Moral of this story: Quit being a guy and read the directions!
Despite being a running geek and gadget guy, I guess that I missed the news on low drop, zero drop and pretty much anything to do with shoes. So when I got the Altra Lone Peak Zero Drop shoes, I did what I do with any new shoe and took it on a short 10- to 15-mile run.
Huge mistake.
After tripping 16 times -- eating it hard once -- I was ready to throw the shoes in the river. But then I noticed the inside of the shoe box, which contained the company's extensive description of the shoes and instructions on how to ease into them. From that moment on, it's been a discovery and revelation for my running. I feel like a kid again!
New to low drop? Read our transition tips.
Fit: "Like slippers?!" Yes, they print that on the box. They have an entire section of instructions on what the shoe should feel like and what size you should be wearing.
The toe box is the widest and biggest I've ever worn or seen. This is to allow for "natural toe spread -- maximizing natural shock absorption, stability and comfort," the box says. I definitely had plenty of room in the toe box, yet it never felt sloppy or uncomfortable. The toe guard is tough and the shoes even have a rock plate in the mid-sole area. The mid-sole fits well, though I'm more accustomed to shoes that hug the foot so I had to get used to it. But they held true and were comfortable even after more than 200 miles in them. The heel feels a bit loose, but I haven't had any issues with blisters or hot spots while wearing the shoes. The Altras truly feel like slippers, though my big fuzzy "Bigfoot" slippers have never inspired me to go for a run.
Function: The Lone Peak is Altra's only trail shoe, and the company made sure it delivered. Despite its light weight, this is a true trail shoe that eats up the dirt, rocks, mud, snow, ice, streams, gravel and whatever else you throw at it. I've run in almost every condition with these kicks and they have preformed above and beyond my expectations.
They seem to drain well, so water hasn't been an issue. We've had a very warm and rainy spring in D.C., so we've already had several very muddy races this year. I didn't slip at all in the entire 34 miles of the Seneca Greenway 50k mudfest in early March. At the HAT Run 50k, I ran with another runner who was wearing Altra's road shoes. This poor guy was sliding around in the mud like he was on ice skates, and my Lone Peaks plowed through with great traction.
Picking my way through rocky trail sections seems a bit easier, but I attribute this to the fact that the shoe really forces me to focus on my running form. The shoes discourage heel striking. Plus, I've found I have become more aware of how I'm running even in my other shoes. It's made running a blast again!
Altra warns that new wearers could experience calf soreness during the transition period, but I never had an issue. One thing that I haven't understood is the purpose of the small mudflap sticking out from the back of the shoe.
[Editor's note: The boys at Altra say it's a throwback to old shoe styles, and on the trail shoe, it should give you slightly more traction.]
Wear: The zero drop was definitely something new to get use to. I usually run with a 9mm to 11mm drop, so of course I was bound to trip all over myself on the first couple runs. I had forgotten how to run. Read the instructions, and things will really start to click. Also, these pups seem to be in it for the long haul. With just a quick rinse they still look great with no apparent wear and tear, even after putting them through countless mud baths and tons of abuse.
Overall: The Lone Peaks have become a steady shoe in my stable. Weighing in at 11.3 oz, they are close to the same weight as the Salomon Speedcross 3s (11.5 oz) that I normally wear. But if you are one to obsess over every ounce and want a really light shoe, then these aren't the shoe for you. But for the average runner -- like me -- they worked great.
[The Lone Peaks are advertised at 9.9 ounces, the Speedcross 3s at 10.2 ounces (size 9). These advertised weights are lighter because they are based on a smaller shoe size. Tom wears a size 11.5. He's also being modest, he is in no way, an "average" runner.]
I find myself making sure that I grab them at least once a week, so that I can keep reminding myself to focus on good form. But overall, they're just fun to run in. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone looking to work on form, but also to people just looking for a good trail shoe.
Gripes: I do miss the snug fit through the mid-sole that my other shoes provide. I want a shoe to hug my mid-sole and let me know that it's there. And holy shoelaces, Batman! The stock laces were long enough for me to rappel down a small cliff. I changed them out right away for a shorter pair, because there is only so much lace that you can tuck in the shoe.
Buy Altra's Lone Peaks for $109.99 here on their website.
Want more trail shoe reviews? Check out Bob Gaylord's take on Ahnu's Woodacre Hydrophobic.
Tom McNulty, 35, is an ultrarunner, Navy chief petty officer and chef to political bigwigs (really). His ultrarunning résumé includes a finish at Virginia's legendary Hellgate 100K. An immigrant from Big Sky Country, Tom is still looking for those "mountains" that all the East Coasters keep talking about.
