Review: Altra Lone Peak 1.5 & Altra Torin

So after a few years of sending them emails, and dozens of you tweeting at them, Altra finally agreed to send me a couple of pairs of their shoes for review! I am stoked to have the opportunity to try these zero drop, wide toe boxed shoes of magic. Not only are they one of the few shoe manufacturers that work with zero drop technology, but they’re fantastic at educating and promoting proper running form and injury prevention.

ALTRA LONE PEAK 1.5

(Click the photo for the video review) I’ve had quite a bit of time to test and log the miles in the Altra Lone Peak 1.5. There are a number of things that I like about the shoes – a wonderfully wide toe box, zero drop, great grip on all sorts of terrain, and a durable build. I know a lot of you really like these features as well and swear by the Lone Peak 1.5 as your GO-TO trail shoe.

Likes aside, there are a handful of dislikes that really change how the shoe behaves for me. Not only are the shoes very stiff, but the upper is cumbersome and overbuilt which contributes to weight issues. With sizing issues, a seemingly useless trail rudder, and a lacing problem, the dislikes pile up and make this shoe a bit of a disappointment for me.

I would love to hear from you. Have you worn the Lone Peak 1.5? Do you love it? And why? Let’s get the dialogue going in the comments.

I also want to be sure to thank Altra for sending me some review samples and I look forward to the opportunity to review some of the new models that look to solve some of the issues I had above!

LIKED:

• Wide toe box
• Zero drop
• Durable
• Seamless upper
• Traction
• Gaiter Velcro

DISLIKED:

• Stiff
• Cumbersome upper (overlays, wide)
• Sizing
• Heavy (10+oz)
• Trail Rudder
• Laces (holes closer together)
• Ride

QUALITY: 3/5
COMFORT: 3/5
PRICE: 3/5
LOOKS: 4/5

TOTAL: 13/20

ALTRA TORIN

(Click the photo for the video review) So I’ve been able to log a good handful of miles in the Altra Torin and I actually found myself liking it quite a bit more than the Lone Peak 1.5. While the platform remains a zero drop, wide toe box shoe, they have raised it up a few millimeters and added more EVA midsole cushioning to help take you on the extra long runs.

For the most part, I think this shoe is successful in it’s goal. I have enjoyed most of my long runs in the shoe and like the direction this shoe is headed in, however there are some basic quality & construction issues that contribute to me knocking this shoe down a little bit.

Not only is the shoe stiffer than I would like – much like the Lone Peak 1.5 – but the thick upper, the inflexible heel and overall “slappiness” of the shoe make it a bit bothersome. While i do have the shoe still in my rotation and use it for longer recovery runs, like a Hoka, I don’t find myself reaching for it come speed days.

Out of these two Altras that I have reviewed, I much prefer the Torin.

I also want to be sure to thank Altra for sending me some review samples and I look forward to the opportunity to review some of the new models that look to solve some of the issues I had above!

LIKED:

• Wide toe box
• Zero drop
• Cushioned
• Seamless upper
• Reduced rubber outsole

DISLIKED:

• Stiff
• Hard cushion
• Thick upper
• Weight (rubber toe, thick upper, tongue, etc 9+oz)
• Laces (thin, holes closer together)
• Stiff ankle

QUALITY: 3/5
COMFORT: 4/5
PRICE: 3/5
LOOKS: 4/5

TOTAL: 14/20

Shoes provided by Altra. All opinions are my own.