Favorite trail or hiking shoe
by Marc
(Tactics Employee)
Posted on 1/28/2026
Altra Men's Lone Peak 9 Trail Running Shoes
Im seriously into these shoes. This latest version of the Lone Peak is a solid upgrade, and it shows the moment you hit the pavementor hop off it.
Theyre zero-drop, so yeah, you cant just stomp around with a heavy heel strike like you might in a typical running shoe. Youve got to shift into more of a smooth midfoot landing. The good news? This version adds extra cushioning in the heel, which makes that transition way easier and a lot more forgiving when youre logging miles.
One of my favorite tweaks is the heel Velcro for gaiters. Its bigger, easier to grab, and way less annoying when youre gearing up on the fly. The tread is also deeper and feels way more confident when things get slickwet rock, mud, loose trails, whatever the day throws at you.
The wide toe box is still here (thankfully). After a long run or all-day hike, your feet swell up and need space, and these dont squeeze you into misery. The upper mesh isnt waterproof, but honestly thats a win in my bookmore airflow, less swamp-foot, and better comfort when youre moving.
Theres plenty of cushioning through the midfoot too, and the comfort holds up from the first step to the last. Ive been doing long-distance hikes in Lone Peaks for years, and theyre still my go-to when I want one shoe that can handle whatever the route turns into.
2 people have found this review helpful