This is a sponsored post brought to you by Other. New customers can save 10% on any product at Altra with the code TREK10.
tThe Altra Lone Peak is undoubtedly one of the most popular shoes on America’s long trails; In fact, it was the most worn shoe on the Appalachian Trail in 2025, according to The Trek’s annual hiker survey.
This beloved trail runner has come a long way over the years, retaining the core features that have always made it so successful: the roomy toe box, zero-to-low drop, and supreme comfort on the trail.
In this post, we will look at the latest versions of the shoe, the Altra Lone Peak 9 and Lone Peak 9+. What makes these shoes so ideal for hikers? What is the difference between the two models? Are they the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
Recommended RRP: $145 (new customers save 10% / $14.50 with code TREK10)
Weight (pair): 22.3 ounces
Heel-to-toe drop: 0mm
Damping: Half
Pile height: 25mm
Buy the Altra Lone Peak 9 for women
Recommended RRP: $160 (new customers save 10% / $16 with code TREK10)
Weight (pair): 23.1 ounces
Heel-to-toe drop: 0mm
Damping: Half
Pile height: 25mm
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9+ for men
Buy Altra Lone Peak 9+ for women
Key Features of Lone Peak 9 and 9+
Altra Solitary Peak 9
Roomy toe
Altra makes ergonomic and minimalist footwear that allows the foot to move naturally. The brand’s signature wide toe box provides enough room for your toes to spread as they would when walking barefoot. Most traditional shoes have a narrower toe box that keeps your toes relatively tight and restricts your range of motion.
The roomy toe box is not only potentially better for foot health, but it’s also just plain comfortable. Giving your toes room also reduces the likelihood of blisters forming in that area, a major concern for many hikers.
Zero drop
Altra’s zero-to-low drop designs are the brand’s biggest claim to fame. The difference in height between the heel and toe of the shoe is known as heel-to-toe drop, or simply “drop.” In traditional shoes, the heel is higher than the toe, which tilts the foot slightly downward.
In contrast, the Lone Peak is a zero drop shoe. That means the heel and toe are at the same height, so the foot lies flat inside the shoe. This is all part of Altra’s minimalist spirit.
While zero-drop footwear may take some getting used to at first, many long-distance hikers (including your humble editor) have found them beneficial in mitigating foot problems like plantar fasciitis.
Pipertrap
Trail running gaiters are in fashion among hikers. They are basically little ankle skirts that seal the top of your shoes against twigs, pebbles, sand, snow, and other irritating things that would otherwise get inside your shoes while you walk. You can often find gaiters in a wide range of bold colors and patterns to add a little spice to your hiking outfit.
The Altra Lone Peaks have a built-in gaiter trap that secures them at the front and back, ensuring a good seal and preventing bunching.
StoneGuard Rock Plate
A rock plate is exactly what it sounds like: a relatively hard plate inserted into the shoe between the sole and midsole to provide additional protection against sharp rocks and debris. When you walk all day, every day (for example) on Painsylvania’s famous rock-strewn trails, you’ll appreciate this feature; Trust us, dear reader.
Altra Solitary Peak 9+
Altra Ego midsole foam
Altra 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 level of medium cushioning.
Shoes that are too fancy seem like a great idea, but they can be unstable in practice and waste a lot of energy. On the other hand, harder midsoles are generally too jarring for the repetitive stress of walking extreme distances. The 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, that’s a compliment.
Wide selection of colors
Look, we all know it’s not a fashion show, but if you’re basically going to live in one pair of shoes for months, why not pick a pair that you really like?
Gone are the days when you could only choose from two or three bold color combinations: both the Lone Peak 9 and 9+ are available in over a dozen different colors, ranging from the rainbow hues many hikers know and love to more understated hues.
Altra Lone Peak 9 vs. Altra Lone Peak 9+
MaxTrac sole on the Altra Lone Peak 9.
What is the difference between Altra Lone Peak 9 and 9+? Both shoes have the same set of basic features described above. The key difference between them is the sole. While the Lone Peak 9 uses Altra’s internal MaxTrac rubber, the Lone Peak 9+ features a Vibram MegaGrip sole.
The tread pattern is the same on both shoes, so don’t be afraid to lose Altra’s signature foot-shaped tread if you upgrade to the 9+. It is the rubber compound that is different.
Lone Peak 9: MaxTrac sole
MaxTrac rubber has served many hikers well over the years. Your editor has relied on some version of these soles when navigating everything from roots and wet Appalachian Trail rocks to densely packed snow.
Lone Peak 9+: Vibram MegaGrip sole
Vibram is the industry leader in durable, grippy hiking soles. The 9+ is a valuable upgrade for hikers who want a little extra grip (for example, if your trips are likely to frequently take you off trail or over especially rough terrain).
The 9+ is, correspondingly, $15 more expensive and a few grams heavier than the standard Lone Peak 9. Don’t forget, if you’re a new Altra customer, you can get 10% off the list price of any of the shoes (or any other Altra product) with coupon code TREK10.
Most Used Trail Runners Among AT Thru-Hikers
Both the 9 and 9+ (pictured) are available in a wide selection of colors.
What makes Altra Lone Peak so dominant among hikers year after year? Altra’s emphasis on ergonomic designs that support long-term foot health, combined with Lone Peaks’ famous trail comfort, has earned them a loyal fan base among hikers.
What started as an almost cult-like following has become decidedly mainstream, and the Lone Peaks have been named the most used trail runners in our annual hiker survey every year since 2017.
Promoting healthy feet
Hiking puts a lot of wear and tear on your feet, so it is essential to have shoes that promote good foot health. The American Podiatric Medical Association found that the Lone Peak 9 and 9+ do just that and awarded both shoes the association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Many hikers find that the shoes’ zero-drop design helps prevent plantar fasciitis and other common foot ailments, while the roomy toe box allows the toes to open naturally, mitigating both blisters and deeper problems that can arise when the bones of the foot are too tight.
Lightweight, breathable trail comfort
Those ergonomic touches are designed to keep your feet healthy, but go hand-in-hand with promoting comfort on the trail. The unique roomy toe box is a touch of luxury. Meanwhile, the shoes’ lightweight and breathable mesh uppers and sufficiently elastic midsoles are also major attractions.
When you hike, your feet are going to sweat. You will have to ford streams from time to time. They’re going to rain on you. In short, your feet will often be wet and having shoes that breathe well and dry quickly can make a noticeable difference in your quality of life on the trail.
Beyond that, the shoes’ lightweight design will save you energy over the course of your hike. Averaging just 11 ounces per shoe, they are significantly lighter than traditional hiking footwear. Trust us: Over the course of the roughly 5 million steps required to hike the AT or a hike of similar length, you’ll be grateful for every ounce of your feet. No forced to endure.
Is Altra Lone Peak 9 or 9+ Right for You?
The Altra Lone Peak 9 and 9+ have a set of features that seem uniquely poised to appeal to a wide range of hikers. The evidence is compelling: this line of shoes has consistently dominated the footwear category in our annual survey of Appalachian Trail hikers, and year after year, more hikers choose the Lone Peak than any other shoe.
If you’re just getting started in the hiking space and trying to figure out which shoe is right for you, this should be one of the first ones you try. If you’re already using an older version of Lone Peak and are trying to decide whether to upgrade, the 9 and 9+ won’t disappoint.
New customers can save 10% on any product at Other with the code TREK10 at checkout.
Cover image: Graphic design by Chris Helm.
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