Review: Altra Lone Peak 4

The Altra Lone Peak 4 (and the updated 4.5) is a lightweight trail shoe featuring a wide toe box, zero drop, a protective midsole and a grippy outsole — making it a favourite among both trail runners and long-distance hikers.

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R2499 (for the 4.5)
Weight: 338.5g per shoe (Size 10) / 677g per pair
Women’s version: Yes

Fit

Popular among ultra-distance trail runners, the Lone Peak has also become a through-hiker favourite — particularly on long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails — thanks to its wide toe box, which allows tired, swollen feet to relax and move naturally.

If you have narrow feet, look elsewhere — you’ll be swimming in these. But if you often find traditional trail shoes too tight around your toes, the Lone Peak might just change your hiking life.

Altra’s tagline, “Embrace the Space,” sums up the shoe’s philosophy — allowing feet to move the way they’re designed to. In addition to this natural fit, the Lone Peak uses a zero-drop platform, meaning your heel and forefoot sit at the same height. This promotes a more natural gait and relaxed foot position — though it may take some getting used to if you have tight Achilles tendons.

Lacing

The lacing system allows for a secure, precise fit. A nylon tab integrated into the midsection helps the shoe cinch snugly around your foot and lock your heel in place. It’s very effective — almost too effective — as overtightening can create pressure over the bridge of the foot. With proper adjustment, though, it keeps your foot stable and secure.

Grip

Grip is one of the Lone Peak’s standout features. The aggressive “TrailClaw” outsole lugs bite into loose terrain, mud and dry rock with ease. The broad sole also adds stability in sandy or uneven conditions.

Comfort

Right out of the box, the Lone Peaks are exceptionally comfortable — like walking on pillows. They perform beautifully under moderate pack weights (up to about 16kg). Beyond that, the midsole begins to compress a bit, though the 4.5 version improves on this with better foam density. Even with heavier loads, the shoe remains stable, cushioned, and grippy.

Durability

For standard on-trail hiking with medium loads, the Lone Peak is an excellent performer — thousands of long-distance hikers have successfully completed 2000+ km journeys in them. However, the shoe’s upper has a known weak spot: just behind the little toe where the material flexes. On rough or cambered terrain, this area can develop small tears over time. That said, after roughly 100km of mixed terrain, mine show very little wear.

Features

Gaiter compatibility:
The Lone Peak features dedicated gaiter attachment points — two side loops, one loop at the bottom of the laces, and a Velcro tab on the heel — keeping trail debris out of your shoes.

StoneGuard:
A protective plate embedded in the midsole shields your feet from sharp rocks without sacrificing cushioning, allowing for confident movement on rocky terrain.

Water drainage:
Mesh drainage ports along the bottom edges of the upper allow water to escape quickly. After hiking ankle-deep through streams, the shoes shed moisture rapidly and remained comfortable within minutes.

Conclusion

If you have wide feet and prefer trail shoes over boots, the Altra Lone Peak series should be at the top of your list. For on-trail hiking with moderate pack weights, it’s hard to beat in comfort, grip, and overall performance. Add in the ability to double as a trail-running shoe, and you’ve got one incredibly versatile piece of footwear.

These shoes were supplied by Altra Footwear South Africa for review purposes and can be purchased via their online store and other specialist outdoor retailers.