Kit & Gear

REVIEW: Altra Lone Peak 7

BORN A LEGEND. NOW LEGENDARY.

Tackle the trails with confidence in the new Altra Lone Peak 7.

Now equipped with a seamless, stitch-less upper that’s lightweight and durable. With streamlined construction, stay nimble and confident on any terrain. An upgraded MaxTrac™ outsole offers stickiness and grip underfoot while an Altra EGO™ midsole helps achieve the perfect combination of responsiveness and comfort. Let your feet move naturally through nature with Original FootShape™ Fit.

This legendary trail runner is calling for some rugged trail adventures. Will you answer the call?

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Our SportsShoes ambassador Will Harper-Penrose has been busy testing the new Altra Lone Peak 7. Check out his review below;

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SHOP ALL ALTRA LONE PEAK 7 TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

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Altra are currently celebrating their 10th year of producing foot shaped, zero drop shoes. I felt it was time I tried a pair. Like many people do as they get a bit older and realise their mortality, I am constantly looking for ways to look after my body better and prolong its ability to run and run… and run. I’ve been living in barefoot shoes and sandals for the past year but couldn’t manage more than a few miles of running in them without trashing my legs, so when it dawned on me that Altra shoes are the same shape as my barefoot shoes, with a cushion, it seemed like a no brainer. Fortunately this moment of enlightenment came at the same time as the release of the new Altra Lone Peak 7 - a cushioned, trail cruiser with some good looking lugs. I’ve spent the last two weeks in them on just about every terrain available and feel I can write this review with confidence in what I’m saying, which is entirely my own opinion.

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So, what’s new?

This is what Altra has to say about the updates to the long standing, most popular she in their trail line up;

“The legend has evolved. Our best-selling trail shoe is now equipped with a seamless, stitch-less upper that’s lightweight and durable. With streamlined construction, stay nimble and confident on any terrain. An upgraded MaxTrac™ outsole offers stickiness and grip underfoot while an Altra EGO™ midsole helps achieve the perfect combination of responsiveness and comfort. Let your feet move naturally through nature with Original FootShape™ Fit.”

Having spoken to friends, while I eagerly awaited my pair, I was warned about a lack of grip in the Lone Peak 6, so I made it my priority to take myself on the muddiest trails I could find, much to the dismay of my battered adductors. Simply put, I have been very impressed. Famously treacherous, steep field sections on my local parkrun were no problem, relatively speaking. I managed to move up into the front of the race, passing other runners slipping out and being forced to walk the hill. I also survived the muddy descent, with gritted teeth in preparation for some embarrassment. The grip is as good as you would ever need for trail running in the UK and I would imagine, anywhere else. You can of course find grippier shoes, but not without sacrificing some of the comfort for the extra lug depth.

In testament to their claims of lightweight durability, I’ve been running on jagged rocks and there is no sign of wear after 40 miles. They feel well built and I can’t see why they wouldn’t last.

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How would I use this shoe?

The standout selling point of these shoes, for me, is their supreme level of comfort. I’ve never worn a more comfortable pair of shoes… and I have worn a lot of shoes! Now I’ve finished putting them though their paces for this review, I will wear them for easy runs on the trails. I did wear them for a parkrun effort, and they did well, but I think I probably could have gone faster in something less comfortable! I would absolutely have these in my quiver for an ultra and I think changing into these half way through a 50 miler could lift your spirits due to the extreme comfort. Is extreme comfort an oxymoron? Another win for these shoes is their stability. Being zero drop quite literally keeps you grounded and lets your feet move in a much more natural way. I haven’t rolled my ankle once in them, which I sometimes do with a stacked heel.

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When wouldn’t I use this shoe?

I wouldn’t wear the Lone Peak 7s for fell or open moorland running as I’d want something with deeper lugs, but for typical trails, they’re perfect. I doubt I’ll wear them for short races as I would opt for something a bit lighter with a more aggressive feel to them. Sometimes it feels good to be uncomfortable I suppose… run faster so you can take the shoes off quicker.

Overall, this shoe is an incredibly comfortable, all round trail shoe with good grip suitable for virtually all types of trails and conditions. If you’re considering moving to zero drop or barefoot shoes, this is a very good place to start.

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SHOP ALL ALTRA LONE PEAK 7 TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

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