This is a sponsored post brought to you by Altra. New customers can save 10% on any product at Altra with code TREK10.
TThe Altra Lone Peak is, without a doubt, one of the most popular shoes on America’s long trails — indeed, it was the most used shoe on the Appalachian Trail in 2025, according to Trek’s annual hiking survey.
This popular trail runner has come a long way over the years while maintaining the key features that have always made it successful: an open toe box, zero-to-ground descent, and prime trail comfort.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the latest iterations of the shoe, the Altra Lone Peak 9 and the Lone Peak 9+. What makes these shoes ideal for hikers, what are the differences between the two models, and are they the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
MSRP: $145 (new customers save 10% / $14.50 with code TREK10)
Weight (Pair): 22.3 oz
Heel to toe drop: 0 mm
Reduction: Mid
Stack Height: 25 mm
Shop Altra Lone Peak Men’s 9
Shop Altra Lone Peak Women’s 9
MSRP: $160 (new customers save 10% / $16 with code TREK10)
Weight (Pair): 23.1 oz
Heel to toe drop: 0 mm
Reduction: Mid
Stack Height: 25 mm
Shop Altra Lone Peak Men’s 9+
Shop Altra Lone Peak 9+ for Women
Lone Peak 9 and 9+ Key Features
Altra Lone Peak 9
Room Toebox
Altra makes ergonomic, minimalist shoes that allow the foot to move naturally. The brand’s signature wide toe box provides enough room for the toes to play as they would when walking barefoot. Many traditional shoes have a small toe box that keeps the toes cramped and limits their range of motion.
Not only is an open toe box better for foot health, but it’s just as comfortable. Giving your toes room also reduces the chance of blisters in that area, which is a major concern for many hikers.
Zero Drop
Altra’s top-to-bottom traction designs are the brand’s biggest claim to fame. The difference in height between the heel and toe of the shoe is known as the heel-to-toe drop, or simply the “drop”. In traditional shoes, the heel is higher than the toe, with your foot slightly pointing down.
In contrast, the Lone Peak is a zero-drop shoe. That means the heel and toe are at the same height, so your foot sits flat inside the shoe. This is all part of Altra’s minimalist ethos.
While zero-drop shoes may take some getting used to at first, many long-distance walkers (including your humble editor) have found them beneficial in reducing foot problems like plantar fasciitis.
The GaiterTrap
Trail running gaiters are all the rage among hikers. Basically little ankle skirts that cover your shoes from the tops of branches, rocks, sand, snow, and other annoying things that would get into your shoes when you walk. You can usually find gaiters in a variety of attractive colors and patterns to add spice to your hiking outfits.
Altra Lone Peaks has a built-in trap that protects it from the front and back, ensuring a good seal and preventing them from piling up.
StoneGuard Rock Plate
A rock plate is exactly what it sounds like: a hard plate inserted into the shoe between the outsole and midsole to provide extra protection from sharp rocks and debris. If you hike all day, every day (for example) on Pennsylvania’s notoriously rocky trails, you’ll appreciate this feature; trust us on this, dear reader.
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Altra Ego Midsole Foam
Altra has redesigned its signature Ego foam midsole to be even lighter on the 9 and 9+ compared to the previous Lone Peaks, while maintaining the same mid-range cushioning level.
Overly plush shoes seem like a good idea but can feel unstable in practice, and waste a lot of energy. On the other hand, stiffer midsoles are often more resistant to the repeated stress of hiking long distances. Altra Ego midsole cushioning hits the sweet spot.
The cushioning level of the Lone Peak 9 and 9+ is the only “average” thing about these shoes, and in this case, it’s commendable.
Wide Color Selection
Look, we all know it’s not a fashion show out there, but if you’re going to be living in one pair of shoes for months on end, why not pick a pair that you really like the look of?
Gone are the days when you could only choose between two or three bright colors: both the Lone Peak 9 and 9+ are available in more than a dozen different colors, from the rainbow colors most hikers know and love to more subdued tones.
Altra Lone Peak 9 vs. Altra Lone Peak 9+
MaxTrac outsole on the Altra Lone Peak 9.
What is the difference between Altra Lone Peak 9 and 9+? Both shoes have the basic feature set described above. The main difference between them is the outsole. While the Lone Peak 9 uses Altra’s MaxTrac rubber insole, the Lone Peak 9+ features a Vibram MegaGrip outsole.
The tread pattern is the same on both shoes, so never fear losing the signature tread pattern when you upgrade to the 9+. It is a unique rubber compound.
Lone Peak 9: MaxTrac Outsole
MaxTrac rubber has served many pedestrians for many years. Your planner relies on some version of these outsoles when navigating everything from the Appalachian Trail’s wet roots and rocks to dense snow.
Lone Peak 9+: Vibram MegaGrip Outsole
Vibram is the industry leader in tough, durable hiking clothing. The 9+ is the perfect upgrade for hikers who just want that little bit more grip (for example, if your ride might take you off-trail or over rough terrain).
The 9+, similarly, costs $15 and is a few grams heavier than the regular Lone Peak 9. Don’t forget, if you’re a new customer at Altra, you can take 10% off the list price of any shoe (or any other Altra product) with coupon code TREK10.
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9+
Most Used Trail Runners Among Thru-Hikers
Both the 9 and 9+ (pictured) are available in a variety of select colors.
What makes Altra Lone Peak stand out among climbers year after year? Altra’s emphasis on ergonomic designs that support long-term foot health, combined with Lone Peaks’ renowned comfort style, has earned them a loyal following among climbers.
What started as an almost cult-like following has become mainstream, with the Lone Peaks being named the most used runners in our annual hiking survey every year since 2017.
Promoting Healthy Feet
Thru-hiking puts a lot of wear and tear on the feet, so having shoes that promote good foot health is essential. The American Podiatric Medical Association found the Lone Peak 9 and 9+ to do just that and awarded the shoes the organization’s Seal of Acceptance.
Many walkers find that the design of zero-drop shoes helps to avoid plantar fasciitis and other common foot diseases, while the open foot box allows the toes to play naturally, reducing both blisters and deep issues that can arise when the bones of the foot are too crowded.
Lightweight, Breathable Trail Comfort
Those ergonomic touches are designed to keep your feet healthy, but also promote comfort on the trail. The signature roomy footbox is a luxurious touch. Meanwhile, lightweight shoes with breathable mesh and just-springy-enough midsoles are also big draws.
If you walk, your feet will sweat. You will have to interrupt the stream from time to time. It will rain. In short, your feet tend to get wet, and having shoes that breathe well and dry quickly can make a significant difference to your quality of life on the trail.
Besides, the lightweight design of the shoes will save you energy during your walk. At 11-ish ounces per shoe on average, they are much lighter than hiking shoes. Trust us: during the 5 million steps required to hike the AT or a hike of similar length, you’ll be thankful for every gram of your feet. not forced to bear.
Is the Altra Lone Peak 9 or 9+ right for you?
The Altra Lone Peak 9 and 9+ have a feature set that seems uniquely suited to appeal to a wide range of hikers. The evidence is compelling: this shoe line has consistently dominated the footwear category in our annual Appalachian Trail thru-hiker survey, with more hikers choosing the Lone Peak than any other shoe year after year.
If you’re new to hiking and trying to figure out what shoe is right for you, this should be one of the first shoes you try on. If you’re already wearing a previous version of Lone Peak and trying to decide whether to upgrade, the 9 and 9+ don’t disappoint.
New customers can save 10% on any product at Altra with code TREK10 on the way out.
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9+
Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm.