Altra Lone Peak 9 Introduction
The Altra Lone Peak 9.0 is the newest version of Altra’s longest-running trail shoe. The Lone Peak is known to be a show that can do a bit of everything, and the LP9s continue that tradition brilliantly. Whatever you’re doing out on the trails and whatever conditions you encounter, there’s no reason to think the LP9s won’t take it all in stride.
This newest version of the Lone Peak ticks all the boxes that have made the Lone Peak such a popular shoe. Roomy toe box. Zero drop. Vibram outsole for excellent grip. If you’ve been a fan of the Lone Peak line, there’s every reason to believe you’ll love this version as well.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Impressions
The Altra Lone Peak 9.0 is a good shoe for just about any trail runner. These shoes can do just about anything, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a shoe. When I put the LP9s on for the first time, I couldn’t have been happier. The fit was great, and they weren’t very heavy, but it also felt like there was enough cushion to keep my feet protected on some gnarlier trails. It didn’t take more than a mile on the trail to confirm what I suspected as soon as I opened the box: the Altra Lone Peak 9.0 has found a great balance between offering plenty of protection without feeling too heavy.
It only took a couple of runs to realize how versatile the Lone Peak 9.0s were. When I found myself bombing down some hills and pushing my pace on the flats? Great traction allowed me to really trust every footfall, and the ride was smooth, allowing me to really open up my stride and go! And on the days when I was looking to just settle into an easy pace and cruise for a few hours? Not a problem. The shoes were plenty comfortable, and my feet didn’t have any issues as the miles piled up.
The Altra Lone Peak 9.0s are perfect for trails that throw a variety of conditions at you. If you know you’re going to have some runnable sections but also a few spots that are more technical, the LP9s are going to be able to handle both with ease. On an overly technical trail or a trail that is fairly flat and fast, you might be better off with a shoe that is a little more specific for those conditions. But if you don’t know what you’re getting into, or you know the trail you’re running is going to vary over different sections, then the LP9s are about as good of a choice as you can make.
For some runners, a shoe that is a “jack of all trades” may not be ideal. But for me, I love to know that I’m buying one pair of shoes that will do just about whatever I need them to do, and that is the Altra Lone Peak 9.0s for sure!
Altra Lone Peak 9 Protection
The protection provided by the Altra Lone Peak 9.0 is everything I want in a lightweight trail shoe.
The Altra Ego midsole and the Vibram outsole combine to provide a nice protective layer between your feet and the ground. The 25mm stack height is enough to absorb any rocks or roots that you come across while still giving you the ability to feel the ground with each step.
The Altra Lone Peak 9.0 also features a protective toe cap. As I’m more of a road runner than a trail runner, I struggle (at times) to remember to pick my feet up on the trails. The toe cap in these shoes definitely saved me from a black toenail or two, which is much appreciated.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Durability
The Altra Lone Peak 9.0s are holding up well after 50+ trail miles. Other than being a bit muddy, they still look pretty much new.
I would feel very comfortable running in the LP9s in distances up to and including about 50M. They may hold up well for longer distance races, though something with a little more cushioning may be preferred.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Responsiveness & speed
On a runnable trail, the Altra Lone Peak 9.0 is good to go. For a moderately cushioned trail shoe, the LP9s are light and responsive, with a very smooth ride.
The tread of the LP9s is also an asset for running fast. The tread is aggressive enough to instill confidence with each footfall and to allow a good push-off with each stride, but not enough to dig into the trail and slow you down.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Comfort and fit
I had no issues with the comfort or fit of the Altra Lone Peak 9.0. That said, according to the Altra website, it does run a little small. So, while I don’t have any complaints about the size or fit, consider yourself warned that a half size larger may be required.
Other than that, I found them to be quite comfortably snug in the heel and mid-foot. I never felt restricted in these shoes, and my foot wasn’t sliding around in them at all. Which is perfect, as far as I’m concerned.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Conclusions
I really am a fan of the Altra Lone Peak 9.0s. As I’ve said several times in this review, this shoe just works on any trail and in any conditions. While there are other trail shoes that can do some things better than the LP9s, there aren’t many that can do as many things well as these shoes.
If you’re looking for a solid trail shoe that you can wear for just about any trail run, I can’t recommend the Altra Lone Peak 9.0 highly enough!
