Not everybody likes the pure footshape of Altra footwear. But for all of the Lone Peak path shoe lovers on the market, concentrate. The LP7 has arrived with some stellar upgrades to the higher and outsole.
I’ve been operating in — and actually having fun with — the Lone Peak 6 footwear since simply earlier than they got here out in May 2022.
Then on December 15, 2022, Altra dropped its newest iteration: the Lone Peak 7. I ran in them by way of the tip of December (and into January), which generally is a fairly hit-or-miss time of yr to check path footwear. Most of my native trails within the mountains of Colorado had been lined in packed snow or sheets of ice.
However, I used to be nonetheless capable of finding some sunny filth and rock sections of path (no spikes wanted) to check the LP7’s stuff. I ran primarily on neighborhood gravel and filth trails — a adequate mixture of flat, steep, and rockier terrain to get a really feel for the ergonomically formed shoe. Here’s what I like in regards to the Lone Peak 7 thus far.
In quick: The Altra LP7 is a snug and responsive shoe that has rapidly grow to be considered one of my every day driving, operating, and strolling footwear. While the grippiness of the Lone Peak 6 was already fairly good, the Lone Peak 7 has a probably higher MaxTrac outsole and a distinct lug sample that caught my consideration quick.
Altra Lone Peak 7 Review
Specific Upgrades
Altra Lone Peak 7 Specs
- Upper: New stitchless higher, mesh
- Midsole: Altra EGO (no change from prior shoe)
- Outsole: MaxTrac rubber (new lugs)
- Stack top: 25 mm
- Drop: 0 mm
- Verified weight: 1 lb. 2.1 oz. per pair (measurement 8)
Lone Peak 7: Worth It Over the Lone Peak 5 or 6?
Comfort and Fit
Out of the field and on the primary run, these footwear had been comfy. I did must cinch up the laces fairly a bit, however the tongue, ankle cushion, and heel cushion all felt comfy. I skilled no rubbing or pinching and didn’t should overly fidget with the tongue or laces on my runs.
That’s not simply due to the soft but responsive Altra EGO insole. It’s additionally due to the model’s signature Original FootShape Fit, which has a wider toe field and is Altra’s roomiest shoe match. But each of these had been earlier options of the LP6. What makes the LP7 any totally different from its predecessors?
Grip and Durability
My second and subsequent a number of path runs, in addition to a few hikes within the Lone Peak 7, are the place I actually seen the upgrades to the outsole and lugs. Most particularly on undulating and uneven trails — the type the place you might be continuously watching (or must be watching) your footing. The traction of the brand new MaxTrac lugs gripped nicely on rocks and didn’t slip in gravel.
It’s a hearty outsole with out being heavy.
And the brand new “stitchless” higher is way, a lot cleaner than the prior LP6 model. The light-weight higher has confirmed actually sturdy in testing thus far. Without these pesky stitches or seams to fail, we’re hoping it’s even more durable than the LP6.
The one disadvantage to the brand new higher? On a number of of the fashions, it’s an unlucky, very gentle white/tan, which is a tough colour for path trainers. Beware should you enterprise onto moist/muddy trails.
Conclusion
The Lone Peak path runner didn’t essentially want an improve, however after operating on the brand new outsole, we’re bought on model 7. The new sample and directionality of the lugs provide actually good traction, and the remainder of the shoe (match and really feel on path) is sound. When I lastly retire my Lone Peak 6 (~150 operating miles and counting), the 7s can be a welcome substitute.
Or, who is aware of, perhaps now I’ll swap over and make the Lone Peak 7 my go-to path shoe and save the Lone Peak 6 for a backup.