Altra Lone Peak 6 – The Latest Top Choice Trail Running Shoe

Andrew Piotrowski

 

Overview: The Lone Peak series is the classic trail running shoe from Altra. It has long been a top choice for Trail and Ultra runners. The Altra Lone Peak 6 is the latest variation to come out and features some small but important changes. However, if you loved the Lone Peak 5 then there is no need to worry as the changes are relatively minor and only enhance performance.

These include better drainage, slightly less fabric in the upper, and an enhanced lace system. I have run in the Lone Peak 6s in a variety of different trail conditions. These range from the mellow sandy trails on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the appallingly rocky Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.

This past weekend I wore them for a very steep and snow-covered run in New York’s Catskill Mountains and a complete slop fest of mud, snow, and ice in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Finally, I tested them on a long run on a beautifully fast and hardpacked single-track trail.

I found the Altras to perform well in all of the conditions above. They have amazing grip but don’t feel heavy, the shoe feels extremely well balanced, and my feet stayed happy even on Ultra distance runs. The Zero-Drop and foot-shaped design of the shoe provides a natural feel and gives me more control on really rocky or technical trail sections. Below are more details on my favorite features:

Zero-Drop & Foot Shaped Design: About a year ago I extensively tested and reviewed the Altra Lone Peak 5s. I didn’t know it at the time, but this shoe has converted me to running almost exclusively in Zero Drop shoes. And by Zero Drop I mean that there is zero drop between the heel and the toe.

I have adapted really well to this and have found that some of the common knee and joint soreness that I used to get has subsided. I find them to feel much more natural, responsive, and comfortable in all trail conditions. That being said if you are new to Zero Drop shoes, I would take it slow at first. 

Grip: As mentioned above the Maxtrac outsole and the TrailClaw studs provide an exceptional grip in a variety of conditions. I was most impressed with how they performed on snow and ice-covered trails.

Comfort: The wide toe box and balanced cushioning provide a comfortable fit on the trails. Recently I wore them for a 6-hour training run and had zero issues with blisters or foot pain. I can’t say enough good things about the comfort!

 

Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe – Men’s

 

Durability: When it comes to durability, I find the Lone Peaks to be unmatched. The sides and top of the shoe have continued to stay completely intact and protective even after many many miles of trail abuse. The aggressive grip feature on the soles holds up really well and continues to provide excellent grip even with 600+ miles on them.

The photo below does a nice job of showing the very limited wear. On the left are my original Lone Peak 5s with 600+ miles on them, in the middle is another pair of 5s with about 100 miles on them, and on the right are the new Lone Peak 6s with 0 miles on them at the time.

When you compare the middle and right shoes you can see that they are identical and show zero wear after 100 miles. When you compare the left with the others you can see some wear on the luges and in the heel area of the shoe. However, for 600 miles of rocky abuse, this seems like an extremely limited amount of wear. Most of my other brand running shoes are worthless after about 450 to 500 miles. 

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Andrew Piotrowski

Andrew is a trail runner, climber, paddler, snowboarder, marketer, and most importantly a dog dad. Andrew grew up in suburban Philadelphia and now lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

While he lives pretty far from the mountains, he puts a heavy focus on preparing for them and inspiring others to do the same. He first fell in love with the mountains on family trips to the White Mountains and the Adirondacks. He spent the majority of his early life competitively running and leisurely paddling, however after college he began focusing on learning to climb, snowboard, and backpack.

Over the past ten years since then, he has been fortunate enough to gain some amazing experiences exploring North America. Some of the most memorable thus far are alpine climbing in the Sierra, trail running in Alberta, learning to splitboard in NH, countless days hiking in the Catskills, or a plethora of mellow days paddling the Chesapeake Bay with friends.

When he can’t be in the mountains Andrew is often running or hiking with his favorite training partners, his two rescue dogs Calvin and Enzo. Andrew is also a self-proclaimed gear junkie and confessed that his gear loft is the most organized place in his home.

Blog: Flatcityclimbing.com

Instagram: pack_mule_piotrowski