While we’ve reviewed a few versions of the Lone Peak over the years, most of the changes and updates to this shoe have been somewhat minor. Sure, if you take the Lone Peak from 10 years ago and compare it to the Lone Peak 9 line differences are immediately apparent, but the changes (perhaps for the best) have been incremental and small, and at times simply cosmetic.

That is until now with the new Altra Lone Peak 9+. With my previous Lone Peaks worn down and thinking I might perhaps just be picking up another incremental update with the 9+ – in fact I wasn’t sure if I should pay the premium price over the normal 9, non-plus version – after just a first hike with the 9+ it becomes apparent that this is the biggest and best change to the Lone Peak line since the start.

Altra Lone Peak 9+ Design & Features

If you’re not familiar with the Lone Peak line it’s a moderately cushioned shoe (featuring a 25mm stack height) that is “zero drop”, meaning that the heel height is the same as the forefoot, with the goal of promoting a more natural stride. The shoe has a wide toebox with plenty of room, and even comes in a wider width if you’re after a particularly wide shoe. The shoe rounds things out with a somewhat aggressive tread and a rockplate, while keeping things lightweight and breathable.

Other than that and the “trail rudder” which is a portion of the outsole extending slightly past the heel of the shoe said to help provide additional traction on steep downhills, and along with the gaiter attachment points on the shoe (missing on some previous versions of the Lone Peak but again present on the 9+), what we’ve covered so far rounds out the extras you get with the Lone Peak on top of a pretty standard trail runner.

One complaint however has accompanied the Lone Peak in a somewhat common fashion for many years – the traction. While the tread pattern is aggressive and I’ve found it has always offered decent traction when new, after a couple hundred miles the outsole lugs wear down and you do begin to rely on the grip of the rubber itself more so than the tread pattern.

That said, it’s something I’ve been cognizant of and for me it’s always been sufficient, or acceptable – it’s not a climbing shoe after all. However opinions vary, and for others the traction of the shoe has been less than satisfactory.

For the Lone Peak 9+ Altra partners with Vibram to offer their Lone Peak tread pattern, but made with Vibram rubber. Considering that I’ve always found the traction acceptable but not exemplary I bought the 9+ version (which will cost you about $20 more than standard, resulting in a whopping $160 for a non-waterproof trail running shoe) essentially just so I could stay on top of the latest developments in the Lone Peak line.

Lone Peak 9+ Impressions and Performance

Fit

Fit of the shoe is as you might expect from the Lone Peak – very comfortable with plenty of room for the toes. If the shoe was custom-made for me I’d have the heel made just a bit tighter, but it hasn’t resulted in much nuisance on the trail. While a wide version is offered, the standard version is pretty darn wide. Toes are well protected, you can feel the ground underfoot but the rockplate does its job, stability is just fine, and cushioning is right on – enough where you can just tell it’s helping but without being too soft or raising the stack height up too high for higher angled terrain.

The laces are almost comically long – prompting a near mandatory double or triple knot for me. But no matter, once you get moving with the 9+ the grip of the new Vibram sole is immediately apparent and I’ve found it to offer surprising traction on everything from dry trails to wet slickrock.

Traction

Traction is somewhat reduced by colder temperatures, but overall the traction of the shoe is something to write home about and write about here; the best part for me has been the reduction / near elimination of “microslips” as you hike even on flat ground. It just feels like all your energy is being translated into forward movement, and in my experience descending on something like slickrock your foot just feels “stuck” until you pick it up for the next step.

I should note that this is the first Lone Peak where I’ve actually noticed the “trail rudder” extension working when working your way down steep downhills. It’s not a huge deal, but seems to add a little something.

In short it’s the same Lone Peak, just better.

The Upper

To cover the rest of the shoe the mesh is tightly woven and not the most breathable; these do run a bit hot even on days with moderate temperatures. It’s a give and take with this type of thing though as this is a nice to have on a crisper fall day, adds durability, and keeps more debris like sand out. You get Lone Peak fit here in that this is one shoe you won't necessarily be rushing to take off at the end of the day. It's comfortable.

If I had to sum up the Lone Peak 9+ in two words, those two words would have to be comfort, and traction.

Conclusion

The Lone Peak 9+ is one of those rare finds where the hype translates to the trail – the grip is the best I’ve experienced in a trail shoe that results in a feeling of confidence and connection to the ground. It feels like this level of grip even adds in a little efficiency as well; it just feels like 100% of the energy you extend to propel yourself forward is doing just that – moving you along the trail. For me I do wish the heel was a bit tighter on fit, but that will vary by user. The price may be hard to justify however, although it is 2025 I’d be more comfortable spending $160 on something like a waterproof / breathable winter boot.

However, when it comes to a breathable trail running shoe and if you’re willing to pay for what you get, the Lone Peak 9+ is hard to beat.

You can find the Altra Lone Peak 9+ in both men’s and women’s versions here at REI Co-op. You can also find the shoe at Amazon in the men's version and the women's version.

Editor's Note: This review of the Lone Peak 9+ originally appeared in Issue 59 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here with additional photos and our rating of this hiking / backpacking / trail running shoe.