Altra Lone Peak 7 First Look: Finish-of-12 months Upgrades Outshine the LP6


Not everybody likes the pure footshape of Altra sneakers. However for all of the Lone Peak path shoe lovers on the market, listen. The LP7 has arrived with some stellar upgrades to the higher and outsole.

I’ve been operating in — and actually having fun with — the Lone Peak 6 sneakers since simply earlier than they got here out in Might 2022.

Then on December 15, 2022, Altra dropped its newest iteration: the Lone Peak 7. I ran in them via the tip of December (and into January), which could be a fairly hit-or-miss time of yr to check path sneakers. Most of my native trails within the mountains of Colorado had been coated in packed snow or sheets of ice.

Nevertheless, I used to be nonetheless capable of finding some sunny filth and rock sections of path (no spikes wanted) to check the LP7’s stuff. I ran primarily on neighborhood gravel and filth trails — a ok mixture of flat, steep, and rockier terrain to get a really feel for the ergonomically formed shoe. Right here’s what I really like concerning the Lone Peak 7 to this point.

In brief: The Altra LP7 is a cushty and responsive shoe that has shortly change into one among my day by day driving, operating, and strolling sneakers. Whereas the grippiness of the Lone Peak 6 was already fairly good, the Lone Peak 7 has a doubtlessly higher MaxTrac outsole and a special lug sample that caught my consideration quick.

Altra Lone Peak 7 Overview

altra 7 profile
(Picture/Mary Murphy)

Particular Upgrades

Altra Lone Peak 7 Specs

  • Higher: New stitchless higher, mesh
  • Midsole: Altra EGO (no change from prior shoe)
  • Outsole: MaxTrac rubber (new lugs)
  • Stack peak: 25 mm
  • Drop: 0 mm
  • Verified weight: 1 lb. 2.1 oz. per pair (measurement 8)

Lone Peak 7: Value It Over the Lone Peak 5 or 6?

lone peak 7 running
Writer operating within the Lone Peak 7; (photograph/Mary Murphy)

Consolation and Match

Out of the field and on the primary run, these sneakers had been comfy. I did must cinch up the laces fairly a bit, however the tongue, ankle cushion, and heel cushion all felt comfy. I skilled no rubbing or pinching and didn’t should overly fidget with the tongue or laces on my runs.

That’s not simply due to the comfortable but responsive Altra EGO insole. It’s additionally due to the model’s signature Unique FootShape Match, which has a wider toe field and is Altra’s roomiest shoe match. However each of these had been earlier options of the LP6. What makes the LP7 any totally different from its predecessors?

Grip and Sturdiness

My second and subsequent a number of path runs, in addition to a few hikes within the Lone Peak 7, are the place I actually seen the upgrades to the outsole and lugs. Most particularly on undulating and uneven trails — the sort the place you’re consistently watching (or needs to be watching) your footing. The traction of the brand new MaxTrac lugs gripped properly on rocks and didn’t slip in gravel.

It’s a hearty outsole with out being heavy.

And the brand new “stitchless” higher is far, a lot cleaner than the prior LP6 model. The light-weight higher has confirmed actually sturdy in testing to this point. With out these pesky stitches or seams to fail, we’re hoping it’s even harder than the LP6.

The one downside to the brand new higher? On a number of of the fashions, it’s an unlucky, very mild white/tan, which is a tough colour for path trainers. Beware when you enterprise onto moist/muddy trails.

Conclusion

altra 6 vs 7 outsoles
The Altra Lone Peak 6 (left) vs. the Lone Peak 7 (proper) outsole; (photograph/Mary Murphy)

The Lone Peak path runner didn’t essentially want an improve, however after operating on the brand new outsole, we’re bought on model 7. The brand new sample and directionality of the lugs provide actually good traction, and the remainder of the shoe (match and really feel on path) is sound. Once I lastly retire my Lone Peak 6 (~150 operating miles and counting), the 7s will likely be a welcome alternative.

Or, who is aware of, possibly now I’ll change over and make the Lone Peak 7 my go-to path shoe and save the Lone Peak 6 for a backup.

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