Details
Brand
Altra
Heel To Toe Drop
0 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Sticky Rubber Trail Claw Technology enhances traction• Quick drying upper material• Durable lugs increase the shoe’s lifespan• Trail Rudder Technology• Heel Claw Upper
Upper
The Lone Peak 2.5 offers a mesh upper material that produces a fair amount of airflow and comfort. The Altra Lone Peak 2.5’s toe box is known to expand and become wider after consistent use, so runners can expect the shoe to form their feet over a period of time. The upper is also equipped with GaiterTrap Technology, which helps with security within the gait cycle. Once you begin to observe the mesh upper, you can tell that it was meant to be strong by the fine knitting.
Midsole
For the midsole, Altra combines a dual layer EVA A-Bound material along with the Sandwiched Stoneguard Technology, creating a sturdy foundation for the foot. This exclusive technology is a rock plate which is used to guard the foot against the trail debris, a common issue when in the trail terrain. The midsole is considered to be one of the firmest parts of the shoe, which is necessary because runners will look for a mix of comfort and underfoot protection in an elite trail shoe. Despite being somewhat stiff, the midsole still has the ability to produce decent responsiveness and comfortable cushioning.
Outsole
Altra uses a special material on their outsole called Sticky Rubber Trail Claw Technology. This is used to produce superior traction on rigorous terrains that would demand a trail shoe instead of a road shoe. These long-lasting lugs are easily visible when looking at the Lone Peak 2.5 and will provide a solid grip to runners who enjoy getting physical outdoors. The lugs are measured at roughly 4 millimeters and have the ability to tear through most trail surfaces.
Breathability
The upper does a great job at bringing air throughout the inside of the shoe and keeping the feet dry at a fast pace. Thanks to these features, the Lone Peak 2.5 will hold up very well in hot and damp weather conditions. It’s very interesting that the strong mesh upper can hold up well against tough terrains and still provide a sustainable amount of airflow in and out of the shoe. The only downside to almost any breathable shoe is that your feet will feel much colder during the winter months. A logical solution in that scenario would be to wear socks with thick insulation so that your feet will stay warm.
Comfort
One of the Lone Peak 2.5’s most common complaints is in the midsole. Select runners have felt that although this part of the shoe has a slightly soft feel to it, they can still notice a hard, ground-like feel which causes some discomfort. The upper is arguably the most comfortable part of the shoe, offering a spacious toe box that will be appreciated by runners with wide feet. In addition, the improved lacing system will allow wearers to establish the “right fit” and feel comfortable doing so. Wearers can easily adjust how loose or tight they want to upper to be, that way they can feel snug and secure. The only issue people have had with the fit is sizing. Testers believe that this shoe runs small, so be conscious of the fit before buying.
Style
One thing you’ll notice almost immediately is the outsole design. On the bottom of the Altra Lone Peak 2.5, there five toes and a foot in a different color shade than the outsole. Although there isn’t some unique feature that goes along with this design, it just emphasizes the Altra’s goal is to serve the foot in its natural form. The Altra logo sits right across the midfoot, as well as “Lone Peak 2.5” on the side of the heel. The aggressive lugs and strong upper material indicate that this shoe is designed for tough terrains, although from a glance the Lone Peak 2.5 looks like any other running shoe. The color combinations that the Altra Lone Peak 2.5 offers are very unique, and speak loudly to the trail terrain in which this shoe is designed for. This shoe offers a great combination of trail necessities and modern style.
Durability
Durability will be evidently present in the Lone Peak 2.5, especially in the outsole. Most testers put in well over 40 miles in this shoe on some harsh terrains and have yet to notice any signs of wear. This is good news for consistent trail runners because they will be able to get a long life out of these shoes. After several hundred miles, the outsole may begin to show wear in certain areas, but not nearly enough as you would think after going against rough trails. The upper of the Lone Peak 2.5 has a stronger upper in comparison to the previous version. Even though it is very breathable, the upper isn’t thin in nature and doesn’t rip from the sole easily.
Protection
What would a legitimate trail shoe be without foot protection? The upper is smooth and soft, decreasing the amount of skin irritation that is typically caused by material rubbing against the skin during running and causing blisters as a result. The Sandwiched StoneGuard Technology in the midsole does an exceptional job at protecting the bottom of the foot from any rocks or debris that are present on trail-related terrains. By adding this firm layer in between the foot and the midsole, runners shouldn’t experience any discomfort due to rocks or other rugged material.
Responsiveness
The Lone Peak 2.5 has a moderate level of responsiveness at best. The EVA midsole with the A-Bound technology help runners feels a slight jolt of energy within each step. This type of energetic feeling will be crucial for those who enjoy long-distance trail runs and need something extra in order to go the distance. The responsiveness in the Altra Lone Peak 2.5 might not be equivalent to that of a running shoe made for the road, but for a trail shoe, it can be a much-needed boost.
Support
The Altra Lone Peak 2.5 is considered a shoe for neutral runners, as it is best for those who won’t need additional arch support. If you typically prefer minimalist shoes, the Lone Peak 2.5 will do the trick. The Heel Claw Technology located in the upper will be able to provide a more structured support to the rest of the foot, as well as a snug fit. These shoes wouldn’t work well for flat footed runners, especially because of the zero drop.
Terrain
When it comes to a trail shoe, you’re going to want tough, durable footwear that provides excellent traction. The Altra Lone Peak 2.5 meets those needs. This shoe was built to handle off road terrains, such as the woods, camping, mountains, rock beds, and other unstable surfaces. In addition to the rocky roads, the Lone Peak 2.5 is built for smoother trails, so feel free to test your limits when it comes to your running environment. Since the lugs on the Lone Peak 2.5 are deeper than the average shoe, it is best to stray away from smoother surfaces so that you don’t damage the Lone Peak 2.5 while being out of its natural element.
Price
Interested runners will be able to get a good price for the Lone Peak 2.5. This shoe is expected to be no more than $49 since there is already an updated version (Lone Peak 3.0) already out on the market. Is there a distinct difference between the two? That’s for the consumer to decide. Based off of the unique technology applied to this shoe, the original retail price would still be considered reasonable. But with the Lone Peak 2.5, runners will receive a reliable trail shoe at a fraction of its original price!
Drop
The heel and forefoot are each measured at 25 millimeters for both genders, resulting in the heel-to-toe drop coming out to zero millimeters. This comes to no surprise as most (if not all) Altra shoes are known to have zero drop, creating a genuinely natural running experience. Altra even labels a part of the midsole with “ Zero Drop ”, which further indicates this signature feature. Runners must consider that this lack of heel-to-toe drop may initially cause issues, such as muscle pain after long distance runs.
Stability
Stability isn’t necessarily a highlight of the Lone Peak 2.5, but it is still present. A majority of this shoe’s foot stability is located in the heel. Altra applies its Trail Rudder Technology to the heel of the Lone Peak 2.5, which keeps it snug and provides more control over steep surfaces. The forefoot is where foot stability starts to decline in this shoe. The Lone Peak 2.5 has a wide toe box, which doesn’t keep the forefoot in place while running. Those with narrow feet will likely find an issue with this excess amount of room in the toebox.
Flexibility
The Altra Lone Peak 2.5 might have that aggressive “trail” look to it, but one would be surprised with how much flexibility they can get out of it. Although there aren’t any flex grooves visible on this shoe, testers were able to obtain a decent amount of flexibility when outdoors. The shoe might feel slightly stiff overall, but will be able to bend as naturally as possible depending on the present terrain.
Traction
There is a high volume of tread on the outsole of the Lone Peak 2.5, which is made to create superior traction on uneasy surfaces. The deep lugs on the bottom of the Altra Lone Peak 2.5 have the ability to dig into trail surfaces and provide runners with grip and balance. The Lone Peak 2.5 will produce the most traction when used on looser surfaces such as mud, grass, and snow. The grip could perform better on drier surfaces, but you shouldn’t expect to slip regardless. Some runners who have tested the Altra Lone Peak 2.5 have claimed that the tread has also helped against slippery downhill surfaces. Thanks to the Sticky Rubber Trail Claw Technology, runners can go explore the wilderness securely without worry about slipping or falling over due to uneven grounds.
Bottom Line
The Altra brand has become increasingly popular lately because it puts the runner’s foot before anything else. Despite some issues with the fit, the Altra Lone Peak 2.5 is a must-have for all trail runners and hikers. It provides superior traction, a breathable interior, as well as an improved midsole that will help the underfoot survive any form of terrain. If you like to run in unpredictable weather conditions, this shoe will be able to help you get through to your goals. The Lone Peak 2.5 has a unique technology that helps set it over the edge when it comes to a trail shoe, even with a more recent version already out. In the end, runners who like to go on extreme trail runs will be able to use this shoe’s potential to the fullest.
