Facts

Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.

Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.

Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.


Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 8.1 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
6 reasons to buy
- The customers praised the cushioning of the Altra Lone Peak 3.5.
- The runners lauded the grip of the shoes on roads, as well as on packed dirt, sand, and gravel.
- The users liked the fit of the shoe around their feet.
- Most individuals were impressed with the high energy return of the Lone Peak 3.5.
- A few people mentioned how the new shoe’s upper was able to prevent dirt and small rocks from getting inside the shoe.
- A customer appreciated the additional lateral support around the toe-box.
3 reasons not to buy
- A few runners thought that the newer version of the Altra Lone Peak had a narrower toe-box compared to its earlier version.
- A user was dissatisfied with the upper’s apparent lack of ventilation since it felt too hot after several miles of running.
- Another customer was not happy with the sizing; the sizes were either too big or too small for his feet.
Bottom line
While the changes such as enhanced cushioning, flexibility and responsiveness made by the Altra in its newest version of the Lone Peak have been thoroughly welcomed by most customers, there is certainly a room for improvement in the shoe. For some testers, it would’ve been great if it had a wider toe-box and a slightly more breathable upper.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Expert Reviews
Experts are running shoe geeks, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
Are you an expert? Apply to contribute here.
87 / 100 based on 12 expert reviews
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84 / 100 by Rob Andro • Rob Andro • Level 4 expert
Same great shoe, same great price, same great ride. But please, before you buy it, folks, go try 'em on and make sure that your same size fits the same way and go up half-size if you have to.
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85 / 100 by Marathon Cooking • Marathon Cooking • Level 2 expert
The 3.5, I've tried on and have worn them bit. No long runs or anything like that, this is an initla guide, is a much better shoe.
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87 / 100 by Running Without Injuries • Brian Goldman • Level 4 expert
This is one of my most used trail shoes recently and I think you will like it.
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100 / 100 by OutdoorGearLab • OutdoorGearLab • Level 2 expert
A trail shoe best for those seeking forefoot freedom on the foothills to the mountains.
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83 / 100 by Road Trail Run • Dominick Layfield • Level 2 expert
I did notice the new stretchiness. Otherwise everything felt familiar and comfortable.
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100 / 100 by Chris Burkett • Chris Burkett • Level 1 expert
I really like these shoes. I think that for hiking purposes they're great, very catchy.
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90 / 100 by We All Hike Solo • Dave Kenyon • Level 1 expert
For my money, there is no better shoe out there.
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88 / 100 by Lint Hikes • Lint • Level 1 expert
I can't imagine not liking these shoes. I love them so much.
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87 / 100 by Darwin Onthetrail • Darwin • Level 1 expert
So far, I haven't gotten a lot of miles with the 3.5 but I am really digging the ;ittle changes they put in there.
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87 / 100 by Hiking Nerd • Jimmy • Level 1 expert
I really think that this (Lone Peak 3.5) is a better version of this (Lone Peak 3.0).
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85 / 100 by Chase the Summit • Dave Dillon • Level 1 expert
If you’re looking for new trail shoes for hiking or running that are tough, comfortable, grip well, and dry quick I highly suggest you try on a pair of the new Altra Lone Peak 3.5’s!
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80 / 100 by Bungzy • Bungzy • Level 1 expert
I think you should consider sizing up.
Updates to Altra Lone Peak 3.5
- While there are no ‘big’ changes to it, the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 certainly boasts a few smart features that aim to improve the runner’s performance on the ground. The stitching on the upper has been updated for more breathability. The efficient drainage system allows for a healthy circulation of air inside the shoe, thereby ensuring instant drying and cooling of the foot during longer runs.
- The Drilex Lining across the upper gives a smooth in-shoe experience while also making sure to not inhibit breathability.
- The Stone Guard housed in the heel region provides additional comfort to the runner and keeps the foot in position while running on steep slopes etc.
- Another update is the Natural Ride System (NRS) in the shoe which results in the increased adaptability and the improved flexibility for the runner. The system allows for a smoother transitioning of foot among various running positions.
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 size and fit
This neutral trail running shoe comes in the standard running length and the standard medium width of D and B for men and women respectively. However, owing to its relatively narrower toe-box, it is advisable to try the shoe first.
Outsole
The shoe boasts the MaxTrac Outsole with a sticky rubber that has the capability of resisting slip and ensuring a firm grip on the challenging surfaces. This material is also very durable; therefore, it keeps this running shoe in a healthy condition for longer durations of time.
Midsole
The shoe’s midsole is made from an environmentally friendly recycled material, the A-Bound technology for maximum underfoot protection and greater resilience to impact forces.
The popular EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) material, which has already proven its mettle in other shoes, takes the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 to higher levels of comfortability and responsiveness.
The Natural Ride System (NRS) design includes the foot-shaped finish, various foot-shaped shapes and a zero millimeter heel-to-toe drop for a more natural, closer-to-ground feel. This system lets the sole unit adapt fully to the shape and movement capacity of the wearer’s foot.
The Natural Foot Design follows the natural structure and curve of the human foot, thus giving a secure and agreeable underfoot experience.
The Stone Guard is a flexible thermoplastic urethane material that shields the toes from debris and disperses impact shock, thereby providing protection on the trails.
The 5 mm-Contour FootBed provides additional cushioning for the foot.
Upper
The Quick Dry Trail Mesh material keeps the runner’s foot cool and dry. Its highly breathable design and updated stitching provide a healthy environment inside the shoe and a better fit to improve the shoe’s efficiency.
The Drilex lining further increases the breathability by improving air circulation inside the shoe.
The Heel Claw around the back of the shoe provides additional support to the runner while also preventing accidental shoe removals.
The shoe also has the 4-point GaiterTrap for easy donning of a gaiter through a hook and loop tab.
The Gusseted Tongue effectively prevents the small rocks and dirt from entering the shoe.
Finally, the lace-up closure locks down the foot in position and prevents it from wobbling inside the shoe during the running session.