Details
Brand
Altra
Heel To Toe Drop
0 mm
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Racing
Key Features
• NEW 4 point gaiter system• NEW drainage holes• NEW Air Mesh upper• Zero-drop design• FootShape toe box• MaxTrac outsole for traction at any elevation• TrailClaw material for added grip• Dual layer EVA foam midsole• A-Bound cushioning• StoneGuard rock plate
Upper
The upper of the 3.5 has received the biggest makeover. Altra has introduced a new 4 point gaiter system where runners can attach protective gaiters right to the shoe. The upper construction is also different than before with a newly designed mesh material that’s stretchier, more forgiving, and a lot more durable. The new Air Mesh also dries faster, too. The shoe features the same FootShape toe box as before, for a wide fit at the forefoot that accommodates natural toe splay. Reviewers liked the wide comfortable fit of the shoe, common in all Altra brand shoes. Some found the fit a little snug in the midfoot area, though. Reviewers found the upper was better suited for handling winter conditions and muddy trails thanks to its more protective construction. Most reviewers found the shoe fit true to size, though a few felt sizing up was required. A few reviewers also complained that the new upper was great for keeping out trail debris but this new design did compromise breathability. Some users also reported a bit of discomfort due to the fact that the sock liner easily moved out of place while running.
Midsole
The midsole of the Altra trail shoe features a dual-layer EVA foam and A-Bound material for cushioning. The cushioning is basically the same as before. Reviewers found the cushioning was comfortable and protective and noted that although the midsole hasn’t been changed, it felt like there was more padding underfoot. Not everyone appreciated the more cushioned feel of the Lone Peak 3.5. Reviewers did, however, seem to agree that the 3.5 felt more comfortable than previous versions.
Outsole
The outsole of the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 remains pretty much the same. The sole still features MaxTrac and TrailClaw technologies to provide traction on rugged terrain. The shoe also features a StoneGuard rock plate, not quite the same as a traditional rock plate – it’s a fairly thin layer of protection, according to reviewers – but it’s still a decent barrier between a runner’s foot and ground debris. New to the shoe are drainage holes that help the shoe rid itself of water (if, for instance, you are doing a race with water crossings) and keep things dry. Reviewers found the outsole provided excellent traction. Some noted that the shoe lacked a bit of protection underfoot but, keep in mind, it’s a pretty minimalist shoe, to begin with.
Breathability
While the Lone Peak features a whole new Air Mesh upper, reviewers still found the design wasn’t yet perfect. The new upper worked well to keep out mud and debris (thanks to its mesh design and new 4 point gaiter system), but it just didn’t cut it when it came to breathability. Even with the added drainage holes to promote fast drying, many reviewers found air just didn’t circulate well enough, especially for very warm conditions. The material does, though, dry quite quickly.
Comfort
Reviewers found the new mesh upper more accommodating, thanks to a stretchier material but didn’t love the Air Mesh upper’s decreased breathability, which made the shoe’s interior prone to overheating. Most reviewers still raved about Altra’s signature wide toe box (still present in the 3.5) but noted the midfoot area was a bit snug. The majority of users found the Altra shoe true to size and many liked the moderate cushioning present in the midsole, but some found the added padding made the shoe too bulky and steered away from the minimalist territory. Still, most users were pleased with the overall feel of the Lone Peak, saying the shoe was very comfortable compared to its predecessors. A few users did note that the sock liner tended to slide out of place which was quite uncomfortable when it occurred during a run.
Style
The Altra Lone Peak is a super rugged looking trail shoe. The dark color schemes are perfect for hiding mud and grime you may encounter off-road and fit the bill for a mountain running shoe. Most reviewers were fine with the look of the 3.5 but a few did not appreciate the ultra-rugged design of the shoe. The 3.5 does look like a trail shoe, though, with the signature round toe-box design of Altra shoes.
Durability
The 3.5 isn’t stellar when it comes to durability. It’s not the most resistant trail shoe and most users seemed to report a lifespan of about 200 miles maximum. For a trail shoe with a rugged construction, that’s just not good enough. Each component of the Altra shoe seems to be well-made but put together, the shoe just didn’t hold up like users wanted it to. Users noted that the outsole, though composed of solid materials, was fairly thin and vulnerable to premature wear and tear.
Protection
The Altra trail shoe offers minimalist protection from trail obstacles and debris. A thin StoneGuard ‘rock plate’ is present underfoot to protect users from potentially dangerous debris. It won’t block sharp objects like nails from impaling the shoe, but it’s a good layer of protection to combat painful collisions with jagged rocks on rough trails. The new Air Mesh upper is much more protective than before, which reviewers appreciated. It’s way better at keeping out debris (especially when used in tandem with the 4 point gaiter system) but it’s a poor ventilator. The mesh just isn’t open enough to breathe properly and users complained of overheating. The midsole material works well to protect runners from impact, some users even noted that the 3.5 felt more generously cushioned than previous versions of the shoe.
Responsiveness
The midsole of the Altra Lone Peak is made up of two cushioning materials, two layers of EVA foam and A-Bound material. The A-Bound cushioning is meant to provide wearers with a bouncy, responsive ride and reviewers agreed that the 3.5 was quite responsive.
Support
The Altra shoe is a fairly minimalist shoe but this version, according to reviewers, is a lot more supportive. Some users didn’t like the more supportive design, however. A snugger midfoot area felt too tight for some and while many found the shoe true to size, some needed to size up because of a narrow feeling fit. Quite a few reviewers simply found the midfoot support a little too aggressive and also noted that the enhanced support made the shoe feel a bit bulkier.
Terrain
The Lone Peak 3.5 is meant for tackling trails, whether you choose to run or hike them. The shoe features an aggressive outsole design featuring two grippy technologies including MaxTrac and TrailClaw. New updates to the 3.5 were introduced by Altra to enhance the trail-friendly design of the shoe. A new Air Mesh upper was created to block out debris better than before and though it works, some users found the protection was too aggressive because it cut off air circulation. The new 4 point gaiter system, however, was a welcome addition, according to reviewers. The added drainage holes were also a smart update. The shoe also features a thin StoneGuard protective layer that acts as a minimalist rock plate.
Price
Users didn’t seem to have any issues with paying what they paid for the Lone Peak 3.5. Some users did lament that they didn’t get the number of miles they wanted out of the trail shoe and found it to be a poor choice for those logging a lot of mileage.
Drop
The 3.5 features a drop of zero millimeters. Reviewers appreciated the fact that the drop was not altered and liked the added stability provided by a zero drop design.
Stability
The 3.5 is a neutral trail shoe, but users still expect some kind of stability from an off-road shoe, especially on technical terrain. Unfortunately, some users pointed out that the Lone Peak just didn’t provide enough stability for heavily technical surfaces. The traction is there, but with too much give, landings felt slightly unstable, and footing didn’t feel solid enough to offer runners confidence on single track trails densely scattered with obstacles.
Flexibility
Reviewers didn’t have much to say about the flexible nature of the Lone Peak 3.5 but some did feel that the midfoot area was a bit too rigid for comfort with an arch area that provided support that was way too severe.
Traction
The outsole of the trail shoe features two grippy materials. MaxTrac provides excellent traction for the trail whether going up or downhill. In addition, the sole of the Altra shoe features TrailClaw material that provides extra grip on technical terrain. Users found the shoe worked well for various conditions thanks to the grippy design of the outsole.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 is a decent update not without a few issues. The new upper was well-liked by users for its comfortable, forgiving fit and debris blocking design, but users didn’t like that it reduced breathability. The new version of the Lone Peak still provided users with excellent traction, moderate midsole cushioning, and a familiar zero-drop design. A responsive feel paired with a true to size fit make the shoe a worthwhile option. It’s not the most durable trail shoe, nor does it provide the same stability as other trail options, but it is fairly supportive (almost too supportive for some). A decent update, the Lone Peak 3.5 is worth a try for previous Lone Peak users who are looking for enhanced protection from the elements and a more supportive shoe design.
