Altra Men's Lone Peak 6 Sneaker

Product Information

The shoe fits true to size with a tight heel cup. Altra’s unique selling point has always been the unique footprint of their shoe that follows the foot shape more naturally (alongside their zero drop). The Altra EGO midsole and MaxTrac outsole remain unchanged in the 6. On my first run, the snow was coming down pretty hard towards the end. The ground was entirely coated, yet the grippy MaxTrac outsole provided the confidence to run and not worry about slipping. However, I did notice that a few flakes tended to fly up onto my ankles with each step — though I expect that’s due to the rubber heel lip.

We’ll get into the details below, but I think “Flat Bois” all over can take a collective breath and relax. Altra designated half editions to mark the minor version updates in the past. It has since moved away from that strategy, but I would call the Lone Peak 6 as close to a half update as you can get. The Lone Peak 6 retains just about everything that draws runners in the first place — the zero drop ride, roomy toe box, and EGO midsole, and even the MaxTrac outsole with its chevron lugs.

Canice: It’s amazing how much the midsole has evolved over the years and for the better. I found the midsole to be functional and enjoyable to run on. I like that the EGO Midsole has great ground feel and plenty of cushion. My ding here is I believe it’s time for another update. What I would like to see now is more spring or pop, and though this is a “Ride” comment in this case it’s the midsole material that is driving this.

Dom: Over time, the Lone Peak has had its ups and downs. The earliest shoes were clunky, and version 3 was the first iteration that felt secure enough and light enough to race. Since then, I’ve never really felt that Altra have been able to recreate the success. 3.0 was a great shoe, but had durability issues. 3.5 improved on upper durability, but too much stretch for good foothold. 4.0 performed better but weighed a ton. 4.5 lightened the shoe slightly, but compromised foothold. 5.0 was oversized all around, and felt floppy on the foot. In the meantime, the competition has become hotter (including from Altra’s other models), and the Lone Peak has felt ‘left behind’. Please read on to see which paths the latest edition took. If you have to run through a puddle or even a stream, drain ports on the toe box and the medial sides of the shoes help shed excess water. TAYLOR: Just because something is considered a “classic” doesn’t mean it is for you. Preference will be the caveat for all of this. That’s why the midsole and overall fit can sometimes be both good and bad. Canice: The outsole has good traction on dry technical terrain like we have here in Park City, UT. It suffers a bit in wet sloppy stuff but in general works well. Dom: The first thing that I noticed was the more modern and stripped-down upper. The lighter upper of the LP6 results in a useful weight reduction compared to the outgoing LP5. (Drop in US M10 was 26 g per shoe, almost exactly an ounce lighter)Even with a bed of soft cushioning and a host of protective features, the Lone Peak 6 remains lightweight and nimble. There are a few notable features we need to touch on. Some of these elements were carried over from past versions, and some are specific to the Lone Peak. Nonetheless, these are what separate the Altra from the rest. Zero Drop (Photo/Josh Kirchner)

Canice: I have run in every version of the Lone Peak since the LP 1.5 and the shoe really has come a long way over time. I found the midfoot hold of the LP 6 to be much better than previous versions and the upper itself is much more advanced in construction techniques. Being a usability-led shoe brand, Altra often has a few nice features in its shoes. Here it’s the velcro gaiter attachment on the heel, which helps you really waterproof your runs alongside the lacing attachment on the forefoot. Dom: More protection underfoot means Lone Peak 6 is once again cushioned enough to run long distances. The Altra Lone Peak is a classic and this one does more to stay the same than it does to make big changes. That said, we already know Altra has several trail models that DO incorporate more tech, such as the Timp redesign (new upper), the Mont Blanc (new shoe and new upper material for Altra) and the Mont Blanc with a dual Boa system, and the Outroad, which looks to have considerably less tech, but a new-ish approach for the brand.Overall I found the traction to be superb in the Altra Lone Peak 6. I took them out of a few really wet training runs and they outperformed my expectations every time. A shoe you can put the miles into From a fit perspective, the Lone Peak 6 is an incredibly versatile shoe. It will work well for people with wide feet who need a bit more real estate in the toebox and for folks with average foot types who prefer fits that allow their toes to splay. The workability of the upper will also give some runners with average-to-narrow width feet like myself the option to cinch down the shoe quite securely as well (though if you know you love a very consistently narrow fit, including through the toebox, you should at the very least try it on before buying). For neutral runners who want a go-to zero drop shoe, it’s a brilliant, reliable option for anything from shorter, speed workouts on the trail to full-on marathon-length runs. Who should NOT buy them While some runners love having extra space, some reviewers feel this shoe offers a little too much. Canice: What really stands out to me is that my foot is held in place much better than the previous iterations and this means I can now enjoy the extra room up front as opposed to my foot sliding forward and bashing my toes on technical descents. The fit used to feel a bit sloppy but now I feel secure and confident when side sloping and going for my downhill PR.

While I didn’t struggle while transitioning into zero-drop shoes, I know doing so can cause problems for some people if not done gradually. Because your foot sits completely flat in models without a heel-to-toe drop, muscles and tendons in your lower leg (e.g., gastroc, Achilles, and soleus) are asked to do more work. If you combine this added demand with a lot of intensity and/or vert in your training before your body fully adjusts to different loading patterns, injuries can crop up in a hurry. So, if you’re curious about switching to zero-drop shoes, make sure to do so slowly. Bottom Line Dom: I’m thrilled to report that the LP6 is a big improvement. The excessive roominess of the LP5 is slightly moderated; the midfoot hold is improved; the floppiness of the sole is improved; the amount of protection is increased; all without regression in any area. All of these small changes add up to a much better shoe. Dom: Altra makes great running shoes, but they are generally better training shoes than race shoes. Altra never seem to have paid much attention to weight, and their generously sized toe box has traded off foot retention for comfort and toe splay. Altra’s sponsored athletes must look enviously at competing brands that provide more cushion at lighter weight, and shoes that are designed for racing. Consequently, I was delighted and impressed that Altra finally put the Lone Peak on a long-overdue diet.

Altra Lone Peak 6 Conclusion

Lone Peak 5. Of note the use of additional stitching from the Lone Peak 6 and the use of heavier overlays on the Lone Peak 5. No doubt, that limited support can be a springboard for some hikers to develop their lower bodies and show off their ripped calves. But not me. That light-duty build took its toll on mt (flat) feet, (genetically) weak ankles, and skinny calves. On easier trails tha I normally hike, I had trouble with rolled ankles, cramping feet, shin splints, and calf strains. Canice: The Lone Peak 6 is a nicely improved iteration of a now classic distance trail running shoe. The upper and mid foot hold are the stand out stars of the LP6 and the midsole and outsole get the job done. Altra has been in the trail running business for just over 10 years, and its Lone Peaks have stolen the hearts of many. The brand started with the original Lone Peak, and now we’re up to the Lone Peak 6.0. Much like previous versions, the 6.0 is a zero-drop, mid-cushioned trail shoe, available both in both men’sand women’s. So, what is a “zero-drop” trail running shoe? Unlike most shoes that have a slightly elevated heel from the toebox, zero-drop means the heel sits on the same plane as the toes. This creates a more balanced feel when on the trail, and it’s one of the things Altra is best known for. Rounded Toebox (Photo/Josh Kirchner)