REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Good waterproofing
Zero-drop
REASONS TO AVOID
Soft sole
Durability concerns
Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Review
This ultralight mid-top boot is meant for demanding days with light packs and long miles
Credit: Altra
Our Verdict
The Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is a new take on a classic Altra style. Zero drop, wide forefoot, enough of a midsole to keep you off the ground but not enough to lose the feel of the terrain below your feet — this feels like a taller version of the Altra shoes that have long been popular among the thru-hiking crowd. If you already own zero-drop running shoes, then these will be a breeze to get used to. With a taller ankle to provide additional support and an eVent waterproof bootie, these light boots might be right up your alley if you like the minimal style or are into fast and light backpacking that does not require as much stability.
Editor's Note: This boot is being phased out and replaced by the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is to hiking boots what a Ferrari is to cars. Sleek, fast, and purpose-built to go quickly over terrain, these boots (if you can even call them boots) make some sacrifices in terms of longevity and support. But if you are looking for a mid-top running shoe that is exceptionally comfortable and you are not opposed to the zero drop style, look no further.
Performance Comparison
Zero drop shoes are getting popular as they allow the foot to walk in a more natural position.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
Comfort is a metric in which the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR has almost no equal. As one of the top-scoring models in this fundamental metric, this shoe (ahem, boot!) will be very appealing to a wide range of hikers. A big part of this appeal comes from Altra's signature wide foot shape. Rather than feeling tight and constricted, the foot is allowed to sit in its natural position. This is especially nice after long days on the trail — as your feet swell, they have the room they need.
The material used in the upper of the Lone Peak is a soft and flexible textile material that easily conforms to the foot. The midsole is soft and springy, giving these a comfortable walking feel while on moderate ground. While hiking on local trails, we were really impressed at how comfortable these boots felt, although when taken to more technical and rocky terrain, there is no doubt that you feel much more of the rocks and obstacles beneath the foot. This boot is soft when compared to a rigid design with an EVA sole, although that is part of the appeal of this niche style.
We really liked striding around on the bike path and on local trails in the Altra boots, and they work just fine as a running shoe if you need them to!
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
As a mid-top hiking boot, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR extends up around the ankle, and the traditional lacing system allows the wearer to get a snug and secure fit that protects effectively against a rolled ankle. The upper material is soft and flexible on its own, giving credence to the concept that compression equals rigidity.
The Altra Ego midsole protects from the jarring impacts of the hiking trail and is spongelike and springy underfoot. This technology is used in Altra's running shoe and trail shoe line and is one of the features that identify this boot as a crossover or hybrid model. They are hard to compare with classic hiking boots with lots of leather and rigid shanks because they are just so different. We would rather think of this boot as a beefy running shoe that people who desire more support and stability than their current trail running shoes can upgrade into. For folks carrying 50-plus pounds into the backcountry or putting a lot of weight onto their feet, these boots are likely to be inadequate for the task.
Bounding through talus, we found the stability and support of these boots to be good but not as great as models with more material and compression.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
The Lone Peak Mid uses a proprietary rubber compound for the outsole called Duratread. This compound is designed to be denser and more resistant to wear and tear while also giving unrelenting traction. We found the stickiness sufficient to smear our way up boulders and slabs while also holding a secure grip on looser sand and gravel.
The lugs on the outsole are designed in a pattern Altra calls Trailclaw. This bidirectional pattern positions the lugs in a canted orientation so that no matter whether you are going uphill or downhill, something is holding onto the ground and keeping you from sliding. The lugs are sharp and grippy, and the only thing that really prevents these boots from being awarded higher marks for traction is the lack of rigidity in the sole. The sole is soft and rather pliable, so these are less effective at kicking steps or edging, as the wide sole just wants to roll rather than provide a stable platform.
We like the Trailclaw patterning on the lugs, they grip really well.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
To ensure that these boots really are designed for All Weather, Altra uses an eVent waterproof breathable inner bootie that keeps water out, as well as a treated textile fabric on the outer. We measured the flood height at 3.5 inches, which is rather low for this category as a whole, but for the lower mid-cut, it seems appropriately tall.
The eVent fabric works as advertised and keeps water out for a few minutes before beginning to leak. We would use these boots sparingly in very wet and submersed conditions — they are better used in drier climates that may require only occasional water crossings or wet weather protection.
We found these boots to be adequately waterproof, though many users reported issues over time.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR is one of the lightest hiking boots we have reviewed at just 1.84 pounds for a pair of men's US size 11. These boots are perfect for the thru-hiker and fastpacker who wants the security of a mid-top boot but also to hike freely along the trail without being weighed down by the extra ounces of a classic heavyweight hiking boot.
Durability
Being so lightweight, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR has given up some durability by using such thin materials. Many users have reported durability issues with these boots and feel that they do not last particularly long before materials begin delaminating. We also saw reports of wear occurring due to rubbing, which in turn can cause the waterproof eVent liner to fail, often around the top of the metatarsals.
Consider these boots to be an investment in comfort and light weight for an individual thru-hike like the John Muir Trail, and be happy you got 250 miles out of them before they start to break down and show wear — similar to running shoes. If you expect to get three years of solid use out of these shoes, you might find yourself disappointed. That is one of the major tradeoffs when considering boots of this weight class.
Light and fast has a price, and in this case it's going to be durability. Time will tell as we continue to test these boots.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid?
These boots are a niche product for those with wide feet, who like the comfort of a running shoe but want the stability of a hiking boot, and who like the zero-drop flat shoe feel. If that describes you, the Lone Peak is a good value, and we recommend them.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR are insanely light, though the Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex weighs about the same and offers better traction and support. For those who are not big fans of the zero drop craze, we also really love the cushioning of the Hoka Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX, which is somehow even lighter.
The Lone Peak is ideal for those that love to feel the ground beneath them and have their toes splay more freely.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
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Ryan Huetter
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