Altra Lone Peak 8 Men's Shoes

Product detailed description

The latest generation of the iconic Altra Lone Peak 8 is here! If you look at the statistics on which shoes hikers choose for long treks such as  PCT or  CDT, you might be surprised by how often the Altra Lone Peak boot is mentioned. People all over the world have fallen in love with them mainly because of their extra comfort and incredibly spacious toe box, which ensures your foot’s natural function. This is a crucial feature for our purposes. On long treks, expect your feet to be subjected to prolonged stress; your feet will gradually expand, and whether they have enough space will significantly impact the entire course of your journey. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to pressure sores, blisters, ingrown toenails, and perhaps even the end of your adventure.

The Lone Peak is defined by these key features:

Width

The natural, wide FootShape™ toe box, which is comfortable even for the widest feet. Another key feature is the so-called zero drop (the difference in height between the heel and toe). This promotes even engagement of the Achilles tendon, other tendons, and muscles. Altra also takes into account the differences in male and female anatomy. Men’s and women’s shoes are therefore not the same.

Lightweight Upper

The new generation of Lone Peaks is designed for greater durability. The upper material has been completely redesigned and is now made from extra-durable ripstop fabric. However, the main features remain the same—the shoe is still sufficiently flexible, comfortable, and, most importantly, breathable. The lacing system has also been simplified, making it easier to tighten the shoe and better secure the foot inside. A slight change has also been made to the heel area, where the shoe now feels lighter and, as a result, more breathable. The toe area has undergone only minor cosmetic changes and still features sufficient rubber reinforcement to protect the toes.

Soft Midsole

Starting in 2021, the Lone Peaky features the new Altra Ego midsole, which offers even better energy return. Thanks to the dual EVA cushioning compound, the shoe is slightly stiffer and more durable than previous generations, but with 25 millimeters of cushioning height, the shoe still feels very soft, which helps absorb shocks and vibrations.

Great traction

The MaxTrac outsole features compounds of varying hardness and a relatively aggressive tread pattern, giving the shoe excellent grip and rebound. The latest model is equipped with TrailClaw™ technology, which consists of angled lugs that take the shoe’s overall traction to the next level.

Zero drop

Finally, we’d like to mention a few things about zero drop. If you’re planning to try Altra shoes, keep in mind that you’ll need to gradually get used to this type of footwear. If you’ve been wearing heavy leather hiking boots up until now, your muscles and tendons are most likely quite weak, and such a drastic transition to a minimalist shoe could lead to injury. We are all unique; we all have different body anatomies, and what works for one person may not work for another. Under no circumstances do we recommend picking up a pair of Altra shoes without prior experience and immediately setting off on a multi-month trek. For the transition from heavier shoes, we recommend first choosing a shoe with at least a slight positive drop (6.8 mm), such as models from the Inov-8 brand or similar ones. Only after some time should you move toward a zero drop and a more minimalist approach to outdoor activities in general. We’ve written an article about using running shoes on long treks here.

Altra Lone Peak 8:

• Weight: 313 g (EU size 44.5 – weight of one shoe).
• Altra Ego dual-density foam cushioning (25 mm).
• MaxTrac outsole with TrailClaw™ technology for perfect traction and grip on the trail.
• Zero drop (height difference between heel and toe).
• Wide FootShape™ toe box.
• GaiterTrap™ technology for attaching gaiters.
• Breathable and durable ripstop mesh upper.