Altra Men's Lone Peak 6 Sneaker

Product Information

Let’s not leave out the MaxTrac outsole. Again, it’s the same as the last iteration, which had minimal flaws for me. Deep chevron-shaped lugs are placed directly under the metatarsals of your foot to get optimal traction on a variety of surfaces. These worked wonderfully on softer surfaces, dry surfaces, bouts of snow, and traveled surprisingly smoothly on pavement. Bonus! I had some initial concerns with how roomy the toe box was, but it ended up being a non-issue with tight lacing. Some of the wide footers may find it to be sloppy. Besides the toe box, the Lone Peak 6 was a joy to run in. The Altra EGO midsole provided a comfortable ride that balanced ground feel with cushion. It’s very capable of being a trail-to-road shoe. I’d know because of how many miles I put on them around the harbor. While I didn’t struggle while transitioning into zero-drop shoes, I know doing so can cause problems for some people if not done gradually. Because your foot sits completely flat in models without a heel-to-toe drop, muscles and tendons in your lower leg (e.g., gastroc, Achilles, and soleus) are asked to do more work. If you combine this added demand with a lot of intensity and/or vert in your training before your body fully adjusts to different loading patterns, injuries can crop up in a hurry. So, if you’re curious about switching to zero-drop shoes, make sure to do so slowly. Bottom Line

ALEX: The Altra Lone Peak 6 may be my favorite Lone Peak yet. This iconic shoe just keeps getting better. The primary update from the previous version is in the form of changes to the forefoot upper and lacing system, with slight modifications to the overlays, including toe protection. They didn’t mess with the sole (or soul), and I am super pumped about that. In short: The Altra Lone Peak 6.0 is easily one of the best zero-drop trail running shoes out there. From comfort to overall functionality, it’s a step in the right direction for anyone looking to burn up the trails. Altra Lone Peak 6.0 Review Overview (Photo/Josh Kirchner)

Our Verdict

Obviously, the shoe felt the same regardless, but it’s interesting to think about how much of the cushioning in the heel is from harder 84HC Durometer rubber than that softer foam.

Like so many of Altra’s shoes, the Lone Peak has undergone many revisions over the years (and additions; they now offer waterproof and mid-cut versions). However, the current Lone Peak 6 has a few significant updates that may change the feel and appropriate usage of the shoe altogether. If you have to run through a puddle or even a stream, drain ports on the toe box and the medial sides of the shoes help shed excess water. The shoe fits true to size with a tight heel cup. Altra’s unique selling point has always been the unique footprint of their shoe that follows the foot shape more naturally (alongside their zero drop). Canice: Altra has maintained their gaiter trap on the heel. This is a feature that works well but I find it unnecessary, and though it does not weigh much on its own, I would gladly drop it to save a little weight. For that matter I could ditch the heel loop too. The Lone Peak is exceptionally easy to get in and out of and I have never used the heel loop in any of the various generations of Lone Peaks. Yes, I am a weight weenie :) It’s a small detail, but I like the material that the laces are made with. They are textured, which seems to help them stay tied and not come undone,” one reviewer says.JARRETT: The Lone Peak 6 are my first Altra trail shoes, and they are definitely staying in the rotation. It’s a shame the vehicular Gods didn’t want me out on the trails, but getting hit by a snow/ice storm still gave me some excellent test conditions. Make sure to adjust slowly to a zero drop shoe if this is your first experience. Failure to do so can lead to lower leg issues and overuse injuries. Lone Peak 6 on the left / Lone Peak 5 on the right.Note that the gaiter ring on the Lone Peak 5 has been removed on the Lone Peak 6. Aside from feeling somewhat roomy, the Lone Peak 6 felt comfortable and precise with little break-in. I would classify the height of the heel collar as average, and despite the low-rising, flexible heel counter and the minimal cushion lining the upper, it still provided a good level of heel hold. The vamp over the midfoot felt just a touch below average in height, which for my high instep often causes numbness, but to my surprise, I had no issues with it, even after running up to two hours. 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.

Dom: As Canice lays out in detail above, Altra have done a great job in updating the upper of the Lone Peak, and trimming a ton (about an ounce per shoe) of excess weight. This is very welcome news, as I’ve long complained about the weight of the Lone Peak. If you’re using the LP as a hiking shoe (for which it is mysteriously popular) or a training shoe, then weight might be a minor concern – secondary to durability. But as a race shoe, the LP has sadly not been competitive in years. Dom: I’m thrilled to report that the LP6 is a big improvement. The excessive roominess of the LP5 is slightly moderated; the midfoot hold is improved; the floppiness of the sole is improved; the amount of protection is increased; all without regression in any area. All of these small changes add up to a much better shoe. There’s also a tiny pull tab on the heel and a slightly larger one on the tongue. Anyone who knows me knows that a shoe (especially a trail shoe) without a pull tab is a deal breaker so it’s great to see one.Dom: Even though excessive roominess is slightly moderated, LP6 retains Altra’s ‘classic’ last, which may be too spacio or us for many runners. ALEX: You can’t review an Altra without first expressing appreciation for that wonderfully roomy, foot-shaped toe box. I hope my fellow Lone Peak reviewers don’t mess this up. Taylor, don’t mess this up by talking about the upper first (Editor’s note: He didn’t mess it up). Canice: It’s amazing how much the midsole has evolved over the years and for the better. I found the midsole to be functional and enjoyable to run on. I like that the EGO Midsole has great ground feel and plenty of cushion. My ding here is I believe it’s time for another update. What I would like to see now is more spring or pop, and though this is a “Ride” comment in this case it’s the midsole material that is driving this. Canice: The Lone Peak 6 is a nicely improved iteration of a now classic distance trail running shoe. The upper and mid foot hold are the stand out stars of the LP6 and the midsole and outsole get the job done. Dom: That said, the usual caveats remain: this is a wide shoe that prioritizes toe comfort over foot hold. The ‘classic’ Altra last is not to everyone’s taste. Similarly it is also a zero drop shoe, which can be a jarring transition if your foot is not used to it.