Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Review

Weight:

1 lb. 8 oz. (women’s)

Waterproof:

Yes (eVent)

What we like:

A comfortable, light, and breathable boot that’s especially ideal for wide feet or those prone to blistering.

What we don’t:

Falls short of standard hiking boots in stability, protection, and durability.

Rating:

(4.2/5)

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The Altra Lone Peak shoes are renowned for its outstanding quality and fit. It has been extremely popular for thru-hikers and runners on trails. Following on from its popularity, Altra recently released the ALL-WTHR mid, which puts on an over-the-ankle collar as well as a waterproof eVent upper to provide security and support. The boot was tested for a hike and backpacking trip in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and were satisfied with its performance on well-known trails however, the hybrid design isn’t as good as the traditional models for hiking in a handful of key areas that we discuss below. To compare how it compares to other models on the market, check out our posts on the most comfortable hiking boots and the top women’s hiking boots.

Comfort

If there’s a metric that it’s clear that the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is aiming to be the best in class the one that matters is comfort. On well-developed trails the boot has delivered with ease. The distinctive FootShape Toe Box is noticeably large and allows the forefoot rest in its natural position, while leaving plenty of space for the swelling of your toes when you’re out on the trails. As with all designs from Altra this one Lone Peak also boasts the Zero-Drop shape of the brand (called the Balanced Cushioning) that means the forefoot and heel are both at the same height. This ensures an all-day, comfortable fit. Additionally, the soft midsole and 25 millimeters cushioning underneath make the boot have the look of a trail runner, but with great impact absorption as well as an energetic, bouncey sensation. To illustrate, I pulled my Lone Peak out of the box and walked right into the 10-mile trek through a mountain pass that was steep (with the 30-pound. backpack) and had no hot spots or rubs. The soft upper provided the right amount of “give” in the places I needed it as well as the flexible midsole and outsoles flexed well and also.

The comfort started to deteriorate significantly when I left on the trail. In a third-class scramble on the 14,150 feet of Colorado’s Mount Sneffels, my feet floated in the spacious toe box, giving my shoe a wobbly and unsupportive feeling on the talus and the boulders. The absence of arch support was apparent as well as my feet began to hurt as we began the trek. Based on these experiences I’d say the Lone Peak ALLWTHR Mid an ideal choice for those who prefer easy trails but I would not recommend it for hiking on trails that aren’t maintained or off-trail.

Weight

Along with the on-trail comfort and weight is a major feature that is a major strength of this model. Weight is another major strength of the Lone Peak All-WTHR mid. Women’s model is listed at 1 8 ounces a pound pair, and it is more like a trail-running shoe than an uncomfortable hiking boot or shoe (for comparison, many traditional hiking boots weigh in at more than 2 pounds.). The lightness of the feel can make a significant difference on long treks. The adage states, 1 pounds on your feet is 5 pounds of weight on your back. When you look at competitors and the Altra, the Altra is definitely competitive with hybrid hiking models The similarly-designed Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX weighs just 1 pounds 6.7 pounds and the heavier Anacapa Mid GTX weighs 1 12 ounces 1 pound. It is possible to go lighter by purchasing the Altra Lone Peak Hiker (1 1 lb. 3.8 oz. ) However, this version is less supportive for ankles and isn’t waterproof.

Traction

With Altra’s DuraTread outsole and DuraTread outsole, the Lone Peak All-WTHR mid shines in even and smooth terrain. The long, sharp lugs arranged in an “TrailClaw” configuration to maximize bite–sink effortlessly into trail sections that are muddy and the ample space between them ensures they don’t clog over the steps. I’ve not had the opportunity to test the Lone Peak on snow, but based on its performance on wet and muddy leaves I’m expecting it to be able to stand up well. It’s also worth noting that our team has spent a lot of time testing Vasque’s similar-looking Breeze Mid GTX (one among the closest competitors to the Lone Peak) and we believe that the Altra as the superior choice for wet singletrack.v

When it comes to rocky terrain the Lone Peak ALL WTHR Mid isn’t as effective. As a mountain-running runner, I’ve become accustomed to wearing the trail running shoes for mountain scrambling and peak bagging and it’s not surprising that the Altra made me hesitation while scaling Mount Sneffels. The combination of the tall lugs, large footbed, and a flexible soles resulted in an extremely sloppy sensation that I was unable to trust when crossing the talus fields and leaping between the boulders (we’ve seen similar stories about the more traditional Lone Peak trail runner). The ALL-WTHR Mid is perfectly suited for soft or hardpack ground, such as wet leaves However, it’s not the type of boot I’d suggest for more difficult surfaces.

Stability and Support

Like the other models from the Lone Peak collection, the ALL-WTHR Mid leaves plenty to be for improvement in terms of the stability as well as support. I believe this model is at the Achilles in the design that is based on comfort because with such a large toe box and a soft midsole, it’s not easy to get a comfortable fitting, and my feet are prone to moving around throughout the shoe. Furthermore, the flexible above-ankle collar appears to detract from overall support and not enhance it. In contrast to a low-top shoe the upper isn’t able to hold down the top to your foot. Altra added an TPU heel counter to provide added support however the overall design is quite shaky.

In the field, I discovered that the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid gave enough support when trekking on well-known trails. Although it isn’t able to provide an unlocked-in feeling however, the mid-height design provides some structure, particularly when carrying heavy loads. But, when I was jumping over boulders and crossing talus at Mount Sneffels, my feet required a lot of effort to stay in place and the boot could not maintain its edge in an occasional climb. I did push my Lone Peak past its limits as a trail shoe however, a more robust hiking boot might be able to conquer the same terrain without difficulty.

Waterproofing

With an upper made of eVent, a tongue that is gusseted and an over-the-ankle cut this Lone Peak All-WTHR Mid capable of securing against the elements. In comparison to a normal walking shoe it’s mid-height construction offers a significant improvement in protection. It keeps water out through the collar when crossing steam or when walking through muddy terrain. Through my tests, I noticed it that Lone Peak did a fantastic job in keeping the moisture out even in the midst of heavy downpours. The team at the helm has been spending lots of time testing footwear made from Gore-Tex and it’s great to find that the eVent fabric offers the same level of waterproofing. However, it’s important to note that, unlike other Lone Peak models The ALL-WTHR Mid isn’t equipped with gaiter traps at the heel (although it is possible to add the patch of Velcro to create the similar effect).

Breathability

The water-resistant hiking shoes aren’t often appreciated for their breathability, however, I discovered that the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid to be an impressive performance in this regard. Although it’s not able to compete with mesh-heavy, non-waterproof footwear I was pleasantly surprised with the Lone Peak’s capacity in keeping my feet dry and cool even in the hottest days temperatures in summertime San Juan Mountains. A lot of hikers’ boots–especially ones that are waterproof or leather type tend to get swampy fast during hot weather, so this is a significant feature that is in favor of this Lone Peak. Overall the upper of the eVent appeared to breathe slightly more than comparable Gore-Tex models. I would highly recommend the ALL-WTHR Mid for summertime hiking.

Build Quality and Durability

As with all designs designed to minimize weight The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid made some significant limitations in terms of the durability. After my first outing in my boots I quickly began to notice evidence of wear and wear. Particularly, the cap on the toe is beginning to peel off on one pair (something I’ve experienced on the regular Lone Peak), the lugs are chipped and the midsole is accumulating many cuts and nicks. It’s true that the rocky slopes and rocky ridges of Mount Sneffels were pretty aggressive testing terrains however, it’s the Lone Peak doesn’t strike me as an extremely durable or tough-wearing model. It’s probably going to perform the task for the casual hiker and those who frequent their hikes however If you’re rough with the equipment, you could expect to last much less as compared to standard hiking shoes or boots.

Fit and Sizing

Altra shoes are renowned for their large toe boxes and their generally spacious feel which is why this model Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid isn’t an exception. It’s among our best picks for those who have high-volume bunions, feet or those who have hot spots and blisters. But that, as I said in the previous paragraph, I did find that the Lone Peak to be too large and could result in an unpleasant experience when walking rough sections of trail (and this comes from someone with large feet). However, length-wise, my woman’s size 8.5 was perfect and the boot did very well at holding my heel as I climbed steep hills. The boot is a bit difficult to take off and on because of the elastic collar, however Altra added an uni-directional pull tab to the back to aid in.

Other Versions of the Altra Lone Peak

I tried the ALLWTHR Mid in this review. It’s the water-resistant, mid-height model of the Altra Lone Peak collection. At the time of publication, Altra also offers the Lone Peak Hiker priced at $140, but offers a little less protection for the ankle than ALLWTHR Mid and eliminates the waterproof membrane eVent. If you don’t require the security of the models with a mid-height, Altra also sells a waterproof low-top model (the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Low) and a non-waterproof low-top running shoe (the Lone Peak 5) and a non-waterproof low-top trail runner (the Lone Peak 5 valued at $160 or $130, respectively. The models all share the identical FootShape style, DuraTread outsole, Altra EGO Midsole and 25 millimeter stack height. They’re similar to the model which we’ve reviewed, but without the heel counter with TPU. In addition, Altra more recently added the LP Alpine to the collection it is an comfortable shoe for everyday wear with hemp canvas upper as well as suede overlays.

What We Like 

• A wide toe box as well as a zero-drop design provide the boot with excellent out-of-the-box comfort (especially for people who have wide feet or are susceptible to blisters).
• A light design is an ideal option for hikers who want to travel quickly or take on a lot of terrain.
• The mid-height collar and the eVent upper are great at protecting the shoe from elements and allowing the shoes to breathe better than most of the other waterproof competitors.
• DuraTread rubber and wide spaced lugs offer outstanding traction on soft and trail surfaces that are muddy.

What We Don’t

• Despite its mid-height design the Lone Peak ALLWTHR Mid has significantly less stability and support than other hiking boots.
• The soft midsole and the spacious toe box provide the boot with an incredibly sloppy feel on uneven and rocky terrain.
• Flexible collars make it challenging to create an unlocked-in feeling.
• The light-weight design lacks toughness and the upper of the toecap on our shoe has begun to separate from the upper.

Comparison Table

The Competition

It is the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is a comfy walking boot to use for backpacking trips that are light as well as day hikes. In the mid-height trail runner category, we like the Hoka One The Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX. Similar to the Altra Hoka, the Hoka takes inspiration from the company’s well-known low-toe Speedgoat shoes for trail runners, but with the upper with a higher cut to provide more protection and coverage. In comparison to it’s Lone Peak, the Speedgoat is lighter by about 1 ounce per pair (1 1 lb. 6.7 oz. for women’s version) The Altra comes with Gore-Tex waterproofing instead of eVent. It also has more traction due to the best tread design and more gripping rubber (particularly on rocks). We believe that the Speedgoat as the better choice for hikers and fastpackers. However, the Altra offers a lot of appeal to people who are averse to dropping and have big feet or feet that aren’t as pliable.

Hoka recently expanded their collection of hiking shoes by adding their Anacapa Mid GTX, a slender hybrid which is more like a hiking boot in comparison to Speedgoat above. With a weight of 1 pound 12 ounces for the pair it’s the Anacapa is slightly more heavy than Lone Peak, but the benefit is more protection in terms of support, durability, and protection. Despite the cushioned, heavily the rocker sole, we have discovered the more rigid Anacapa to be extremely adept off the trails ( see our in-depth review here) However, the Lone Peak is superior in grip (similar to a road-running shoe in that the Anacapa features blown sections of rubber). However, if you’re not planning to mix during any running, Hoka One One’s latest hiking style is generally the more durable choice.

The second comes next is the Breeze LT Middle GTX It’s a well-known style that is lightweight from expert in hiking footwear Vasque. Both boots weigh roughly identical weight (the women’s Breeze weighs 1 lb. 6 oz. ) however, the Vasque is more of a traditional style that provides greater durability on technical trails as well as an extra layer of support for the ankle when carrying a heavy pack. The Breeze’s sole to be a great choice across a wider range of terrains, but its Lone Peak’s eVent material is significantly more breathable during warm weather as opposed to the Vasque’s Gore-Tex membrane. Also, the Altra is a favorite for those who prefer to incorporate the occasional portion of trail-running. Be aware before purchasing The Altra and the Breeze do not appear as being particularly tough as we saw similar delamination in the upper and upper when backpacking through the Grand Canyon with the Breeze.

It would be remiss of us not to give a comparison of Salomon’s hugely popular the X Ultra 4 mid GTX hiker’s boot. Both Altra and Salomon have aggressive outsoles, water-proof constructions and are available in mid- and low-height choices. However, the similarities stop there. In contrast to the Lone Peak features a spacious fit and a large toe box The X Ultra runs a bit smaller and is more to fit narrow feet. The Salomon is more hefty that its Lone Peak at 1 pound 11.2 ounces, but this is a substantial increase in durability and support. These are two areas where the Altra came up short. If you are looking for trails that are technical or hiking with a lot of weight The Salomon is by far the most durable shoe. If you’re looking for a trail-running style or have feet with a wide width However, you can choose the Lone Peak has its place.

In keeping with Salomon’s line-up, their Outline Middle GTX is in line against their Lone Peak in weight (1 1 lb. 8.6 oz.) and general plans. When we tested the lower-top version and all-around intentions, we discovered that it was extremely sporty and agile when walking. But, just like the Altra the OUTline isn’t a great support for taking on tough terrain or terrain that is difficult to traverse as well as neither stands out in terms of toughness or traction on rocks. Based on the similarity in the specs in general performance and specs, we believe the more comfortable and breathable Lone Peak can be the best alternative in this class. However, if your feet fall in the middle of the spectrum or if the zero-drop design isn’t for you The OUTline Mid offers a good light alternative that will save you around $20.