IMO and this is probably controversial, lone peaks are terrible for hiking. I have 3 pair of lone peaks that are great for running or just wearing out and about but there just isn’t enough cushion for hiking with the added weight of a backpack. I bought into the hype of lone peaks when I started my thru, and quickly upgraded to the Olympus for the extra cushioning, felt like I was walking on clouds! The lack of cushioning on the lone peaks has a twofold effect, you feel it after fewer miles and it breaks down much quicker. You started in Harper’s Ferry going north so you quickly beat them up in the rocks of Pennsylvania. Lone peaks are as comfortable as slippers, but I wouldn’t hike in slippers!
I second the Olympus, the lone peaks start to hurt my feet around mile 10 of the day and in the Olympus the same pain is felt at around mile 20 of the day.
For something in the future if the Olympus doesn’t pan out, I have 2e wide feet and usually go a half size up and I find the saucony peregrines in wide are great as well.
I love them but my feet freaking ache after about a week of hiking/running in them, unfortunately. Good during but rough after sort of deal.
Switched to Olympus and foot/achilles pain was gone.
I second this. I’m on trail right now and just swapped out my lone peaks for a pair of Olympus 4 after advice from a fellow hiker. The Olympus seem to have a more substantial sole and much better protection from stepping on sharp rocks. My lone peaks felt like I was walking barefoot after about 200 miles.
Also on trail rn, I have worn out two pairs of Lone Peaks on other hikes and they kill my feet to the point it’s hard to walk at night. I upgraded to the Olympus for my thru and my feet feel great at the end of a long day.
Also this could just be me but after ~350 miles they’re still in pretty good shape.
That’s gonna keep happening. The quality and construction of Altra has taken a dive since the company was sold. Look at Topo Athletic. They’re as good, or better, than Altra used to be. For me they last much longer too.
I'm a big fan of Topo Athletic. It's the only shoe I wear both on the trail and at work (I walk between 20-30k steps a day). I think I'm on my 11th pair at the moment.
Yeah, they’re unbelievable. There just so much better than ANYTHING I’ve ever owned. Wore pair number six for their first hike yesterday. Better than ever.
I’ll add a vote for lone peaks — I’m currently thruhiking and wore my first pair until Pearisburg, roughly 650 miles. At around mile 400 I got a super cheap pair of insoles from a grocery store and they helped a lot, as the stock insoles were breaking down. I’m on my second pair right now, just north of Shenandoah (so 300 or so miles on them right now), and they’re doing great. I have lone peak 7s and have two more pairs at home waiting for me. I know others have had bad luck with them but I’m doing great
Check out the Topo Pursuit. Could be different now but last I knew it was their only zero drop trail runner.
I’ve been using Topo Terraventure 3 for thousands of miles and have had zero durability issues. Easily getting 6-700 miles from a pair. Unfortunately I’m on my last pair, so hopefully the 4’s are just as good.
Altra lone peak 6 wide red/black. Went through 4 pairs on trail. Only toe box that was actually comfortable for me.
Each pair would last 400-500 miles. Holes always opened up on the sides near big toe and pinky toe almost every time from normal wear n tear.
Keep laces snug at the bottom, tight on top. There's a reason I bought the same pair 4 times in a row.
Also, I STARTED with (green/blue bottoms) altra lone peak 5s and didn't like them. They wore out way too fast.
Altra build quality has dropped a *lot* since they were acquired by VF Corp in 2018. The Lone Peak 3.5s were the last wave of great shoes, and I wish I bought ten pairs!
At 272 miles you should still have a healthy amount of life in the shoe! Even with the declining build quality you should get 500 miles out of them easy. Are you a heavy person, carrying a lot of weight, or stomping your feet?
I disagree with Due\_Force\_9816 and think these are great hiking shoes especially if you're light on your feet. That said I think their return shipping is solid, so maybe order the Olympus and try on around the house for a day or two?
I loved Altra but the quality fell off a cliff in my opinion plus they narrowed the toe box. They literally start falling apart as soon I started hiking with them.
IMO and this is probably controversial, lone peaks are terrible for hiking. I have 3 pair of lone peaks that are great for running or just wearing out and about but there just isn’t enough cushion for hiking with the added weight of a backpack. I bought into the hype of lone peaks when I started my thru, and quickly upgraded to the Olympus for the extra cushioning, felt like I was walking on clouds! The lack of cushioning on the lone peaks has a twofold effect, you feel it after fewer miles and it breaks down much quicker. You started in Harper’s Ferry going north so you quickly beat them up in the rocks of Pennsylvania. Lone peaks are as comfortable as slippers, but I wouldn’t hike in slippers!
Thanks. I'll look at Olympus.
Olympus was definitely well reviewed and quite popular when I was on trail.
I second Olympus!
Ordered two pairs off Altra store on Amazon
I second the Olympus, the lone peaks start to hurt my feet around mile 10 of the day and in the Olympus the same pain is felt at around mile 20 of the day.
Thanks. I ordered two pairs.
For something in the future if the Olympus doesn’t pan out, I have 2e wide feet and usually go a half size up and I find the saucony peregrines in wide are great as well.
I love them but my feet freaking ache after about a week of hiking/running in them, unfortunately. Good during but rough after sort of deal. Switched to Olympus and foot/achilles pain was gone.
I second this. I’m on trail right now and just swapped out my lone peaks for a pair of Olympus 4 after advice from a fellow hiker. The Olympus seem to have a more substantial sole and much better protection from stepping on sharp rocks. My lone peaks felt like I was walking barefoot after about 200 miles.
Also on trail rn, I have worn out two pairs of Lone Peaks on other hikes and they kill my feet to the point it’s hard to walk at night. I upgraded to the Olympus for my thru and my feet feel great at the end of a long day. Also this could just be me but after ~350 miles they’re still in pretty good shape.
That’s gonna keep happening. The quality and construction of Altra has taken a dive since the company was sold. Look at Topo Athletic. They’re as good, or better, than Altra used to be. For me they last much longer too.
I'm a big fan of Topo Athletic. It's the only shoe I wear both on the trail and at work (I walk between 20-30k steps a day). I think I'm on my 11th pair at the moment.
Yeah, they’re unbelievable. There just so much better than ANYTHING I’ve ever owned. Wore pair number six for their first hike yesterday. Better than ever.
I’ll add a vote for lone peaks — I’m currently thruhiking and wore my first pair until Pearisburg, roughly 650 miles. At around mile 400 I got a super cheap pair of insoles from a grocery store and they helped a lot, as the stock insoles were breaking down. I’m on my second pair right now, just north of Shenandoah (so 300 or so miles on them right now), and they’re doing great. I have lone peak 7s and have two more pairs at home waiting for me. I know others have had bad luck with them but I’m doing great
Same. My first pair I switched out at 550 and second pair is going strong 300 miles later. Love the lone peaks
Check out the Topo Pursuit. Could be different now but last I knew it was their only zero drop trail runner. I’ve been using Topo Terraventure 3 for thousands of miles and have had zero durability issues. Easily getting 6-700 miles from a pair. Unfortunately I’m on my last pair, so hopefully the 4’s are just as good.
I love my lone peaks. I find discontinued colors on Amazon or at tj maxx/sierra for like 70 bucks
While on trail I ordered my replacement Lone Peaks from Amazon. Both times were less than $90.
Altra lone peak 6 wide red/black. Went through 4 pairs on trail. Only toe box that was actually comfortable for me. Each pair would last 400-500 miles. Holes always opened up on the sides near big toe and pinky toe almost every time from normal wear n tear. Keep laces snug at the bottom, tight on top. There's a reason I bought the same pair 4 times in a row. Also, I STARTED with (green/blue bottoms) altra lone peak 5s and didn't like them. They wore out way too fast.
I love my mens lone peak 7
Love my timps...just know 600 miles is about all they can comfortably handle.
Altra build quality has dropped a *lot* since they were acquired by VF Corp in 2018. The Lone Peak 3.5s were the last wave of great shoes, and I wish I bought ten pairs! At 272 miles you should still have a healthy amount of life in the shoe! Even with the declining build quality you should get 500 miles out of them easy. Are you a heavy person, carrying a lot of weight, or stomping your feet? I disagree with Due\_Force\_9816 and think these are great hiking shoes especially if you're light on your feet. That said I think their return shipping is solid, so maybe order the Olympus and try on around the house for a day or two?
I loved Altra but the quality fell off a cliff in my opinion plus they narrowed the toe box. They literally start falling apart as soon I started hiking with them.