Altra Lone Peak 4.5 Low Review
Refined Fit and Resilience
Likes
- Flexible feel
- Grippy traction
- More durable
- Bouncier ride
- Comfortable fit
Dislikes
- Sloppy upper
- Imperceptible stone guard
What's New
Redesigned for better longterm durability and comfort, the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 features a new upper with special reinforcements in former weak spots and a trimmed down construction for increased flexibility. A simplified lacing system creates a secure fit through the midfoot while the shoe's signature roomy toe box allows for plenty of toe splay. The heel features a slightly narrower design with an additional sewn loop on the outside for easy on and off. The shoe is finished off with a more resilient midsole compound that provides long-lasting cushioning from the trail.
The Bottom Line
Although Altra didn't give the Lone Peak 4.5 a total overhaul, the newest update features tweaks to both the upper and midsole that make for a better fitting and more durable shoe. The new midsole compound contributes a slightly firmer and more responsive ride while maintaining the classic cushioning and protection that the shoe is known for. Meanwhile, the switch to a traditional lacing system helps to better secure the midfoot for a snugger and more confidence-inspiring fit. The Altra Lone Peak 4.5 may not feel all that different from the previous model, but it features worthy updates that will please both longtime fans and first-timers.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Wide | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Men's: Medium | Women's: Low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.5 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 21 mm (Heel), 21 mm (Forefoot) | 0 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Trail | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The Lone Peak 4.5 features a dual-layer midsole blend of EVA and A-Bound that has been tweaked for better resilience. Our testers found it to be firmer underfoot than the previous version, but they agreed that the shoe provided just enough cushioning for a protective-yet-natural feel.
Ashton: "The Lone Peak 4.5 would feel more on the firm side if I took these out on the road, but between the midsole and lug length, there is quite a bit of room to sink into the trail."
David P: "This update maintains a slightly softer, spongey underfoot feel which provides a comfortable ride on most types of trails. The softness made this shoe ideal for hard-packed trails when I wanted a little more cushioning."
Ride/Energy Return i
With a midsole composition that has been tweaked for better resilience, the Lone Peak 4.5 boasts a slightly more bouncy ride than its predecessor. Our testers found it easy to pick up the pace and maintain faster tempos when running in these shoes.
Tracie: "The energy return didn't feel especially noticeable in these shoes. They certainly aren't what I'd call bouncy, but they don't feel dead or flat either."
David P: "The A-Bound and EVA cushioning combined for a bouncy feel that put a little spring into each step. While not as noticeable when climbing steep ascents, the cushioning responded well on flat sections and downhills."
Underfoot Protection i
Our testers found that the StoneGuard and plush cushioning of the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 offered good underfoot protection on most trails. The team disagreed about how the shoes fared on rougher terrain, though.
Tracie: "The Lone Peaks 4.5s offer a significant amount of underfoot protection without being overly bulky or having an excessive amount of cushioning underfoot. The rock plate makes it so that I can plow through rocky chunks without worrying much about foot placement."
David P: "The midsole and outsole offered enough protection for fire roads and hard-packed trails, but I could still feel small rocks pressing through the cushioning on rocky sections. Overall, it felt a little more protective than the Superior, but nowhere near the Olympus, and my feet felt more vulnerable than protected on tough rocky paths."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Due to the aggressive lugs, StoneGuard, and moderate cushioning, the Lone Peak 4.5 is more restrictive than a barefoot-style shoe, but it still offers more flexibility than most trail options on the market. All of our testers enjoyed its natural, flexible ride.
Ashton: "Even with the rock plate, this shoe has quite a bit of flex underneath the arch."
Tracie: "I love how flexible these shoes are, even with their protective feel. They feel very natural."
Upper Feel i
A redesigned lacing system allows for better micro-adjustments in fit, and reinforced overlays help to increase the Lone Peak 4.5's durability. Runners with narrow feet may still find the fit to be on the sloppier side, but those who appreciate a wide toebox will enjoy the lockdown through the midfoot.
Ashton: "I felt locked in where I need to be without being concerned about hot spots or pinched toes. The shoe felt secure on my foot no matter how uneven the terrain got."
Tracie: "The Trail Mesh is breathable but durable, and the overlays help create a more structured fit while staying adaptable. Unfortunately for me, these shoes felt way too wide and sloppy, and I just wasn't able to get a secure fit."
Individual Thoughts
I'm a big fan of the Lone Peak's fit. In general, I am very picky about my trail shoes, but I loved how the Lone Peak 4.5 felt secure and roomy without being too spacious. For rolling hills and descending, this shoe provided comfort and confidence. It still performed well for climbing, but the flexibility of the shoe took some getting used to. Overall, I felt more confident pushing myself to stay out longer over various terrain types than I would have in some of my other go-to trail shoes.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Goods: These shoes are super grippy and protective on rocky terrain without being excessively bulky. While many shoes are trending toward feeling too soft for me, I appreciated that the Lone Peak 4.5 was comfortable without being either squishy or overly firm. I also liked that even while being protective, the shoes maintain a flexible feel, which makes the transition feel very natural.
Not-So-Goods: The Lone Peak 4.5 does feel a bit heavy for me, and I prefer a lighter and nimbler feel in my trail shoes. I was bummed that, as reviews of the previous version pointed out, this update also had a sloppy fit. My narrow feet were sloshing around inside the shoes, and I couldn't quite get the midfoot lockdown I was hoping for. This was especially noticeable on rocky, chunky terrain when the shoes felt a bit too unstable to bound about confidently.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I enjoyed running in the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 for most of my trail runs. They provided just enough cushioning for fire roads and single track, but I found myself wanting more protection on rocky trails as I could feel the rocks through the cushioning. The fit could be slightly improved, but I do love Altra's wide forefoot that allowed my toes to comfortably splay. There is plenty of grip, and I didn't experience any issues with slippage.
I think the Lone Peak 4.5 is a versatile trail shoe with light cushioning and plenty of upper protection. It will work for most runners who enjoy zero-drop shoes and want a more natural feel on the trails. I would recommend this shoe for trail runners and Altra enthusiasts who are looking for a flexible shoe with light protection to cover lots of ground on fire roads or nimble single track.