The New Altra Lone Peak 9 vs LP8 & LP7 (Hiker Review)
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The Altra Lone Peak 9 has officially hit the market, and as a dedicated hiker, I was eager to put them to the test. The Lone Peak series has been my trusted companion on countless hikes. Having logged miles in the Lone Peak 7 and 8, I was curious to see how the LP9 stacks up. In this post, I’ll review the latest model, compare it to its predecessors, and help you decide if the LP9 deserves a spot on your next hiking adventure.
Why the Altra Lone Peak Series is a Hiker’s Favorite
I started my journey with the Altra Lone Peak 7, and from the very first hike, I knew I was a lifer. These shoes felt much lighter than my previous bulky hiking boots, giving me freedom on the trail. I could hike for endless miles without experiencing blisters or foot discomfort, a game-changer for someone who spends hours outdoors.
What makes the Lone Peak series ideal for hiking is its unmatched combination of comfort, durability, and traction. The wide toe box allows my feet to splay naturally, the zero-drop platform encourages a more balanced stride, and the grippy outsole confidently handles all kinds of terrain.
After using both the Lone Peak 7 and Lone Peak 8, I’ve realized that I slightly prefer the Lone Peak 7. As I explained in my comparison review of these two models, I sometimes experience mild irritation on my outer left big toe with the Lone Peak 8, a quirk I’ve never encountered with the 7. That preference even led me to snag another pair of Lone Peak 7s when they were 40% off!
Now, I’ve just received the Lone Peak 9, and I’m super excited to hit the trails with them. I can’t wait to see how they perform and whether they’ll take the top spot in my Lone Peak lineup!
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First Impressions of the Altra Lone Peak 9
Unboxing my Altra Lone Peak 9 felt like Christmas morning! There’s always something exciting about exploring the updates in a fresh pair of hiking shoes. Right away, the Lone Peak 9 impressed me with its sleek, modern design—a clear visual upgrade from the Lone Peak 7 and 8.
A few standout features caught my eye immediately: a newly added hook at the top for gaiter attachment enhances practicality, the redesigned toe box offers improved protection on the outer edge, the outsole boasts an upgrade for better traction, and the tongue is now seamlessly connected to the inner upper for a more secure fit.
The outsole caught my eye with its visible changes, including a gap at the heel and what seems to be an improved MaxTrac™ outsole, engineered for enhanced grip and durability.
Altra’s signature FootShape™ fit is still a highlight, offering a roomy toe box that promotes natural movement and comfort, even on long hikes.
The addition of the Stoneguard™ insert is a bonus, providing flexible underfoot protection from debris and rocky trails.
With its responsive Altra EGO™ midsole foam, the LP9 balances ground connection and comfort perfectly.
The Altra Lone Peak 9 features a new design element not found in previous models: the tongue is connected to the inner upper of the shoe, providing a secure and seamless fit.
It’s clear from these updates that the Lone Peak 9 is built to handle tough terrain while keeping hikers comfortable and supported. I can’t wait to take these out on the trail!
Altra LP9 Specs
- Best For: Trail running, hiking, thru-hiking
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Upper: 100% RPET ripstop mesh upper
- Midsole: Altra EGO™
- Outsole: MaxTrac™
- Weight: 9.3 oz / 263.65 g
- Cushion: Mid
- Stack Height: 25mm / 25mm
- Support: Neutral
- FootShape: Original
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
Trail Testing the Altra Lone Peak 9
Day 1 (January 10, 2025):
I wore my LP9 for about eight hours during a 6.5-hour drive from San Diego to Yosemite, with minimal walking. Unfortunately, I chose to take them off to avoid developing a proper blister. This was very unexpected, as I never had such issues with my Lone Peak 7 or Lone Peak 8, both of which I wore straight out of the box for long hiking adventures. My original plan was to use the LP9 for my Half Dome hike, but given the irritation and risk of blisters, I chose to wear my Lone Peak 7s instead and had zero foot issues.
Day 2 (January 15, 2025):
I wore my Lone Peak 9 during a 3-mile walk to the beach. Initially, everything seemed fine, but after just 1.5 miles, I developed a blister on the crease of my left heel. By the time I got home, the skin had peeled off, and a blister had also developed on my right heel crease. Moving forward, I’ll rely on trusty Compeeds to protect my heels until I can trust these shoes not to cause blisters.
Day 3 (January 19, 2025):
Amazon delivered my Compeeds this morning, so I applied them to both heels and headed out for a 5-mile hike in my LP9s. I’m happy to report that there was no new irritation to my feet, and I stayed comfortable throughout the hike. The Lone Peak 9s feel noticeably more cushioned and bouncy compared to the Lone Peak 7s and 8s.
That said, because the skin on my left heel tore off from a blister four days ago, I still experience slight pain when walking in the LP9s. Once that fully heals, I’m confident they’ll be much more comfortable. For now, I’ll continue wearing them with Compeeds to protect my heels.
Unlike my experience with the Lone Peak 7s and 8s, the Lone Peak 9 seems to require some breaking in, at least for me. This is something to keep in mind if you’re considering the LP9 for a PCT thru-hike or any extended adventure. Breaking them in beforehand could save you from unnecessary discomfort.
Looking ahead:
I’m going to wear my LP9 exclusively for my 4-day adventure this coming weekend and I dont anticipate any problems as long as I keep wearing the Compeeds too.
Pros and Cons of the Altra Lone Peak 9
The Altra Lone Peak 9 offers impressive upgrades, including a roomy toe box, improved cushioning, durable design, and excellent traction with the updated MaxTrac outsole. While it’s lightweight and gaiter-ready, the higher heel collar design may irritate the heel crease and lead to blistering if you have sensitive skin.
Pros
- Improved Cushioning
- improved toe box protection
- Durable Design
- Lightweight Feel
- Reliable Traction
- Gaiters-ready with velcro and hook
Cons
- The higher heel collar design irritated my heel crease and gave me blisters
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
ALTRA Trail Gaiters
- Keep feet debris-free during hikes and runs
- Available in two sizes
- Multiple colors available
Comparing Altra Lone Peak 9 to previous Altra Lone Peak models
Here I’ll be comparing the Altra Lone Peak 9 to my Lone Peak 8 (purchased in March 2024) and to my second pair of Lone Peak 7.
The table below compares the specs of Altra Lone Peak 7 versus Lone Peak 8 versus Lone Peak 9:
| Altra Lone Peak 7 | Altra Lone Peak 8 | Altra Lone Peak 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 9.2 oz / 261 g | 9.16 oz / 259 g | 9.3 oz / 263.65 g |
| Midsole | Altra EGO™ | Altra EGO™ | Altra EGO™ |
| Outsole | MaxTrac™ | MaxTrac™ | MaxTrac™ |
| Cushion | Moderate | Moderate | Mid |
| Stack Height | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25mm / 25mm |
| Drop | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Upper | Quick-Dry Air Mesh | Ripstop mesh | 100% RPET ripstop mesh upper |
| Velcro attachment for trail gaiters | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hook for trail gaiters | No | No | Yes |
Lone Peak 9 vs. Lone Peak 8
The Lone Peak 9 introduces some notable upgrades over the LP8, though both shoes share similar core features, including Altra’s signature FootShape™ fit and 0mm drop.
The LP9 stands out with its improved Altra EGO™ midsole, providing more cushioning and a more responsive feel, ideal for long days on the trail. They definitely feel more cushiony than the LP8 as I walk with them.
Additionally, the MaxTrac™ outsole on the LP9 has been updated for better grip and durability, which adds extra confidence when tackling rough terrain.
Another standout feature of the LP9 is the gaiter hook, a useful addition for attaching gaiters to keep debris out.
While the LP9 improves on the Lone Peak 8’s performance in several key areas, I did notice some heel irritation with the new design, making the Lone Peak 8 slightly more comfortable out of the box. That said, I’m confident that once I get past the initial blistering phase, the Lone Peak 9 will prove to be incredibly comfortable, and likely surpass my preference for the Lone Peak 8.
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 8
NOW ON SALE
- Cushioned with wide toe box
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- Medium and wide widths are available
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 8
NOW ON SALE
- Cushioned with wide toe box
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- Medium and wide widths are available
Lone Peak 9 vs. Lone Peak 7
The Lone Peak 9 makes several key improvements over the Lone Peak 7. Both models feature Altra’s signature wide toe box and 0mm drop, supporting natural foot movement.
The LP9 boasts an enhanced Altra EGO™ midsole, offering a more responsive and cushioned feel, while the MaxTrac™ outsole on the LP9 has been updated for better traction and durability. The LP9 feels a lot more cushiony with each step I make with them, compared to my Lone Peak 7.
The addition of the StoneGuard™ insert provides more protection against debris underfoot.
Another notable difference is the gaiter hook, which the LP9 includes for easy gaiter attachment, a feature not present in the Lone Peak 7.
Despite these upgrades, the Lone Peak 7 remains a favorite for its comfort from the first day. Once I get past my blistering phase with the LP9, I believe the LP9 will become my new favorite over my Lone Peak 7. But right now, I still prefer my Lone Peak 7 for longer hikes until I can wear the LP9 without blister protection patches.
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 7
NOW ON SALE
- Cushioned with wide toe box
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- Medium and wide widths are available
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 7
NOW ON SALE
- Cushioned with wide toe box
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- Medium and wide widths are available
Final Verdict on the Altra Lone Peak 9
The Lone Peak 9 brings a lot to love: the gaiter hook is a thoughtful addition, the colors are vibrant, and the overall comfort and bounce of the shoes are fantastic. I also appreciate the StoneGuard™ and the performance improvements compared to the Lone Peak 7 and 8. However, the slight skin irritation I experienced on my heel during my first few wears is a drawback that keeps the Lone Peak 7 in the top spot for now. I plan to keep breaking in the LP9, hoping the irritation resolves soon.
For anyone seeking a durable, ultralight hiking shoe with excellent traction and comfort, the Lone Peak 9 is worth considering. It’s a strong addition to my hiking gear lineup, and as long as I can overcome the heel irritation, I expect it will become a go-to for all my adventures.
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running | Hiking | Thru-hiking
- Updated midsole foam
- Refined ripstop mesh uppers
- Added protection from rocks & debris
- Original FootShape™ fit
Let’s Hit the Trail Together
I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve hiked with any of the Altra Lone Peak models, whether it’s the latest Lone Peak 9, the Lone Peak 8, or even an older version, share your experiences in the comments. What trails have they taken you on? How have they performed for your hiking adventures? Let me know if you have any questions about the Lone Peak series or suggestions for other trail-tested gear you’d like me to review. Your insights and ideas help keep this community of hikers informed and inspired!
