The Altra Lone Peak 7 ($150) is my new favourite versatile, foot-shaped, supportive, comfy, sturdy, nimble, zero-drop, do-everything, path operating shoe.
Over the past two years I’ve been capable of take a look at a wide range of excellent trainers — for each the path and highway. Whereas there have been a few pairs which have actually captured my stride and elevated my coronary heart fee with affection, they’ve been deemed area of interest footwear for sure sorts of operating exercises — intervals, hills, lengthy sluggish distance, racing, technical, moist and slick, or leisurely climbing.
Moreover, some manufacturers and fashions have altered course simply sufficient as of late that a few of my tried-and-true favorites are now not. It looks as if operating shoe zeitgeist has gone the best way of the moon boot for stack top or trending towards tremendous slender development with “additional” maximalist cushion. I used to be beginning to really feel barely disheartened that there wasn’t a path shoe in my quiver that shot an arrow that would hit all the targets, subjectively in nature.
However then the Altra Lone Peak 7 was launched, and it has subsequently lifted my coronary heart — and my operating. There’s a purpose why the Altra Lone Peak lands on iRunFar’s Greatest Path Operating Sneakers listing perennially.
The foundational options of the Altra Lone Peak 7 supply the unique and roomiest foot form for the ft and toes to do their pure factor. It stays fortunately true to the zero drop and 25-millimeter stack top. The midsole provides the Altra EGO foam for underfoot consolation, assist, and spring, coupled with a sandwiched StoneGuard rock plate for defense. The place the rubber meets the dust and rocks, there’s a MaxTrac outsole with lug-like “claws” for all-terrain striding.
Though the load elevated from the sixth to the seventh iteration, with the Lone Peak 7 having an precise weight of 10.2 ounces (289 grams) in a U.S. males’s 9, different Lone Peak 7 followers have talked about how negligible and unconcerned they have been with the imperceptible uptick in change for nuanced enhancements to the higher and outsole.
The Lone Peak 7 can also be true to measurement, particularly for runners extra accustomed to footshaped footwear and wider toeboxes. It’s moreover provided in a wider match.
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The Altra Lone Peak 7. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Altra Lone Peak 7 Higher
Many runners and hikers will need to know what’s new within the Altra Lone Peak 7, since each mannequin iteration provides a much-needed improve, or typically a change only for change sake. The Lone Peak 7’s newly designed higher is seamless and stitchless, offering consolation in understanding that the shoe will keep collectively via the gambit. A heat-welded overlay extends from the midfoot to the heel. The overlay not solely accentuates the look of the shoe, however it provides the midfoot extra of a comfortable and guarded match with out taking away from the specified room within the toebox and unconfined really feel on the heel. The padding on the heel collar nonetheless helps the foot and maintains a smooth lockdown even over technical terrain. Moreover, any issues about lateral slippage skilled in earlier fashions have been nonexistent within the Lone Peak 7 due to the improved safety within the midfoot.
Curiously, the drain holes, situated on the toe bumper within the earlier two fashions, have been subtracted from this yr’s Lone Peak 7. Nonetheless, I nonetheless thought the footwear drained nicely and saved my ft dry throughout medium to lengthy runs in snow and rain. The primary three weeks I ran within the Lone Peak 7, the U.S. West Coast was deluged with nonstop rain, snow, and wind. I used to be actually capable of take a look at the breathability and drainage of those footwear within the components, besides the warmth. They confirmed up and carried out. Moreover, the engineered mesh higher is smooth and comfy, and once more does a fantastic job at protecting particles and climate out of the shoe. The practically totally gusseted and padded tongue additionally stands guard to the undesirable whereas including a pillow-like really feel for the dorsal foot.
The protecting toe overlay is one space whereby I really feel like there may very well be a little bit extra materials for general safety and for the flexibility to push the shoe into extra rugged and rocky terrain. As we famous in our Greatest Path Operating Sneakers information, “The higher’s been stripped again a bit, with higher breathability, however the diminished toe bumper supplies noticeably much less toe safety (although it’s extra reasonable than lacking).” Alas, there are at all times tradeoffs in design and development. There’s a Velcro gaiter attachment on the heel and my solely concern is that the Velcro loses its endurance over time particularly if used usually.
A lateral view of the Altra Lone Peak 7.
Altra Lone Peak 7 Midsole
One purpose I recognize the Altra Lone Peak 7 is due to its midsole development and the design’s goldilocks method. Regardless that there was an enormous shift to maximizing cushion within the trade and runners suppose that’s what they need or have to run longer and farther, they usually miss out on some midsole components which will present them with floor really feel, responsiveness, agility, and safety. In one other latest evaluate I wrote, “Responsiveness and extra cushion are typically at odds with one another. It’s a effective stability to make sure that the additional cushion doesn’t take up stride compression forces with out ample bounce again.” Moreover, there’s something to be stated for a midsole that may defend, elicit a energy response, and ignite some nimble athleticism right into a path run.
Some might argue with me concerning the general weight of the shoe as being a deterrent, however the Altra EGO foam is comfy and protecting sufficient to not lose its potential to return vitality to the runner whereas sustaining a lightweight general really feel. It balances the quick with the smooth and the house to breathe. One purpose why I usually put on the Altra Escalante 3 on the highway is due to the agency consolation the Altra EGO supplies. As well, this model’s midsole is staying alive.
A medial view of the Altra Lone Peak 7.
Altra Lone Peak 7 Outsole
The outsole of the Altra Lone Peak 7 noticed some vital adjustments each in lug design and lug location, coupled with an upgraded MaxTrac formulation. As per the latter, I’m not sure of the precise adjustments, however different Lone Peak wearers famous that the enhancements have offered higher grip and confidence in our Southern Oregon watershed. In my expertise, I too felt that the newer MaxTrac outsole gripped decently nicely since most of my runs have been in rain, snow, and icy mixtures. I used to be initially questioned on this by iRunFar’s editor due to the earlier mannequin’s poor efficiency on moist rocks or in slick circumstances — learn our Altra Lone Peak 6 evaluate for extra on the earlier mannequin — however I stand by the Lone Peak 7’s appropriate traction.
What can also assist with general grip, is the outsole’s new lug configuration and elevated quantity. There are extra lugs positioned on the midfoot for extra floor contact and safety, whereas the lugs are sharper and tackle extra of that claw-like look that Altra advertises. The general outsole design appears conducive to a supinated, shock-absorbing touchdown with inflexible lever-pronated toeoff — a stable biomechanical understanding of the foot.
The outsole of the Altra Lone Peak 7.
Altra Lone Peak 7 General Impressions
My first expertise with a earlier mannequin of the Altra Lone Peak was nice and memorable, however I felt just like the midsole deadened too shortly and that the higher fell aside in key areas. The Altra Lone Peak 7, nonetheless, has withstood many miles and super climate. Not surprisingly it’s my best choice for any sort of run in the meanwhile apart from strict pavement runs, and one of many prime picks on iRunFar’s Greatest Path Operating Sneakers listing.
I wouldn’t hesitate to do speedwork, run lengthy and sluggish, or navigate snow and ice like I needed to this winter. It carried out and it retains performing. The burden was a non-issue for me for the reason that higher and midsole have a level of lightness to their development. My gait nonetheless felt nimble and agile on each singletrack and dust roads whereas my toes had room to breathe and the design itself supplies distinctive breathability. The Altra Lone Peak 7 is reasonably cushioned however maintains a rewarding floor really feel and responsiveness. As it’s with most Altras, they’re smooth, pliable, and useful. This footwear bends.
The Altra Lone Peak 7 will keep in my shoe rotation for all the issues, as a result of it may do all the issues.
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Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Altra Lone Peak 7? What are your ideas on it?
- Do you suppose it grips higher than earlier variations?
- How else would you examine it with earlier variations of the Altra Lone Peak?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a shoe brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
A prime view of the Altra Lone Peak 7.
