Altra Lone Peak 8 - Women's Review

The upgraded Altra Lone Peak 8 is comfortable, spacious, and performance-focused. With 20 mm of stack height, AltraEGO comfort in the midsole, and a redesigned ripstop upper, this is the shoe we recommend to zero-drop enthusiasts who want to prioritize comfort.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

The Altra Lone Peak 8 is rugged enough to tackle alpine adventures in but comfortable enough to wear on buttery single tracks. Picture this: an unintrusive rock plate lurking between 20 mm of stacked foam, ready to shield your soles from any gnarly obstacles that dare to stand in your way. With a toe cap that's as comfortably pliable as it is protective, you'll be kicking rocks without a care in the world.

The moderate underfoot cushion of the updated Lone Peak * provides an element of protection disguised as comfort, making this shoe a multiday favorite. It is not the most protective shoe in our lineup, but the balance between comfort and protection is prime. The toe cap is designed with the same balanced level of comfort and protection. It is more pliable than some of the rugged, rock-hard toe bumpers we have become familiar with. But its slight flexibility, combined with its toe box volume, prevents sore toes on long excursions. The material of the upper is thicker and more tightly woven than other shoes we've tested, providing fewer opportunities for sand to infiltrate. The thickness and contour of the heel collar also help deflect sand and other trail particulate. For excursions where removing your shoes to empty out pebbles and sand is not an option, the Lone Peak offers secure attachment points for gaiters, creating another level of protection.

Traction

The Altra Lone Peak 8 is not exactly claiming the crown for the most aggressive grip out there, but this outsole still holds its own on a variety of terrains. With a dependable lug pattern and sturdy rubber construction, the MaxTrac outsole offers a decent level of traction that'll keep you moving forward on moderate trails and uneven terrain.

It is not, however, the most equipped shoe for muddy or icy terrain. While it may not excel in the stickiest of situations or the muddiest of bogs, it's a reliable companion and a great choice for runners who enjoy a mix of trail running and hiking.

Traction Ratings on Difficult Surfaces

Product	Loose Trail	Mud	Slick Rock
Best	5	5	5
Average	3.9	3.4	3.6
Altra Lone Peak 8	3	4	3
Worst	3	2	2

Long days on dry trails are the perfect speed for this and past versions of the Lone Peak. The MaxTrac outsole hosts 3.18 mm lugs, which is average among shoes made for moderate terrain. The lug pattern on the heel provides dynamic traction, though the overall shape of the Lone Peak is not the shoe we recommend for downhill runs, where agility makes the difference between staying on your feet and eating it.

Sensitivity

When it comes to sensitivity, the Altra Lone Peak 8 strikes a harmonious balance. Despite boasting a surprisingly comfortable 20 mm stack and a rock plate, these trail shoes remain remarkably sensitive in all the right ways. The presence of a rock plate often inhibits sensitivity, but, in this case, its impact on the shoe's sensitivity is practically imperceptible.

The Lone Peak is not the most sensitive trail running shoe on the market, but if you are seeking a balance between protection, comfort, and sensitivity, this is a shoe that hits the mark. This is a shoe for runners who want a keen awareness of the trail features underfoot because of the intuitive ride it provides. One of the most spoken-about features of Altra-made shoes is their ample toe box space, and in the case of the Lone Peak 8, this adds to its overall magic. The comfortable amount of space available for toes to flex and splay during runs adds to the intuitive nature of this shoe, ultimately creating more sensitivity. While zero-drop shoes can put a bit of stretch on the Achilles tendons, calf muscles, and arches of the feet, the adjustment period is often worth the payoff. Instead of cramming all of your toes together, the Lone Peak encourages the small muscles of the feet to fire up and react to the features of the trail below. The Lone Peak 8 is a trail shoe that keeps you connected to the terrain without sacrificing comfort as the miles add up.

Stability

Zero-drop shoes tend to create a feeling of inherent stability since they allow your heel to sit comfortably on the same plane as your toes. The muscular engagement that this style encourages helps prevent rolled ankles that may be born of slippery moments.

The ample space acts as a double-edged sword in this case, though, since the large toe box prevents runners from feeling super agile. It is up to you to determine if comfort and stability are priorities. If they are, the Lone Peak 8 might be a great trail companion for you. The plush tongue and locking sensation of the redesigned upper of the Lone Peak help create additional stability within the fit of this shoe. Altra incorporated reinforced eyelets across the upper to ensure a comfortable and dynamic fit. The midfoot stays secure without having to be super cinched, allowing for comfort to exist within the parameters of stability.

Comfort and Fit

As we have mentioned numerous times, zero-drop shoes are not always the most universally beloved option available. If zero-drop shoes work for you, or if you are willing to make it through a short and awkward adjustment period, the comfort and fit of the Lone Peak 8 will become a well-deserved delight for your tired feet.

With a redesigned upper reminiscent of the beloved 6th version, this shoe delivers an unparalleled level of comfort that'll have you itching to hit the trails day after day. Ever since testing the first version of the Lone Peak, our testers confidently reach for them for training runs, hiking days, backpacking trips, and more. The only time our veteran testers do not reach for these trail kicks is on race day, as there are shoes with a more streamlined and agile approach to trails. When it comes to the Lone Peak 8, the roomy toe box provides ample space for your toes to splay naturally, ensuring a comfortable and unrestricted fit mile after mile… after mile! The comfort doesn't stop there –- the entire shoe remains plush and creamy, even after logging countless miles on the trail. In recent years, Altra has updated the insole of the shoe so it packs out more slowly, allowing you to enjoy the underfoot comfort for longer. Even the tongue, standing at 0.36 inches tall, is built for comfort. From the moment you slip them on to the final stretch of your run, the Lone Peak 8 wraps your feet in blissful comfort, making it the perfect companion for all your off-road adventures.

Weight

Each women's size 6.5 Lone Peak 8 shoe weighs 8.14 ounces. While this number skews toward the higher end of our spectrum, it is not particularly high when considering its comfort and protective features.

The weight distribution of the Lone Peak is comfortable and rather unremarkable. The weight does not feel like a lot while wearing the Lone Peak, but if a featherweight shoe appeals to you, this is not going to be a perfect match for your needs.

Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 8?

Depending on your goals and needs, we highly recommend the updated Lone Peak. While not an agile, speed-focused shoe that will have you medaling at your local races, its reliability, stability, and comfort make it a top-shelf choice for runners who want to spend a lot of time on the trails. For comfort, muscular engagement, and balanced sensitivity, this zero-drop shoe tops our list of trail enthusiast-friendly recommendations.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

The Altra Lone Peak 8 offers a lot in terms of comfort and function, but it is not the only shoe on the market that is worth considering. The Topo Ultraventure 3 has a wide toebox and comfortable body, similar to that of the Lone Peak, but with a slight heel lift. This heel lift allows this shoe to be traditional in its fit and feel. The Altra Timp 5 has a 1 mm drop, as measured by our in-house data team, which creates a similar profile to its zero drop cousin. The Timp is an inferior shoe overall, but it has Vibram outsoles, making it slightly more capable on rugged terrain. Finally, the race-ready Altra Mont Blanc Carbon is another trail runner to consider. The Mont Blanc has a carbon plate, unparalleled protection, and a bit less cushion. All of this comes together to create a low differential speed-focused shoe.