Altra Lone Peak 6 Review
The Lone Peak's Versatility Simply Can't be Beat
Likes
- Lightweight, protective upper
- Comfortable, versatile foam
- Smooth ride
Dislikes
- Wide toe box
- Relatively heavy
- Adjusting to zero drop
What's New
The Altra Lone Peak 6 continues to be a fan favourite among the trail community and still offers all the benefits found in the previous versions of the shoe. The only true update is found in the upper, which features redesigned overlays for a more streamlined and locked-down fit. So if you liked the Lone Peak 5, you'll want to upgrade to the 6 when you're ready for your next pair of shoes.
The Bottom Line
If someone told us they wanted a classic trail running shoe, we would hand them a pair of Altra Lone Peaks. Beloved by ultrarunners and hikers alike, the Lone Peak has made a name for itself over the years thanks to its highly versatile design. Aided by a plush midsole, roomy toe-box, and highly grippy outsole, this trail shoe has a comfortable and reliable ride that works well with a variety of trails and paces. As a signature Altra shoe, the Lone Peak features a wide toe box and zero heel-toe drop, which for those who may be unfamiliar, can take some time getting used to and isn't for everybody. Fans of the previous Lone Peak are all but guaranteed to like the minimally updated version 6, but this shoe is also a fantastic option for beginner runners and those interested in trying out their first zero-drop trainer.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Wide |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.7 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.9 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 26 mm (Heel), 26 mm (Forefoot) | 0 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Matt: "The Lone Peak 6 continues to provide runners with a midsole packed with Altra's plush AltraEGO foam compound. I found this foam to be pleasantly soft and decently responsive. It provided just enough cushioning to protect my feet over my longer adventures while still maintaining a natural, connected-to-the-ground feel."
Brycen: "I found myself wishing that the shoe was softer. However, it is pretty lightweight."
Grace: "I felt that there was plenty of softness underfoot, making the shoe comfortable on all sorts of terrain."
Ride/Energy Returni
Matt: "Altra designed the Lone Peak 6 to be a reliable daily trail option, not a speed demon. The midsole is slightly responsive, and I was able to reach some faster paces out on my trail runs, but the moderate level of cushioning is intended for protection rather than energy return."
Brycen: "I didn't feel much energy return during my training runs. The shoe wasn't very springy, but I enjoyed the ride for daily running."
Grace: "The energy return was decent, but the Lone Peak was not very responsive overall. I found the shoe to be well-balanced, and for me, the Lone Peak 6 worked well for a variety of different trails and paces."
Underfoot Protectioni
Matt: "I would say that the underfoot protection was one of my favorite aspects of this shoe. The Lone Peak doesn't have the tallest midsole out there, but the AltraEGO foam feels refreshingly resilient. Also, the stone guard adds an extra bit of armor, which helped instill total confidence while trekking over gnarly terrain. Since the heel-to-toe drop is 0 mm, there's a consistent amount of cushioning in both the heel and the forefoot. I knew I could trust the Lone Peak 6 no matter the distance or the surface. It truly was versatility at its finest."
Brycen: "I could not feel the pavement, dirt, tree branches, or anything that was under my foot while running in this shoe. The Lone Peak 6 is one of the best shoes for my knees that I have reviewed. I'd give it a perfect 10 when it comes to protection."
Grace: "There is a medium amount of cushioning in the Lone Peak 6. The underfoot experience was comfortable, and there was noticeable rock protection with just a little bit of ground feel on the most technical trails."
Flexibilityi
Matt: "The Lone Peak 6 has great flexibility, which I appreciated because it allowed me to maneuver around tricky East Coast terrain without difficulty."
Brycen: "The Lone Peak 6 has a perfect level of flexibility for trail running. Whether hiking or running, the Lone Peak will adapt and move with my foot, always providing an ultra-smooth ride."
Grace: "The Lone Peak 6 is flexible compared to the average trail shoe. Its stack height is lower than the trail shoes I typically run in (Hoka Evo Speedgoat and Nike Pegasus Trail), and there's no rock plate, so I was not surprised when I felt the ground underfoot while running."
Upper Supporti
Matt: "First things first, runners should know that this shoe offers Altra's original, wide-shaped toe box. I usually wear an 11, but a 10.5 in this shoe was more than comfortable for me. The upper offered a comfortable wrap around my foot while still providing enough room for my toes to move and adjust while on the trail."
Brycen: "The shoe provides a neutral hold. I did not find it to be too tight or too loose."
Grace: "The toe box feels a bit sloppy to me and is very voluminous. Unfortunately, this caused extra material to scrunch at toe-off, which was a continual nuisance while running. In contrast, I found both the heel and midfoot to be comfortable and secure."
Men's Altra Lone Peak Running Shoes
Women's Altra Lone Peak Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Lone Peak is a classic Altra shoe that continues its legacy as a versatile daily trail option that can handle almost any terrain. Right away, runners will notice that this shoe offers Altra's signature wide fit; I had to get a half size down to fit my foot comfortably. Once I got the sizing sorted out, I was happy to lace up the Lone Peak 6 for the majority of my trail days. The AltraEGO foam is not too soft or too stiff, making it a comfortable compound that has the versatility to handle longer efforts, as well as shorter, faster trail days. The stone guard and claw-like lugs give the Lone Peak 6 ample protection and traction, and I felt confident on a wide variety of the trail conditions one can find on the East Coast. The upper is light and protective, rounding out the overall versatile design of the Lone Peak. Whether I was running on the road to get to the trail or trudging through muddy segments, the Lone Peak 6 handled it like only a few trail shoes can.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Lone Peak 6 is an excellent shoe for trail running. It is not a max-cushioned shoe, which I typically prefer, but I was impressed with how the Lone Peak 6 performed over my testing runs. I enjoyed the minimal ground feel, and I was pleasantly surprised that I did not experience any knee pain while wearing the Lone Peak 6. I found the shoe to be relatively lightweight on foot, highly breathable, and incredibly durable. Overall, I thought the Lone Peak 6 was comfortable and dynamic on the trails. I definitely would recommend the Lone Peak to anyone looking for their next trail daily trainer.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableGetting straight to the point, what I didn't like about the Lone Peak 6 was Altra's famously wide, foot-shaped toe box. I have narrow feet and prefer trail shoes that offer a more snug fit. The extra space in the toe box of the Lone Peak 6 gave it a feeling of instability; however, I did find that my heel and midfoot felt locked in and secure. In terms of the ride, I thought the Lone Peak 6 was very well balanced and performed reliably regardless of the type of run I was doing. I wish the midsole could have been a little more responsive, but overall, I think the Lone Peak 6 is a great update that will be popular among trail runners familiar with the line.