GEAR REVIEW: Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Low Trail Shoe and Trail Gaiter

The latest version of the Altra Lone Peak version 3.5 (low mesh style tested) leaves nearly nothing to complain about. They are very dialed in every detail and dependably provide comfort, support, cushioning, and traction on the trail and off.

By Will Rietveld

I tested the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 for ultralight backpacking. Here are a few things we look for in footwear for hiking and backpacking:

1. Ultralight backpackers usually prefer a trail running shoe because of their light weight. Specifically, we like an all-synthetic upper, moderately cushioned midsole, stability shoe with good rock protection and grippy outsole.
2. We prefer mesh shoes rather than waterproof, because they are cooler to wear and dry out quickly. Waterproof shoes are slow to dry once they get wet inside.
3. Choosing a shoe is all about fit, so footwear is a very personal thing. Once you find a brand you like, stick with it.

That said, I see more UL backpackers wearing Altra footwear than any other shoe. It’s becoming a cult favorite. Why? I explain some of the reasons in this review.

Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Low Mesh shoe. (Altra photo)

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Altra Running (www.altrarunning.com)
Model	Lone Peak 3.5 Low Mesh
Platform	25mm stack height, zero-drop
Weight	Measured weight size men’s 12: 12.25 oz/shoe, mfr specification 9 oz/shoe for men’s size 9
Features	Durable air mesh upper, dual layer EVA midsole, MaxTrac TrailClaw rubber outsole, StoneGuard rock plate, FootShape toebox, Gaiter Trap
MSRP	$120

Description

The Lone Peak is available in four versions for men and women: Low with mesh upper, Low with NeoShell upper, Mid with mesh upper, and Mid with NeoShell upper. I chose the Low with mesh upper because it is the lightest and most breathable version.

I tested the Lone Peak 3.5 Low Mesh style, which is the lightest and most breathable, a common choice by ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers. I also tested the Altra trail Gaiter along with the shoes. Photo taken at the beginning of my testing.

 All Altra shoes have the same basic claim to fame: a wide toebox that provides room for the foot to splay, a snug heelcup, and zero-drop (no heel rise). It’s those key features plus numerous details that make them favorites.

The new version 3.5 is an update, not a makeover. Changes are a more durable mesh upper, drainage holes to help keep feet dry, and a 4-point gaiter attachment. I tested the shoe with Altra’s current Trail Gaiter since their new 4-Point Gaiter was not yet available.

The Lone Peak’s MaxTrac TrailClaw rubber outsole provides plenty of grip for both on-trail and off-trail use.

 Altra states the ideal uses for the Lone Peak 3.5 are: trail running, hiking, fastpacking, and trail racing. That matches my application pretty well. This model has moderate cushioning, rock protection, good padding around the ankle, and a grippy rubber outsole.

Testing

I tested the Lone Peak 3.5 on a total of 15 outings totaling 21 days, which included backpacking, day hiking, and trail running. The shoes got some rough use, far beyond ordinary hiking on trails.

For background information, I tried zero-drop shoes for hiking when they first came out a few years ago, and suffered foot problems from lack of transitioning to them. This time around I transitioned through testing several shoes and boots with 3-4 millimeters of heel rise, which is becoming more common. The move to the zero-drop Altras did not result in any problems, although I still needed to concentrate on developing a whole foot landing rather than a heel strike.

My comments are organized in the following categories:

Design, Materials, and Construction – I love the shoe’s wide toebox and snug heelcup. For me, the extra width is mandatory because I have wide feet. I wore thinner socks in the shoes and used up every bit of width they had, and wished for a little more. Most readers with normal feet should find the toebox roomy. The rand extends out from the upper, which helps protect the upper from abrasion, and gives the shoes a bigger contact area to soften impact and increase traction.

The mesh used in the upper is plenty durable; seams are sewn rather than welded. Inspecting the shoes after my testing, I found some broken stitching here and there, but no seams coming apart. The extended rand helped a lot to reduce abrasion on the upper.

Cushioning and Padding – Just right, in the midsole and around the ankle.

Rock Protection – Again just right. I hiked through a lot of sliderock and didn’t feel a thing through the bottom of the shoes.

Traction – The tread on these shoes is sufficient to get a good grip on a variety of surfaces, and outsole looks like it will last the life of the shoes.

Durability – Despite the rough terrain I have taken them through, the Lone Peak 3.5 is holding up very well. No holes in the uppers, no seams coming apart, and lots of tread left.

Stability – Very good; no problems in most conditions, but some rollover in off-camber situations like hiking across steep sidehills.

Trail Gaiter – I tested Altra’s Trail Gaiter along with the shoe. The shoe has a gaiter hook on the front and a “Gaiter Trap” at the heel, which holds the gaiters securely. The Gaiter Trap is ingenius; two Velcro tabs on the back of the gaiter are sandwiched between two Velcro tabs at the heel of the shoe. I didn’t test Altra’s new 4-Point gaiter, but I must say I am satisfied with the existing attachment. The gaiters rarely came loose and show little or no wear.

Assessment

The latest version of the Altra Lone Peak, version 3.5 low mesh tested, leaves nearly nothing to complain about. They are very dialed in every detail and dependably provide comfort, support, cushioning, and traction on the trail and off.

The Lone Peak 3.5 at the end of my testing period.

My personal preference is for welded uppers, for better durability. The nemesis of wearing trail runners for off-trail backpacking and hiking is broken stitching which results in seams coming apart. After my testing the shoes do have some broken stitching here and there, but the seams are still holding together, so far. Altra must have a reason for staying with stitching on their shoes; perhaps it is the shoe design or stitching method, but it seems to work.

My comments only pertain to the mesh version of the Lone Peak 3.5. The NeoShell version is another animal. Personally, I am quite content with the mesh version: they do get wet easily, but they dry out fast too.

Overall, the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 just gets everything right, making it a near perfect trail shoe. There is a lot to like, and nearly nothing to dislike.