Altra Lone Peak 4.0

Altra Lone Peak 4 Trail Running Shoes

Staff Editor: Johnny LeMaster

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Just the Facts:

Description

The Lone Peak 4 is a fresh take on Altra’s original trail shoe with several significant updates. The new upper will include the same integrated tongue as the previous version but now with static webbing for better cinching ability, a flexible strap overlay for a roomier forefoot fit and a sandpaper textured toe cap. In addition, breathability is improved by way of draining mesh in the heel and forefoot and the decoupled nature of the TrailClaw™, as well as multi-directional, carved lugs for improves traction and reduced weight. To top off this already awesome shoe the StoneGuard™ is completely updated to resemble the skeletal structure of a foot for better performance and dynamic flexibility.

Features

• Weight: 10.2 oz. / 289 g
• Insole: 5 mm Contour Footbed
• Midsole: Dual Layer EVA / A-Bound™ with StoneGuard™
• Outsole: MaxTrac™ Rubber with TrailClaw™
• Stack Height: 25 mm
• Upper: Quick-Dry Air Mesh

My Story:

If you are serious about trail running, or just want a pair of running shoes that will work well on the pavement and the occasional off paved trail you need to look at the Altra Lone Peak 4.0.  This shoe is lightweight, comfortable, tough and built  for trail runners of all levels of intensity.  I warn you this shoe is not for everyone, the fit is unlike any other shoe I have put on my foot, but once I tried it out it became one of my favorite shoes for running trails, light hiking, and even wearing when out and about for daily activities.  The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a shoe that you will definitely want to take a closer look at.

I enjoy running, albeit I do not do it as often as I should.  But it is one of the ways I enjoy relieving stress and resetting my batteries.  As far as running goes there is nothing more relaxing than getting away from people, paved paths, vehicles and buildings and getting back into nature.  Something about the trees, occasionally the water, the hills and valleys really seems to make the time pass by in a flash.  The dynamic running environment allows you to fully relax, concentrate on where you are putting your feet and forgetting the hustle and bustle of the commercial world.  I love to just get out by myself or with my favorite running partner, Mirabelle, my black lab.  And here is where the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 comes into play.

The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is built for just the environment I love to me in.  Out in nature where the people are scarce or nonexistent.  The trail changes depending on what time of year or what the recent weather brings, and life is simple.  Altra fitted the shoe with the MaxTrac rubber with TrailClaw outsole.  This provides for excellent traction while on the trail.  The multi directional lugs provide good traction on uneven terrain.  The lugs in the front are directed so that your foot “cuts” through the mud and dirt to keep you upright, and provides that perfect grip for forward momentum when pushing off with the ball of your feet.  The heal has the exact opposite directional lugs for heal traction when your foot first strikes the trail.

The upper was designed to provide you a good mixture of breathability, durability, and a very important often overlook drainage.  When I am running on trails you never know exactly what the trail condition is going to be.  Often times the trail is dry and dusty, the mesh on the upper provides great breathability to help the moisture escape from your feet while they are working hard.  At times the trail is full of puddles or creeks that simply can not be avoided.  The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 has mesh very low on the upper that provides for excellent drainage to keep you from running in the puddle  continuously for the next few miles.  The midsole was designed with the stone guard to protect your foot from rocks when striking the trail.

All of these things are great in a running shoe.  They are very important for providing a good running experience for you, but I want to talk about what makes these shoes truly stand out in the trail running game.  First of all the insole on this shoe is like walking on a marshmallow.  It is incredibly squishy and comfortable.  Not to any annoying degree, but to the point you will find yourself wanting to wear these shoes for much more than just running on the trails.  This insole is also exactly what you want on the trail.  The soft and comfort provides a great degree of protection when running off the paved path.  When your foot is prone to landing on small rocks, roots, or the sharp edge of a bolder this insole provides a layer of protection that helps to soften the blow the bottoms of your feet keeping you running longer.  Next big bonus to these shoes is the very roomy toe box.  This shoe has a wider toe box than any shoe I have ever put on my feet.  It actually seems to bulge out around the ball of your feet.  This allows your feet room when they swell during a long run, and provides room for your feet to move a little and breath.  The insole and toe box are not for everyone.  I have known a few people that put these shoes on their feet an absolutely hated them, but in my opinion they make this shoe.  These are two of my favorite features that make these shoes so comfortable.  They make me want to put them on and run farther and longer.  As I am writing this I am actually day dreaming about the next place I want to take them to run.

Like I stated earlier the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 were built for the serious trail runner.  The shoes boast a protective leather lace loops, and an integrated tongue loop to keep the laces protected and the tongue in place when running.  For the serious trail runner Altra built in holders for your gators.  When you are running on trails, especially far from the beaten path gators become a must.  They give you the protection from brush and gravel for your ankles, and keep debris out of your shoes allowing you to enjoy your run as it was meant to be.  The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 has a metal loop at the base of the tongue to clip your gator to.  This relieves the pressure from clipping to your bottom cross lacing.  They built in leather loops on the sides of the boot to clip your gator to, or to run the gator under-strap to, helping to fix the gator in place.  The heal has a Velcro flap “gator trap” for securing the back of the gator on your heal.  These built in special features keep your gators in place, keeping debris and brush out, which keeps you relaxed and focused on the run instead of trying to keep the irritants away.

The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a great trail running shoe that was built for not just your average runner, but your serious trail runner.  This shoe can and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to have a comfortable durable running shoe that was built to go with you where your next adventure takes you no matter how remote.

Find It Here:

https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/trail/lone-peak-4-alm1855f#hero=0

What Could Be Done Better:

I am very happy with this shoe.  There is nothing that I want to see differently.  They built this shoe for comfort and protection, I think it is very well done.

I give it 5 stars.