Altra Lone Peak Hiker

Lone Peak 5 and Lone Peak Hiker purchased directly from Altra inventory 12 months ago in 2021 answered my need for hiking through towns and on moderately challenging trails. The upper material on both the Lone Peak 5 and Lone Peak Hiker failed after 5 months of normal use. Altra said this was normal.

I wonder if the Altra shoes mentioned here were manufactured well over twelve months ago, perhaps over two years ago, with upper material less strong and less durable than the upper material used in Altra shoes manufactured more recently and offered today. 

It is true that during the Covid Pandemic covering a period of at least two years, global supply chains were backed up, mostly due to disrupted transportation channels. Since the Altra shoes are manufactured in Vietnam it is possible that the shoes I purchased from Altra inventory were manufactured with materials used in production lines over two years ago. It is possible that the upper material used in manufacturing lines in Vietnam two years ago has been replaced with more durable material used in improved Altra shoes today.

To check this out, I recently visited Ski Haus here in Steamboat Springs and inspected the upper material on Altra Lone Peak Hikers on sale there and compared that upper material used in Altra shoes today with the upper material used in the shoes I purchased from Altra well over a year ago.  The upper material on these more current shoes seems stronger than that used in the shoes I purchased. 

Perhaps I am wrong and I need to accept the fact that shoes today don't last as long as shoes did in the past.   

Background

These Altra shoes have a lot going for them, especially in ergonomic design. However, the ones I purchased from Altra inventory possibly manufactured over two years ago had weak upper material and failed too early, within 5 months, to keep me satisfied.

Lightweight, comfortable, and durable shoes that are great for the weekend hiker looking to move to more modern hiking footwear

I wanted an upgrade from some big box outdoor store hiking boots that I bought years ago for an upcoming trip. I was convinced I wanted a lighter hiking shoe because I didn't like the heavy feeling and the ankle rub that came with my old boots.

After trying on a lot of hiking shoes, I was fortunate to have an experienced store employee ask if I was okay trying on the Altra Lone Peak Hiker. The previous shoes I tried all pinched a bone on top of my foot near the base of my big toe, so I was willing to try a higher-rise model that was more like a boot. Bingo! Jackpot! Bingpot!

The Altra shoe, through it covered my ankle, was not compressing on the top of my foot as other shoes did. The toe box was roomy—enough to avoid blisters, but not so much that my foot slides when walking—and the light ankle support didn't pinch and rub my ankle at all.

But the "WOW!" factor was the weight, or rather the lack of weight. It was so light. It is just under 12 ounces. And comfortable! So comfortable. I was walking around the store and I thought I was in slippers at home. I pressed my toe against the wall. I twisted my foot. I stepped up and down on the bench. Every move I made felt natural. The ankle and bottom of my foot felt well-supported. There was give where I needed it and support for my foot where I needed it.

In-store experience was great, but I also took them on the trail and they performed well. Rocky terrain, hiking up a creek, immersing them in water—they took what the trail dished out in stride. They are not Goer-Tex, so don't expect them to keep the water out—they won't. I was expecting a quicker dry time, which is the only thing I docked .5 star for in this review.

I have been told to expect about 500 miles of average hiking out of these. There are more durable hiking boots out there, but to get this combination of comfort, support, and weight at a good ~ $150-ish price point is a win for me.  

Background

I have a moderate level of weekend and vacation hiking experience in mountainous and mixed terrain.