With such a lightweight shoe, you’ll compromise on durability: one of our toe caps began to separate after just one hike. Waterproof hiking boots aren’t typically praised for their breathability, but we’re pleased to report that the Lone Peak RSM is a standout in this area. While it certainly can’t compete with non-waterproof mesh versions, we came away impressed with the Lone Peak RSM’s ability to keep our feet cool on moderately warm days. Even during a handful of summer hikes—outings we typically reserve for trail-running shoes—our feet never felt soggy or damp due to moisture buildup. All things considered, we found the eVent upper to breathe better than similarly equipped Gore-Tex models. Don’t let a few looming clouds keep you off the trails. With the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2, you can set out for a hike no matter the forecast. Water-resistant, lightweight bootie construction protects you from the elements, with the same legendary comfort you know and love from the Lone Peak Family. Roomy Original FootShape™ Fit, responsive Altra EGO™ midsole foam, and a grippy MaxTrac™ outsole keep you moving all day. Bag that adventure, even if there are a few raindrops! Another very popular option for a lightweight hiking boot is the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX. Both the Altra and Salomon feature an aggressive outsole, waterproof construction, and come in low-top and mid-height options. However, the similarities end there. Whereas the Lone Peak offers a very roomy fit and large toe box (perfect for wide feet), the X Ultra runs a bit small and is better suited for narrow feet (good news is they now off a wide version). Weighing in at 1 pound 15.6 ounces, the Salomon is considerably heavier than the Altra (1 lb. 10 oz.), but this added weight undoubtably comes with an increase of support and durability—two areas where the Altra falls noticeably short. For technical trails or hiking with heavy loads, we think the Salomon is the better option. Balanced Cushioning Platform: Places your heel and forefoot the same distance from the ground to encourage proper, low-impact throughout your trail run.

Altra Zero Drop Running Shoes for Men and Women at Altra Zero Drop Running Shoes for Men and Women at

The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid boots weigh 1.77 pounds per pair. That is crazy light for a hiking boot, no matter what. Some of our favorite hiking shoes, which are low-cut, often struggle to make that weight. Yet, these are not the lightest boots in this review. Being so lightweight, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR has given up some durability by using such thin materials. Many users have reported durability issues with these boots and feel that they do not last particularly long before materials begin delaminating. We also saw reports of wear occurring due to rubbing, which in turn can cause the waterproof eVent liner to fail, often around the top of the metatarsals. Last year Altra debuted the Lone Peak 3.0 and Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell. These new designs improve upon their predecessors while retaining everything that’s made the Lone Peak series a crowd favorite. However, in addition to the 3.0 upgrade Altra also released something more unique, the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid. While the traditional Lone Peak designs are geared primarily towards trail runners (a style recently co-opted by long-distance hikers), the Mid was designed for all the hikers in the crowd. This new hiking shoe offers everything we love about the Lone Peak design with the added support of a boot. The same lacing design that makes it easy to achieve a secure ankle fit can make the NeoShell Mid a struggle to put on at times. Since the shoe utilizes eyelets instead of hooks for the ankle lacing the shoe laces are more or less permanently laced up the ankle. This makes it so that the tongue is not easily repositioned to make way for your foot without first taking time to loosen the laces around the ankle a great deal. While this is an admittedly minor complaint compared to the benefit this lacing design provides, I would be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t annoying at times. Cost

OVERALL

eVent fabric and thin upper allow the Lone Peak to breathe better than most other waterproof shoes. You’ll be hard pressed to find a mid-sized shoe as lightweight as these. The pair I have are quite a few ounces lighter than my previous mid-sized shoes from Keen and are only marginally heavier that the Salomon trail runners I used on the Appalachian Trail. Still, compared to most trail runners these shoes will still be a great deal heavier. For example, my pair of NeoShell Mids are nearly a half pound heavier than my regular low-cut Lone Peak 3.0’s. Even so, if you’re looking for a compromise between weight and ankle support than these shoes are one’s to keep your eye on. CONS Midsole Comfort

Trail shoe M LONE PEAK ALL-WTHR Mid 2 col. BLACK - Altra Running

Wearing these for hours at a time on the foot was almost unnoticeable, so even though they did not win in this metric, they were so close that we gave them a very high mark in regards to their overall weight. Water Resistance The mid-height design, combined with a waterproof upper and gaiter attachment points, does a great job at sealing out the elements.

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Trailclaw: Canted lugs positioned strategically beneath the metatarsals to provide traction at toe off. Some companies like to offer different choices for men and women when it comes to shoes and apparel. Sometimes models that are available to men are not available to women and vice versa with each sex being offered their own special load outs with different styles and names. However, the Lone Peak 3.0 Neoshell Mid is available in both men’s and women’s sizes with minimal design aspects tailored to properly fit our differing body types. So I’m happy I can say this shoe is available to everyone! The NeoShell