Summary

We spent 8.3 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:

8 reasons to buy

  • Many people commented that the upper unit of the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 was sturdy and secure.
  • The toe box received praise for having a roomy construction that welcomed natural toe-splay.
  • The outsole design of this running shoe was lauded for being helpful with movement over uneven terrains.
  • Most consumers were happy with the longevity of this product’s components; they stated that the elements resisted wear-and-tear while also evoking excellent quality.
  • The midsole unit was appreciated by runners because it was reactive but not flimsy.
  • Most users didn’t notice the weight of this shoe at all; they felt that it was suitably light for all-day use.
  • A majority of those who have tested this shoe claimed that the sizing scheme followed their regular anticipations.
  • The width profiles of the men’s and women’s versions were appreciated because they suitably housed feet that have medium and low volumes.

5 reasons not to buy

  • A few people stated that the lacing system caused the tongue unit to pinch the skin, resulting in hot spots and chafing.
  • Some testers weren’t happy with the design and color schemes; they claimed that the aesthetics looked outdated.
  • A couple of purchasers felt that the sole unit of the Lone Peak 4.0 was a bit heavy.
  • The back end of the collar has a curve that rubbed against the heel irritatingly, several runners complained.
  • The upper seemed like a sponge to a couple of runners; the fabric apparently tended to take in liquid and not let it dry off.

Bottom line

Many people were happy with the Altra Lone Peak 4.0. They were ecstatic because of this trail companion’s durable construction, precise outsole traction capacity, and lightweight build. Yet the part that got the bulk of the praise was the broad design of the forefoot section; people felt that it permitted the foot to relax and assume a natural position during the run. But there were complaints about the irritating upper aspect, as well as the water-magnet of an upper.

The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a product meant for trail running enthusiasts and those who have neutral running gaits.

Facts

Rankings

A top rated Trail running shoe
A top rated Altra running shoe
Top 5% most popular running shoes
It has never been more popular than this August
Better rated than the previous version Altra Lone Peak 3.5

Reviews from around the internet

Expert reviews:

User reviews:

SportsShoes, Zappos and 19 other shops don't have user reviews

  • Altra running shoes are known for the zero-drop platforms and technology-laden builds. They are also recognized for the capacity to welcome the natural shape and motion of the foot. One might say that such characteristics are only applicable to their road options, but they’re also present in their trail running line.  The Lone Peak 4.0 is an example of an off-road runner that’s meant to permit the natural biomechanical capabilities of the foot without sacrificing protection, comfort and outstanding traversal.
  • The upper unit of this product utilizes Quick-Dry Air Mesh. It is supported by stitched-on overlays that also serve as trappings for securing the foot in place. The tongue unit has a webbed surface that aims to cinch against the foot and avert sideward slipping. There are drainage ports at the bottom to remove water from the interior chamber (if water exposure is part of the run).
  • Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and A-Bound™ serve as the primary cushioning system of the Altra Lone Peak 4.0. These elements work together to ensure reactive and resilient support while on the trails. The MaxTrac™ rubber outsole and the StoneGuard™ film are the technologies that handle the rocks and other debris that litter the unpredictable outdoor terrains.

The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a bit larger when it comes to size. Runners are encouraged to get a pair that’s half-a-size smaller to achieve a pleasant in-shoe coverage. But trying on the shoe first before purchasing can ease the mind and enervate any concerns about a shoe that won’t acclimatize well to the outline of the foot.

Widthwise, the available options are D – Medium and B – Medium for men and women, respectively. Those who have low or medium foot volumes are the ones who are likely to welcome the in-shoe experience.

The semi-curved shape of this product, as well as the foot-shaped construction of the silhouette, welcomes the inherent curvature of the human foot.

The outsole unit of the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is made up of the MaxTrac™ technology, a compound that is durable and able to withstand the damaging nature of the surfaces. This layer is also constructed to provide surface adherence, a property that is highly essential when traversing uneven topography.

Curved gripping lugs form the TrailClaw™ configuration. These prominent nodes act like hooks that clamp onto the ground, thus delivering heightened grip. The opposite-facing layout enables foot-to-ground control during upward and downward traversals.

The trail rudder is fundamentally an extended outsole structure. The extra length permits additional surface control, especially when handling descents.

The A-Bound™ technology is a full-length topsole that’s designed to provide robust cushioning to the underfoot of the wearer. The material itself is made using environmentally friendly materials to reduce material wastage and buildup of plastics.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is an industry-standard compound that’s used for many running shoes. This piece acts as the midsole foundation, supporting the top layer and the foot at the same time. It doesn’t sag quickly or lose structure after each run.

The StoneGuard™ technology is a sheet of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is sandwiched between the midsole and outsole. The job of this layer is to protect the foot from the abrasive elements on the trails. It’s robust but flexible enough to follow the natural movement capacity of the foot as it bends and gears itself for each step.

Additional cushioning is provided by the 5-mm contour footbed. This extra piece can be removed or replaced with a custom orthotic insert if the wearer chooses it.

The upper unit of the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is made up of the Quick-Dry Air Mesh. This fabric offers breathability and security without luring in trail debris. Ventilation holes are present in this material, but they’re not prominent. The Quick-Dry distinction means that it’s made to stave off water absorption and retention.

The Heel Claw construction involves the curved collar design that’s supposed to clamp the back of the foot and keep it in place. The padding that graces the shoe’s rear also helps when it comes to preventing accidental shoe removals and in-shoe wobbling.

The stitched-on overlays of the Lone Peak 4.0 are meant to shield the mesh from scratches and potential cuts. They’re also intended to help the traditional lacing system when it comes to adjusting the tightness or looseness of the fit.

The 4-Point Gaiter Trap is comprised of several overlays on the upper unit that are made to be anchors for separately-purchased gaiter attachments. The four spots that welcome the hooks of the gaiters ensure optimal coverage, thereby protecting the foot from the elements.

The heel-to-toe drop of a running shoe determines the level of heel cushioning and the slanting position of the foot with regards to forward-propulsion and efficacy of the motion. A higher heel profile would mean that the platform is always geared for the toe-off while also focusing more on the support given to the back of the foot.

But running shoes that have low drops mean that a close-to-even plane is available for the foot; natural motion and surface steadiness is encouraged. A low heel-to-toe differential doesn’t mean a thin midsole, though there are options that put an emphasis on proprioception.

Here are examples of shoe families that embody low heel-to-toe drops:

Hoka One One Speedgoat

Hoka One One is a company takes pride in crafting running shoes that have thick midsoles. The Speedgoat series is an example of the brand’s commitment to delivering max cushioning to those who like to take to the trails. The moniker is inspired by Karl Meltzer, one of the most prolific ultrarunners in the world. The Speedgoat shoes that have seen the light of day were also made in collaboration with ‘Speedgoat Karl’ himself.

Trail running requires a shoe’s midsole to have a low (or even zero) drop to adapt well to the uneven terrains. Speedgoat Karl desired freedom of movement and max support at the same time, so the 4-millimeter drop became a sweet spot for a near-even-plane underfoot experience of the products that bore his nickname.

The Speedgoat 3 and its predecessors, the OG Speedgoat model and the Speedgoat 2 are examples of this popular line.

Merrell Trail Glove

Merrell is a company that offers trail running shoes that emphasize proprioception (or the perception of the ground beneath the foot) while also ensuring protection against the abrasive nature of the outdoor topography. The Trail Glove series is the embodiment of a vision of excellent surface adhesion in a flexible package. The name itself aims to point out the importance of a glove-like fit that doesn’t mar the inherent speed and movement capacity of the foot, especially since its sole unit is not substantial in thickness.

Like the Lone Peak 4.0, shoes like the Merrell Trail Glove 5 and its antecedents have a zero drop platform that permits the anatomical positioning of the foot relative to the being on a flat plane.

Topo Athletic MT-2

Topo Athletic strives to be a company that provides products that are fashion-forward yet also highly efficient. They don’t have a lot of models in their roster, but the present ones are made with strict compliance to in-brand quality standards and universal expectations for excellence.

The Topo Athletic MT and its brother, the Topo Athletic MT-2 are products of a design philosophy that involved a straightforward use of industry-standard components like EVA and lightweight mesh, as well as modern shoe-tweaks like a seamless design and the use of printed overlays. The 3-mm drop embodies the near-even heel and toe heights and the push for movement control and natural traversal techniques.

Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.

jens@runrepeat.com