Altra Lone Peak 1.5 Trail Shoe Review

I'm one who uses the Alras because nothing else really works for my feet (I've tried lots of other shoes).

One shoe I just saw is the Merrell Ascend Glove. Looks like a beefed up Trail Glove. I'll probably try a pair of those next to see what I think. They are mesh so they'll have similar issues with the upper but the vibrum sole might last longer.

Hi All

wondering if anyone has any techniques for lightweight modifications that could enhance the long term durability of trail runners? For example, putting some kind of coating (normal super-glue?) over stiching lines to help them to repel water/increase long term strength, etc. Or glueing on some nylon patches over mesh areas that you know aren't going to last a long distance. I've considered this many times when I've bought trail runners for bushwalking in Aus. There are times when I wish I had done it, especially on the mesh toe boxes…they pour in dirt and in some bushwacking, particularly spinifex country, my toes cop a lot of abuse from spines.

Maybe Ryan could try some of these things, as well as a bunch of BPL'ers, and collate experiences for an article? It seems shoes such as the Altra 1.5 are probably a very good candidate for such pre-emptive treatment; they have relatively limited durability, yet due to their other features are very popular and just keep getting bought and used over and over again and again.

Probably not much that can be done DIY to reduce sole wear, but upper issues are relatively easily solved. Ryan's suggestion of drilling drainage holes for example (people have long done this for wet environments).

Cheers,
Adam

1. seam grip every exposed stitch

2. seam grip where the rubber joins the leather

3. the moment you see wear on the mesh, seam grip that too

4. the moment u see breaks in the rubber, shoo goo that

5. take some athletic tape and put a thin layer in the heel cup

and finally at a certain point … tell yourself how silly it is to keep going through shoes this fast … and then buy them again because they are the "best"

;)

I've found my Lone Peaks to be quite durable. I have over 300 running miles, a 100 mile PCT backpack trip, and countless shorter hikes on them and they are still serviceable. The most comfortable shoes I've ever owned.

• Water Absorption and Dry Time – A change was made to the upper fabric that seems to have decreased water absorption in the v1.5, and the change seems to be positive with respect to dry time. That said, v1.5 remains a pretty sloshy shoe after river crossings, due primarily to its inability to pump water out of the shoe. You’ll have to upgrade your v1.5’s with a few strategically drilled 1/8” diameter holes in the footbed and sole if you want to optimize water exit.

Before I trash my new Lone Peak 1.5s with inappropriate 1/8" holes, would like advice from Ryan or anyone else as to where to drill "a few strategically placed 1/8" diameter holes" to optimize water exit.

I just purchased a pair of 1.0's and out of the box they are the most comfortable shoes i have ever worn. I've worn so many types of trail runners (Salomon, Inov8, Merrell, Brooks) and i'm totally sold on the Altras already. The Inov8 TrailRoc had been my favourite, and they are fantastic backpacking shoes but the Lone Peak takes the comfort to another level.

I'll be wearing them for about 10km per day of basic walking on well graded trails and will be keeping an eye on how they last.

They are a little sloppy around the heel cup which doesn't seem to have any reinforcement in it – i was wondering if the 1.5 heel cup is any different from the 1.0?

Overall i couldn't be happier with the Lone Peak. I don't know if it's just clever marketing by Altra but seeing so many long distance hikers (Snorkel, Lint etc) wearing Lone Peak's holds alot of weight for me.

I'll be looking for 1.5's down the track and 2.0's, 2.5's… for sure!