Gear Review: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Trail Shoe
Value Rating: 9
Durability Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: PNW Trails
Duration: 100 miles
Product Name: Lone Peak 3.0
Product Brand: Altra
Best Use: Trail running
Sizes Available/ Specs: Men's and women's sizing available
The Full Review:
The newest version of Altra's classic trail shoe was inspired by Wasatch 100, a rugged and rocky 100-mile trail ultra in mountains of the Wasatch Range. Keeping with the foot-shaped toe box and zero drop that Altra is known for, along with a complete refresh from the 2.5. The Lone Peak 3.0 fixes what needed attention while keeping features that worked.
Top to bottom the 3.0 gets improvements, starting with all new uppers that come in either mesh or breathable waterproof (Polartec NeoShell) uppers in several fresh colors. The new uppers also offer a much-needed increase in support to lessen the foot walk feeling many complained about in previous versions of the Lone Peak. The new upper also offers better toe protection while still draining water well enough for most activities. Moving down the shoe, the addition of nonslip sock liners, a lightweight midsole and StoneGuard rock protection, help you better connect with the ground while keeping your feet happy for ultra-distance races. Other great add-ons include a really handy loop at the base of the laces to attach your gators, along with a Velcro gator trap at the base of the heel.
I have just over 100 miles on my pair so far and have been really pleased with the improvements Altra made. Being rather new to shoes with this wide of a toe box I found them to be an easy transition from more traditional style, like Solomon trail shoes. My worries about not having confidence in my feet quickly faded. They feel light for a shoe with a decent stack height, full toe protection and rock plates. They are my current go to shoes if I'm running more than 10 miles on any surface from a flat dirt road to moderately steep and rocky single track. I will be using these as my main shoes for World’s Toughest Mudder 2016, a 24 hour endurance obstacle course race in the mountains outside of Las Vegas.