Altra Lone Peak All-WTHR mids - first impression

[FRM]

The new Altra Lone Peak All WTHR mids are available. Lone Peaks are a popular shoe/boot on the Camino both for their light weight and the zero drop soles. This is the water resistant version. They replace the Lone Peak RSM mids and continue Altra’s aversion to vowels... Mine arrived a few days ago and I’ve worn them a good bit since then. Below are my early observations:

The Shoe: There are a few obvious changes. First the Velcro ”Gaiter Trap” attachments are gone. This isn’t clear in Altra’s description of the shoe. Secondly, the plastic heel cup on the exterior of the shoe is a bit different, and is mostly along the sides of the heel. The color of the sole has changed and the tread pattern is slightly different.

Comfort and Fit: Like other Altras, the shoes are extremely light and will require little or break-in. I haven’t weighed them yet. The only scale I have that weighs in grams is my baking scale and the shoes are muddy. Altra shows them weighing 428 grams. I’m assuming this is per shoe. I was surprised at the support provided to the ankles. Not as much as heavier weight boots but it does provide a good support to lateral movement. Some reviews have mentioned the difficulty in getting the shoe on and off due to the tongue being sewn up rather high in the opening. I didn’t have an issue, so this may have changed. Like other Lone Peaks the wide toe box let’s the distal portion of the foot spread out into a more natural shape.

As a recent Altra convert I’m impressed. I need to get more miles on them and do walks with a pack for a more accurate impression. If there is interest I can report back to the forum in the future.



frm

 

[Robo]

They look good. I'm just heading out for a fitting for new shoes.
But what to buy?

My 3 Caminos to date were all in Salomon Ultra Mids. Similar to your boots above.

But a physio mid Camino told me they were too heavy, and unnecessary, just causing additional strain on my damaged knees. But I Love them dearly......

I'm tempted to try trail runners. So I'm off to get a fitting today for some Hoke One One shoes. Which I am told is pronounced Onay Onay?

Though out for a walk this morning in normal training shoes, the wet grass soon had my feet wet. The Hoke shoes are not waterproof. And having wet feet is causing a major worry for me. Moisture, along with heat and friction being the recipe for blisters!

Maybe I need to just get the Salomon Ultras again, but in a shoe rather than a mid height?

2,000 kms plus in my Ultra Mids (waterproof) without a single blister.........

I might be tempting fate to use something else?

 

[Robo]

Tried a few shoes on today.
A very professional 'runners' shop, with lots of attention to detail, measuring and testing.

I think I might test out the Saucony Peregrine 10.
Tried some Hoke shoes with every intention of buying some, but they didn't feel as good.
All personal taste of course.......

 

[Isca-camigo]

I am a recent convert to Altra too, I am hoping what attracted me to them, the extra wide toe boxes continue.With the timp2 while keeping the shape they narrowed the width, so much so that after ordering a pair online and then trying them after a few seconds I could feel pressure points around my feet, I held then upto my Olympus 2.5 and 3.5, the timp alongside them was a lot less wider, and even against my Keens, Sketchers and Meindls was narrower. I'm going to give the newer Altras a miss until they have been well reviewed and I get a sense of where they are going width wise.

 

[David Tallan]

Tried a few shoes on today.
A very professional 'runners' shop, with lots of attention to detail, measuring and testing.

I think I might test out the Saucony Peregrine 10.
Tried some Hoke shoes with every intention of buying some, but they didn't feel as good.
All personal taste of course.......

I like the name of what you went with, although it might have been nice if, instead of using the gender-neutral Peregrine for the name, they had named their men's shoes Saucony Peregrino 10 and their women's shoes Saucony Peregrina 10.

 

[padre eric]

They look good. I'm just heading out for a fitting for new shoes.
But what to buy?

My 3 Caminos to date were all in Salomon Ultra Mids. Similar to your boots above.

But a physio mid Camino told me they were too heavy, and unnecessary, just causing additional strain on my damaged knees. But I Love them dearly......

I'm tempted to try trail runners. So I'm off to get a fitting today for some Hoke One One shoes. Which I am told is pronounced Onay Onay?

Though out for a walk this morning in normal training shoes, the wet grass soon had my feet wet. The Hoke shoes are not waterproof. And having wet feet is causing a major worry for me. Moisture, along with heat and friction being the recipe for blisters!

Maybe I need to just get the Salomon Ultras again, but in a shoe rather than a mid height?

2,000 kms plus in my Ultra Mids (waterproof) without a single blister.........

I might be tempting fate to use something else?

Picked up a pair of One Ones this summer and have worn them a lot walking around coastal North Carolina home. They are the waterproof version and super light and comfortable. I switched from Keens to the Hokes and really like them.

 

[Robo]

Picked up a pair of One Ones this summer and have worn them a lot walking around coastal North Carolina home. They are the waterproof version and super light and comfortable. I switched from Keens to the Hokes and really like them.

Which model did you get?

 

[padre eric]

Sky Kaha mids. Truth in advertising...I use Birkenstock cork inserts in all my shoes including these to ward off the Plantar F. THese are expensive, but I gotta take care of my dawgs!

 

[JillGat]

I am a recent convert to Altra too, I am hoping what attracted me to them, the extra wide toe boxes continue.With the timp2 while keeping the shape they narrowed the width, so much so that after ordering a pair online and then trying them after a few seconds I could feel pressure points around my feet, I held then upto my Olympus 2.5 and 3.5, the timp alongside them was a lot less wider, and even against my Keens, Sketchers and Meindls was narrower. I'm going to give the newer Altras a miss until they have been well reviewed and I get a sense of where they are going width wise.

I don't know about the Timp, but the Lone Peak comes in a Wide option now. I love them!

 

[Isca-camigo]

I bought the LP5 wide last week, the jury is still out on them for me. My initial responce on taking them out of the box was to compare them with my LP3.0, they are the tiniest bit wider in the toe box area than the 3.0, I was hoping they would be more like my Torin 5.0 wide which are a beast of a shoe, if I was to give widths I would say the LP5 wide is a 2E, while the Torin 5 wide is a 6E+, what stopped me from sending back the LP5 was the volume(depth.) felt spacious, I have been wearing them for last week and they are growing in my estimation.

 

[MST]

They look good. I'm just heading out for a fitting for new shoes.
But what to buy?

My 3 Caminos to date were all in Salomon Ultra Mids. Similar to your boots above.

But a physio mid Camino told me they were too heavy, and unnecessary, just causing additional strain on my damaged knees. But I Love them dearly......

I'm tempted to try trail runners. So I'm off to get a fitting today for some Hoke One One shoes. Which I am told is pronounced Onay Onay?

Though out for a walk this morning in normal training shoes, the wet grass soon had my feet wet. The Hoke shoes are not waterproof. And having wet feet is causing a major worry for me. Moisture, along with heat and friction being the recipe for blisters!

Maybe I need to just get the Salomon Ultras again, but in a shoe rather than a mid height?

2,000 kms plus in my Ultra Mids (waterproof) without a single blister.........

I might be tempting fate to use something else?

No advice for your individual feet (hard to switch from something that you KNOW works for you!) I took Altra LP5 & Hoka Speedgoat on Camino Frances this fall (2021). I love Altra but ended up using the Hoka almost every day with great success. Even in pouring rain, the elevated stack height prevented wet feet -no blisters at all. No trekking through water though. For reference, I have a narrow heel & wide toe box & generally wear a 9.5 women’s with an extra insole or heel lift on the R. For the CF, I was fitted w 10 Altra (a little big for normal usage) & 10.5 Hokas (fine for home.) I wear Injinji beneath Darn Tough socks. Initially fitted at REI w Hoka 9.5 or 10 & they felt awful. Did not buy. Went to a shoe fitter (gait analyst) who said Hoka 10.5. Heaven.

 

[Robo]

No advice for your individual feet (hard to switch from something that you KNOW works for you!) I took Altra LP5 & Hoka Speedgoat on Camino Frances this fall (2021). I love Altra but ended up using the Hoka almost every day with great success. Even in pouring rain, the elevated stack height prevented wet feet -no blisters at all. No trekking through water though. For reference, I have a narrow heel & wide toe box & generally wear a 9.5 women’s with an extra insole or heel lift on the R. For the CF, I was fitted w 10 Altra (a little big for normal usage) & 10.5 Hokas (fine for home.) I wear Injinji beneath Darn Tough socks. Initially fitted at REI w Hoka 9.5 or 10 & they felt awful. Did not buy. Went to a shoe fitter (gait analyst) who said Hoka 10.5. Heaven.

The search for footwear continues.
I love my Salomon boots as they are a perfect fit.
And in 2,000 Camino kms, no blisters.
They are just too heavy for me now and aggravate my knee problems.

So to date I have tried.

Hoka Stinson ATR. Nice feel but I'm getting a slight heel lift in them (will cause blisters) and because they are high (stack height) and springy I don't feel that stable in them. Because of the stack height I tripped and actually fell flat on my face last week. So probably a no go.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor GTX. Nice secure fit, and gore-tex which I love, but found them too narrow during trials. No go.

Altra Lone Peak 5. Got a pair this week. So far so good. Nice fit, and wide toe box.
They are very light. Like wearing ballet shoes! So I wonder about the sole protection.
But the most promising so far.

Though they are a zero drop shoe, something I have never worn.
But as I have lived in bare feet or flip flops (thongs, jandals) for the last 2 years, I should be OK.

None of these are as comfortable as my Salomon boots though.
So I'm getting a bit of separation anxiety

...

 

[Robo]

The new Altra Lone Peak All WTHR mids are available. Lone Peaks are a popular shoe/boot on the Camino both for their light weight and the zero drop soles. This is the water resistant version. They replace the Lone Peak RSM mids and continue Altra’s aversion to vowels... Mine arrived a few days ago and I’ve worn them a good bit since then. Below are my early observations:

The Shoe: There are a few obvious changes. First the Velcro ”Gaiter Trap” attachments are gone. This isn’t clear in Altra’s description of the shoe. Secondly, the plastic heel cup on the exterior of the shoe is a bit different, and is mostly along the sides of the heel. The color of the sole has changed and the tread pattern is slightly different.

Comfort and Fit: Like other Altras, the shoes are extremely light and will require little or break-in. I haven’t weighed them yet. The only scale I have that weighs in grams is my baking scale and the shoes are muddy. Altra shows them weighing 428 grams. I’m assuming this is per shoe. I was surprised at the support provided to the ankles. Not as much as heavier weight boots but it does provide a good support to lateral movement. Some reviews have mentioned the difficulty in getting the shoe on and off due to the tongue being sewn up rather high in the opening. I didn’t have an issue, so this may have changed. Like other Lone Peaks the wide toe box let’s the distal portion of the foot spread out into a more natural shape.

As a recent Altra convert I’m impressed. I need to get more miles on them and do walks with a pack for a more accurate impression. If there is interest I can report back to the forum in the future.



frmView attachment 92665

View attachment 92666

I'll be keen to hear how the waterproofing goes.
When I bought some Lone Peak 5's this week I asked about the waterproof version.

The store owners Mother had tried them on Camino and complained of hot sweaty feet.
But that may be just due to someone not knowing how to avoid that with waterproof footwear.
(airing feet, changing socks etc)

There was also a view that Altra haven't quite got the waterproof version 'right' yet.

Hopefully your experience has been good!

...

 

[C clearly]

I love my Salomon boots as they are a perfect fit.
And in 2,000 Camino kms, no blisters.
They are just too heavy for me now and aggravate my knee problems.

I wouldn't use waterproof boots on the VDLP except maybe in winter. However, if they really are the most comfortable for you, maybe you should use them. How much heavier are they, really? Of course, lighter is better, but that is assuming "all else is equal."

Have you tried the non-waterproof version?

 

[FRM]

@Robo,
I wore my Lone Peak mids all weather for the 18 days I walked the Camino in September. They exceeded my expectations. As you noted they are very light. I could definitively notice this at the end of the day. I walked for two long days on the Mesita in steady rain. While my feet were not dry at the end of the day, they were definitely “less wet”. They also dried surprisingly quick. I didn’t find them the least bit hot when walking. The soles are a bit thin, and you do feel the terrain more than in heavier boots. I didn’t find it bothersome, even on large gravel. The soles did wear more than I expected. They are not going to last as long as more substantial boots. The zero drop wasn’t noticeable.

I didn’t get any blisters. This was a first for me. I did lose two toenails, but I have some issues with my toes (hammer toes). In short I really liked them, and they are now my go to shoe for future walks.

frm

 

[gerardcarey]

@Robo,
I wore my Lone Peak mids all weather for the 18 days I walked the Camino in September. They exceeded my expectations. As you noted they are very light. I could definitively notice this at the end of the day. I walked for two long days on the Mesita in steady rain. While my feet were not dry at the end of the day, they were definitely “less wet”. They also dried surprisingly quick. I didn’t find them the least bit hot when walking. The soles are a bit thin, and you do feel the terrain more than in heavier boots. I didn’t find it bothersome, even on large gravel. The soles did wear more than I expected.
frm

I replaced the ALTRA LP insoles with aftermarket models that provided arch support as well as (unexpectedly) more protection against rough terrain.
Now that was a good idea.

 

[Chris RJ]

I'll be keen to hear how the waterproofing goes.
When I bought some Lone Peak 5's this week I asked about the waterproof version.

The store owners Mother had tried them on Camino and complained of hot sweaty feet.
But that may be just due to someone not knowing how to avoid that with waterproof footwear.
(airing feet, changing socks etc)

There was also a view that Altra haven't quite got the waterproof version 'right' yet.

Hopefully your experience has been good!

...

I can second the remark about the all-weathers making your feet sweaty. I am using the Low version of the LP5 all-weather to hike in the morning in short dewy grass at the moment, for which they are perfect. However, I walked around town with them on a mild day recently - without the cooling effect of the dew on the shoes and I found it made my feet really sweaty with very little distance.

I will probably stick to LP5 Wides for the Camino this year and use Seakskinz merino waterproof socks on heavy rain days.

I have a pair of Altra Oympus delivered from the US yesterday, so I am going to compare there to the Altra LP 5s and the same Wides and then make a decision which to stick to for next year.

 

[Excursionista]

Thanks for this thread! My Scarpa Rush mid-height boots are as light as running shoes and were super comfy during training walks on trails, but I found that they did not have enough cushioning for the Camino's abundant "improved" surfaces. The paved walk into, through, and out of Logroño was especially miserable.

Unfortunately, a lifetime of ankle injuries keeps me from wearing trail runners while carrying a pack, but I've ordered some Hoka mids to try and will report back. They look very well cushioned, but I fear I may be a bit too clumsy for such an elevated sole.