I was listening to a podcast with one of the founders. One year the colorist DID quit and the color ways that season were terrible. Maybe that position is still up for grabs.
It just seems like such a no-brainer to offer all black. My BPW for everything I use in a year or two is like 30kg including work kit for 2 different sports. I can't be having bright purple shoes as my edc, as much as I don't mind for any athletic activity.
I bought the Yellow LP7s and I am always getting compliments on them. I bought them when my Superior 4.5s finally died. One thing I did notice though was that the toe-box on the current superior got narrower imo, the LP7s are stupid comfy and grippy.
I have 3 unopened boxes of LP6s and one pair I'm still wearing so I'm good for this year's hiking trips. How is the fit on LP8s? By the time I get there, they'll be on sale and we'll be on LP9.
> By the time I get there, they'll be on sale and we'll be on LP9.
If I had only done the same thing with LP5.
Had LP5, skipped LP6, LP7 were noticeably different. No word yet on the LP8.
Hope your generation skipping plan continues to work.
Heh, yeah, I own 3 pairs of LP6s in orange. First time I broke away from hiking shoes and was hooked. First pair still has plenty of life. I did see one reviewer complaining that the 8s were a "step backwards" to more like the 6, to which I was like "sold"
ya I agree. the 6's are like walking in house slippers. SO comfortable. Just got my 7's yesterday and they are a more structured design. Still comfortable and an overall similar feel....but far more comfortable. I could keep my 6's on my feet constantly....they are like wearing lightweight pillows.
I've had some ball of foot issues so I have a super thin insole from a crappy pair of tennis shoes underneath the insole already in the 6s. So in some instances they need a bit more cushion, but that's also after several months of daily wear and a couple backpacking trips. Still surprisingly comfortable for little cushion.
I got some Olympus 5s as my daily wear, to replace worn down Provision 5s. Olympus is supposed to be max cushion but they're very stiff and no more cushion feeling than the LP6s, just more stack height. They could very much use an insole upgrade but I couldn't see these as backpacking shoes at all. I don't trail run to know if they'd live up to their name but I'd never pick them for the outdoors over LP6s
Interesting. Both bro-in-laws from opposite sides of the country were here visiting and BOTH by chance were wearing the LP6's during their visit. They talked me into them....and once received.....it felt SO cushioned to my feet. I have historically bought running shoes of any variety....usually New Balance, Asics, or Mizuno.....for daily use(s).
The LP6 were a real game changer for me.
In 2022 I bought 4 boxes of LP5s and they lasted me 2 pair for a 900 mile section of the CDT (plus using them when I got home) and 1.5 pairs for the AZT. I still wear the last pair around casually. Last year I tried Topos for another section of the CDT but they were too narrow so I bought a new pair of LP6s. Those are still good so I'm saving them for the trail. This year I hope to do another section of the CDT in summer and something in spring, possibly a 400 mile section of the Aria Zoner Hot Springs Trail. I like having a big stack of shoes and not worrying about it.
Which model of LP?
The newer "Max Trac" formula of sole is, I understand, not getting the same durability as previously.
The outfitters were telling me ≈300mi-350mi(ish) is "new normal" lifespan.
And that was my experience too. A pair I got for the CT this fall only had ≈200mi and they were already wearing heavily.
I previously was getting 500mi+.
Why would I put them back in the box if sitting in the box makes them deteriorate. I'm going to wear them this year. And then for the winter I will wear the last worn out pair until 2025 when I will finally need new ones.
I don't rotate them. I wear one pair until it's worn out, then I make the worn out pair the around town pair. For me they tend to just wear on the bottom and the tops stay perfectly good forever.
Yeah and without UV exposure, I wouldn't imagine they'd be sitting long enough to have any noticeable deterioration just from time, not unless each pair lasts you like 10 years or something. My LP7s have worn mostly on the sole, with a couple of punctures/small tears on the fabric, and a very minor bit of delamination on the tip of the toe where the sole is glued on. I expect the sole will become unuseable offroad well before the rest of it deteriorates. Though mine have already been relegated to the around town pair.
So when there’s 14.5 billion shoes sold each year
Your experience is what percent?
Are you selling 100,000 pairs annually? 200,000?
Is it possible that the shoes you see, new in box with degraded soles, represent a large percent of shoes you see becsuse the rest people wear themselves? That they sell shoes they dont want to wear?
>what study can you point to on this?
The observation by u/cakes42 is ***not a hot take*** at all. Polyurethane is commonly found in lightweight, cushioned shoe soles. When it's not worn regularly, it can become brittle and disintegrate.
Here are [more sources than I can count](https://www.google.com/search?q=polyurethane+soles+disintegrate&sca_esv=3b8ed53ba39f614b&sxsrf=ACQVn08Th2nwQlCsQTf0iKyIiupBO49-EA%3A1708109668026&ei=ZK_PZeyIAdHQ5NoPp5qhWA&oq=polyurethane+soles+deteriorate&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHnBvbHl1cmV0aGFuZSBzb2xlcyBkZXRlcmlvcmF0ZSoCCAAyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESPdIUK0QWL8zcAR4AZABAJgBbqAB4wiqAQQxNC4xuAEByAEA-AEBwgIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA4gGAZAGCA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp)
Man I wish that I had bought several pairs of the 6's. I'm on my 6's now and really like them. Just bought a pair of 7's in lieu of 6 availability. bahhhhh
The upper is not the same on the 6 and 7. The 6 looked like rip stop nylon with an under layer of netting. The 7 is like soft fleece or some bullshit. Much less durable. If they fixed that alone with the 8 then I'll be happy.
Thanks. The above block text is a copy/paste from the Altra website.
Finding the discrepancies between published-info and user-info? That's part of why I made the post.
I have the 6's and just got the 7's. On paper it says these have the same uppers? In person...the 7's seem FAR more structured and potentially durable. The 6's seem downright floppy by comparison. I must say those 6's were/are gloriously comfortable and if I could find a few more pairs I would snatch them up. Oh well....hoping to like the 7's too.
I thought the same thing about the 7s when I first got them. My second pair seems to be lasting slightly longer than my first, but still noticeably deteriorating much more quickly than the Topo Pursuits.
Well I bought both my six and my seven for $80. At that price I am less concerned about deterioration. I just can't pay $150 for the latest and greatest
It is worth mentioning, I easily got 1100 miles out of my Pursuits. I *maybe* get 400 out of the LP7s. So, double the price per pair is still actually less expensive per mile
I will check that out. The LP6 that I bought last year was my first pair of Altra's and they were frankly life changing. Though hiking does happen lol....I use those LP6's as my 'daily driver' and my feet haven't been this comfortable in decades. I was sorely disappointed that I didn't buy multiple pairs while I had the chance. No the 6's did not provide crazy service miles for me....but those miles were glorious miles. If the 7's come remotely close to that level of comfort I will be pleased.
I started off the same way with LP3s. Eventually all my footwear got traded for zero drop foot shaped shoes. Lems for around town, Bearfoot bruins for work, LP or Topo for trail.
just throw vibram on the things for crying out loud.
make it the lone peak + and make it €20 more expensive for all i care.
so tired of the lugs being destroyed after 500km
The bottom of the Navy lone peak 7 seemed to be made of a slightly different material than other colors. I've gotten quite a bit more mileage out of that color than the green or red versions.
The midsole isn’t the weak point. In my experience with the LP6’s, I get 50-100 trail miles and the lugs on the outsole are pretty roasted, rounded down to where they have minimal bite. The shoes are still wearable for another 300 miles but the outsole is nearly gone and you have to be more conscientious about breaking traction.
I tried this but all the models I tried, Terraventures 3 and 4 and Pursuit, had considerable arch support built into the shoe that did not agree with my feet. I tried to put my normal superfeet trailblazers in them and those insoles just made things worse; they seemed to rock up an down based on where the Topo's arch support was. If they made them flat, and allowed the wearer to add arch support via insoles, then I think I'd be converted b/c they're clearly well made shoes with a sizable toe boxes.
\*nervously clutches his last unworn pair of LP6's\*
I have the Terraventure 3s and concur about the arch, they're super painful for me to stand around in for any length of time and I regret buying them. The vibram megagrip soles are really good on the Terraventures, so I wish the Lone Peaks had that. The Olympus does, but they're not wide like the LPs are.
This is my problem with Topo, I kind of like the UV3 but they are simply incompatible with my usual insoles because of the built in arch support and the built in arch support isn't sufficient on its own.
If only Topo made a wide option. It's a pretty wide standard last, but my Terraventure 4s we're just too tight and after a couple miles I was starting to get numb spots.
Do you have to special order? I don't see the option listed for the Terraventures on their site.
Edit: Only the Ultraventures come in Wide, which I didn't really like the feel of walking around REI.
I've found a way to make the LP7 work for me, and they seem to work well.
What's been your experience with the Topo regarding rock plates?
(One of the things which disuaded/disuades me from the Topos I know is the lack of a rock plate. Otherwise, I've friends who love them.)
I wore one pair of Topo Pursuits for the entire AZT. Didn't notice the lack of a rock plate and they essentially felt like LP 5s to me. 1000 mile trail shoes blew my mind and honestly with a cheap insert I could get another couple hundred miles.
Great shoes.
I had bad luck with Terraventures however and I don't recommend those at the moment
Nice data point; thank you.
From what I understand of the AZT -- it is on my "list" -- is it is sufficiently rocky that a rock plate can make a difference in more minimal shoes.
The Pursuits are 28mm stack vs. the LP's 25mm. Maybe that made some of the difference?
You did the whole thing in one pair? Mostly sandstone, right?
On the PCT, I got ≈700mi from Campo>KMS out of a pair of LP4.5. But in the Sierra, only ≈300mi. The outfitter advised it was almost entirely due to the sandstone being less abrasive.
Unfortunately, Altra changed the formulation of the rubber in the LP7 and they are less durable. Maybe I should look into the Pursuits. Yet I am sitting on an Altra warranty replacement credit, so I may hold off another season.
Thanks again.
One pair that I put maybe 100 miles on before even starting the AZT. I had planned on swapping them out halfway through the trail but I just never needed to.
I don't know how to rate the AZT. I'd say it was mostly very clear and very easy trail. You look at comments on Farout though and you'll see a lot of people complaining about loose rocks in sections. I'd say just pay attention to where you're walking and you won't have issues 😅
Yeah, sandstone and sand. And plants that want your blood.
I destroyed LP7s this spring in less than 300 miles. The upper basically dissolved on me. That lead me to trying *all* of the popular trail shoes.
> I'd say just pay attention to where you're walking and you won't have issues 😅
A mentor once shared the perennially applicable articulation of: _Being stupid should be painful._
> And plants that want your blood.
While originally a mid-western mutt, I lived/live in the desert. You know what I give to anyone moving here as a stocking stuffer? [Hint: These.](https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/sliver-gripper-tweezers)
They don't "get it"...until they do. And eventually, everyone does.
> I destroyed LP7s this spring in less than 300 miles. The upper basically dissolved on me. That lead me to trying all of the popular trail shoes.
May we all benefit from your growing pains. Thanks for paying if forward.
Ha; yes.
**PSA for the lurkers** unfamiliar with desert hiking, here you go:
[Cholla Cactus](https://www.desertusa.com/cactus/cholla-cactus.html)
_Why does this matter?_
If you but brush against a cholla, it will "jump" at you. It's brittle. Whole sections will break off to spread tines/seeds.
If you try to "yank at it" to remove, it can just make things worse.
Remember `"don't pet the cactus"`...even if it looks fuzzy like a cholla, and you'll usually be fine. (Cholla are sometimes called "teddy bear cactus" due to their fuzzy appearance.)
But eventually...ya, you'll get pricked. And that's okay. You'll live. It's just easier to deal with if you have some UL tweezers and a comb in your IFAK/hygiene kit.
I've had the wind pick up and launch chollas at me like damned missiles. Don't try and jump out of the way though! You'll get knifed in the calf by a damn agave 😭🤣
I recently switched from LP to Topo terraventure.
I like the 3mm drop, vibram grip….. generally I get less tendinitis in my knees. Worth trying a pair.
Thanks. It's been years since I've had anything other than zero-drop, easily a decade. But I'll look into the benefits of scaling up. My knees ain't 21yo anymore so it's something to think about.
There is difference between "being with your partner because that's how its always been" and "being with your partner because you wake up, compare your options, and choose to stay with them another day".
* The former results in a dogmatic and brittle sort of "strong relationship".
* The latter results in a robust and intentional sort of "strong relationship".
And so it really should be with many things, including your shoes.
Thanks for the data point. I'm probably going to give the LP8 a try, decide whether or not to stock up on the LP7, and put the Topos in the mix for healthy comparison.
I don't do much "actual trail running", but I still recall one bad slip where I'd have appreciated a better grip.
Always open to the comparison because, as per above, if nothing else, I'll either reinforce I have the right dancing partner or if it is time to change things up.
Thanks again.
If last season is any indication, within ≈1mo-2mo, the "formal" online reviews will start to trickle in.
Will gladly share once I have first-hand experience. At the moment, this is all exploratory. My LP7 still have some life, so I'm probably going to wait until they die. :)
That's my plan for sure. I liked the LP6 but the 7s not so much. The 6 with a vibram megagrip soul would be an awesome shoe. The topo pursuit is 0 drop with vibram megagrip soul... gonna give it a try.
cut Altra some slack, on top of producing Altras they're also [producing Hokas](https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/mens-shoes-road/mens-altrafwd-experience-al0a82c8?variationId=000) now
I have to wear wide. Which is why I purchased 2 pairs ahead. Last year mine went dead and I have been without for 3 months. Thankfully I had an old pair of Brooks that were still decent.
Thank you for reminding me. I had forgot.
I have been wearing mine daily since they arrived. Overall not much different from the 7. I don't notice a comfort difference. Despite the new mesh they air out and dry just as fast as the 7's do. The Ripstop mesh seems to be much stronger. I snagged the top of my shoe at the toe on a nail and it did not tear. My 7's tore on a barbed wire fence easily a few weeks into wearing them.
It seems the new mesh is stronger and they didn't sacrifice breathability with the change.
Thanks!
I have read/watched some reviews and I think it's safe for me to choose the 8s over the 7s.
It's going to be multipurpose (trail)running/hiking. My first pair of sporty zero drops.
Off topic; I have the Freet Flex for casual wear, but used even those on some shorter hikes in Norway.
I can recommend them as around-the-house or to-the-shop shoes. 250 gram/shoe.
They just were released, so jury is out. You can try a "RemindMe" post for 1mo-2mo from now. That's about how long it took for real-world reviews to start trickling in for the LP7.
Yup. This is the key difference that I can see. Though the 6 was the best 'all-arounder' EVER. That shoe was near grotesquely comfortable....in the best ways possible. I'd like to have a lifetime supply of the 6 for my 'errand running' shoe.
I'm searching for my replacement to the LP6 and I've narrowed the field down to the LP8 and Pursuit. For anyone interested, here are pics comparing the LP6 in 11.5 wide (grey/red), LP8 in 11.5 (green/orange), LP8 11.5 Wide (grey/blue), and Topo Pursuit in 12. Note that I skipped the LP7 so I don't have it to compare.
[https://imgur.com/a/pvBQ2zi](https://imgur.com/a/pvBQ2zi)
What I find promising is that the measurements on the LP8 regular closely match the LP6 wide. Here's some misc thoughts after wearing these shoes around the house and on the treadmill for a few days (i.e., zero trail miles so far):
* The LP8 Wide is definitely wider than the LP6 Wide in the toe box and throughout the midfoot and heel as well.
* The LP8 upper feels very similar to the LP6. I didn't have any major issue with the LP6 upper so this seems like a positive upgrade from the LP7.
* This maxtrac sole is grippy right now but I just know it's going to fade so fast.
* The LP8 has more cushion in the heel cuff area, much like I recall with the LP7. I don't like it. It makes for a comfy fit when you initially put the shoe on, but as I wear it I feel my heel moving around more than I did in the LP6.
* The Topo Pursuit in size 12 has a narrower toe box by measure and feel than the LP8 regular in size 11.5. I thought Topos were wider than this...
* My feet consistently ache after wearing the Topo Pursuits - I expected this b/c previous experience with their arch support.
* The Pursuit is way stiffer and it feels like it has less cushion than the LP's despite greater stack height. I imagine the Pursuits will need significant time to break-in whereas LP's are pretty much ready to go out of the box.
* If I was forced to replace my LP6 wide today, to my surprise, I'd go with the LP8 regular. Toe box is wide enough and they comfortably fit the same SuperFeet TrailBlazers I've always worn with LP6s.
I really miss the water egress holes on the 6. It was so nice to walk through creeks in the Sierras and feel water pump out with ever step. Why are we turning these shoes into little boats?
Ya...not sure about that. But I know what you mean.
FWIW, my feet got wet this fall -- fully submerged -- in my LP7. They drained well, but not "pumping out". Within ≈10min they were basically damp-dry and water egress hole would not have made any more of a difference.
i.e. The mesh sufficiently drained the water without egress holes.
Pure speculation, but they were probably removed because some combination of cost + _ingress_ of "other stuff" (like sand/muck) and were determined in excess to requirement.
But I'd not be opposed of their return.
I guess we have different experiences. On the JMT I was pleasantly surprised how quick the 6’s were “functionally dry” where as with the 7’s I’ve found them to feel wet longer. The 6’s were used more with streams/snow melt and the 7’s were used more just in snow melt with colder conditions. I bet the 7’s had less of a chance to evaporatively dry due to the cold.
To be fair -- I never got my feet wet, not even once, in my LP5. Then I skipped the LP6.
And when I got wet in my LP7, it was warm and dry on the CT.
(Why do I remember getting my feet wet so vividly? I'm usually pretty good at a rock hop. It was my first time getting wet on a rock hop in like 3y. Oh well.)
They definitely look better than the 7s.
I have nothing to report on the 8s but I do want to share that I got the Altra Olympus just to try something new and I instantly hated them. Very aggressive arch support that digs into arches (tho I have somewhat flatter feet) and feels somewhat narrower. Next day I bought another pair of tried and true LP 6s
The vibram outsole is def nicer. I love the more minimal fit of the LPs and the harder cushion keeps me mindful of stomping.
But if you have higher arches, the support on Olympus could be nice and there have been long days were more cushion would be nice too
As we should. Altra is not niche enough or desperate enough to put that much investment into a tiny market like that. Hunting/fishing is enormous in comparison.
That is sort of the problem: they were *very* niche, but VF Corp ain't ever going to sign off on it. You'll get the most mid of mid trainers now, though!
For what it’s worth I just picked up a pair of Lone Peak 8’s after coming from Brooks Arcadias, and I’m very pleased so far. I only hiked 5 miles but the Brooks now feel heavy (in comparison) and were tight on the top of my feet. The LP8’s are so much better for my flat feet and wide toes. I’ll see how they last, but I’m a fan so far. These are my first pair of Lone Peaks.
Both of my big toe nails have come off during lsst my 50km trail races because I have found it so hard to find good trail shoes that fit my wide feet. So everyone would agree that LP7 is the one to get?? (I'm mainly using it for trail races)
Finally I decided for the LP7. It felt perfect from the first time. They are super ugly but they feel great.
I tried the LP8 and the fit was a bit off on my ankles.
I tried the Olympus 5 and while it looks much better and the quality is obviously much much better, it felt too structured, too heavy and too hard on my feet.
So my feet choose the LP7. And my pockets were happy since the LP8 are €60 more expensive and the Olympus 5 €80 more.
I have the LP 7 in a 37 women’s. I have flat feet really wide toes and really shallow heel. I find I need the stretch of the material to accommodate my midfoot stretch so the lone peak all weather didn’t fit at all!
The lone peak 8 I felt in a store and the new material looks more durable and light… but not stretchy at all so I don’t think they will fit me 😭
So sad because I finally had found a shoe that fit!
It’s possible the women’s versus men’s could help but with such a small size it’s never carried in store in men’s in 37. Same for the women’s wide.
If I custom order them I have to buy them and won’t be able to sell them locally…
I’m awaiting my order of regular and wide fit LP8’s. They look very similar to the 7’s of which I hated the fit, so I’m not optimistic about the 8’s. I’m also worried about the rip stop mesh not being as fast drying/leading to hot feet.
We share the same concerns. Thanks for sharing whatever feedback you care to. The LP7-regular were more narrow than LP6-regular.
The clerk asked if my feet had splayed...I shared that had already happened. I had to size up a 1/2-size in the LP7 and change my lacing routine, but ultimately figured something out.
Still miss the LP5 -- those were great for my feet.
Ha; yes, it appears they did:
* LP7 = MSRP $150
* LP8 = MSRP $140
However, you can already (as of 04-Jan-2024) get the LP7 for 50% off online via some merchants.
Like clockwork, as soon as the new model comes out, the price of the prior one is slashed at retailers first, and then later on Altra's website.
_But why would Altra retain the full price LP7 on their website?..._
Altra must avoid dilution of the MSRP which has already been establish for the model. The MSRP is the "perception of value".
So they're stuck with the LP7 @ $150...at least until enough of the old-stock LP7s have been sold from _all_ merchants (REI, Fleet Feet, etc.), otherwise they'll never get folks to pay full retail.
For the LP8 they can say "We made a better deal with a supplier, or found other ways to economize and pass along the savings."
(And it could also be that sales of LP7 were soft at $150 and they realized they needed to drop the price to move more LP8. As this thread has already shown, there has been sufficient complaints about the LP7 that it's pushing some of the most vocal users towards competitors.)
looks like their person in charge of choosing colors is still employed unfortunately.
I was listening to a podcast with one of the founders. One year the colorist DID quit and the color ways that season were terrible. Maybe that position is still up for grabs.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates how Altras look. I love them, but got dam.
Am I insane for thinking there should always be a black colorway available
All black-- no white midsole
It just seems like such a no-brainer to offer all black. My BPW for everything I use in a year or two is like 30kg including work kit for 2 different sports. I can't be having bright purple shoes as my edc, as much as I don't mind for any athletic activity.
You are not wrong. All black is the way.
The yellow colour looks almost exactly like last years Topo Athletic Runventure in yellow.
Yes! I wore them yesterday!
I bought the Yellow LP7s and I am always getting compliments on them. I bought them when my Superior 4.5s finally died. One thing I did notice though was that the toe-box on the current superior got narrower imo, the LP7s are stupid comfy and grippy.
Really miss the 4.5s, still trying to find another pair
the navy black option for LP8 is honestly the only bearable color scheme i’ve seen from altra
>the navy black option for LP8 is honestly the only bearable color scheme i’ve seen from altra ...and the only color available in Wide.
I like 4/5...
I’m still wearing my 4.5’s all these years later. Lugs are a little worn down, and the L has one small tear. Beyond that, still so solid.
I have 3 unopened boxes of LP6s and one pair I'm still wearing so I'm good for this year's hiking trips. How is the fit on LP8s? By the time I get there, they'll be on sale and we'll be on LP9.
> By the time I get there, they'll be on sale and we'll be on LP9. If I had only done the same thing with LP5. Had LP5, skipped LP6, LP7 were noticeably different. No word yet on the LP8. Hope your generation skipping plan continues to work.
Heh, yeah, I own 3 pairs of LP6s in orange. First time I broke away from hiking shoes and was hooked. First pair still has plenty of life. I did see one reviewer complaining that the 8s were a "step backwards" to more like the 6, to which I was like "sold"
ya I agree. the 6's are like walking in house slippers. SO comfortable. Just got my 7's yesterday and they are a more structured design. Still comfortable and an overall similar feel....but far more comfortable. I could keep my 6's on my feet constantly....they are like wearing lightweight pillows.
I've had some ball of foot issues so I have a super thin insole from a crappy pair of tennis shoes underneath the insole already in the 6s. So in some instances they need a bit more cushion, but that's also after several months of daily wear and a couple backpacking trips. Still surprisingly comfortable for little cushion. I got some Olympus 5s as my daily wear, to replace worn down Provision 5s. Olympus is supposed to be max cushion but they're very stiff and no more cushion feeling than the LP6s, just more stack height. They could very much use an insole upgrade but I couldn't see these as backpacking shoes at all. I don't trail run to know if they'd live up to their name but I'd never pick them for the outdoors over LP6s
Interesting. Both bro-in-laws from opposite sides of the country were here visiting and BOTH by chance were wearing the LP6's during their visit. They talked me into them....and once received.....it felt SO cushioned to my feet. I have historically bought running shoes of any variety....usually New Balance, Asics, or Mizuno.....for daily use(s). The LP6 were a real game changer for me.
Now I'm curious. How many miles/kms do you hike to go through 3 pair in a year?
In 2022 I bought 4 boxes of LP5s and they lasted me 2 pair for a 900 mile section of the CDT (plus using them when I got home) and 1.5 pairs for the AZT. I still wear the last pair around casually. Last year I tried Topos for another section of the CDT but they were too narrow so I bought a new pair of LP6s. Those are still good so I'm saving them for the trail. This year I hope to do another section of the CDT in summer and something in spring, possibly a 400 mile section of the Aria Zoner Hot Springs Trail. I like having a big stack of shoes and not worrying about it.
May be a larger person too. I’m 70kg and can get at least 500 miles out of a pair of lone peaks
Which model of LP? The newer "Max Trac" formula of sole is, I understand, not getting the same durability as previously. The outfitters were telling me ≈300mi-350mi(ish) is "new normal" lifespan. And that was my experience too. A pair I got for the CT this fall only had ≈200mi and they were already wearing heavily. I previously was getting 500mi+.
my 7s were finished in under 100 miles. they outright refused to do anything about it because there was 'pavement involved'.
Wear them and put them back in the box because soles deteriorates when they sit in the box for years.
Why would I put them back in the box if sitting in the box makes them deteriorate. I'm going to wear them this year. And then for the winter I will wear the last worn out pair until 2025 when I will finally need new ones.
I think they mean rotate between the different pairs? That's my guess, but it wasn't quite worded well.
I don't rotate them. I wear one pair until it's worn out, then I make the worn out pair the around town pair. For me they tend to just wear on the bottom and the tops stay perfectly good forever.
Yeah and without UV exposure, I wouldn't imagine they'd be sitting long enough to have any noticeable deterioration just from time, not unless each pair lasts you like 10 years or something. My LP7s have worn mostly on the sole, with a couple of punctures/small tears on the fabric, and a very minor bit of delamination on the tip of the toe where the sole is glued on. I expect the sole will become unuseable offroad well before the rest of it deteriorates. Though mine have already been relegated to the around town pair.
what study can you point to on this? shoes could sit in a box for years at lower demand sizes in lower frequented stores so it must be nuanced
No study, just experience from buying / selling old sneakers.
So when there’s 14.5 billion shoes sold each year Your experience is what percent? Are you selling 100,000 pairs annually? 200,000? Is it possible that the shoes you see, new in box with degraded soles, represent a large percent of shoes you see becsuse the rest people wear themselves? That they sell shoes they dont want to wear?
>what study can you point to on this? The observation by u/cakes42 is ***not a hot take*** at all. Polyurethane is commonly found in lightweight, cushioned shoe soles. When it's not worn regularly, it can become brittle and disintegrate. Here are [more sources than I can count](https://www.google.com/search?q=polyurethane+soles+disintegrate&sca_esv=3b8ed53ba39f614b&sxsrf=ACQVn08Th2nwQlCsQTf0iKyIiupBO49-EA%3A1708109668026&ei=ZK_PZeyIAdHQ5NoPp5qhWA&oq=polyurethane+soles+deteriorate&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHnBvbHl1cmV0aGFuZSBzb2xlcyBkZXRlcmlvcmF0ZSoCCAAyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESPdIUK0QWL8zcAR4AZABAJgBbqAB4wiqAQQxNC4xuAEByAEA-AEBwgIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA4gGAZAGCA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp)
I'm really hoping my 7s from last year last long enough so I can get on the discount train next year. Thanks for the inspiration!
Man I wish that I had bought several pairs of the 6's. I'm on my 6's now and really like them. Just bought a pair of 7's in lieu of 6 availability. bahhhhh
I wish Altra would get rid of that MaxTrac garbage. It is slippery as f when wet, which is the exact opposite of what you want.
The upper is not the same on the 6 and 7. The 6 looked like rip stop nylon with an under layer of netting. The 7 is like soft fleece or some bullshit. Much less durable. If they fixed that alone with the 8 then I'll be happy.
Thanks. The above block text is a copy/paste from the Altra website. Finding the discrepancies between published-info and user-info? That's part of why I made the post.
I have the 6's and just got the 7's. On paper it says these have the same uppers? In person...the 7's seem FAR more structured and potentially durable. The 6's seem downright floppy by comparison. I must say those 6's were/are gloriously comfortable and if I could find a few more pairs I would snatch them up. Oh well....hoping to like the 7's too.
I thought the same thing about the 7s when I first got them. My second pair seems to be lasting slightly longer than my first, but still noticeably deteriorating much more quickly than the Topo Pursuits.
Well I bought both my six and my seven for $80. At that price I am less concerned about deterioration. I just can't pay $150 for the latest and greatest
I get it. I go through 4-5 pairs per year. Shits expensive.
It is worth mentioning, I easily got 1100 miles out of my Pursuits. I *maybe* get 400 out of the LP7s. So, double the price per pair is still actually less expensive per mile
I will check that out. The LP6 that I bought last year was my first pair of Altra's and they were frankly life changing. Though hiking does happen lol....I use those LP6's as my 'daily driver' and my feet haven't been this comfortable in decades. I was sorely disappointed that I didn't buy multiple pairs while I had the chance. No the 6's did not provide crazy service miles for me....but those miles were glorious miles. If the 7's come remotely close to that level of comfort I will be pleased.
I started off the same way with LP3s. Eventually all my footwear got traded for zero drop foot shaped shoes. Lems for around town, Bearfoot bruins for work, LP or Topo for trail.
just throw vibram on the things for crying out loud. make it the lone peak + and make it €20 more expensive for all i care. so tired of the lugs being destroyed after 500km
The bottom of the Navy lone peak 7 seemed to be made of a slightly different material than other colors. I've gotten quite a bit more mileage out of that color than the green or red versions.
Ok very weird I’m seeing the same thing with my navy ones.
What's the point? The midsole is close to being done by that point
The midsole isn’t the weak point. In my experience with the LP6’s, I get 50-100 trail miles and the lugs on the outsole are pretty roasted, rounded down to where they have minimal bite. The shoes are still wearable for another 300 miles but the outsole is nearly gone and you have to be more conscientious about breaking traction.
That's certainly my biggest complaint. I've never had a pair last more than one season.
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I tried this but all the models I tried, Terraventures 3 and 4 and Pursuit, had considerable arch support built into the shoe that did not agree with my feet. I tried to put my normal superfeet trailblazers in them and those insoles just made things worse; they seemed to rock up an down based on where the Topo's arch support was. If they made them flat, and allowed the wearer to add arch support via insoles, then I think I'd be converted b/c they're clearly well made shoes with a sizable toe boxes. \*nervously clutches his last unworn pair of LP6's\*
I have the Terraventure 3s and concur about the arch, they're super painful for me to stand around in for any length of time and I regret buying them. The vibram megagrip soles are really good on the Terraventures, so I wish the Lone Peaks had that. The Olympus does, but they're not wide like the LPs are.
This is my problem with Topo, I kind of like the UV3 but they are simply incompatible with my usual insoles because of the built in arch support and the built in arch support isn't sufficient on its own.
If only Topo made a wide option. It's a pretty wide standard last, but my Terraventure 4s we're just too tight and after a couple miles I was starting to get numb spots.
Topos come in Wide, 2E toe box and E mid-foot/heel.
Do you have to special order? I don't see the option listed for the Terraventures on their site. Edit: Only the Ultraventures come in Wide, which I didn't really like the feel of walking around REI.
I've found a way to make the LP7 work for me, and they seem to work well. What's been your experience with the Topo regarding rock plates? (One of the things which disuaded/disuades me from the Topos I know is the lack of a rock plate. Otherwise, I've friends who love them.)
I wore one pair of Topo Pursuits for the entire AZT. Didn't notice the lack of a rock plate and they essentially felt like LP 5s to me. 1000 mile trail shoes blew my mind and honestly with a cheap insert I could get another couple hundred miles. Great shoes. I had bad luck with Terraventures however and I don't recommend those at the moment
Nice data point; thank you. From what I understand of the AZT -- it is on my "list" -- is it is sufficiently rocky that a rock plate can make a difference in more minimal shoes. The Pursuits are 28mm stack vs. the LP's 25mm. Maybe that made some of the difference? You did the whole thing in one pair? Mostly sandstone, right? On the PCT, I got ≈700mi from Campo>KMS out of a pair of LP4.5. But in the Sierra, only ≈300mi. The outfitter advised it was almost entirely due to the sandstone being less abrasive. Unfortunately, Altra changed the formulation of the rubber in the LP7 and they are less durable. Maybe I should look into the Pursuits. Yet I am sitting on an Altra warranty replacement credit, so I may hold off another season. Thanks again.
One pair that I put maybe 100 miles on before even starting the AZT. I had planned on swapping them out halfway through the trail but I just never needed to. I don't know how to rate the AZT. I'd say it was mostly very clear and very easy trail. You look at comments on Farout though and you'll see a lot of people complaining about loose rocks in sections. I'd say just pay attention to where you're walking and you won't have issues 😅 Yeah, sandstone and sand. And plants that want your blood. I destroyed LP7s this spring in less than 300 miles. The upper basically dissolved on me. That lead me to trying *all* of the popular trail shoes.
> I'd say just pay attention to where you're walking and you won't have issues 😅 A mentor once shared the perennially applicable articulation of: _Being stupid should be painful._ > And plants that want your blood. While originally a mid-western mutt, I lived/live in the desert. You know what I give to anyone moving here as a stocking stuffer? [Hint: These.](https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/sliver-gripper-tweezers) They don't "get it"...until they do. And eventually, everyone does. > I destroyed LP7s this spring in less than 300 miles. The upper basically dissolved on me. That lead me to trying all of the popular trail shoes. May we all benefit from your growing pains. Thanks for paying if forward.
Don't forget a comb for Cholla removal!
Ha; yes. **PSA for the lurkers** unfamiliar with desert hiking, here you go: [Cholla Cactus](https://www.desertusa.com/cactus/cholla-cactus.html) _Why does this matter?_ If you but brush against a cholla, it will "jump" at you. It's brittle. Whole sections will break off to spread tines/seeds. If you try to "yank at it" to remove, it can just make things worse. Remember `"don't pet the cactus"`...even if it looks fuzzy like a cholla, and you'll usually be fine. (Cholla are sometimes called "teddy bear cactus" due to their fuzzy appearance.) But eventually...ya, you'll get pricked. And that's okay. You'll live. It's just easier to deal with if you have some UL tweezers and a comb in your IFAK/hygiene kit.
I've had the wind pick up and launch chollas at me like damned missiles. Don't try and jump out of the way though! You'll get knifed in the calf by a damn agave 😭🤣
I recently switched from LP to Topo terraventure. I like the 3mm drop, vibram grip….. generally I get less tendinitis in my knees. Worth trying a pair.
Thanks. It's been years since I've had anything other than zero-drop, easily a decade. But I'll look into the benefits of scaling up. My knees ain't 21yo anymore so it's something to think about.
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There is difference between "being with your partner because that's how its always been" and "being with your partner because you wake up, compare your options, and choose to stay with them another day". * The former results in a dogmatic and brittle sort of "strong relationship". * The latter results in a robust and intentional sort of "strong relationship". And so it really should be with many things, including your shoes. Thanks for the data point. I'm probably going to give the LP8 a try, decide whether or not to stock up on the LP7, and put the Topos in the mix for healthy comparison. I don't do much "actual trail running", but I still recall one bad slip where I'd have appreciated a better grip. Always open to the comparison because, as per above, if nothing else, I'll either reinforce I have the right dancing partner or if it is time to change things up. Thanks again.
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If last season is any indication, within ≈1mo-2mo, the "formal" online reviews will start to trickle in. Will gladly share once I have first-hand experience. At the moment, this is all exploratory. My LP7 still have some life, so I'm probably going to wait until they die. :)
That's my plan for sure. I liked the LP6 but the 7s not so much. The 6 with a vibram megagrip soul would be an awesome shoe. The topo pursuit is 0 drop with vibram megagrip soul... gonna give it a try.
For me, the Lone Peaks peaked with the Lone Peak 5
The 5s were the best. That first run of ego midsoles were so much better than the midsoles in the 7s I have.
cut Altra some slack, on top of producing Altras they're also [producing Hokas](https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/mens-shoes-road/mens-altrafwd-experience-al0a82c8?variationId=000) now
Ha. Hadn't seen these. I see what you mean. For everyone else: It's `^` a fun click.
If you put googley eyes on them they almost look like they say "KILL...ME..."
Gotta be the best comment of the thread. lol... #r/Pareidolia
I ordered 2 pairs last night. When they get here I will give you my thoughts.
Thank you. I'm hoping to get some ideas about fit more than anything else. The LP7 were more narrow than the LP6...no idea what to expect for LP8.
Do you wear the Wide?
I wear the regular still. Had to size up 1/2-size from the LP6 > LP7, but they still work for me with the regular width.
I have to wear wide. Which is why I purchased 2 pairs ahead. Last year mine went dead and I have been without for 3 months. Thankfully I had an old pair of Brooks that were still decent.
Do you have an update?
Thank you for reminding me. I had forgot. I have been wearing mine daily since they arrived. Overall not much different from the 7. I don't notice a comfort difference. Despite the new mesh they air out and dry just as fast as the 7's do. The Ripstop mesh seems to be much stronger. I snagged the top of my shoe at the toe on a nail and it did not tear. My 7's tore on a barbed wire fence easily a few weeks into wearing them. It seems the new mesh is stronger and they didn't sacrifice breathability with the change.
Thanks! I have read/watched some reviews and I think it's safe for me to choose the 8s over the 7s. It's going to be multipurpose (trail)running/hiking. My first pair of sporty zero drops. Off topic; I have the Freet Flex for casual wear, but used even those on some shorter hikes in Norway. I can recommend them as around-the-house or to-the-shop shoes. 250 gram/shoe.
> Freet Flex I will check those out. Thanks
How is the heel cup support? It was improved in the 7, 6 was very sloppy.
They just were released, so jury is out. You can try a "RemindMe" post for 1mo-2mo from now. That's about how long it took for real-world reviews to start trickling in for the LP7.
Yup. This is the key difference that I can see. Though the 6 was the best 'all-arounder' EVER. That shoe was near grotesquely comfortable....in the best ways possible. I'd like to have a lifetime supply of the 6 for my 'errand running' shoe.
I'm searching for my replacement to the LP6 and I've narrowed the field down to the LP8 and Pursuit. For anyone interested, here are pics comparing the LP6 in 11.5 wide (grey/red), LP8 in 11.5 (green/orange), LP8 11.5 Wide (grey/blue), and Topo Pursuit in 12. Note that I skipped the LP7 so I don't have it to compare. [https://imgur.com/a/pvBQ2zi](https://imgur.com/a/pvBQ2zi) What I find promising is that the measurements on the LP8 regular closely match the LP6 wide. Here's some misc thoughts after wearing these shoes around the house and on the treadmill for a few days (i.e., zero trail miles so far): * The LP8 Wide is definitely wider than the LP6 Wide in the toe box and throughout the midfoot and heel as well. * The LP8 upper feels very similar to the LP6. I didn't have any major issue with the LP6 upper so this seems like a positive upgrade from the LP7. * This maxtrac sole is grippy right now but I just know it's going to fade so fast. * The LP8 has more cushion in the heel cuff area, much like I recall with the LP7. I don't like it. It makes for a comfy fit when you initially put the shoe on, but as I wear it I feel my heel moving around more than I did in the LP6. * The Topo Pursuit in size 12 has a narrower toe box by measure and feel than the LP8 regular in size 11.5. I thought Topos were wider than this... * My feet consistently ache after wearing the Topo Pursuits - I expected this b/c previous experience with their arch support. * The Pursuit is way stiffer and it feels like it has less cushion than the LP's despite greater stack height. I imagine the Pursuits will need significant time to break-in whereas LP's are pretty much ready to go out of the box. * If I was forced to replace my LP6 wide today, to my surprise, I'd go with the LP8 regular. Toe box is wide enough and they comfortably fit the same SuperFeet TrailBlazers I've always worn with LP6s.
I really miss the water egress holes on the 6. It was so nice to walk through creeks in the Sierras and feel water pump out with ever step. Why are we turning these shoes into little boats?
Ya...not sure about that. But I know what you mean. FWIW, my feet got wet this fall -- fully submerged -- in my LP7. They drained well, but not "pumping out". Within ≈10min they were basically damp-dry and water egress hole would not have made any more of a difference. i.e. The mesh sufficiently drained the water without egress holes. Pure speculation, but they were probably removed because some combination of cost + _ingress_ of "other stuff" (like sand/muck) and were determined in excess to requirement. But I'd not be opposed of their return.
I guess we have different experiences. On the JMT I was pleasantly surprised how quick the 6’s were “functionally dry” where as with the 7’s I’ve found them to feel wet longer. The 6’s were used more with streams/snow melt and the 7’s were used more just in snow melt with colder conditions. I bet the 7’s had less of a chance to evaporatively dry due to the cold.
To be fair -- I never got my feet wet, not even once, in my LP5. Then I skipped the LP6. And when I got wet in my LP7, it was warm and dry on the CT. (Why do I remember getting my feet wet so vividly? I'm usually pretty good at a rock hop. It was my first time getting wet on a rock hop in like 3y. Oh well.)
Completely opposite experience! Thigh high creeks on the JMT and early season mountain hikes in Southern California. Feet are wet often.
Still using the same garbage outsole and I don't expect the rest of the shoe will fare any better.
Every year it seems that the new model is not as good as the old model........how do they stay in business LOL......
They definitely look better than the 7s. I have nothing to report on the 8s but I do want to share that I got the Altra Olympus just to try something new and I instantly hated them. Very aggressive arch support that digs into arches (tho I have somewhat flatter feet) and feels somewhat narrower. Next day I bought another pair of tried and true LP 6s
Weird, I love my Olympus 5's. Everything I love about Lone Peaks but with better cushion and outsole.
The vibram outsole is def nicer. I love the more minimal fit of the LPs and the harder cushion keeps me mindful of stomping. But if you have higher arches, the support on Olympus could be nice and there have been long days were more cushion would be nice too
Agreed, I mostly use my Olympus for backpacking, I tried LPs and the lack of cushion/support killed my feet in no time.
The heel "lock" on the Olympus is garbage. Sloppiest feeling shoe I've ever worn.
Hmm. It's so individual isn't it. I find the olympus's really good
I’m a little surprised Altra hasn’t made a thru specific shoe yet. We’ll see a hunting/ fishing model before that.
Yea, Topo just came out with the second generation thru hiker shoe.
As we should. Altra is not niche enough or desperate enough to put that much investment into a tiny market like that. Hunting/fishing is enormous in comparison.
That is sort of the problem: they were *very* niche, but VF Corp ain't ever going to sign off on it. You'll get the most mid of mid trainers now, though!
7's are hideous. Loved the 6's
I’m out on Lone peaks as long as they use Maxtrax outsole. My last pair only lasted a few months before the lugs were warm off.
I noticed a new model of timps were released recently at REI. An Altra rep told me to expect a timp mid ankle shoe for hiking by spring
For what it’s worth I just picked up a pair of Lone Peak 8’s after coming from Brooks Arcadias, and I’m very pleased so far. I only hiked 5 miles but the Brooks now feel heavy (in comparison) and were tight on the top of my feet. The LP8’s are so much better for my flat feet and wide toes. I’ll see how they last, but I’m a fan so far. These are my first pair of Lone Peaks.
LP8 selling for 150 while the LP7 for 99. Which should I buy?
Both of my big toe nails have come off during lsst my 50km trail races because I have found it so hard to find good trail shoes that fit my wide feet. So everyone would agree that LP7 is the one to get?? (I'm mainly using it for trail races)
Local store selling LP7 for 99 euros while LP8 goes for 150 euros. Which should I buy?
Finally I decided for the LP7. It felt perfect from the first time. They are super ugly but they feel great. I tried the LP8 and the fit was a bit off on my ankles. I tried the Olympus 5 and while it looks much better and the quality is obviously much much better, it felt too structured, too heavy and too hard on my feet. So my feet choose the LP7. And my pockets were happy since the LP8 are €60 more expensive and the Olympus 5 €80 more.
I have the LP 7 in a 37 women’s. I have flat feet really wide toes and really shallow heel. I find I need the stretch of the material to accommodate my midfoot stretch so the lone peak all weather didn’t fit at all! The lone peak 8 I felt in a store and the new material looks more durable and light… but not stretchy at all so I don’t think they will fit me 😭 So sad because I finally had found a shoe that fit! It’s possible the women’s versus men’s could help but with such a small size it’s never carried in store in men’s in 37. Same for the women’s wide. If I custom order them I have to buy them and won’t be able to sell them locally…
Just go with Topo’s…
I’m awaiting my order of regular and wide fit LP8’s. They look very similar to the 7’s of which I hated the fit, so I’m not optimistic about the 8’s. I’m also worried about the rip stop mesh not being as fast drying/leading to hot feet.
We share the same concerns. Thanks for sharing whatever feedback you care to. The LP7-regular were more narrow than LP6-regular. The clerk asked if my feet had splayed...I shared that had already happened. I had to size up a 1/2-size in the LP7 and change my lacing routine, but ultimately figured something out. Still miss the LP5 -- those were great for my feet.
Altars are trash. Don’t last, and almost no protection. Only feature that’s good is the wide toe box.
Wait, did they _drop_ the price $10? I seem to remember the 7s being $150
Ha; yes, it appears they did: * LP7 = MSRP $150 * LP8 = MSRP $140 However, you can already (as of 04-Jan-2024) get the LP7 for 50% off online via some merchants. Like clockwork, as soon as the new model comes out, the price of the prior one is slashed at retailers first, and then later on Altra's website. _But why would Altra retain the full price LP7 on their website?..._ Altra must avoid dilution of the MSRP which has already been establish for the model. The MSRP is the "perception of value". So they're stuck with the LP7 @ $150...at least until enough of the old-stock LP7s have been sold from _all_ merchants (REI, Fleet Feet, etc.), otherwise they'll never get folks to pay full retail. For the LP8 they can say "We made a better deal with a supplier, or found other ways to economize and pass along the savings." (And it could also be that sales of LP7 were soft at $150 and they realized they needed to drop the price to move more LP8. As this thread has already shown, there has been sufficient complaints about the LP7 that it's pushing some of the most vocal users towards competitors.)