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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid Boot Review}} Altra's first hiking boot is the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid, which is based off the Lone Peak 3.0 running shoe. B..."
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid Boot Review}}
Altra's first hiking boot is the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid, which is based off the Lone Peak 3.0 running shoe. Because of this, it's remarkably light coming in at just 14.5oz/410g which is about 20% lighter than my favorite hiking boot, the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]]. The approach and that Altra have taken as its advantages and its problems. Like a running shoe, the light weight reduces fatigue on long hikes when compared with a true hiking boot. The shape of the Lone Peak is a huge plus, as it's one of the few that matches the shape of the human foot. The downsides however are also pretty significant, the biggest being the rather poor waterproofing. The light weight also means that it's not as tough and rugged as a true hiking boot would be. I like the Lone Peak boot, but I'd only use it on relatively easy hikes, and I'm glad I stuck with the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]] for hiking above the Arctic Circle on the Kungsleden.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-top.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot top]]
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-outside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot bottom]]
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-inside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot inside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:cushioning}}. The Lone Peak is well cushioned for a hiking boot, similar to the [[Altra Torin]] though it's hard to accurately measure the cushioning of the boot. It's quite a bit less cushioned than the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]], and a little less isolated from the trail. While some folks like to have a good feel for the surface under foot, I value the extra protection when I'm hiking over rugged trails, especially when I'm tired.
* {{H:drop}}. The Lone Peak claims to be a zero drop, but I've not been able to accurately measure it as my test gear is designed for shoes. It feels close to zero drop, but I found that most Altra running shoes are close but not quite there.
* {{H:structure}}. The Lone Peak is a single density of foam and I found it extremely neutral with no interference to my biomechanics. Altra say that there's a "StoneGuard", which is a protective sheet that goes between of the midsole and the outsole.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The Lone Peak has nice flexibility for a hiking boot, but that's a low bar to beat.
* {{H:outsole}}. Altra's "MaxTrac Sticky Rubber" outsole provides good traction, though nothing like the amazing grip of the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]].
* {{H:shape}}. The shape of the Lone Peak matches the shape of the human foot, something that is still unusual in that the footwear industry. Unlike many other Altras, the Lone Peak has reasonable volume in the toe box, so there's no sense of your toes being trodden on while you're wearing them.
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is far more like a running shoe than a hiking boot, so it's not as ruggedized or resilient. So far, I've not had any issues, but I don't expect it to stand up to gnarly trails as well as a true hiking boot. There is a remarkable amount of padding around the ankle opening, far more than you'd find in a running shoe.
* '''Waterproofing'''. It's tough to make a waterproof boot due to the shape, amount of stitching and the stretching that occurs. Altra use Neoshell by Polartec which is waterproof to a pressure of 10,000mm, which should be enough, but I've had wet feet in my Lone Peak boots. I suspect the issue is leakage around the tongue stitching as I've had both a slow seepage and a sudden influx of cold water from around that area. The other issue I see with the waterproofing is the relatively low height of the boot. The back of the boot is about 2.5 inches/6.5 cm lower than the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]], which makes it far more likely for water to get in the boot when you're waterproof trousers ride up as of a sometimes do on steep terrain. Having a waterproof boot that doesn't keep your feet dry is worse than a non-waterproof boot. Once water gets into a waterproof boot, it won't dry out as well as it doesn't drain.
* {{H:tongue}}. The tongue is attached to the shoe for most of its length to sure it's waterproof, and the tongue is well-padded, especially towards the top.
* {{H:lacing}}. The laces are rounded, and I found that they have an annoying tendency to come undone. Even more annoying is the lacing system at the top of the boot. Most hiking boots have hooks for the topmost few lacing points which makes putting the shoe on quick and easy. The Altra uses a closed loops, which makes putting the boot on far more tedious. I suspect this also reflects a lack of experience in making hiking boots, and hopefully this will improve over time.
{{FastBlr|Altra/1331|1331|Altra Lone Peak Mid}}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
Altra's first hiking boot is the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid, which is based off the Lone Peak 3.0 running shoe. Because of this, it's remarkably light coming in at just 14.5oz/410g which is about 20% lighter than my favorite hiking boot, the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]]. The approach and that Altra have taken as its advantages and its problems. Like a running shoe, the light weight reduces fatigue on long hikes when compared with a true hiking boot. The shape of the Lone Peak is a huge plus, as it's one of the few that matches the shape of the human foot. The downsides however are also pretty significant, the biggest being the rather poor waterproofing. The light weight also means that it's not as tough and rugged as a true hiking boot would be. I like the Lone Peak boot, but I'd only use it on relatively easy hikes, and I'm glad I stuck with the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]] for hiking above the Arctic Circle on the Kungsleden.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-top.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot top]]
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-outside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot bottom]]
|[[File:Altra Lone Peak Boot-inside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Lone Peak Boot inside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:cushioning}}. The Lone Peak is well cushioned for a hiking boot, similar to the [[Altra Torin]] though it's hard to accurately measure the cushioning of the boot. It's quite a bit less cushioned than the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]], and a little less isolated from the trail. While some folks like to have a good feel for the surface under foot, I value the extra protection when I'm hiking over rugged trails, especially when I'm tired.
* {{H:drop}}. The Lone Peak claims to be a zero drop, but I've not been able to accurately measure it as my test gear is designed for shoes. It feels close to zero drop, but I found that most Altra running shoes are close but not quite there.
* {{H:structure}}. The Lone Peak is a single density of foam and I found it extremely neutral with no interference to my biomechanics. Altra say that there's a "StoneGuard", which is a protective sheet that goes between of the midsole and the outsole.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The Lone Peak has nice flexibility for a hiking boot, but that's a low bar to beat.
* {{H:outsole}}. Altra's "MaxTrac Sticky Rubber" outsole provides good traction, though nothing like the amazing grip of the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]].
* {{H:shape}}. The shape of the Lone Peak matches the shape of the human foot, something that is still unusual in that the footwear industry. Unlike many other Altras, the Lone Peak has reasonable volume in the toe box, so there's no sense of your toes being trodden on while you're wearing them.
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is far more like a running shoe than a hiking boot, so it's not as ruggedized or resilient. So far, I've not had any issues, but I don't expect it to stand up to gnarly trails as well as a true hiking boot. There is a remarkable amount of padding around the ankle opening, far more than you'd find in a running shoe.
* '''Waterproofing'''. It's tough to make a waterproof boot due to the shape, amount of stitching and the stretching that occurs. Altra use Neoshell by Polartec which is waterproof to a pressure of 10,000mm, which should be enough, but I've had wet feet in my Lone Peak boots. I suspect the issue is leakage around the tongue stitching as I've had both a slow seepage and a sudden influx of cold water from around that area. The other issue I see with the waterproofing is the relatively low height of the boot. The back of the boot is about 2.5 inches/6.5 cm lower than the [[Hoka Tor Ultra]], which makes it far more likely for water to get in the boot when you're waterproof trousers ride up as of a sometimes do on steep terrain. Having a waterproof boot that doesn't keep your feet dry is worse than a non-waterproof boot. Once water gets into a waterproof boot, it won't dry out as well as it doesn't drain.
* {{H:tongue}}. The tongue is attached to the shoe for most of its length to sure it's waterproof, and the tongue is well-padded, especially towards the top.
* {{H:lacing}}. The laces are rounded, and I found that they have an annoying tendency to come undone. Even more annoying is the lacing system at the top of the boot. Most hiking boots have hooks for the topmost few lacing points which makes putting the shoe on quick and easy. The Altra uses a closed loops, which makes putting the boot on far more tedious. I suspect this also reflects a lack of experience in making hiking boots, and hopefully this will improve over time.
{{FastBlr|Altra/1331|1331|Altra Lone Peak Mid}}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}