Men’s Altra Lone Peak 8 Review

Bottom Line

If zero-drop hiking shoes are your style, the Altra Lone Peak 8 is one of our favorites – and the only one to make our Best Hiking Shoes for Men guide.

The Lone Peak is in a league of its own when it comes to an ergonomic profile: the extra-wide toe box and foot-shaped design allows for natural, ergonomic movement. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has racked up over 200 miles using the Lone Peak 8 in the Colorado mountains from foothills to 14,000’ peaks. He likes the shoe’s excellent breathability, slightly cushioned and natural ride, and fast-drying uppers. The Lone Peak 8 features a grippy lug design that shines on long hikes through muck and moderate elevation changes. Plus, there’s no break-in time, so you can wear these comfy shoes right out of the box.

However, the sensitive lacing system requires careful adjustment for the right fit, and the durability is lacking. The zero-drop design won’t suit everyone’s needs, and there’s an increased risk of injury if you’re transitioning from higher-drop shoes, such as traditional trail runners and hiking shoes. However, if you’re looking for comfort and weight savings, look no further than the Lone Peak 8.

Comfort

The Altra Lone Peak 8 offers a wide, comfy toe box that lets our toes splay out naturally for a smooth and ergonomic gait. Plus, it’s one of the most breathable and airy shoes out there. If you’re hiking in hot summer temperatures, Lone Peak 8 will keep your feet cool and dry with a lightweight pair of socks – even on scorching hot days. We’ve found they dry quickly even after splashing through creek crossings or stepping in deep, unavoidable puddles. And dry feet are comfortable feet. 

There are a few downsides to this design, though. The wide toe box may feel too roomy for folks with narrow feet, which can lead to a loose-feeling and less-secure fit. Ian has smaller feet with high arches, so he found the toe box a bit too roomy – and even sloppy – on hikes with lots of steep ascents and descents. Folks with wider, flatter feet may find the opposite.

Also, Altra’s zero-drop design won’t suit everyone. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer generally gravitates towards shoes with a moderate heel-to-toe drop. For him, these shoes can be underwhelming and uncomfortable when it comes to support, especially on long hikes of more than 15 miles or multiday hikes. If you haven’t worn zero-drop footwear before, we highly recommend testing the shoes at home to make sure they work with your needs and biomechanics. However, for shorter outings, moderately technical trails, and casual hikes, Ian keeps them in his rotation thanks to their comfortable cushioning, exceptional ground feel, and impressive traction.

Traction

The Altra Lone Peak 8 offers stellar, grippy outsoles, thanks to the brand’s Trail Claw lug pattern. This design features a mix of square, triangular, and ribbed lugs made for ultra-tacky and super-effective grip. These are some of Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s go-to’s for quarterly trips to Utah’s San Rafael Swell, where they gripped well on sandy desert washes, gravel paths, and rocky, scrambly trails. 

Our only gripe with this design? The proprietary rubber Altra used for the traction wears down after the 200 mile mark. On summer hikes in Southern Colorado’s high Rockies, the Lone Peak 8 became increasingly slippery and less reliable between 200 and 400 miles, especially on routes full of off-camber dirt and occasional rocky scrambles. The tread wore flat at the midfoot and toes first, followed quickly by the heel, until they eventually needed to be retired. If you’re covering long distances or using these shoes on rough terrain, this is a significant drawback.

Weight

The Altra Lone Peak 8 is one of the lighter shoes we tested, so they’re a great choice for fast and nimble movement over long miles, especially in hot weather. At just under 11 ounces per shoe, the Lone Peak features airy mesh uppers, thin TPU overlays, ultralight foam, and light rubber outsoles to keep the weight down. This construction also makes them some of the most breathable shoes for hiking, so you’ll keep your stanky dogs dry and cool throughout your day. 

Durability

What you sacrifice for such lightweight shoes, though, is durability. The Lone Peak 8 simply doesn’t offer the same longevity of hiking shoes with thicker rubber composite outsoles and robust leather or textile uppers. In our testing, the Lone Peak 8 showed significant wear after only 200 miles. The tread and lugs wore down rapidly, and mesh blew out around the toes and anterior (front) foot area. The Lone Peak’s lightweight materials can’t match the resilience of heavier, more rugged footwear. This lack of durability can be a real issue on long treks or thru-hikes, so if you’re investing in the Lone Peaks as your exclusive shoe of choice – especially for long treks or thru-hikes – we recommend budgeting for multiple pairs.

However, certain aspects of the Altra Lone Peak 8 are durable. The TPU overlays and lacing harness add meaningful structure and longevity to the mostly mesh uppers. We’re also big fans of the large Velcro gaiter attachment at the heel (gaiters sold separately) which helps keep out debris, bramble, dirt, and rocks. Their breathable mesh makes the Lone Peaks an excellent choice for hot weather by preventing sweat buildup that can degrade material. If you prioritize low weight, breathability, and fast drying times, the compromise in durability is a small price to pay.

Weather Resistance

The Lone Peak 8 stands out for its lightweight design and quick drying times, making it one of our top recommendations for warm conditions on the trail. The uppers are made with thin mesh, so they release heat and dry quickly, even after being fully submerged in water during a creek crossing. Ian loves these shoes for early fall and early summer hikes in the Utah desert and slot canyons where sunny, breezy conditions help keep the shoes comfortable and prevent overheating.

Their quick-drying ability is also a major plus for routes with water crossings. We found that they dry most of the way within an hour, especially when paired with thin socks. In his testing, Ian found that even after fully submerging these shoes in cold, stagnant puddles and water trapped between rocks in slot canyons, they dried surprisingly fast. 

However, the Lone Peaks are not weather-resistant, which can be a serious drawback in cold and prolonged wet environments. On spring hikes in the Denver foothills, we tested the Lone Peak 8 on trails dotted with puddles from intermittent storms. The mesh soaked through immediately when exposed to an inch or more of water. On a wet, chilly day hiking Bear Mountain outside of Boulder, Gear Analyst Ian Krammer developed multiple toe blisters after the soaked trails left his shoes unable to dry over the course of 18 miles. If you’re heading into cold, wet weather or miles of soggy terrain, the Lone Peak 8 isn’t our first pick.

Should You Buy the Altra Lone Peak 8?

The Altra Lone Peak 8 is a home run for hikers and backpackers who want a lightweight fast-drying shoe with a roomy toe box, excellent traction, and an ergonomic zero-drop design. Whether you’re thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail or running on the local riverwalk, these are perfect for anyone who prioritizes footwear with a natural foot shape and no break-in time. However, we don’t recommend the Lone Peak 8 if your top priority is durability or weather resistance. And, to avoid the risk of injury, you may want to ease slowly into wearing the Lone Peak 8s – especially if you’re transitioning from higher-drop shoes. But for folks who use and love zero-drop shoes, the Altra Lone Peak 8 will quickly become your go-to for both hot and challenging trail conditions.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you’re no longer considering the Altra Lone Peak 8, check out our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men for other trail shoes we recommend. 

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review:  The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is the only other shoe we tested with a toe box as roomy and generous as the Lone Peak 8s. It’s a great choice for a more cushioned midsole for long miles.

Brooks Cascadia 18 Review: If you want more heel cushioning and foot support, the Cascadia 18 has a more traditional heel-to-toe drop. It’s a solid all-around trail runner that performs on established routes and moderate terrain.

Saucony Peregrine 14 Review: These shoes have longer-lasting tread, a higher stack height for more cushioning, and better durability than the Lone Peak. It’s an affordable and lightweight alternative.