Altra Lone Peak 9+ Early Review

History

Altra Lone Peaks have always been a popular shoe, they are still the company's number 1 selling model and very popular with both trail runners and through hikers.

What makes them so popular? It's comfort through and through. The natural running form the zero drop platform grants you, along with a super wide toe box, gives you feet space to breath and toes room to wiggle.

The more recent models have also improved their durability, with the ripstop upper being practically bulletproof and the midsole staying springy for longer.

But the outsole. Ah the outsole. It uses Altra's proprietary Maxtrac compound on 3.5 mm lugs. It's a fairly soft material, which means it's forgiving underfoot and works nicely on a variety of terrains including tarmac, however it's also hopeless in wet, slippy conditions, and the durability sucks. Like wears low after less than 200km sucks.

I've ran in Lone Peaks since 2021 and they've treated me extremely well, taking me over the line of my first 50k, 50 miler and 100k, all without any toe or leg issues. But as I started looking to more technical runs that lack of grip was a real concern.

But Then...

Altra fans have been screaming for a Vibram Megagrip version of the Lone Peaks for years. You can find it on the Olympus, the Timp and the Mont Blancs, but the Lone Peaks still held out with Maxtrac.

Rumours were swirling that there may be a Vibram version coming in 2025, then, unexpectedly, they stealth dropped in January for European customers, named the Lone Peak 9+

It's a strange release. In the US only the Maxtrac variant 9s are available at the moment, but the 9+ will come later this year, starting exclusively at REI and Altra's own site, before a full release in the summer, whilst in Europe we get the 9+ only, no option of the 9. It's launching at £130 in the UK, which, for that outsole, is a bloody steal.

Luckily, I managed to get a pair ordered before they sold out. Now they are here, what may well be my dream shoe. Will they hold up to the lofty hopes I have for them?

Feature Breakdown

On this version I'm happy to see what worked in previous models has been kept, and what didn't has been replaced.

• The upper uses a ripstop mesh which is thin enough to be breathable but, in experience from the 7s, very resistant to tearing
• It has flat laces out of the box and standard eyelets, replacing the funky ones found on the 6 and 7s that were not particularly popular. The laces themselves are solid, grippy and don't slip easily
• We have a toe bumper overlay at the front. Note it comes up higher over the big toe than it has before. It's soft so won't give you loads of protection, but also shouldn't cause irritation if you hit it
• The heel cup is nicely padded and comfortable
• The tongue has a good length and is gusseted to stop it edging down
• At the midsole we retain the excellent Altra Ego foam, which has a good spring and doesn't flatten out for many miles
• Inserted into the midsole is a flexible stone guard, there to protect your feet from sharp rocks
• The previous plastic edging on the heel for stability has been removed, so the heel is a little more forgiving, but also loses some stability at the base
• And of course, the outsole, the Maxtrac has been replaced by 3.5mm Vibram Megagrip, a well trusted compound you find on a large number of high end trail shoes, known for being both grippy in lots of conditions, and durable with a good lifespan underfoot
• The shoe itself has 25mm stack height on a zero drop platform

First Wear

Trying them on, I am happy to report the fit lengthwise is consistent with the previous models, with the toe box feeling just as spacious too.

I did notice the mid foot feels wider, those with wide feet may rejoice, whilst if you have narrower feet that may lead to some sloppiness and difficulty locking the shoe down.

Can really feel how far the toe bumper comes over your big toe, there's a presence to it. I hoped it wouldn't cause rubbing on the run.

The Vibram outsole makes the base feel firmer and more rigid, potentially less forgiving underfoot on harder surfaces.

I'm a fan of the laces, they grip nicely and are well positioned over the feet, which makes a nice change from the 7s.

Finally the padding on the heel is great, foot felt locked it with no irritation (thankfully it doesn't have the same heel padding that's been so divisive in the Olympus 6s).

First Run

Couldn't have had better test conditions here in the UK for these: we've had heavy rain from a storm along with cold weather, meaning the ground is saturated on my local trails. I took an older version of the Lone Peaks out the other day and was slipping and sliding all over the shop like a sheep on ice.

So out in the 9+: the laces and heel lock down well using standard lacing, however that width in the midfoot did mean my foot felt less secure than in previous versions. I think most folks will be reaching for heel lock lacing, or thicker socks, to prevent the extra movement.

The comfort inside the shoe hasn't changed from previous models. It's still wonderfully spacious with plenty of room for your toes to move, and in general I'd be happy spending days in these. This comfort is carried through to the plushy midsole, which feels like it gives more stack height than it actually does.

I was aware of the toe bumper at the front, could feel it. Didn't cause any issues, I think I just need to get used to it, but it may cause issues with thinner socks.

In terms of the outsole, it definitely feels firmer underfoot, which means it will both be a little harsher a ride, but also a bit more responsive. I felt snappier in these then I have in previous models, whether thats the outsole or a change to the midsole composition I don't know.

As for the grip, it was chalk and cheese compared to the older Lone Peaks. I had slippy climbs and descents, mucky puddles, roots, wooden steps, the works, and felt significantly more stable and confident with the Vibram Megagrip under my feet. It really does make a great shoe fantastic, and I can see these going far as folks start to test them out.

Next?

3 things always pushed me away from the Lone Peaks: outsole grip, outsole durability, and their general performance for faster races.

With the 9+ we now have a shoe that eliminates 2 of those problems, and starts to mitigate the third with a quicker feeling shoe.

I've been worrying a lot lately about my shoe choice for the Wild Horse 200, the Merrell Agility Peak 5s. I love those shoes, however due to their higher drop and narrower toe box they do tend to cause more issues with my feet. Not a problem for many runs, but over 200 miles it can be race ending.

And here we are with a shoe that historically has treated my feet very well (my first 100k in Lone Peaks? Not one blister, no leg issues, I ran the next day (albeit slowly)), that now have an outsole I can trust, and they are looking like the ideal candidate.