, because the sole flexes more than many hiking boots, the pressure point is rarely uncomfortable.

It seems as if these shoes somehow encourage more bio-mechanical feedback to our feet and ankles, changing our foot placement on uneven terrain so that extra support isn't as necessary as it might be in taller, more traditional hiking shoes.

However, once we start getting into gnarly terrain with steep side-hilling or off-camber angles, the lack of support can become an issue for those who expect their shoes to provide a more rigid, traditional platform.

The MaxTrac outsole is grippy on every dry surface, but only average on wet rocks and when crossing shallow streams. The rubber compound seems is a bit softer and the sole a bit more flexible, so the best traction is when the sole completely covers the ground, giving a good contact patch.

The waterproofing is very good, and the breathability is decent but not stellar.

We appreciate the synthetic recycled polyester mesh upper because it has a seamless no-sew overlay that acts like a force field against mud and dirt.

The Altra Lone Peak 9 WP washes clean with a step in a stream or quick shot of water from a garden hose.

Dislikes

The extra chunky forefoot design takes some getting used to. First, from a style standpoint, the wide toe box isn't as sleek as some others. If you're game for a “function over fashion” vibe, you can ignore this admittedly minor dislike.

Second, the extra-wide forefoot can feel clunky on rugged terrain. For example, we sometimes clipped rocks on strides, tripping ourselves up, which was annoying, but ultimately, something we did get used to after a couple of hikes.

The zero-drop flat sole design can take some getting used to and place additional stress on Achilles tendons that have spent a lifetime in shoes that aren't flat. If this sounds like you, and you don't walk around sans shoes very often, starting out with shorter, less aggressive hikes might help ease your transition.

While expert natural gait/barefoot enthusiasts seem to have no issues traveling off-trail in these shoes, they're not our favorite for rugged terrain. They don't sidehill very well, and they don't have a lot of traditional support. You get all your support from your own feet, so for very rugged terrain, this shoe isn't our first choice.

Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 9 WP?

If you've been struggling to find a shoe that fits well, doesn't give you blisters, and doesn't create pressure points or achy feet, the Altra Lone Peak 9 WP should be a shoe to consider. Yes, the zero-drop sole might take some getting used to, but none of our testers ever complained about the roomy feel and awesome comfort. These fit a little long and wide, so if you have a regular or narrow foot, you may be able to size down 1/2 size for a better ride. As for on-trail performance, it's surprisingly solid, and our only quibbles start when the terrain turns nasty.

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