The RW Takeaway: The lightweight Lone Peak 6 provides 360-comfort and all the basic features you’ll need for runs on the trail—wet or dry, soft or muddy.
- Midsole rock plate offers protection on gnarly terrain.
- Sticky outsole reduces chance of slippage on wet rock.
- Ample room in the toebox
Price: $140
Type: Trail
Weight: 9.5 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W)
Drop: 0 mm
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Pros
- More secure fit
- Moderately cushioned midsole
- MaxTrac outsole provides grip with canted lugs
Cons
- Midsole cushioning not as supportive for some testers on technical trails
The Lone Peak 6 has all the trail shoe basics: a rock plate in the midsole, attachment points for gaiters, and a grippy rubber outsole with canted lugs. But its surrounding comfort is the key feature that won me and other testers over. The shoe’s flexibility and streamlined fit make it easier to maneuver over uneven surfaces, its roomy toebox reducing risk of black toenails and blisters.
A Better Fit
A few key tweaks mostly dialed in the fit of the Lone Peak 6. Altra removed overlays from the quick-dry air mesh upper to increase flexibility. It also reconfigured the Lone Peak’s closure system with additional midfoot lacing, making the 6 feel slightly more secure than its predecessor, which testers had described as having a “sloppy” fit unless they tinkered with the laces. Still, some had trouble locking in their feet no matter how tautly they laced up. “I couldn’t tie the shoe as tight as I wanted,” said a tester. “It felt like there was too much room around the ankle.”
Balanced Cushioning
The midsole is Altra’s Ego compound, which provides moderate cushioning and contains a rock plate. The foam isn’t exceptionally thick, so it left some testers wishing for just a little more comfort. “I generally like to be able to feel the ground when running, but this shoe just didn’t feel great,” said one tester who previously loved the Merrell Trail Glove 6. “After a long run on jagged, rocky terrain, my feet felt pretty beat up.” Testers who ran on softer, groomed ground reported a more balanced ride. The outsole, however, is built to tackle technical terrain. The MaxTrac rubber is tacky on wet rocks, while chevron-shaped lugs claw loose dirt.
Wear-Tester Feedback
Steph N., Schnecksville, PA
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“This Altra is way more comfortable than other shoes I have run in. I liked how it was roomy and very flexible. I thought the shoes had sufficient tread and were ideal for running on trail surfaces. I even enjoyed running on the road in them.”
Helene H., Reading, PA
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Forefoot
“The weight of the shoe made me feel free in every step. My toes were not sore after long miles kicking rocks and roots. I wore them over rocks, roots, through creeks, on gravel and muddy surfaces. The traction is so good. I didn’t slip over any rocks. I like Hokas (specifically the Speedgoat), however, the stack height of this shoe works much better for me; no rolling my ankles.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
