As co-founder of
Altra and being heavily involved in the development process, a review of my own shoe is more or less irrelevant. However after spending the last 2 years creating and testing The Lone Peak, below are my thoughts:
This shoe was built to run the Wasatch 100. We wanted a light flexible and nimble shoe that was tough enough and protective enough to handle any terrain. I believe we nailed this on the head. Having raced Wasatch 100 in 2010 in our first prototype along with Battle of Big Springs, Katcina Mosa 100k, Antelope Island 100k, Kahtoola Snowshoe Marathon, Diablo 50k, as well as hundreds of other miles including pacing duties at Squaw Peak 50, 40 miles of Hardrock 100, and 40 more at Wasatch 2011, I've taken this shoe through the nastiest stuff ultra running can dish out. Here's why its the best:
1st- Zero Drop. This encourages better running technique, particularly when fatigued. It also creates better balance and less rolled ankles. As soon as you elevate the heel, it puts you in an unnatural position and destabilizes the ankle due to the downward plantarflexion of the foot. Zero Drop is amazing. We are the originators of the term Zero Drop and have been proponents of this concept well before we even started Altra. Its the future of running shoes.
2nd- Fully Cushioned Sandwiched StoneGuard. When people think of Zero Drop, they tend to think of minimalism. The Lone Peak however has the forefoot stack height and cushion of a Brooks Cascadia. We just don't have the unnecessary elevated heel. Now....the brilliant concept of the sandwiched StoneGuard! We use a double layered midsole.
IF a shoe has a rock plate, it is always located against the outsole. This protects the foot from rocks but pivots the foot increasing the instability and rolled ankles. Our rock plate is cleverly sandwiched between our two layered midsole. So the rocks can deflect into the shoe before hitting the full-length StoneGuard. It also has 3 slits in forefoot for increased flexibility. Hard to describe but very effective over uneven terrain!
3rd- Foot Shaped Toebox. By widening the toebox your toes can spread out, relax, stabilize, attenuate shock, reduce black toenails, and generally perform better then jamming them in a narrow tapered toebox. This is particularly effective when you begin to fatigue. As your feet swell, they can do so comfortably and perform better late in a race. Its incredible at mile 85!
Others vs Altra
4th- Traction/Outsole. Its simple yet effective. Uphill traction, downhill traction, strongest canted lugs are directly under the metatarsals for balance & propulsion, and the lungs are far enough apart to shed mud easily. Also has the trail rudder. A throw back nod to the original trail shoes, this question prone feature was made for the Plunge and Dive. Steep nasty terrain and the trail rudder keeps you upright instead of back on your butt. Also effective in keeping mud from spraying up your leg as well as glissading.
5th- Respect the Sport. The Lone Peak is durable. I put over 800 miles on my first pair. Its a silhouette of the name sake mountain in the Wasatch.
Built for and by ultramarathon runners it can handle any terrain yet its still light and flexible enough for an easy 6 mile run.
Sounds like a sales pitch, but I honestly believe we created the best trail shoe ever. Its the closest thing to the perfect trail shoe for the Wasatch mountains or any other trail that is uneven nasty and tough. I'm in love....
Check out out website or call your local retailer to snag a pair.
www.altrazerodrop.com 
