Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 Review

The Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 is a newly updated model for this year, enhancing some of the attributes we like so much about the previous model. This is a niche boot, sacrificing some support and durability for a super light weight and comfort. It is a great boot for those who wish they could get away with wearing trail runners on their long-distance thru-hikes but would prefer the added support of a mid-top.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Just as comfortable on mile 25 as getting out the front door to walk the dog, the Lone Peak is dreamy to walk in. Just slipping them on and feeling the roomy footbed area that allows for toes to splay out and feet room to swell on long hikes or in warm weather is a luxurious experience.

The upper material of the ALL-WTHR Mid 2 is made exclusively from textile fabric, making them a breeze to break in. This boot is soft, flexible, and easy to walk in. The 25mm of stack height is enough to provide protection from the jarring impacts of trail surfaces, and the Altra Ego midsole gives better cushioning than in previous Altra shoes we have worn, which have felt thin and too soft for really rough terrain. Keep in mind that this is still a soft boot when compared to many of the others we have reviewed, but that soft and easy-going stride is part of the appeal — this is not the shoe that will work for everyone as a multi-day hiking boot, but for around the local trails or with a lightweight pack, this should provide all the comfort you require.

Support

To provide support and cushioning, the ALL-WTHR Mid 2 uses the proprietary Altra Ego midsole construction. This allows for a bouncy and springy walking feel while protecting from the jarring of hard foot strikes when hiking. These are softer than your average hiking boot, without a doubt, so this style occupies a narrow niche among backcountry footwear.

We found the traditional lacing system to be good, letting us fine-tune the forefoot security and then use the two pairs of lacing hooks to secure the cuff around our ankle — though the soft material is not the same as the more robust and rigid cuff found on a heavier-duty boot. We liked the ability to only lace them up halfway when we preferred having more ankle flexion and less support on simple terrain, making them feel much more like a shoe than a boot.

Traction

The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 has rock-solid traction in all but the firmest of conditions. With a Duratread sole, the outsole has enough grip to adhere to slabs and smooth rock, thanks to the large surface area of the bottom of the boot. The lugs are shallow but sharp and angular, allowing them to smear and bite into softer materials like sand and mud. An improvement in this updated model is the addition of forefoot traction lugs that give extra climbing ability on steeper slopes.

There is not much rigidity to the sole of this hiker, as it is soft and flexible. So, while it smears well, the Lone Peak does not do as well kicking steps or edging, tasks better left to a heavier boot. This is a shoe best used on trail, or off trail by experienced and agile users.

Water Resistance

The Lone Peak continues to use an eVent waterproof-breathable fabric as a barrier to water, and with a flood height measured at 3.5 inches, these do well to keep water out of the inside of the boot for long enough durations to ford streams and walk through puddles.

We found these boots to withstand about 4 minutes of full submersion below their flood height before they began leaking, so they are not the best choice for those who need full water protection in protracted wet weather conditions, though they should be plenty for brief water crossings. Given that the fabric is fully synthetic and lightweight, the Lone Peak will also dry out much faster on foot or after arriving at camp than heavier models.

Weight

The Lone Peak Mid 2 is one of the lightest-weight hiking boot models that we have ever tested. Some sandals weigh more! This is a great choice for the fastpacker or thru-hiker who wants the flexibility, comfort, and freedom of a trail runner but who would prefer the added security of a mid-cut boot for extra ankle support.

We honestly began preferring slipping into these shoes, ahem, boots, for most day trips because they hardly weigh more than a pair of hiking shoes yet provide a lot more in terms of support and water resistance. For the right user, these are a dream come true.

Durability

The trade-offs when choosing such a lightweight model are real. A boot like this should be considered a usable commodity; that is, get them and enjoy them, and when they get trashed, replace them. With such light materials used on the upper, don't be surprised when seams begin failing, holes develop from prolonged use, and the midsole packs out and become less responsive over time.

We would expect to see about 200-300 miles of use out of these boots before retirement — something akin to the John Muir Trail or a section of the Appalachian Trail. But these boots were not designed for 2-3 years of sustained use.

Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 ?

If you have wider feet and enjoy having your toes splay while hiking, this zero-drop boot is one to consider. It's super lightweight and feels more like a running shoe with extra stability than a traditional hiker. If that description resonates with you, then this Lone Peak will represent a good value, and we say go for it.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 is insanely light, though the Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex weighs about the same and offers better traction, support, and water resistance. On the other hand, it doesn't have the wide, barefoot-inspired footprint of the Lone Peak. If you want a burlier boot with incredible traction, look to the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX or the La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX. And if all of that feels a little too techy and you just want to get on trail without spending a bundle, check out the well-priced and comfy Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof.