GearTop pickAltra Lone Peak 9+
Altra
My take
“My absolute favourite trail shoe: zero drop, a roomy toe box and Vibram grip for the muddy bits.”
NiklasUpdated 18 Oct 2026
Love it
- True zero drop with Altra's roomiest toe box
- Vibram Megagrip outsole grips on wet and dry ground
- Tough recycled ripstop upper with no-sew overlays
- GaiterTrap tab makes strapless gaiters easy
Fair warning
- Zero drop asks more of your calves and Achilles, so ease into it
- Heavier than its low profile suggests
- Fairly firm, mid-level cushioning can feel thin on very long days
- The sturdy upper doesn't breathe much
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The longer story
Altra Lone Peak 9+
The Lone Peak is Altra's classic trail shoe, and the 9+ is the version with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. Zero drop, 25 mm of Altra EGO foam and the brand's roomiest toe box, wrapped in a tough ripstop upper.
Why I Recommend It
This is the other one of my two absolute favourite running shoes. The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 6 covers the road, the Lone Peak 9+ covers the trail.
Altra keeps the formula that made the Lone Peak a classic: your heel and forefoot sit at the same height, and your toes get space to spread. The plus adds Vibram Megagrip rubber, made to grip on wet and dry ground.
Heads-up when you shop: there's also a regular Lone Peak 9 with Altra's own MaxTrac outsole. The 9+ is the Vibram one.
The key insight: level, roomy and grippy is all a trail shoe really needs to be.
Key Takeaways
- 0 mm drop with 25 mm of stack under heel and forefoot
- Updated, lighter Altra EGO midsole for comfort and ground connection
- Vibram Megagrip outsole for grip on wet and dry surfaces
- 100% recycled (RPET) ripstop mesh upper with no-sew overlays for durability
- Original FootShape fit: Altra's roomiest toe box, with space through the midfoot
- Neutral support, mid-level cushioning and a GaiterTrap tab for strapless gaiters
Who It's For
Neutral runners who want a natural, close-to-the-ground feel on the trail, room for their toes and reliable grip, especially on easy to moderate terrain. Coming from traditional shoes with a big drop? Build up slowly. And if you want maximum cushioning for very long days, Altra's own Olympus is the plusher option.
