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Why I Won't Be Buying Altra Shoes Anymore
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2019
- After 6 years of wearing Altra Running shoes for long distance hiking, thru hiking, and of course running I'm ready to move on. The Lone Peak shoes were my go to for many years, but after they changed the design one to many times I've realized the shoes just aren't what they are advertised as and don't really suit me anymore.
I recognize how many people do love them, and you may! If you'd like to try out any of the shoes mentioned in the video for yourself, check out your local running or hiking store, or you can take a look here.
Lone Peak - amzn.to/2ZeYGfQ
Superior - amzn.to/2WjSG3n
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Sounds like to me, when our hiking days are over, we could possibly persue long-distance swimming, with our newly acquired wider feet.
This should be top comment. Maybe I should take up triathlons
My local shoe store just told me that Altra is bringing out a wide version of the Lone Peak in the spring of 2021.
If you want to compare the sizing of the shoe internally the best way I've found is to compare their insoles. Just pop it out, put them back to back and you can see the fit. You can also place your bare foot on the insole to see exactly where any width issues are.
beginning of video...."well i know my feet haven't changed over the years, so it's obviously the shoes"....later in the video "year after year of hiking your feet will begin to widen and adapt"
my feet are no longer changing* where as within my first 3 years of hiking I went up like 3 sizes from the skateboard shoes I wore as a younger non walking all the time fellow
I was thinking the same thing. After 1000's of miles your feet remodel and widen. Its probably not the shoe.
@@FastEddieDee I think JupiterHikes is saying that his feet did change in the beginning but after a while they've settled after all of his hiking
Feet: Am I a joke to you?
Also, the old Altras are still comfortable to him.
So here we are 2022.. What shoe have u been wearing??? I'm about to switch my Salomon to Innov8 Trailtalon 290 V2. Curious what you found..
I've been through 12 pairs of Altras, 10 of them the Lone Peaks. You're absolutely right, they changed a lot (women's versions even worse, very narrow, so I use men's), 4.0s are actually wider, the fabric is thinner too, like in the Superiors. I'd like to try something else too if I could find it...
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@@jakubdobrosielski5709 Nie
Hi Jupiter, It’s funny, I’ve had the same experience with Altras. I miss my Lone Peak 1.0’s! I too tried the Superior’s and then went back to Lone Peaks for my AZT thru-hike. When I was just about to give up I tried the Altra Timp’s. They are awesome in my opinion. Just the right amount of cushion for thru-hiking and they feel like the early version of Altras with a generous toe box. Now I train in my Luna Mono’s and thru-hike in Timps. Maybe give them a try.
I had a very similar experience with the Lone Peak 3.5. However, for me, the Superior 4 work very well.
Hey Jupiter. Have you ever tried the Altra Timp? I've used the Lone Peak 2.5, 3.0, and I did not like the 3.5, so went back to the 3.0 on my PCT Thru Hike, then made the switch to the Timp 1.0 when it came out. And now I'm currently rocking the Timp 1.5. Love it! It is reminiscent of the original Lone Peaks with the wide toe box. I don't see myself going back to the Lone Peaks.
the 1.5 is amazing!!!!
Timp ?? 1.5 Gotta try now , I think Darwin On The Trail has a recent review of it as well !! Going to that YT vid now ...
4mm more cushion.
I also switched to Timps from Lone Peaks. My Lone Peaks were amazzzing but the newer version didn't feel good to me so I switched to the Timp 1.5 and now 2.0 from Lone Peak 3.0. I am curious about the new brand Topo, too.
Same boat. I’ve kept a warn-out pair of Loe Peak 3.0s around as my ‘whatever’ shoes just because they’re so darn comfortable. But I switched to Timp 1.5s last year to hike. They’re not perfect tho. While the fit is nearly as good as the old Lone Peaks and the sole has lasted much longer (even the toe cap), Timps can get slippery on wet rock-type stuff. They don’t have the same grip. So there is a trade-off. Still holding out hope of stumbling upon another set of Lone Peak 3.0s at a mom&pop shop one day tho.
I surprisingly enjoyed the Superior 4’s. Did a whole tough mudder in them and they did really well. Still running in the same pair and all is well. Only flaw in my opinion is the ridiculously long laces.
Not sure if you’ve tried the Altra Lone Peak 4.0, but they are definitely wider than the previous 3.0 & 3.5 versions.
I have a pair of 3.5s and 4.0s. 4s are definitely smaller.
@@gnostikz8995 Shoes are definitely a personal preference thing - I've had my Lone Peak 4.0 mids (not low tops) and I used them on the Lost Coat Trail last October. I had no issues with stability on that very rocky "trail", despite wet rocks, seaweed/mossy surfaces, etc. I definitely believe it has a bit to do with the ankle support of the mid design. I wouldn't recommend a low top shoe with a tall outsole like the LP on technical trails, but would try them on a thru-hike where the trails are pretty well defined and less iffy. I did however, have a little delamination on the instep of the LP, maybe due to getting absolutely soggy with sea water and continuing to tackle the huge cobblestones on the LCT. I addressed this with Altra and they offered to replace them with no issues. I declined, as the delam was minimal, and they have been great since, with no further delam. YMMV though, as with all shoes.
My first pair were the red ones you showed. 2.5's? That version was slightly loose fitting but, then the Lone Peak 3.0 came out and it fit perfect. Another shoe that's really good is the Xero TerraFlex. They have a really nice fit system. I also change all my trail shoes to speed lacing. Its easier to get that all around snug fit. Injinji merino wool toe socks too.
I indeed had to get used to my Altra Timps, they force a different gait plus more use of calf muscles and more stretch of Achilles tendons. I feel I am using more energy for a given distance than with 'normal' shoes. But they are very wide in the toe box indeed. As my 'normal' shoes which are fairly wide I use shoes from the Meindl comfort fit series. Not zero drop, made of leather, heavier, generally a longer-lasting sole. Anyone familiar with wide Keen shoes, Hoka and Merrell also seem to have wide models?
Have you considered Topos? I've tried them once, on the TRT, and were OK. The traction is not the best and the insole is pretty flimsy but they are super wide at the toe box. They're also cheaper than altra and do offer a slight drop (3 mm).
A lot of folks recommending topo! I'm checking them out now, the runventure 2 looks really nice at first glance. I don't normally like buying different insoles (just use what my shoes come with) but maybe that would be the jam for these if it's flimsy Thank you for the suggestion and info
I actually hiked w the MT2’s but just tried the runventure at rei today and felt a lot better insole-wise.
👍
I am currently wearing ultraventures. I had to size up to get the wideness I wanted. Why won't manufacturers make wide sizes?
All my topo shows broke down in half the time of a normal shoe. Loved them but no durability
Altra 3.0 is the golden shoe in my opinion. I just went through my last pair... I recently purchased the superior 4.0 and ran into the same problem! I have returned that shoe and purchased the Lone Peak 4.0. What I have done is take out the insole on the Lone Peak 4.0 and that has been my solution for the time being. Flying out to Colorado on June 22nd and starting my thru of the CT on June 24th. and using my Lone Peak 4.0's with no insoles!
Agree. The 3 was the perfect trail shoe.
I really agree with the use of minimal shoes when not thru hiking. I wear Vivo barefoot shoes and they are amazing. They have trail shoes and after about 3 years of wearing only these everyday and on my hikes my feet are significantly stronger. Gearing up for a CDT thru in 2021 and went for a training hike yesterday. My pack on the cdt will have a base weight of 10 lbs but I packed a bag full of weights and went for a 4 mile hike. The pack was about 60 pounds and the day after the only parts of my body that were sore were my legs and shoulders, feet perfectly fine. I'm excited to see how tough my feet are when I throw on a mid sized pair of hiking shoes.
I have 6 pairs of Altra, mostly Lone Peaks. All that are 3.0 and older are wonderful. Every pair of 3.5 I ordered from Amazon I had to return. The shoes really did change. When all these wear out I hope Altra has all this worked out.
Some people are saying here the 4.0 are more like the 3.0 while the 3.5 was the worst. All these changes and reverts making my head spin. I'll have to try on the 4.0 locally if I can to see what I think
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject. Getting the correct pair of shoes is such a matter of personal preference, and personal requirement. There are a few who hike barefoot, or with sandals, and complete the long trails. They don't have issues with their feet. On the other end of the spectrum there are hikers who hike in traditional hiking boots, and do long distances with heavy packs, have done so for years, and are happy. Like everything in backpacking it's important to hike your own hike. One comment noted that large companies change factories often. They do it to save a dollar a pair, or even twenty five cents a pair. You would think that they want to keep the quality up, but they want to balance quality with profit, with profit being the most important factor.
Higher end makers of shoes don't change factories, they own their factories. Those manufacturers will often use a third party sole manufacturer's sole with their shoe such as Vibram, or Michelin soles. These soles will cost the shoe manufacturer more to buy than the total cost of producing a pair or shoes by the bigger companies who are buying cheaper sole components, and, I would suspect that Altra is making their own sole components to supply to the factory they use at the time to construct the shoe. Altra would be doing this to increase profit, not quality, and certainly not durability.
I think most folks have the notion that a shoe company has a factory where shoes are made by magic. In addition to the soles, all components of the shoe are sourced. The shoe factory doesn't make laces, eyelets, leather, nylon, mesh, thread, or insoles. The shoe factory puts the components together. Better shoes are built with better components. The marketing budget for the mass marketing large shoe companies is tremendous, much larger than R&D. Which is why, when new ownership comes, and they have to cut costs, they find a factory that will make the shoes cheaper. The new factory has different lasts which they try to adapt to the shoe, and in the case you mentioned, the new version of the shoe fits differently. In this case tighter. It is much easier to tell their representatives that nothing has changed with the way the shoes fit, and the representative is paid to represent, not technically a lie because the rep doesn't know any better, but not true. And, they take our money.
I have hiked in Zamberlin, and La Sportiva for years. There are many other good manufacturers such as Saucony, Salomon, and Brooks which I have used. Five years ago Brooks Cascadia were the overwhelming favorite, but they changed last for the following year, the their popularity dwindled. I don't like all offerings from any company.
Sorry for the long comment. Thanks for sharing your video. I view you as one of the backpacking community's elite hikers, and I appreciate, and look forward to your point of view on all things hiking.
Thank you for the well thought out and informative comment! I appreciate the information. I tried to explain my issue through the experience I've had and the shoes I've worn over a long time. I know I can't explain it perfectly but felt I did a well enough job. Shoes are such a personal thing, and as you say as well they change over the years. Whether it's the manufacturing process, the design, the making of them more mainstream, whatever it may be. It's difficult finding that perfect shoe and come 2017 when my favorite one no longer fit me I was pretty gutted! I actually stopped the hiking I was doing at the moment with foot problems because of it. Anyhow the search continues!
@@JupiterHikes Your information was perfectly presented, well researched, and informative. In my comment I was trying to address another comment which I felt was aggressive, and completely missed your point of view. I don't like trolls, or high conflict behavior. I won't respond to their comment by replying directly in that that is what they want. Keep us updated on what you find.
@@chriskennedy7321 Hahaha I think we are in the same boat. I got a few comments saying some weird things, and possibly that bled into this. So far what I've learned reading through all of the comments here I would probably like Topo shoes, or maybe just a thicker New Balance since they offer very wide options. Happy I posted this video as the comments themselves have been full of good stuff!
@@JupiterHikes I have worn New Balance, I like them, and the experience including durability has always been outstanding. With that said, please try a pair of the Topo brand.
I happily backpack with Lone Peak 4s and trail-run with Superior 4s, and do both with the same replacement insole (in my case, a Powerstep Pinnacle Plus Met, which has a bump that gives the bottom of my foot a nice massage while I walk, and has cured a bit of Morton's neuroma on one side). IMHO the insole makes a big difference and that can be customized
Lone Peak 2.5 and 3.0, I wore size 10.5. Lone Peak 3.5, I wore size 11. Now with the Lone Peak 4.0, I'm back to size 10.5 and they have more room than the size 11 3.5s. They work well for me, but I have a fairly narrow and low arched foot so width is rarely an issue unless it's too wide. I've also worn a couple pairs of the Superior 2.0s. They're not as wide as the Lone Peaks.
Russell in the Bush agreed. 4.0’s have been good for me in my standard size.
Try taking the insoles out. That made my Superior 3.5's fit perfectly.
Several months ago while in a specialty shoe store, I wanted to try some altras. The owner said they were having problems getting Altras in stock. The Altra company had changed ownership and they were back logged. She suggested my husband try a different brand. Maybe Altras have been having problems for awhile? Maybe they are not the same shoes?
Interesting info! Maybe a change in leadership has made them more mainstream the design. I dont know, I kind of figured that to please share holders or business stuff they make drastic changes every year to show they are still innovating or improving. Unfortunately that innovation and improvement hasn't really suited me haha
Ownership definitely changed, they're now owned by the company that owns North Face : www.runnersworld.com/news/a20866256/altra-sold-to-vf-corporation/
ah! that explains it!!
I haven't liked the Superior since the 2.0. The Superior 2.5 is okayish. anything newer than that is just no good, totally different shoe.
Topo and NB Leadville are shoes I have found to have nice wide toe boxes. I switched from leadville to Topo because the NB were too sloppy in the heel (for me). Topo mt2 is only 3 mm drop and a goldilocks shoe in terms of cushion, not too little, not too much. Might be a nice lone peak replacement.
Thanks fr the suggestion! I havent even heard of topo before! But I see quite a few comments here mentioning them. I'll give it a look.
New Balance Leadvilles were discontinued. I loved them :(
@@trashpanda4583 didn't realize. That sucks! They were amazing shoes
I started using elastic shoelace. Costed 0,5 dollar and helped me with my altra olimpus 3,5 mid foot nail like pain trouble. It did get them to be less stable on side slopes one other hand.
I wear New Balance Trail 690v2. I've gone through 4 pairs. They're an almost perfect balance between minimal and padded. Never had blister problems, always comfortable walking and running long distances, but I still get a natural gait. They're typically sold on the big main websites around $90, but I've always managed to find them for $60.
I was an Altra Torin user for several years. They have change the design and the width is making the shoe no longer useable for me. It is truley dissapointing they have changed things - could this have happened with the sale of Altra?
Im training for my first long distance hike and I hike essentially barefoot in minimalist sandals. I couldn’t even do 10 mile hikes at first because my feet hurt so bad but after a few months a 10 mile hike feels normal again. That minimalist footwear is definitely strengthening my footwork and muscles. When i put on my altras its like walking on a cloud now lol
I had some Altra Superior 3.5s. I really liked the fit initially, but they were more minimal than I wanted and they fell apart after about 150 miles of trail running. I won't be getting Altras again because I think they failed basic durability tests. I bought some Topo Ultraventures and I love them so far. Try Topos out!
Try the ultra timp 1.0 widest toe box, or topo ultraventure , not as wide but a good sole firmer midsole. I have lp 3 neo, lp3.5 olympus and the above. Both lone peaks felt narrow and rubbed the sides of my foot. Timps for room, cushion and zero drop, topo for secure fit, durability.
Mike R Timp 1.0 is the best for me. I have a very wide athletic foot. Lone peaks are too tight in mid upper. Timp also has a little more cushion than lone peaks. Tow box is spacious for sure!
I found some for 75 new and bought 2. Just as back ups. I have 3 and they’ve been amazing.
Ya the timp was really comfy for me but not durable at all compare to the LP. The sides always blow out really quick.
@@jessen_0124 i had my first pair of timps split on the side but i got them sewn back together and they are fine, second pair is still new so fingers crossed.
@@getlost3094 exactly the mid upper is where they are tight, timps dont seems to get any love compared to lone peaks on TH-cam
I had the same experience with the lone peak. I now use the Altra Timp 1.5 which have the perfect amount of stack or rubber between your feet and the ground. I have a wide foot and the Superior 4 is great. You must have a very wide foot maybe EEE. The Lone Peak are still too narrow compared to the Timp 1.5. Hoka now has several models in wide versions.
I used to love The North Face Unlta Trail shoe. Then there was the 2.0, which was also good. It was my perfect trail runnig shoe.
Jupiter Shoe Co. (Permission to use)
Whats slowing YOU down from becoming a cobbler?
I think maybe I should start with shelters and packs then work my way up to shoes!!
@@JupiterHikes your shelter is an oversized napkin, and too many companies make packs. Is there a single cottage company that does shoes?
But then again, the cool thing about capitalism is you can make the same things other people make(with your own twists) and have success if its a quality product in a demand.
Good video! Wide shoes are also my problem! Will be interesting to see what you find. Thanks for the update!
I'll keep you updated! I hope this long thread of comments can be a good resource into potential new shoes!!
A lot of people are recommending Topo shoes, and from first glance they look really nice, specifically looking at the Runventure 2 right now.
As someone with feet issues I advocate taking more than one pair. Something like the lone-peak, for more difficult terrain. A more minimum shoes for general use. And a very light minimal shoe for multiple uses. As a camp shoe. A water crossing shoe. As a dry pair when the others are wet. As an emergency pair if the others are wet and frostbite is a risk. Or in case one of the others fail, fall apart. The extra weight of the two lighter pairs is very minimal and worth it for me. Typically I start the day in the most minimal pair possible for the conditions. My feet will fatigue after a few hours at which point I swap out for a heavier pair. Again, this is what works best for my feet, and whole body for that matter. Give it a try boys and girls 😉
Sounds like a plan!!! I'll give this a go on my next hike
Good idea
I've had my Superior 4 for about a month now, have hiked around 60 miles on them and find the pad of my foot is super sore ☹️, don't have blisters anymore (that other brands give) BUT now have a new issue. Blah still looking for the perfect shoe.
I'm new to the Alrra brand, but had done my research and had heard many people say the lone peak 3.5 were not as wide. When I went to try on shoes, I tried on a number of brands, and both the lone peak 4.0 and the Timp 1.5. Since I never wore the lone peaks, I don't know how they fit before the newest models, but I can say the Timp 1.5s are amazing! Unless they decide to change the Timps, I'll be loyal to that model and brand. But, companies do weird things, so we will see.
I have a pair of Hi-Tech leather hiking boots from New Zealand and they're 10+years old very roomy in the lower foot/toe area. I re-glued both sole/treads back on and re-paired the sole wear with elastomeric rubber. Also used a leather conditioner and restitched worn thread. I bought a hiking boot from their all synthetic range and they're crap after 2 months both soles peeled away completely and the upper tore apart.
Great review. My orthotics fit the 3.5 perfectly. They did not fit in the 4.0 version. Additionally, I believe they got cheap with the material so they could make the shoe lighter and it bit them in the ass. I’m sad. The 3.5 was nirvana
Try Nike XC Rival 2 sizes up cheap at £45 and zero drop, lightweight, breathable, very soft heel cup, no insole crash rail and durable I got 3000km running out of them so far. I agree Altra are not wide they just have a bigger toebox. The balls of my feet hang over the edge of the insole crash rail which caused huge painful blisters. I want a shoe like the Nike XC Rival but wider in the ball of foot.
Thank you for this video though three years dated, it confirms my own experience: I had hiked with Altra Timp shoes for years...loved them!! So purchased another pair that arrived just before a three day hike. I noticed something was different but used them anyway - what a mistake!! Lost a toe nail and two others went black. I visited a store to try on different sizes but none where the same as the original ones. My feet had not changed: clearly, the Altra shoes did! I tried different types -Lone Peak, and few others- same issue. This is SO disappointing ...why is it that something so perfect had to change?!!
Please try the Altra Timp 1.5 before swearing off Altras. They're right up your alley in terms of a wide toe box and a good amount of cushioning (a bit more than the Lone Peaks) but they aren't maximalist. They're Altra's highest-rated trail runners in their current lineup and are a big improvement over the original Timps. And prices have started to come down on them.
Have you tried Topo? The Topo's have very similar wide foot design, but they are not zero drop..
something a little different there is a company that has made hiking boots for awhile that has entered the trailrunner market called hi-tec.i just recently saw them at a store that sells discounted name brand shoes.store was called shoe deptment encore.great prices and they have stores all over.hi-tec roundtoe and hi-tec badwater seem be the most popular hope this helps
Just got the Merrel Bare Flex. More cushionned than the Vapor Glove, wide toe box (wider than Altra). And cheaper. Haven't tried it on a thru-hike tho. And the grip better than Altra too (I didn't feel confortable/stable with their grip…)
I got the xero terraflex and I'm very happy with them so far, I've not been able to take it on a long hike yet but wearing it around at home and for work they are extremely comfortable. but I'm not sure they're what you're looking for being pretty minimalist. but if you left the insole in they might work pretty well for you, it's something to look at anyway.
Mine lasted 2 months lone peak 5. Had a pair of lems for 3 years. Already have holes here toe metatarsal connects to foot. And threads coming undone and shoe falling apart. AFTER 2 MONTHS.
That's a really relatable problem, from a runner's point of view. I run marathons myself, and have experienced the same thing.. you had a go-to shoe for years, but suddenly, the next version is different. I was like: 'keep your dirty restyling hands off of my shoe!' But unfortunately, shoes are like fashion, now, for some reason, and companies try to reinvent something every year. Which wouldn't be a problem if they actually improved shoes (as far as that is possible anyway), but... the way I heard it is that because they now need annual updates (because that is what the competititon does, adding an extra layer here or new stability thingy there), there is no longer enough time to wait for all the reviews coming in to hear what works and what doesn't. So they re-invent the shoe without knowing exactly what to keep and what to get rid of, making it a hit or miss kind of thing.... That would be okay if they renamed the shoe and kept making the old one as well, but that's now how it works, apparently. Annoying as hell. Anyway - regarding switching shoe types for races - for me that depends on the race. I run in three different types of shoes. The minimal kind are lighter and faster, so for short races, like a 5K, the average kind I can use for anything up to a half marathon, but I use my heavy shoes with lots of cushioning for my marathons. The impact of walking is different of course, but I can imagine the cushioning feels good. Just follow your own advice and don't start your long hikes without letting your feet get used to the different shoe. There is another bonus of training on different types of shoes as well: since they are all slightly different, there is a difference in which muscles are trained most, so your muscles develop more evenly, and that helps when you get tired: tired muscles get support from muscles you normally don't use that much, so if you manage to train those by using different shoes (go for different brands as well!), it could help. Or so I am told, anyway. Hope that info is useful for someone.
Same problem here with the Olympus 5.0, when I think about my lonepeak 2.0 neoshell ...
Hey Jupiter, You should try the Brooks Caldera 3s if you haven’t already. They aren’t the $50 option you had mentioned, but they have a similar feel to Altras, medium weight, 4mm heal to toe drop and very durable. Iv had all 3 versions, #1 I think was the best, wasn’t a fan of the 2s and after resisting the #3s and trying other shoes, Iv come back to it and still love the cushion and fit.
I switched to Merrill vapor gloves three years ago. My plantar fasciitis is gone
Hey! I'm surprised the Merrill's aren't getting more love. I actually love the trail gloves. I have been a merrell fan for about 15 years.
@@chefegzyle yeah, I started with the vapor glove, barefoot on hot black top is a bit too hardcore for me LoL.
The toe box is fine, the sole of the shoe IS wide, it's the part of the shoe that goes over your big toe joint, there's just less material on the upper making them feel right.
Is the Chinese manufacturer trying to use less material?
They are not finished as well as they used to be, where the tongue attaches to the upper.
Was heart broken when I tried on a new pair yesterday
The LP 3.5 definitely fit tight/shorter than earlier miles. I don't care what any rep says. You are correct. I skipped that pair because of it. However, the LP 4.0 is my second favorite pair of LP's ever (following v1). The Superior is not a comparable model. It is not the same shoe. Thinner midsole, more fitted last, meant to go fast. You need to check out the new LP or the new Timp.
This is how I ended up in La Sportiva Wildcats. More cushion, a bit more foot protection, pretty stretchy toe box and they're durable.
I agree with this shoe choice, been wearing them for years and they really do hold up well. When broken in they are pretty wide in the forefoot. only problem i have is the toe box is a little narrow for me.
I've never seen a pair of La Sportiva's that wasn't super super narrow in the midfoot.
@@jgalt99 I know the heels are narrow, maybe I have a narrow midfoot.
@@davidsixtwo Yeah, it just comes down to what fits for your foot. Makes it really hard to choose a shoe based on reviews and anecdotal testimony from different people. Best bet is to go try on a bunch of shoes somewhere that carries a wide variety and then when you find something that fits great, you buy several year's worth of shoes because they'll inevitably change something.
@@jgalt99 it's true, but I can still speak highly of the durability. I had a similar thing with the Cascadia a few years ago, people were switching to them for thru-hiking and I found them too tight in the toe box.
Seems like shoe manufacturers confuse cushion, grip and trail-feel? Soft soles grip and cushion, but don't protect. The ideal shoe has zero thickness, protects from sharp rocks and cushions like a pillow. These are conflicting requirements, as is often the case engineering gear. Today, the best shoes are sole durometer 50-ish and maybe a couple cushion layers 10 or less. Shoe manufacturers might consider less cushion and instead inserting a perforated high-durometer (100+) thin layer between for modest rock protection? (more...)
The reason we like minimalist shoes is closeness to the ground. The higher the shoe, the more likely teetering and twisting ankles. Thiner is better. But, minimalist shoes fail protection. Many confuse trail-feel for height? We don't need twisty shoes we can crumple into our fist, we need thin soles so we're not effectively on stilts? Users are confusing cushion with (rock) protection. Lone-Peaks protect by piling cushion high.
A perforated strike plate between sole and cushion enables both a much thinner base, more protection and still plenty of cushion. This topic is debated endlessly for rock-climbing boots, but not much for trail-runners. Nor is it resolved for rock-boots, since they are normally discussing non-perforated and inflexible strike-plates, where we are discussing bendable plate to slightly distribute point loads (sharp rocks). Effectively replacing the excess cushion currently (mis)used for pointy-rock protection. End result could be a much thinner Altra or a slightly thicker Minimalist (with rock-protection). Best of both in an ultralight trail-runner?
Wow! I have had the exact same issue, and gave up on the exact same model. I think it’s the change in material. I just discovered the new Altra TMP, they feel very similar to the old Altra Lone Peak, and I’m back on Altra now, with the TMP 1.5. Give it a go!
Have you looked at the Topo Athletic Terraventure 2? Wide like the old Lone-Peaks with the same cushioning on a vibram sole. They feel a little more "structured" than a Lone-Peak so not quite as minimal but still very light.
I love the Lone Peaks but had to size up by a half size when going from the 3.0 to 3.5. The 3.5 is definitely sized different (smaller) than the rest. The 4.0 is back to the same sizing as the 3.0. That said 3.0 was my favorite shoe of all time. Lone Peaks still the best I’ve found for my feet. Good video. Never hurts to re-evaluate and find what works for you.
Maybe I'll have to give the 4.0 a shot! Thanks for the info!
Try Olympus. I am still were 2.5, co the newer version may have the same issues as the lone Peak
I have the Altra Timps and really like them. The Lone Peaks were too narrow/tight on my feet
Except for that silly rudder/lip on the heel...Timps are great except for that stupid "feature". Timps look thick, and start a little thick, but they lose some of that quickly and feel more like the old Lone Peaks.
Sounds like you have a very high-volume foot and like a very minimal fit.
The Lone Peak 2.5 to 3 was a significant shift from a single spacer mesh upper to a much more reinforced upper with quarter panel overlays. The 2.5 was a very soft upper but cornering on it was very sloppy.
There was no last change from the 2.5-3.0. it's built of the exact same shape. Since the mesh doesn't stretch as much on more reinforced uppers, they'll feel tighter.
You could try the lone Peak wides. It's the same tooling width but a higher instep. Enjoy.
Maybe try Topo Athletics. About the same price as Altra, but different brand might be just right. They do have a drop, but might be worth a look.
Very interesting Jupiter....I've been using Atlra Lone Peaks for about 3 years starting with the 3's then the 4's and wasn't happy with how my heal would get sore after high mileage so I went to the Timp 1.5's, which seem to be slightly thicker, and have really enjoyed them over the past few months. Would also like to try the Olympus 3's eventually....wondering why you haven't tried them? Curious to see what Altra does next as I am still in search of the perfect shoe.
I haven't gone for the olympus because the stack height is just too large. It certainly works for some people(thats why it's hard to talk about shoes!! Very personal) but I find that too much cushion or too large of a stack height and the shoe becomes unstable, that rolling your ankle becomes a very real issue since you're so high up off the ground. So just looking for something with a middle of the road stack, like the lone peaks, but wider
Watching this in early 2023, I see lone peaks now also come in a wide variation, have you tried these? And if so did they solve your problem?
What particular model of "new balance minimalist" shoe is that ???? Thanks
Maybe you should check out the Altra Goldilocks 1.0 you probably enjoy them.
Well thought out comments. I’ve been hunting for the right shoe for years. I hike a lot, and have always had problem feet. I’ve tried orthotics, no orthotics, heavy, light, minimal, blah blah blah. The last three years I’ve been trying Altras. They’re good, but certainly not perfect. I’ve had two pairs of Lone Peaks and three Timps. In there was also a pair of Oboz (total fail). I’d say for me, the Timps were better. They’re definitely wider than the Lone Peaks, and provide more cushion. Ultimately, I too am looking elsewhere. Altras don’t last, and aren’t meant to; however, I don’t fancy constant purchases at $120 a shot. Perhaps the new Adidas? I’ll be very interested in what you try,and what you settle on. One last thought: I like high gaiters. I’d love to have a zero drop shoe, that had some kind of provision for a strap underneath. Flat bottom shoes wear through gaiter straps! Shoe companies take note! Please?
Big fan of the Altra superior 3.0. Been using with heel that pain heel seats for 2-3 years. The heel cups take about 2 weeks of everyday walking to get use to them but then they feel good and add just s bit of heel cushion to the minimalist shoe. 🤘
You're echoing what I've heard a lot of people say about the Lone Peak 3.5s, if that's what the last model shoe you were showing is. From the 3.0 to the 3.5 they definitely did change the way the shoes fit and everyone was talking about that last year. I wore Inov8 shoes for years and just 6mo ago switched to Altras to see what all the fuss was about. I'm currently wearing the Lone Peak 4 and it's the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. I loved the light weight, 0 drop and outsole of the Inov8 Trailroc, but they were always a bit narrow for me. Never to the point of getting blisters, but on long mileage days (anything over 18, really) I couldn't wait to get them off my feet. With the Lone Peak 4s they just fit my feet perfectly. I'm thinking about buying 5-6 pairs just in case they change them again next version. This is the same for every shoe manufacturer I've ever experienced.
I liked my 3.0's so much I also bought several pairs. I waited until the 3.5 was introduced and got the 3.0s at sale prices. I'm down to my last pair. Never had a blister from them.
Love my Altra Superior 3.0. Tried 3.5, 4.0 and decided that Altra's acquisition to VF resulted in material and some design modifications to rid itself of inefficiencies, aka make more money to show shareholders it was a good ROI. I see this happen a lot.
Had a pair of Lone Peak 2.5. I liked the zero drop, but I always rolled my ankles in them. They had zero grip on wet surfaces creating insecure foot placements when scrambling over rocks, crossing streams, etc. Additonally, I got blisters on my toes every time my feet got wet. The shoes didn't even drain water that well compared to other trail running shoes. I don't use gaiters, and the shoes took in so much dirt and debris. My go to shoes are currently La Sportiva's Bushido 2's and I've had none of these issues. My lone peaks are now used for yard work.
I'm curious, did you ever solve this problem? I'm in the same boat-I've been using Altra Timp 1.5s and they're the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn. It's time to replace them, and after doing some reading, I'm pretty sure the Timp 2.0s aren't going to work for me. I'm leaning toward trying out a pair of Topo Athletic Ultraventures, which have a similar amount of cushion to the Timp and also a wide toe box (though not quite as wide as Altra's. It sounds like the Terraventure 2 might be a good choice for you, since their rock plate and cushioning is comparable to the Lone Peak. They do have a bit of a drop, but reviewers seem to say they can barely tell the difference from Altra's zero drop.
Danner trail shoe. They are named something like the 2650. Also, and this might sound crazy but the Sketcher brand makes some very good walking shoes.
I just thru hiked the long trail in Lone Peak 4s. They blew out on the sides 100 miles in and cut my foot where the shoe has torn at about 75 miles to go. It was my 2nd pair of Lone Peak 4s. Hadn’t had issues before. Not sure what the deal is. Maybe the 300 miles of mid through VT was too much for them
I end up training for hikes hundreds of more miles than I hike. So I have been going to big5 and buy new balance running shoes wide width. They last much longer than my altras. Not quite as comfortable but they hold up well and don't hurt my feet.
I also could no longer wear the Lone Peaks when they updated to the 3.5. Tried the Superior 3.5's, no good for me. Used Hoka Challengers for the PCT. Pretty good, but too narrow at the toes, and had an underwhelming outsole. I used Merrel Trail gloves for a bit, but couldn't use them for more than a few miles. I have about 300 miles on a pair of Topo Ultraventures, and they are solid for distance. One complaint is that the outsole has a little bit of separation on the interio/arch at this point. But yes, I've learned from ultrarunners and endurance athletes that shoe rotation is important.
I have problematically wide feet which make getting shoes for any of the sports I do, pretty tricky. I tried some Altra lone peaks recently for trail running and was disappointed, as you say, for a company that professes to be ‘wide fitting’ to find they were the tightest I tried on that day! The toe box was OK, but for someone with GENUINELY wide feet rather than just a wide toe box preference, the midfoot was way too narrow, leading to a violent crease across the upper where my near bursting midfoot transitioned to spacious toe box... Topo were certainly better, but I was still a tad concerned about tightness after foot swelling and settled on some Saucony’s.
What do you normally wear (or did you wear as this post is 2 years old lol)
I had the same problem. I've seen them be more narrow across all of Altra's lines. I'm primarily a road runner and fell in love with Altra's shoes on the One v2.0. the 2.5 was perfect, and the 3.0 was horrible. I can't run in escelantes or nearly any of their shoes aside from the solstice, which is narrow but doesn't hurt. I buy the one v2.5 by the dozen off of Amazon. You might be able to find old versions still available online.
I just got a pair of Altra Superiors (I think 4.0), as there was a great REI sale.
I did a 17.7 mile hike on the AT in New Jersey a few days ago, and there was zero traction on many of the rocks. Granted, many had at least some moss on them, and I did get rained on twice, including an absolute torrential downpour for well over an hour (the trail became a creek, and I was constantly wading through ankle-deep water).
I managed to adapt to the shoes about halfway through, where I was slipping on the rocks. I’m doing a 55 mile hike this weekend, to finish all but the last 2 miles on the AT in Jersey, and am also considering a take 2 with the Superiors.
Edited to add that my previous hiking shoes included a pair of LA Sportica’s (or whatever their name is), as well as a pair of Solomon river hiking shoes, both of which were super reliable.
Giving the number on the lonepeak shoes would have been nice.
New Balance MT410v5, 2 sizes up with a Superfeet Green insole.
I bought lone peak 4.5 just to return them 6 hrs later. I have an old 3.0 that I ware every day! had it since 2018. Fantastic fit ! Can't find them no more at least not in my size ! So today I bought a pair Of torine ! It feels comfy! Lets see how it wares down the line !
I'm still looking to hunt down a pair of lone peak 3.0 ! The lone peak 4.5 just gave me blisters as the back of the shoe is curbed and its Built high So it pokes and rubs against the Achilles heel!
I guess they dont make them like they used to !
I have a pair of 2021 and they are very comfortable for a wide foot, but not for a “tall” foot. There is a plastic band that spans the width of the shoe at the top of the toe box which is not comfortable at times. 😕 better than a pair of oboz out of the box tho, trying those on in the store were great but new they were very off, didn’t give them a chance to be broken in and maybe that was the issue
The comments led me to order the Topo Athletics Terraventure 2, they seem durable with the vibram sole and big toe box. If it weren't for this video I'd be doing a 250 mile hike in the AL 3.5 :) Thank you!
Have worn New Balance training shoes for years... 15 years. When I got interested in backpacking, went to Big5 and got HiTec boots. $50 on sale. That was 4 yrs ago and I wear the HiTec boots everyday all day. My 1st pair was size 12 but the next pair were 13. Still wear 13. The boots are light weight over the ankle. The over the ankle part has saved me from falling a few times and twisting my ankle which did happen about every 2 yrs. Will never go back to the low cut shoe. I put a thick rubber insert in the boot and only on a real rocky trail would I like a stiffer or thicker sole.
Hoka One One shoes offer the best cushion.
I like the Hoka One One Sky Kaha boots, but they have tons of other shoes, sneakers, and boots.
The socks you wear are very important too, and affect the tightness and comfort level of the shoe or boot.
I test all kinds of socks, and the Smartwool Phd medium cushion hiking socks work great, as do the Bridgedale, Darn Tough, Farm to Feet, Point 6, and Wigwam hiking socks.
One could also wear a liner sock, and a lightweight hiking sock combination.
I sometimes wear an Injini Toe sock liner, under a lightweight, or medium cushion hiking sock. Having each toe separated seems to be more supportive, and comfortable.
Some companies like Wrightsock, and Wigwam make a liner sock and an outer sock in one.
Inserts are also an important part of the foot formula and equation.
Some people have orthotics made for them, and some buy them from Walmart, where you stand on the machine that analyzes your feet, and makes a recommendation.
Bruce. I used the lone pine 3.0 on the Primitivo in 2017 and loved them. In 2019 I bought 3 pairs of the lp 3.5,in several sizes,on sale as the 4.0 was coming out. I trained in my old pair and walked in France and Spain in the fall of 2019. I had no blisters and no problems in 25 days of walking. I have a wide foot but have no problems with the 3.o or the 3.5,as they fit exactly the same. Maybe your foot just got wider. I know that I wear a much longer shoe that I did years ago.
Why not try Altra Timp 1.5??
Jay the tek doctor, or Altra KingMT2. Both I love!!
I'm on my third pair of Altra Olympus shoes. They work for me......but, they tear very easily. Just last week I was crossing a granite boulder field and slipped. My right shoe rubbed along a rock for about a foot on the right side of the shoe. Without even looking I knew it was torn. I looked down at my right shoe and sure enough there was a 1-inch tear in the upper right corner. This has happened to all my Altras and only Altras.
At home I stitched it with fishing line. Hopefully that tear will stop. I have my fingers crossed. I typically get 300 trail miles out of my Altras.
Oh.....I forgot to mention that I too noticed a change in width. I even sent them an email with a photo of my previous Olympus next to a new pair. You can definately see a difference. They also told me no change.
My biggest complaint with Altra. Be it LP or Timp the sidewall fabric needs improvement. Love the shoes but come on, we drop $120-$140 on shoes and the slightest rub on a rock makes the shoe useless.....
I love the superior 4s. I have a pair of those for trail and a pair of topos for street. The Altras are definitely wider than the topos.
Do you think your feet may have "changed" after breaking your foot? I broke a few toes flyfishing, and I had to move to different shoes for hiking a year later.
Jupiter i have been wearing NB 877 walking .they feel so good after all day in timberland pro work boots ,but i mostly road walk after work .i have some wide flat feet .
Nice! New Balance makes some awesome shoes!! I always thought they were some dad mowing the grass shoes but it's cool to see all of the nice trail runners and road running stuff they make.
It's always good to hear other people's perspectives. Merrell moab 2's have served my wide feet well but, they're not minilmist or light by any stretch. I've tried finding lighter shoes myself but width, comfort, and longevity have all crippled my efforts thus far. Thanks for sharing! Atb Sean
How about Inov-8's? Trail Talon 290's or Inov-8 Terraaultra G 260 MEN'S or X-Talon. Wider models are a size guide fit of 4 or 5. Inov-8 had 6mm and 3mm insole options at one time.
Topo Ultraventure. Just got a pair off of Amazon and they were on sale for $97 (Regular $130). Only taken them out three times for 27 miles but so far they are phenomenal. No blisters, plenty of cushion, wide toe box. Another reviewer said that at 500 miles they still had cushion but the uppers had tears, but fixable enough for another 50-100 miles. Haven’t confirmed for myself but looking forward to hitting the 500 mile mark with them. Good luck on the search. 🏕🌻😄
Report back your sufferings after using them in summer.
Just an update for you the lone peak now comes in a wide version you might want to try. Only the blue one comes in wide but if you want to try again it's an option
I would be interested to see/hear your update on this now, 3 years later. I have some LPs that I've loved since I got them about 4 yrs ago. I was using them around town and for occasional trail walks & hikes, until January this year when I took up a more purposeful walking habit. As my feet developed and the shoes started to feel small, I started using them without the insoles.
Do you know of Vivobarefoot? I wanted something for hikes & work in muddy conditions or crossing snow and got a pair of the Forest tread ones that I'm very happy with so far.
I loved my Adidas Caprock Terrex shoes... too bad they're on the 2.0 version I dont like as well. I should've bought 2 or 3 pair when I found I loved them. There are a few old stock left online, but none in my size
Altra Superior are my absolute favorite. I have a very narrow foot, center back thru heal, but these are the only hikers that will make up comfortably and still have a wide toe box for the toes to spread out. Lone Peak and Merrill Trail Glove my next favorites.
The truth is this:
the size is actually the same, but there is a rubbery support added on the sides, which was not there in earlier Lone Peaks.
When I ordered the Lone Peak 3.5, I immediately sent it back and bought 3 pairs of earlier Lone Peaks.
They are pure heaven. Best shoes ever made. Other than that, Altra is dead to me.
If you guys are sure that that is the case (the side support thing), could you not... i dunno, cut it off or something?
Now retired my sporting good store sold athletics shoe for 30 plus years. While I understand Jupiter is not happy with the fit, not all "off the rack shoes" will fit every human. The width of the shoe can be altered by the Last (the outline of the shoe), the upper and as well as the material. It goes without saying every time a shoe is updated it will make some past users very unhappy when it comes to fit. No matter what Jupiter says about the Altra LP fit, they are still definitely wide. Many customers complained about the 4.0 splitting on the forefoot seam area. Altra updated the 4.5 with added material to provide extra support on the sides which seems to prevent the shoe from conforming to a "wider" foot, hence past customers that were pushing the boundaries of the width of shoe in older models (older material would allow for expansion) now see the shoe as too narrow. Changing the 'Last' of the shoe is a very expensive process, each model requires changing molds for 14-17 sizes can run over $100K. My guess is newer models are still using the same Last but newly updated material and features are causing the shoe to conform that need just a bit more width.
I'm so glad I found this channel.
Great overview of a most critical piece of hiking gear/Do you usually use inserts...?