Women’s Altra Lone Peak 1.5 Review

I take my fortunes very seriously! Having cracked open this fortune mere days before unwrapping my new Altra Lone Peaks, I knew I was getting my feet into something good. I have been lusting after these shoes for a good two years, but having been forced out of running commission by two successive FAI hip surgeries I  have been lusting from afar… until NOW.

The first thing I noticed when sliding these babies on, besides being blinded with orange-ness, was the plush forefoot room. I have a slightly wide (and short) foot and have felt squeezed to death in all minimalist trail shoes thus far. The Altra Lone Peaks are actually shaped like feet so your big toe is not forced inward like other shoes. I honestly don’t understand why more shoes aren’t shaped like feet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if other shoe companies start churning out shoes shaped just like Altras.

Due to Altra’s unique shape, other reviewers and the Altra peeps themselves suggest sizing up an entire size. I typically wear a 6 to 6.5, and had the recommended 1/2 inch of room between my longest toe and the end of the shoe with the 6.5 so this was not necessarily true for me.

The Altra website offers some great advice on how to transition into zero drop footwear. Since I was getting back into running after a long layoff due to injury and multiple surgeries, I thought that would be a perfect time to transition into Altras. I transitioned so slowly, we’re talking 10 x 30 seconds of running to start with, so I had no difficulty getting used to the zero drop. I am currently up to running 5-6 miles comfortably in the Lone Peaks, but I do alternate with my Salomon Speedcrosses and Nike LunarFlys for the rare times I am on the road. I do have to admit that when I put on any of my formerly beloved running shoes, my feet feel a little too constricted and my toes are wishing they could sprawl out like they can do in the Altras.

I don’t know if it is merely coincidence or not, but the plantar fasciitis I have been dealing with since last summer has slowly faded away since running in the Altra Lone Peaks. My physical therapist called me crazy for running in Altras, but can’t explain why my plantar fasciitis has finally gotten better so he suggests I keep doing what I am doing because obviously something is working.

Only real complaint is the shoelaces are absurdly long. I could tie the laces into octuple knots and still be tripping over them, seriously what do you do with that much lace? Also, I wish the Lone Peaks were available in a few more colors like happy, girly purple or perhaps a more mellow natural earthy color like mossy green.

The Details:

• Great for trail running, hiking, and ultramarathoning
• Designed specifically for women
• Lightweight at 8.9 ounces a shoe
• Zero-drop meaning the heel and forefoot are the same distance from the ground
• Designed to promote a natural foot strike meaning less impact and injuries
• Crazy bright orange adds increased visibility out on the trails

 Where Can You Buy Altra’s?

• Amazon
• Backcountry.com
• Altra’s Website
• Use Altra’s Find a Store tool so you can try them on in person