The Altra Lone Peak 7 offer grip and comfort on running trails
22.11.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
If you know me, you’ll know I prefer barefoot shoes with a wide toe box. In the long run, however, jogging in barefoot shoes gets quite hard. The Altra Lone Peak 7 trail running shoes are designed to combine the advantages of barefoot shoes with plenty of cushioning. Of course I had to test them.
«You’ve got to try Altra shoes!» my running friends kept telling me. «I’m sure you’d love them.» When someone’s that adamant, I don’t hesitate for long.
So, I packed my brand new pair of Altra Lone Peak 7 trail running shoes for my vacation in the Azores. I’ll soon find out if the shoes are any good on the rough, varied terrain.
First impressions: comfortable and solid
Source: Stefan Munsch
Sliding into them, I immediately appreciate the wide toe box, which gives my feet plenty of room to move. With regular-cut shoes, I often get blisters on my toes, and with prolonged use, they may tear at the front on the sides. That’s something I’m not concerned about at all with the Altra Lone Peak 7 shoes.
The lacing is easy to adjust and the shoe sits well around my midfoot thanks to the padded tongue. The heel is also reinforced, which prevents my feet from slipping around in the shoes, but also makes it more difficult to get them on. It really is a bit of a struggle, but once they’re on, they fit really well. The upper is made of lightweight mesh without seams and the rubber heel cap seems solid.
Source: Stefan Munsch
The good first impression is somewhat tarnished by the weight of more than 260 grammes per shoe. With that, the Lone Peak 7 shoe is definitely not a lightweight, but it’s still suitable for daily training. I hope the higher weight will pay off in durability.
What makes the shoes
The core of every running shoe is the sole. And I have high expectations of this one; the Altra shoe brand is known for simulating the barefoot feel with little to no drop (i.e. no height difference between the heel and forefoot) and a cut that leaves room for your toes. This encourages landing on your forefoot or midfoot when running, which is particularly advantageous on uneven terrain, as the risk of twisting your ankle is greater when landing on your heel.
Source: Stefan Munsch
Unlike pure barefoot shoes, the Altra Lone Peak 7 have thick soles. At 25 millimetres, the soles offer really good cushioning and are suitable for longer runs. With barefoot shoes, I usually stop after three to four kilometres because the strain on my feet is too much. I incorporate them into my training from time to time to strengthen my foot muscles. With the Altra running shoes, I covered around 50 kilometres within a week – and my feet felt really good the whole time.
Onto the trails
There are a number of exciting trail running events in the Azores. And while I’m not ready for a 100+ kilometre run, I don’t want to miss out on the experience of running on volcanic rock, grass, mud and gravel paths.
Source: Stefan Munsch
One reason why I packed the Altra Lone Peak 7 shoes is their outsole. It has a good profile and has been upgraded with MaxTrak material compared to the previous model. Made of a special rubber compound, the sole really does offer good grip on damp stones and uneven paths. I had caught wind that Altra’s shoes lag behind models with Vibram soles, but I found the grip good and didn’t slip during my runs. Even in mud, the tread holds up quite well, although every shoe will reach its limits in these conditions sooner or later. In any case, I’m satisfied with the Lone Peak 7’s slip resistance and feel safe going over wet stones and paths.
Speaking of wetness, the Altra Lone Peak 7 aren’t waterproof. After just a short run on wet grass, my feet are wet. But as the outer material dries reasonably quickly even in high humidity, this doesn’t bother me too much.
Source: Siri Schubert
What I really appreciated on my runs was the wide toe box. My big toe stayed straight, and I had a good sense of balance thanks to being able to spread out my toes. And if your feet swell in the warmth, you’ll still have enough room.
I find the cushioning of the midsole very comfortable. It’s thick enough that my calves and feet don’t get too tired, but I can still feel bumps on the path and react quickly.
The lowdown: good trail shoes for anyone after a comfortable running experience with no drop
For me, the Altra Lone Peak 7 offer a good mix of the most natural running feel possible and good cushioning and comfort thanks to the midsole. I find these shoes ideal for longer training runs. For competitions, I’d prefer a lighter shoe.
The outsole’s strong profile and good grip are definitely reasons for me to wear these shoes in fall and winter. After testing them in the Azores, I’ll also be wearing them on trail runs back home.
Header image: Stefan Munsch
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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