REASONS TO BUY
All-day comfort
Great sensitivity
Natural feel
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Lacks descending comfort
Potential injury risks
Altra Lone Peak 7 Review
With less of a performance fit, this model is great for switching between hiking and running
Credit: Altra
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes of 2023
Our Verdict
While Altra continues to expand its lineup, their zero-drop offerings have remained constant. Also consistent is the popularity of the Lone Peak 7 among those who desire this profile. This updated design continues to be neutral, snug enough for running, but loose enough to feel natural and breathable. The popularity seems highest among thru-hikers and those doing activities that last days, not hours. While our testing showed a preference for a few millimeters of drop to reduce fatigue, we are impressed with the long-term comfort of this model. This moderately cushioned shoe is ideal for those just getting into zero-drop, given there is still some assistance to allow your legs to adapt to a flat design.
Editor's Note: This review was added to our lineup on March 31, 2023, after fully testing this newest iteration in the Lone Peak line.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Altra Lone Peak 7 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $112.46 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $180 List | $154.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List $79.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | All-day comfort, great sensitivity, natural feel | Unbeatable fit, fantastic underfoot protection, doesn’t absorb much water, very stable | Excellent descender, very comfortable, dense cushioning | Protective upper and midsole, great energy return, lightweight | Affordable, stabile, ample foot protection |
| Cons | Heavy, lacks descending comfort, potential injury risks | Expensive, hard to get on foot, must wear above the ankle height socks, hard to stuff laces into garage | Higher stack, lacks sensitivity | Stiff on advanced technical terrain, lacks sensitivity | Stiff and rigid in technical terrain, lacks sensitivity |
| Bottom Line | With less of a performance fit, this model is great for switching between hiking and running | The finest shoe for technical terrain that gives a feeling of confidence at speed | For epic days in the mountains with lots of vertical gain and descending, there is no better shoe on the market for ripping down moderate hills | If you are looking for Hoka that has a more instantaneous response, this is our favorite for long runs on moderate to buffed terrain | Built for beginners, this model is great for those looking for an entry point into trail shoes without spending top-dollar |
| Rating Categories | Altra Lone Peak 7 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | HOKA Speedgoat 5 | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 3 |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Altra Lone Peak 7 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | HOKA Speedgoat 5 | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 3 |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 22.2 oz (size 10) | 20.5 oz (size 9.5) | 20.4 oz (size 10) | 19.3 oz (size 10) | 20.8 oz (size 10) |
| Stack Height (Heel, Forefoot) | 25 mm, 25 mm | 26 mm, 18 mm | 33 mm, 29 mm | 23 mm, 18 mm | 20 mm, 12 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0 mm | 8 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Lug Depth | Not Available | 4 mm | 5 mm | 4 mm | Not Available |
| Upper | Mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner | Recycled engineered mesh | Mesh | Synthetic mesh |
| Midsole | Altra EGO foam | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | CMEVA | EVA | EVA |
| Outsole | MaxTrac | Salomon Contagrip MA | Vibram Megagrip rubber with Traction Lug | Rubber | TrailTrack Rubber |
| Rock Plate? | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Lacing Style | Traditional | Quicklace with garage | Traditional | Traditional | Traditional |
| Wide Version Available? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US | 4 - 13 US | 7 - 15 US | 7 - 15 US | 7 - 15 US |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Odds are you are reading this review because you are interested in a zero-drop shoe. For pure running, we prefer models with some drop (4-8mm), but we still feel the Lone Peak 7 has something to offer. The longer you are out, the more appealing this shoe becomes. If you are planning a thru-hike or extended trip where you want the agility of a running shoe with long-term unrestricted comfort, then this could be the model for you. The forefoot is not snug enough for us to want to rip technical trails in, but the overall comfort is top-notch for multi-day outings.
Performance Comparison
It took us a bit to get warmed up to zero drop for running, but the hiking comfort is superb.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Foot Protection
With a zero drop and a more minimal stack height (25mm), you can expect to feel more of the trail in the Lone Peak 7 than some of the stiffer models we tested. Moderate cushioning keeps you less fatigued but still allows for a great ground feel. However, due to this blend of sensitivity and cushioning, there is slightly less foot protection from rocks, roots, and other trail debris.
The toe cap coverage is substantial but is also more flexible and provides less impact resistance than other models we tested. This keeps the front end of the shoe feeling less rigid and benefits overall comfort. We are fans of the thick, durable upper material, which is great for sand and scree due to the less porous fabric. The optional trail gaiter attachment point also allows for added protection which is not found on any of the other brands we tested.
With moderate cushioning, the updated Lone Peak 7 has increased traction and a new more durable upper aiding in foot protection.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
The unidirectional tread pattern leaves a bit to be desired when running on technical terrain. The Trail Claw design is great for running uphill and propelling forward, but it lacks any hard edges to help with cornering or descending fast. This wouldn't be a shoe we'd pick for race day, but it's a great all-around tread pattern for general mountain/trail usage.
With a zero-drop shoe, more of your weight is transitioned to your heel with each foot strike. This can be beneficial to traction if your muscles are conditioned to handle the extra fatigue, but it can cause issues if you do too much too soon. When descending, there will be little extra support, and your legs will take slightly more load than a shoe that helps lift your heel to reduce fatigue. The wide roomier fit of the Lone Peak 7 gave us less confidence when navigating steep technical terrain due to the looser forefoot. However, we found the rubber to be softer than some of the other models we tested, which allowed it to work well in a variety of dry and wet conditions. Due to the smaller lugs and flatter profile, this shoe does not work well in snow and mud.
The new traction design found on this model did a great job at forward motion but side-to-side or quick movements felt a bit vague.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Sensitivity
The stack height on the Lone Peak is consistent across the entire shoe (this is what makes it a zero/0mm drop), allowing for great sensitivity on all kinds of surfaces and trail types. Moderate cushioning takes a bit of that sensitivity away, but during our testing, we enjoyed the natural feel that kept us connected to the trail. While not as sensitive as the Altra Superior 5, the Lone Peak 7 impressed us with its blend of cushioning that still allowed us to navigate uneven terrain and adjust our stride when running technical downhills.
The wide platform of the Lone Peak allows the foot to splay naturally, and the minimal arch support does not alter your natural foot position when impacting the ground. Some users not used to the wide zero drop design could find this sensitivity fatiguing over time, but with moderate usage and training, we found this to be a standout feature of this shoe, and it scored highly when compared to others in this test category.
With a low stack, your foot is close to the ground allowing for increased sensitivity and awareness.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Stability
Most traditional shoes have adjusted heel to toe-drop to compensate and/or help reduce fatigue, mainly on the Achilles and lower calves. The 0mm drop on the Lone Peak helps keep and maintain a natural position when in motion. The wider platform and minimal arch support further enhance stability and natural foot movement. Since weight is evenly distributed across the foot, your muscles do the stability work for you, maintaining proper form and alignment.
As part of our testing protocol, we ramp up our runs once our legs get used to the lack of assistance found on a zero-drop shoe. We found the unique combination of comfort, stability, and natural splay with the Lone Peak 7 to greatly enhance the feeling of stability, and our legs got noticeably stronger too. However, on extended runs and days with lots of vert and descent, our feet and muscles were noticeably more fatigued than with more "traditional" shoes. Likely this is due to our less conditioned form — if you always run in zero-drop shoes, you likely are used to this added fatigue.
A wider platform and zero drop allow all of your foot muscles to be engaged making this one of our top stability models.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort
As discussed, the wide platform and ample room in the toe box of the Lone Peak 7 make it an excellent fit for both running and hiking. While not as snug in the forefoot as we like for hard running, it's clear why people choose this shoe to hike thousands of miles. The upper is comfortable, but some may find the thicker fabric less ideal. This is great for preventing small trail debris like sand and scree from finding its way into your sock. Adding a gaiter using the attachment point allows for even more protection.
This thicker material, however, is less breathable and maintains more moisture than years past, something daily users, especially while on the trail, may come to dislike. We also found the wider platform increased the forefoot creasing, and when we went to try and tighten it down, the crease got worse. Luckily, this stiffer fabric softens over time, lessening the effect. While overall daily comfort is hard to beat, some may find the comfort when running hard or at your limit a bit vaguer, especially on the most technical terrain.
For all-day comfort these are a top contender. Unfortunately, performance comfort lacked as our feet felt loose in the upper.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Weight
With a minimal design, we were surprised by the increase in weight of this iteration — 22.2 ounces for a US size 10. This added weight over the previous model likely comes from an increase in traction and more durable fabrics found in the upper. While this shoe still feels lively given its sensitivity and comfort, we think that a shoe of this nature should weigh less. The traction also didn't blow us away. This transition to heavier materials makes it seem that Altra is mostly focused on the hiking community, which, in our opinion, makes sense.
Given the low stack, we were surprised by the higher weight of the Lone Peak 7. It has increased due to additional outsole rubber and a more durable upper.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 7?
If you are familiar with zero-drop shoes and are interested in long days switching between running and hiking, then this definitely could be the shoe for you. If you often find yourself hard charging on technical terrain, then you may want a shoe that provides a bit more drop to reduce pounding fatigue.
If you plan on blending hiking and running we would seriously consider the Altra Lone Peak 7.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you are deterred by the increased weight of the Lone Peak 7, you may consider the Altra Superior 5, which is lighter and has greater sensitivity. Either shoe from Altra is bound to get you closer to the ground while providing great comfort. For those looking for a more minimal stack height but still a comfortable fit, we'd recommend the Hoka Torrent 3.
—
Matthew Richardson
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