Waterproof hiking boots aren’t typically praised for their breathability, but we’re pleased to report that the Lone Peak RSM is a standout in this area. While it certainly can’t compete with non-waterproof mesh versions, we came away impressed with the Lone Peak RSM’s ability to keep our feet cool on moderately warm days. Even during a handful of summer hikes—outings we typically reserve for trail-running shoes—our feet never felt soggy or damp due to moisture buildup. All things considered, we found the eVent upper to breathe better than similarly equipped Gore-Tex models. Despite the mid-height design, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid offers notably less stability and support than traditional hiking boots. As a mid-top hiking boot, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR extends up around the ankle, and the traditional lacing system allows the wearer to get a snug and secure fit that protects effectively against a rolled ankle. The upper material is soft and flexible on its own, giving credence to the concept that compression equals rigidity. During my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail I inevitably switched from wearing waterproof shoes as, like many, I found that given enough rain water inevitably seeped its way into the interior of my shoes. And once the inside of a waterproof shoe is wet, the same system that’s supposed to keep water from getting in keeps water from getting out, making them harder to dry.

Altra Zero Drop Running Shoes for Men and Women at Altra Zero Drop Running Shoes for Men and Women at

Wide toe box and zero-drop shape give the boot excellent out-of-the-box comfort (especially for those with wide feet or that are prone to blisters).If cramped toes are a continual problem when searching for the right hiking shoe than look no further. One of Altra’s shining features is a generously-sized toe box, and the Lone Peak 3.0 Mid is no exception. Rather than tapering sharply at the front, the NeoShell Mid stays nice and wide giving ample room to stretch and wiggle your toes to your heart’s content. The same lacing design that makes it easy to achieve a secure ankle fit can make the NeoShell Mid a struggle to put on at times. Since the shoe utilizes eyelets instead of hooks for the ankle lacing the shoe laces are more or less permanently laced up the ankle. This makes it so that the tongue is not easily repositioned to make way for your foot without first taking time to loosen the laces around the ankle a great deal. While this is an admittedly minor complaint compared to the benefit this lacing design provides, I would be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t annoying at times. Cost

Gear Review: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid - The Trek Gear Review: Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid - The Trek

If there’s one thing that Altra does well, it’s comfort: no matter the style, every Altra shoe has a zero-drop footbed and wide, “FootShape” toe box. Many hikers and runners find that these features allow their feet and body to align and move more naturally, resulting in less impact. For us, the wide toe box provided impressive comfort right out of the box. And coupled with the thin yet supple upper, we experienced virtually no break-in period. On soft, loamy trails, the Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM offered the experience of walking on a cloud.Wearing these for hours at a time on the foot was almost unnoticeable, so even though they did not win in this metric, they were so close that we gave them a very high mark in regards to their overall weight. Water Resistance The mid-height design, combined with a waterproof upper and gaiter attachment points, does a great job at sealing out the elements. With the updated 4 RSM, Altra replaced the waterproof NeoShell upper of version 3 with eVent fabric, which has proven to be a very capable performer in the wet. Most of our time in the Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM was spent on wet trails in the Pacific Northwest, as well as one long outing into the alpine. Overall, the Altra’s eVent upper and over-the-ankle design did a great job of keeping water at bay, which made it a great companion for wet-weather hikes. We’ve spent a good amount of time using Gore-Tex-lined footwear recently, and it's nice to see that the eVent fabric provided similar levels of protection.

Altra — footworksrunning Altra — footworksrunning

eVent fabric and thin upper allow the Lone Peak to breathe better than most other waterproof shoes. Last year Altra debuted the Lone Peak 3.0 and Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell. These new designs improve upon their predecessors while retaining everything that’s made the Lone Peak series a crowd favorite. However, in addition to the 3.0 upgrade Altra also released something more unique, the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid. While the traditional Lone Peak designs are geared primarily towards trail runners (a style recently co-opted by long-distance hikers), the Mid was designed for all the hikers in the crowd. This new hiking shoe offers everything we love about the Lone Peak design with the added support of a boot. Comfort is a metric in which the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR has almost no equal. As one of the top-scoring models in this fundamental metric, this shoe (ahem, boot!) will be very appealing to a wide range of hikers. A big part of this appeal comes from Altra's signature wide foot shape. Rather than feeling tight and constricted, the foot is allowed to sit in its natural position. This is especially nice after long days on the trail — as your feet swell, they have the room they need. We also are not super impressed with their performance in slippery conditions. The tread is very shallow, so they do not gain good traction in scree or mud. Weight No doubt, that limited support can be a springboard for some hikers to develop their lower bodies and show off their ripped calves. But not me. That light-duty build took its toll on mt (flat) feet, (genetically) weak ankles, and skinny calves. On easier trails tha I normally hike, I had trouble with rolled ankles, cramping feet, shin splints, and calf strains.Disclosure: Altra donated these items for review, but this article presents an honest representation of my experience using the gear. With an eVent upper, gusseted tongue, and over-the-ankle cut, the Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid is fully capable of sealing out the elements. Compared to a standard hiking shoe, the boot’s mid-height build offers a sizable step up in protection and prevents water from coming in over the collar during steam crossings or while hiking through deep mud. Throughout testing, I found that the Lone Peak did a fantastic job keeping moisture at bay, even during sustained downpours. Our team has spent a lot of time testing Gore-Tex-lined footwear, and it’s nice to see that the Lone Peak’s eVent fabric provides similar levels of wet-weather assurance. However, it’s worth noting that unlike many Lone Peak offerings, the ALL-WTHR Mid does not include a gaiter trap at the heel (although you can always add a patch of Velcro to achieve the same effect).

Lone Peak 5 - Altra Running Lone Peak 5 - Altra Running

Footshape Toe Box: Allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally for more comfort and stability in uphill climbs and downhill descents. The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid boots weigh 1.77 pounds per pair. That is crazy light for a hiking boot, no matter what. Some of our favorite hiking shoes, which are low-cut, often struggle to make that weight. Yet, these are not the lightest boots in this review.The soft midsole and roomy toe box made for a sloppy-feeling boot on technical and off-camber terrain. This was a longer term review spanning the better part of a year. I was able to take the Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mids into a wide variety of conditions logging nearly 200 miles in the shoes. They endured miles on sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, and arid foothills in southern California as well as the damp, rainy October weather surrounding Scotland’s 96 mile West Highland Way (WHW). PROS Available for Both Women and Men The NeoShell is a “breathable” waterproof material developed by Polartec. However, rather than lining the interior of the shoe like other waterproof designs the NeoShell is wrapped around the exterior of the shoe. In doing so the lining attempts to stop water from the onset before it even has a chance of getting to the interior fabrics. In my experience, it would seem this design choice paid off.