Altra Lone Peak 5 Review Analysis (2021)
Last update: April 2024
The Altra Lone Peak 5 is a sturdy zero drop trail shoe that offers grip and protection.
The Consensus
The Lone Peak 5 is, like the other Altra models, a zero-drop shoe without an offset between the heel and the forefoot. The shoe has a medium stack height of 25 mm. According to the testers, cushioning is comfortable with the right balance between softness and firmness. Also, while the rock plate on the 4.5 version was not very effective, StoneGuard proves to be more useful on the 5 without impacting comfort.
The grip is still at its best with a new and improved lugs configuration. Trailers who have tried the shoe have found it to be effective even on snow. So it’s a faultless record on this front. And as usual, Altra delivers a tough shoe that can take a lot of punishment and will last you a while.
It’s with the upper that things get complicated. One of Altra’s significant strengths—a comfortable lockdown with a large box to splay your toes—is a disadvantage on the LP5. According to the testers, the mesh is too loose and without enough structure to ensure a precise foot lockdown. The shoe is so wide that users recommend sizing down. Therefore, while the shoe may be suitable for people with wider feet, it may be tricky for the rest.
In short, the Altra Lone Peak 5 is a good trail shoe that lives up to the spirit of the brand: a wide upper, flawless grip, and a resilient outsole. However, the tricky loose fit makes it hard to recommend it.
- Comfortable cushioning
- Effective foot protection
- Great grip
- Very durable shoe
- Loose and imprecise fit
- High weight to stack height ratio
Technologies
Outsole
- MaxTrac: adherent and sturdy featuring claw-like lugs to face harsh trail surfaces.
Midsole
- The EGO midsole gives flexible, resilient and lightweight cushioning that smoothly absorbs shocks.
- StoneGuard: a TPU rockplate located in the midsole under the foam to protect the foot from dangerous stones.
- The 5 mm sockliner molds to the anatomy of the foot and adds cushioning to the shoe.
Upper
- The Altra Lone Peak 5’s upper is an engineered mesh that comfortably and securely locks in the foot in the shoe while letting the foot breathe.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Trail |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 0 mm |
| Heel stack height | 26 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 26 mm |
| Features | Rock plate, Zero drop |
| Weight (men) | 295 g/10.4 oz |
| Weight (women) | 269 g/9.5 oz |
| Release year | 2021 |
Cushioning
| Softness (1-5) | 3 – Moderate |
| Bounce (1-5) | 3 – Moderate |
Technologies
| Outsole | MaxTrac |
| Midsole | EGO, StoneGuard, 5 mm sockliner |
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
Use
| Speed | Moderate |
| Distance | Short, mid, long, ultramarathon |
| Workout | Daily runs |
Reference: Altra Running’s official site
Comparisons – Altra Lone Peak 5 vs.:
Altra Superior 4.5
Despite its name, the Superior is a lightweight shoe with less cushioning (19 mm stack height compared to 25 mm for the Lone Peak). Therefore, the ground feeling is better, but the protection is not as advanced as on the Lone Peak.
Altra Timp 2
The Timp is lighter while offering more cushioning (29 mm against 25 mm for the LP) but less springy. It fits narrower (which is not hard given the loose fit of the Lone Peak). Also, some trailers note that the upper of the Timp is fragile and rips easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Runners who have tried it indicate that it fits a bit large. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose a size or half size down from your usual size. A visit to the store seems necessary, unfortunately.
Yes, this model is suitable regardless of your weight. Indeed, The Altra Lone Peak 5 has a 25 mm heel height, which is enough to support most people, so you can run with it regardless of how much you weigh.
This Altra trail running shoe is versatile enough to suit different types of workouts and distances. So you can wear it on your daily runs. As for ultramarathon, it’s a shoe that you’ll find a lot at ultra races. Its level of grip and protection is good enough for it. However, the lockdown is tricky, which can cause problems: issues like that tend to be magnified during such challenging races!
