Bottom Line
If zero-drop shoes are your style, the Altra Lone Peak 9 are one of our faves. These are the only zero-drop pair to make both our best hiking shoes for men guide as well as our trail running shoes for men guide. The Lone Peaks are in a league of their own when it comes to an ergonomic profile: the extra-wide toe box and foot-shaped design allows for a natural fit we can’t get enough of.
Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has accumulated 200+ miles using the Lone Peak 9 in the Utah desert, from trail runs to days canyoneering. After months of testing, their top-notch ventilation, roomy fit, and quick-drying uppers keep him reaching for them again and again.
The Lone Peak 9 gets updated traction, with a refreshed lug pattern that performs better on scrambles, rocky sections, and downhills than the prior version. The midsole is updated as well, adding a bit more cushion without sacrificing ground feel. We love the addition of a dedicated gaiter hook to help keep debris out.
However, the sensitive lacing system requires careful adjustment for the right fit, and durability is still lacking compared to the competition. The Lone Peak 9 also has less cushioning around the heel cuff compared to the 8, which led to irritation during the first 30 miles of testing. And, the zero-drop design won’t suit everyone’s needs.
Still, Altra is at the top of its game with the Lone Peak 9. If you’re looking for great traction, breathability, and a spacious toe box, these shoes may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Quick Specs
Altra Lone Peak 9
Best Zero-Drop Trail Runners
CleverHiker Rating: 3.8/5.0
Price: $140
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 6.4 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0 mm
Cushioning: Moderate
Best For: Trail
Pros
- Less expensive
- Roomy toe box
- Excellent traction
- Breathable uppers
- Fast drying
- Sensitive lacing system
- Built-in gaiter attachment
- Cushier midsole
Cons
- Not as durable
- Zero drop doesn’t work for everyone
- Heavier than competition
- Heel and cuff stiffer than prior versions
Comfort
This 9th version honors the Lone Peak legacy of a wide, comfy toe box, with one of the widest toe box design we’ve tested. If natural toe splay is important to you, these are one of our top recommendations. The roomy forefoot makes for a smooth and ergonomic gait when running and hiking that zero-drop runners will love. The shoe is fairly narrow through the midfoot and heel, although it also comes in a wide version for folks who want more space.
The updated midsole cushioning is comfier than ever, too. Our testing during 10 mile runs in Arches National Park finds it’s a softer and cushier ride than the Lone Peak 8. These still offers great trail sensitivity though, helping us feel the ground and move quickly through obstacles like rocks and roots.
Altra also added a set of holes on either side of the lacing harness for a more customizable fit that works with different lacing configurations. It’s also more nuanced for finding the “just right” amount of pressure across the top of the foot, so they work well with different foot shapes and sizes.
However, we scored the Altra Lone Peak 9 lower than the competition for comfort. The main reason? The zero-drop design doesn’t work for everyone. If you haven’t rocked zero-drop footwear before, we highly recommend testing them first to make sure they work with your needs and biomechanics. And, keep in mind that transitioning too quickly from higher-drop shoes can lead to injury, so take your time when swapping into lower-drop options like these.
Additionally, the 9’s have a longer break-in period that we’re used to with its predecessors due to the ankle cuff: it’s less cushioned and more stiff, which led to hotspots and irritation out of the box. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer dealt with chafing and blisters on his heels during the first 30 miles as a result, though once we were past that point, they felt great.
Traction
The Altra Lone Peak 9 gets a significant change to its lug pattern. It’s grippier than ever thanks to an overhaul across the shoe, including toe, midfoot, and heel. The toe has more lugs with a geometric shape that grips better on steep ascents. The midfoot features smaller lugs that translates to better groundfeel on moderate trails. Testing finds the heel has improved braking on steep downhills thanks to Chevron lugs that extend to the end of the dovetail.
Gear Analyst Ian Krammer tested these during monthly trips to Utah’s San Rafael Swell, where they bit deep into the ground in desert washes, gravel paths, and rocky, scrambly hoodoos. He was especially happy with their performance on steep, sandy slopes, where they felt reliable even on slippery, high-angle sections.
Our biggest gripe, though, comes down to the lack of durability. In our experience, Lone Peaks have a notoriously shorter tread life compared to the competition. Testing finds the lugs begin to round out and wear flat after only 200 miles. For thru-hikers and distance backpackers who want long-lasting outsoles, this is a significant drawback, although the traction is excellent up until that point.
Weight
The Altra Lone Peak 9 are among the heaviest shoes we tested, at just over 11 ounces per shoe. That said, our long runs and days of hiking found that these shoes certainly don’t feel like ankle weights. We still felt fast and agile on long runs and hikes. Altra uses airy mesh uppers, thin TPU overlays, anda blend of foam and flexible rubber onthe outsoles to help keep weight down a bit.
That said, these are not ultralight shoes. The Lone Peak 9 is still on the beefy side versus most trail runners, which won’t fork for everyone’s preferences, especially if you’re a long-distance hiker or runner. If you’re looking for footwear with that barely-there feel, these may miss the mark.
Durability
The Lone Peak 9 isn’t the most durable shoe out there. Compared to trail runners and hiking shoes with thicker rubber composite outsoles and robust leather or textile uppers, these are a bit underwhelming – which is why they rank lower on our list overall.
In our testing, the Lone Peak 9 shows meaningful wear and tear around the 200 mile mark. The tread and lugs round out and flatten at this point, and the mesh around the toes and anterior (front) foot area is beginning to fray and blow out.
This lack of durability can be a real issue on long treks or thru-hikes. If you’re investing in the Lone Peaks as your exclusive shoe of choice – especially for long treks or thru-hikes – we recommend budgeting for multiple pairs.
However, some elements of the Altra Lone Peak 9 add longevity. TPU overlays along the sides and lacing harness add decent structure to the mostly mesh uppers. A rubber rand at the toe adds protection from rocks and roots. They’re gaiter-compatible, too, key for blocking debris, bramble, dirt, and rocks.
Weather Resistance
The Lone Peak 9 stands out for its lightweight design and quick drying times, making it one of our top recommendations for warm conditions on the trail. When it comes to breathability, these things are awesome – the uppers are made with thin mesh that dumps heat and dries quickly.
Their quick-drying ability is also a major plus for routes with water crossings. During testing in Utah, Ian found that after fully submerging these shoes in cold, stagnant puddles and water trapped between rocks in slot canyons, they dried surprisingly fast. In the field, it took less than an hour. In a controlled environment, after fully submerging them, it took about an hour and a half to dry at room temperature.
However, the Lone Peaks are not weather-resistant, and we don’t recommend them for cold or prolonged exposure to wet environments. We tested the Lone Peak 9 on Denver trails dotted with puddles on an 18-mile spring run. We learned the hard way that the mesh soaks through immediately when exposed to an inch or more of water – and on cold days, that dry time is a lot longer. If you’re sticking to warm weather and dry routes, though, grab a pair of thin socks and enjoy miles of comfortable pacing.
Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 9?
The Altra Lone Peak 9 are a home run for trail runners, hikers and backpackers who want responsive, fast-drying shoes with a roomy toe box, excellent traction, and a zero-drop design. Whether you’re thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail or running on local routes, these are perfect for anyone who prioritizes footwear with a natural foot shape and a sensitive lacing system. Its low-to-the-ground design makes the Lone Peak 9 feel highly responsive, so despite its heavier weight, it’s good for mixed terrain where ground feel is essential.
However, we don’t recommend the Lone Peak 9 if your top priority is durability or weather resistance. The heel cuff is a bit more stiff than we liked, and the zero-drop design won’t suit everyone’s gait, pace, or foot shape. It’s on the heavy side for trail runners we’ve tested. And, to avoid the risk of injury, you may want to ease slowly into wearing the Lone Peak 9s – especially when transitioning from higher-drop shoes. But for folks who use and love zero-drop shoes, the Altra Lone Peak 9 will quickly become your go-to for both hot and challenging trail conditions.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Check out our lists of the best hiking shoes for men and best trail running shoes for men to see our other top picks.
Lone Peaks are the only zero-drop shoes on our list. But if you want a shoe with more support, consider these stellar options:
Nnormal Kjerag Review: The Kjerags have an even lower stack height than the Altra Lone Peak, so they also offer an excellent, responsive ground feel. They’re much more expensive, but the superior durability and minimalist profile may be worth it.
Brooks Cascadia 18 Review: If you want more heel cushioning and foot support, the Cascadia 18 has a more traditional heel-to-toe drop. It’s a solid all-around trail runner that performs on established routes and moderate terrain.
La Sportiva Bushido III Review: The Bushido also has a low stack height. We find it more comfy, with similarly grippy traction. It’s not nearly as breathable as the Lone Peak 9s, but it’s a great long-distance, do-it-all trail shoe with a lower price point.
