Great review Alan! I'd used the Altra Lone Peak 3.5s and the 4.5s but found for hard packed trails and pavement they lacked some cushion. I've been using the Altra Timp 2s for the past year and they seem to be the sweet spot of just enough extra cushion without being overly mushy. Also a slightly slimmer, but still roomy, toebox helps with the sideways slide walking on a sloped trail on the side of a hill for long periods. The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilators in the website article as the budget pick are my day to day shoes and work really well. I've used them on a number of short hikes and they are comfy and hold up really well.
Alan! Carbon technology has been used to provide a better performance in cycling shows for years, also i swear by the lone peak! Last summer after years of using one brand that stopped being innovative, i switched to Altra on a 10 days backpacking trip with a heavy backpack filled with camera gears. I was shocked to find out how grippy they performed when crossing glaciers. I’m definitely getting the 5! Thanks for the video.
We must have harder and sharper rocks in Australia for the trail running shoes, as the thread doesn't last long and you feel the stones easily when hiking with extra weight. The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a fine shoe, but again the thread seems to totally fill up with small gravel and stones, then it like walking with spikes and hard to remove. :(
Thanks for this comparative review. Most of those shoes are on my short list for next pair. Longevity seems to be the Achille’s heel of recent trail running shoes. Not that long ago, I got at least 500 miles from a pair. Now 300 seems to be the norm. Love my Hoka Challenger ATR 4s, but went through the first pair in much less than a year. Hard to justify the jump to $200 shoes when longevity is still unknown.
Also see the durabily section on our How to Choose Post www.adventurealan.com/how-to-choose-hiking-shoes/ "Tip | Self-reinforce high wear/blowout areas: Most often this occurs on the fabric at the “hinge” of your forefoot or the outside of your shoe at the base of your big or small toe. If you know this happens to your shoes, you can coat that area with Shoe Goo prior to using them. We’ve had great success with this method to significantly extend the life of our shoes." But you can pre-treat shoes in any high wear, potential blowout, or separation area. Best, -alan
Great review Alan. I never knew about some shoe technology until I watched this. My favorite hiking and backpacking shoe for many years has been the Asics Gel Venture 4E width. Cheap too! I picked up 3 pairs for $40 each (on sale) just over a year ago. I dislike the Altra Lone Peaks
I regret purchasing my lone peaks. If I’m hiking anything beyond 6 hours, my toes and ankles are throbbing. Ive tried inserts, different size, sock variations…theyre just terrible for me.
Good question Joseph! Apologies, but I am not an orthopedist, podiatrist or otherwise trained to give any medical advice (on any advice) on this - so none is given. That being said, there are two trains of thought on this. 1) minimalist shoes, create natural movement and biomechanics that use the strength of your feet and calves to “cushion your knees” reducing knee injuries. 2) that cushioned shoes can do this. Opponents to 2) cite that cushioned shoes encourage heel strikes which actually increase knee strain, even with the shoe cushioning. Again I am only reporting this to you as some areas to research as I can give no professional or even non-professional opinion on this. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Thanks Alan. I was hoping maybe you noticed some ease of knee pain while you have been testing the shoes. I still wear the Hoka Challenger 5 and like them, with the one exception, horrible traction on slick surfaces and technical terrain.
I kept waiting for the great reason that the North Face Vectiv were in white...UV protection finish, lighter weight pigment...no just plain ol' bad design choice. Gotcha!
Hey Alan, can you put me in touch with anyone who has hiked an entire thru hike of say PCT or CDT or even AT with Danner Boots or say Salomon Boots, etc?
The normal is D - but that is by Altra standards!! The wide is a 2E which must really look like clown shoes! And at least for now the wide/2E version is essentially unavailable (I currently only see it in stock in Ms size 7.5 and 15). They may stock up more as the season goes on, but for now on the D width version is available. Actually Zappos seem to have better stock in wide. Best, -alan
Alan must have narrow feet to criticize Altra on that account? My Altra's always blow-out at the width, indicating they are still too narrow. Alan has a thousand narrow shoes to choose from, wide-footed have only two.
Thanks for sharing your wide-footed experience Tom. BTW blowing out does not necessarily indicate that a shoe is too narrow. Properly fitted shoes blow out too. Discomfort (pressure on the toes) would be a better indicator if the shoe is too narrow. Warmest, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co - They're too tight in the width on day-1. Narrow-footed person's have difficulty believing anyone's foot could be so wide, but there are plenty of us out there. That's fine to review shoes from your narrow-footed perspective, just don't influence one of the only wide-foot manufacturers to narrow their already too narrow footbox any further? There are a thousand narrow shoes for you to review. Go review those and leave our Altra's alone?
The reviewer who talked about the Lone Peak and said that hikers who are used to a higher drop will find it an easy transition to zero-drop ("just take it easy on yourself ") is completely wrong. This is terrible advice. There is not a slow-but-easy transition from short calf/Achilles. Trying to transition will very likely lead to injury. Stop trying to adapt to new shoes. Get shoes that work for you! I understand being enthusiastic about a particular shoe (I love my Cascadias!) but talking out of your back pocket about medical stuff is foolish.
I believe she said take it easy NOT that it was easy. As such, I think it is completely reasonable she suggested caution to people considering the transition. And for FWIW many people have successfully made the transition w/o injury, myself included. All the best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co The full quote was "You can transition to it easily. Just take it easy on yourself. " This is wrong. Add to that some initial claptrap about how zero-drop is "more natural" and, therefore, easier on your joints, and you have a formula for injury. All the best, Abe.
![3 Stretches EVERY Distance Hiker Should Know [For Strong & Healthy Feet]](/img/n.gif)
Great review Alan! I'd used the Altra Lone Peak 3.5s and the 4.5s but found for hard packed trails and pavement they lacked some cushion. I've been using the Altra Timp 2s for the past year and they seem to be the sweet spot of just enough extra cushion without being overly mushy. Also a slightly slimmer, but still roomy, toebox helps with the sideways slide walking on a sloped trail on the side of a hill for long periods. The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilators in the website article as the budget pick are my day to day shoes and work really well. I've used them on a number of short hikes and they are comfy and hold up really well.
Thanks for all the great info and feedback William. Warmest, -alan
Alan! Carbon technology has been used to provide a better performance in cycling shows for years, also i swear by the lone peak! Last summer after years of using one brand that stopped being innovative, i switched to Altra on a 10 days backpacking trip with a heavy backpack filled with camera gears. I was shocked to find out how grippy they performed when crossing glaciers. I’m definitely getting the 5! Thanks for the video.
You are so welcome. Best, Alan
We must have harder and sharper rocks in Australia for the trail running shoes, as the thread doesn't last long and you feel the stones easily when hiking with extra weight. The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a fine shoe, but again the thread seems to totally fill up with small gravel and stones, then it like walking with spikes and hard to remove. :(
Thanks for sharing your experience. And we also have places in North America that are hard on shoes. Warmest, -alan
Thanks for this comparative review. Most of those shoes are on my short list for next pair. Longevity seems to be the Achille’s heel of recent trail running shoes. Not that long ago, I got at least 500 miles from a pair. Now 300 seems to be the norm. Love my Hoka Challenger ATR 4s, but went through the first pair in much less than a year. Hard to justify the jump to $200 shoes when longevity is still unknown.
Also see the durabily section on our How to Choose Post www.adventurealan.com/how-to-choose-hiking-shoes/ "Tip | Self-reinforce high wear/blowout areas: Most often this occurs on the fabric at the “hinge” of your forefoot or the outside of your shoe at the base of your big or small toe. If you know this happens to your shoes, you can coat that area with Shoe Goo prior to using them. We’ve had great success with this method to significantly extend the life of our shoes." But you can pre-treat shoes in any high wear, potential blowout, or separation area. Best, -alan
Great review Alan. I never knew about some shoe technology until I watched this.
My favorite hiking and backpacking shoe for many years has been the Asics Gel Venture 4E width. Cheap too! I picked up 3 pairs for $40 each (on sale) just over a year ago.
I dislike the Altra Lone Peaks
Thanks for sharing Jay. Those do sound like a great deal at $40 a pop. Warmest, -alan
I regret purchasing my lone peaks. If I’m hiking anything beyond 6 hours, my toes and ankles are throbbing. Ive tried inserts, different size, sock variations…theyre just terrible for me.
A a
Thanks for another great gear review. I wonder how these new hight tech shoes help to reduce knee pain?
Good question Joseph! Apologies, but I am not an orthopedist, podiatrist or otherwise trained to give any medical advice (on any advice) on this - so none is given. That being said, there are two trains of thought on this. 1) minimalist shoes, create natural movement and biomechanics that use the strength of your feet and calves to “cushion your knees” reducing knee injuries. 2) that cushioned shoes can do this. Opponents to 2) cite that cushioned shoes encourage heel strikes which actually increase knee strain, even with the shoe cushioning. Again I am only reporting this to you as some areas to research as I can give no professional or even non-professional opinion on this. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Thanks Alan. I was hoping maybe you noticed some ease of knee pain while you have been testing the shoes. I still wear the Hoka Challenger 5 and like them, with the one exception, horrible traction on slick surfaces and technical terrain.
how would you rate Nike Wildhorse 7 to these list?
I kept waiting for the great reason that the North Face Vectiv were in white...UV protection finish, lighter weight pigment...no just plain ol' bad design choice. Gotcha!
Sadly so Justin. And now they aren't even white any more 😜. Best -alan
What. would be best for something like Taboose Pass or Baxter Pass in California?
I tried the Hoka shoes, but they did not fit my wide toe area. caused pain. The altra olympus worked best for me.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Best, -alan
Hey Alan, can you put me in touch with anyone who has hiked an entire thru hike of say PCT or CDT or even AT with Danner Boots or say Salomon Boots, etc?
Deuce #2 Trowel and Shoe Horn!
Love the idea! Thanks! Best, -alan
I noticed they now have regular vs wide options for the 5 version, but I can't find specs on the difference between the two ?
The normal is D - but that is by Altra standards!! The wide is a 2E which must really look like clown shoes! And at least for now the wide/2E version is essentially unavailable (I currently only see it in stock in Ms size 7.5 and 15). They may stock up more as the season goes on, but for now on the D width version is available. Actually Zappos seem to have better stock in wide. Best, -alan
Alan must have narrow feet to criticize Altra on that account? My Altra's always blow-out at the width, indicating they are still too narrow. Alan has a thousand narrow shoes to choose from, wide-footed have only two.
Thanks for sharing your wide-footed experience Tom. BTW blowing out does not necessarily indicate that a shoe is too narrow. Properly fitted shoes blow out too. Discomfort (pressure on the toes) would be a better indicator if the shoe is too narrow. Warmest, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co - They're too tight in the width on day-1. Narrow-footed person's have difficulty believing anyone's foot could be so wide, but there are plenty of us out there. That's fine to review shoes from your narrow-footed perspective, just don't influence one of the only wide-foot manufacturers to narrow their already too narrow footbox any further? There are a thousand narrow shoes for you to review. Go review those and leave our Altra's alone?
Can we talk about durability? What would be the most durable shoe?
Funny, i cant never seem to find Hokas that fit just right...really tried...
Life is like that sometimes. Good thing there are so many other shoe options. Wamest, -alan
The reviewer who talked about the Lone Peak and said that hikers who are used to a higher drop will find it an easy transition to zero-drop ("just take it easy on yourself ") is completely wrong. This is terrible advice. There is not a slow-but-easy transition from short calf/Achilles. Trying to transition will very likely lead to injury.
Stop trying to adapt to new shoes. Get shoes that work for you!
I understand being enthusiastic about a particular shoe (I love my Cascadias!) but talking out of your back pocket about medical stuff is foolish.
I believe she said take it easy NOT that it was easy. As such, I think it is completely reasonable she suggested caution to people considering the transition. And for FWIW many people have successfully made the transition w/o injury, myself included. All the best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co The full quote was "You can transition to it easily. Just take it easy on yourself. " This is wrong.
Add to that some initial claptrap about how zero-drop is "more natural" and, therefore, easier on your joints, and you have a formula for injury.
All the best, Abe.