Altra Lone Peak 7 Review
Fan Favorite Lone Peak Returns, Streamlined with all the Things You Love
Likes
- Comfortably plush foam for a trail shoe
- Excellent grip and traction
- Roomy toebox leaves room for thick socks
Dislikes
- Fit is very spacious
- Could use more underfoot protection for longer runs
What's New
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is back, and Altra has made a few subtle changes to help deliver the best off-road running experience. Version 7 has an updated midsole design and upper that work together for improved stability without loosing the shoe's natural and connected to the trail experience.
The Altra Lone Peak 7's newly streamlined upper construction features additional overlays that help provide more protection and weather resistance, perfect for taking on Mother Nature in adverse weather conditions. Finally, Altra has outfitted this trail legend with an updated outsole design that features a Trail Claw lug design that promises increased traction on all kinds of trails.
The Bottom Line
Fast and nimble is the resounding message from our testers when asked about their experience in the Altra Lone Peak 7. Thoughtfully crafted, this trail shoe delivers speed and versatility to every trail run and trail runner, no matter if they are a hardcore trail athlete or a weekend warrior. The midsole has a lively underfoot experience with a healthy energy return that will have you quickly weaving through tight trail segments. The Altra's MaxTrac outsole remains tremendously grippy, further accentuating the Lone Peak's agile ride.
The shoe received praise for its secure lockdown, and the upper delivered a comfortably soft and snug fit that our team thoroughly enjoyed on the trail. Though, it was also noted that runners may want to size down a half size, as the shoe seemed to run a bit long. While those who prefer a more natural running experience may choose this shoe for even ultramarathon distances, our testers found that they wanted more underfoot protection for their longer trail adventures. For most runners and hikers, we would advise keeping the Lone Peak to shorter mileage runs and hikes.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Sizing | Fits Long |
| Midfoot Volume | Roomy |
| Heel Width | Average |
| Toe Box | Wide |
| Arch Height | Average |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Liz: "The Lone Peak model has been known for its roomy toe box that allows for plenty of toe splay, and the Lone Peak 7 continues this trend. The toe box is wide, but the shoe maintains a secure midfoot fit. The laces do not offer much stretch, and I had to stop to readjust the fit a few times during my first few runs in the shoes. Once the shoe had broken in a bit, I was able to get a secure fit without any extra fiddling needed.
As a bonus, the laces, and the upper in general, are very durable, and I have no worries about the shoe’s ability to withstand rough, technical trail runs. As with most Altra’s (except the Timp 4), I had to implement a lace lock technique to keep my heel from sliding in the shoe due to the wide heel cup. Outside of the roomy heel, I also found that the shoe ran a bit big. If you are in between sizes like I am, I recommend sizing down."
Michael: "The Lone Peak 7's upper has a secure lockdown in the midfoot of the shoe, inspiring confidence and offering excellent control for each stride. The mesh construction makes for a soft and comfortable fit."
Midsole
Liz: "The Altra EGO foam featured in the Lone Peak 7 is very soft and has a nice bit of bounce. This gave the shoes a fun and comfortable ride that I enjoyed on short-distance trail runs. While the cushioning is soft, with only 25mm of cushioning underfoot, there is not a lot of protection underfoot, and the shoe is very flexible. Those who enjoy a flexible and connected-to-the-ground feel will enjoy this, but I found myself desiring more protection and stability for longer runs and rockier trails."
Michael: "The Lone Peak 7 is a shoe that keeps you in touch with the ground. They are highly responsive on the trail making for a lively underfoot experience. The energy return is more prevalent in the forefoot, which put a little more stress on my calves, but ultimately, was not an issue. I wore these shoes with thick socks, which helped make the shoe feel more comfortable and secure."
Outsole
Liz: "The outsole of the Lone Peak excels in a wide variety of terrain. It is super grippy on soft and loose trails but also feels smooth when running on harder-packed surfaces. I never had issues with slipping in these shoes."
Michael: "The Altra Lone Peak 7 has an excellent outsole. The shoes offer a great array of lugs, which provides a larger surface area to connect to the ground. The MAXTRAC outsole offers excellent grip for faster trails, however, I would recommend a different shoe for the most technical terrain."
Comparable Shoes
Liz: "The Lone Peak 7 is unique to other offerings thanks to its footshape toebox and zero drop offset. If you are looking for a similar level of cushioning with a more traditional offset, the Nike Terra Kiger could be a good alternative. It has a similarly nimble ride but with a more traditional feeling foam and heel-to-forefoot drop. For a shoe with a similar amount of flexibility, the On Cloudvista is a more minimal shoe with a very nimble and flexible ride. The toebox is more narrow in the Cloudvista, and while it has some rock protection, the ride is much firmer than the Lone Peaks."
Michael: "It is hard to compare the Lone Peak 7 to shoes that are not Altra models. There is nothing on the market able to compete with the zero drop midsole and natural footshape toe box, which are two major reasons why so many trail runners love Altra shoes. Personally, I think the Lone Peak line is one of the best Altra offers, and version 7 will deliver that signature Altra experience trail runners yearn for. Compared to other Altra shoes, the Lone Peak 7's offers a more natural ride, which creates a naturally stable platform with high levels of energy return."
Individual Thoughts
"The Lone Peak 7 is a fan-favorite for a reason. Those looking for a more natural running experience on the trail would have difficulty finding a shoe that offers the same amount of protection without losing the nimble experience of the Lone Peak 7. The fit is roomy, and those with wide feet will appreciate the round toebox design. I enjoyed the flexible, soft, and nimble ride, but I found the foam to bottom out a bit as my runs grew longer, so I would personally choose a shoe with more underfoot protection for my longer runs."
"For me, this is the best version of Lone Peak. The fit is excellent, providing a secure hold while having a comfortable experience. The streamlined upper and precise placement of the eyelets aid in the shoe's secure lockdown. The outsole rubber in the forefoot is flexible and offers protection from impact. The shoe also has a lively underfoot experience that will keep you in touch with the ground, and the shoe's overall design is good for developing your trail running stride and technique. The Altra Lone Peak 7 is designed to be fast, and though it is lively, I found that they were best for daily runs and walks. The low cushioning and responsive foam are not for long-distance runs or technical terrains."