Altra Lone Peak 3.5 First Look

[@ericgaffin5697]

I just got my 3.5 Mid Mesh for this years JMT hike and love them. I sized up one whole size and at first they felt snug to me around my pinky toe area only. I loosened up the bottom section of laces and now they feel perfect. It made a huge difference in the fit. Great vid as always!!

[@SticksBlog]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it... And I see from your recent Instagram post, they seem to be working well for you! :)

[@AJHart-eg1ys]

Word of caution: I love my Lone Peak 3.5s, but they are not for hiking about in rockier mountains. If you're just hiking through, they're fine. But if you are just hiking about in some hills/mountains and putting yourself in situations in which you find yourself scurrying up this or that mountain/hill to check things out, the stone will demolish the spongier materials between the toe box and soul. No surprise that soft foam doesn't win many battles against materials like granite, which can chew up your hands as well.

[@SticksBlog]

Aaron Hartje I ended up going with a pair of Inov8 Roclite 305’s. Excellent choice too!

[@lmckiii]

I appreciate the clear explanation of the difference between shoes we need more vids like this... thanks!

[@SticksBlog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robotzombie3546]

My comment review of the new 3.5 I just got - I usually wear a 12. I'm glad I went to a store to try them on because the 12.5 I got are ALMOST too small. FYI safe to say, go AT LEAST 1/2 bigger. In doubt? Go a whole size bigger. Ran 12 miles

[@SticksBlog]

This is exactly why I recommend folks to try them on somewhere, or at least order a few pair and keep the best size (for those of us that simply running to a store is not an option). Shoe sizing is not something anyone else can really help someone with... all we can do is share our experiences. Glad you found which ones work for you!

[@larryuknow]

I have the 3.0, thought they might be to small, but i loosened the laces all the way down. I then retightend them and it felt better. I also through on cord locks. It works good for me, but it's probably not for everyone.

[@SticksBlog]

Glad to hear that they are working out for you! Odd thing... I just went for an hour training ruck... about 3.5 miles with a 45 pound pack and got a blister on the back of my left heel!

[@MississippiWopGenius396]

i need some help big time- im trying to find an altra type/lifted or semi cushioned/ lifted shoe that is designed like a barefoot type shoe- neutral,minimal flat, without arch support- or in other words a converse allstar shoe that has a zero drop but alot of cushion- a barefoot shoe that has padding under it- the perfect shoe for me would be a viviobarefoot shoe but instead of being so close to the ground it has padding/raise like a normal shoe or extra lift like a altra- I searched this one but one site said it had high arch which is exactly what i dont want- so im still confused

[@KuntryRD]

Your 3.5 low top came with flatter laces. My 3.5 Mids came with round laces, which I ditched before I even wore them; I can't keep round laces tied even with knotting the bow. I do use a different lacing pattern on the toe (I actually skip crossing them for one set of lacing near the toe), mostly to prevent pressure on my forefoot and I also use a heel-lock lacing, which keeps my heel in place. Altra uses gender specific lasts in their shoes. I figure that may be why men and women are judging the fit differently. Nice look at the 3.5 low tops. I really like the Altras. I have found that my walking cadence is faster and I use less energy per step.

[@SticksBlog]

I saw where others used the same pattern to relieve pressure on the forefoot, but this isn't a necessity for me in these shoes. And that's it, the heel lock lace technique! That's how I had my 3.0's set up. It worked out better on my Inov-8's though as those shoe strings would actually hold a knot... the strings on my Lone Peak 3.0's wouldn't...

[@KuntryRD]

I have had issues with my 3.0's on the laces. They are flatter laces, but made of really slippery stuff.

[@HPBPhotoWorks]

Stick: Something that might be helpful to the rest of us would be what is your shoe size and width. My guess is that you're likely to have wide foot. I really like La Sportiva shoes because they're made on the European last which seems to fit me perfectly. One my biggest gripes about the La Sportiva is that their shoe lace system wears out in no time and the don't have replacements available. The issue is that the loops that hold the laces break or wear through in no time on the trail. Thanks!

[@SticksBlog]

Sorry... I mentioned all that in the long term review of the 3.0's I just did, and it's in the write up I did for these shoes on my blog (linked in the description box)... For the record though, I wear a size 12 (US) and typically buy my hiking shoes a half size larger. These are size 12.5. As for width, in regular New Balance tennis shoes I prefer a size 2E, however, in some other brands I am ok with the standard D width... would like them to be a little wider, but if they are soft enough to flex with my foot and I leave the laces a little loose it is fine. Sorry about that, and hope this helps!

[@therealbennybraden]

Great video as usual. As you know I have a pair of the 3.50s. They aren't a bad shoe, but ive only worn them for about 50 to 60 miles. My Brooks Caldera is my main go to shoe.

[@SticksBlog]

Hey man, yeah I am wanting to wear these 3.5's on our hike, but part of me is still a little afraid... lol! Crazy thing... today I did about 3.5 miles with 45lbs in my ruck... ended up with a small blister on the back of my left heel! I was wearing the older 3.0's and to be fair I didn't even really tie them tight... at one point I looked down and the shoe strings were flopping... the shoe strings on Altra's won't hold a knot for anything!

[@therealbennybraden]

Stick's Blog ouch! Yeah those strings are aggravating.....

[@shaggyrunner]

Not a fan, don't like the stitching overlays on the toe box. Miss the 2.5 style so sent them back and got the Timp. Alot happier with the Timps room in the toe box.

[@SticksBlog]

I was hoping the stitching would have made the shoe a bit smaller... no luck though! I am going back to my Inov-8's.

[@baskets8429]

Yeah they made nice tweaks from 3.0 ! This is a fine shoe

[@SticksBlog]

I have only worn the 3.5's a few times now... I'm wanting to save them for the hike if I decide to take them. Maybe it's because my 3.0's are good and broke in now, but they uppers definitely feel a little more comfortable on the 3.0's than the 3.5's so far.

[@baskets8429]

Stick's Blog yes the added reinforcement in the toe box is what makes them feel stiffer in the upper, I actually went up half size, because it was way to tight compared to 3.0 basically have a pair of 3.5s sitting around that are too tight. ( the material might brake in over long use but going up half size worked out well for me )

[@SticksBlog]

One pair of my 3.0's and my 3.5's are a half size larger than I normally wear. I think for me my normal size is a better choice in the Lone Peaks... As for the 3.5's, the laces feel like they are putting more pressure on the top of my foot... I could loosen the laces a little more, but the stock laces are already barely long enough, so I would definitely need to get some other laces first. I think the 3.0's in my normal size are more comfortable overall though.

[@baskets8429]

Stick's Blog yea try loosening or even skipping the first holes and lace starting higher, I’m now a full size up I wear 10.5 in all shoes but 11.5 in Altra now m, it took a bout a hundred miles or so but feels normal now, good luck!

[@trentburns1753]

Good job, exactly the review I wanted. I’ve followed you for a while and appreciate the videos. I hike in a lot of the same spots and live in Madison, MS. Thanks again for all of your hard work.

[@SticksBlog]

Nice, not too many folks I see from MS! LOL. Anyway, glad that you enjoyed my content, and thanks for the support! And if you pick up a pair let us know what you think of them!

[@wessonmiller7900]

i know it's quite off topic but does anyone know a good place to stream newly released series online?

[@romeocash4653]

@Wesson Miller lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@garrettkarson995]

@Romeo Cash Definitely, I've been using Flixzone for since april myself :)

[@wessonmiller7900]

@Romeo Cash Thanks, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) Appreciate it!

[@bretthikez6567]

Thanks for the info man..im gonna try them next I think..love my 3.0s..your comparison was really well done..my insoles always come out after a long day..keep up the good videos

[@SticksBlog]

Awesome! Let us know what you think of them if you do!

[@bretthikez6567]

No doubt..i love there shoes

[@Patrick-jd1dl]

I've heard a lot of mixed things about sizing. My foot is technically about a 12.5. I've only ever found 1 company that made 12.5 and their shoe (boot) was too small. I typically wear 13s. Some are too big (material around my foot) others too small (toes get too narrow/rub). I've tried on a size 13 of these in a store and I felt like my toes were pretty close to the front. Unfortunately, no shoe store near me that carries these had a 14 to try. Do you think it's worth risking purchasing a 14? my concern is my heel will slip or the material will become too bulky in the mid-front and create uncomfortable creases. I need the splay (avid sandal wearer), but my feet aren't real tall. Thanks!

[@SticksBlog]

Yeah, that's a bummer that they don't make half sizes past size 13's... The only thing I could recommend is to order a pair of 14's and see what you think. A slightly thicker sock may help take up some room if it is only slightly too big, but socks flatten out in time, and shoes will also stretch after a while too... Good luck finding the ones you need... And I would say if you do track some down, maybe think about picking up a few pairs so you will have more once the first pair wears out!

[@stevehornberger6675]

I wear a size 10 for hiking normally. That's a half size bigger than my normal shoe. Do you think I would be safe going with a 10 or should I go with a 10.5?

[@SticksBlog]

I really wouldn't feel comfortable recommending sizes to others... shoes are so different, and truth be told, the rule of thumb isn't true either. Shoes are such a personal thing, no one can honestly say what will work for anyone but themselves...For example, I have a friend that went a full 1.5 sizes bigger in this same shoe, and said he would have still been ok with just going up 2 sizes! And of course lots of folks still recommend going at least 1/2 to 1 size bigger than normal... Me personally, I feel like my normal size is the best fit on both the 3.0's and the 3.5's. I would suggest trying to go somewhere that you can try on different sizes, or order a couple of different sizes and then returning the ones that you liked least.

[@dabaird12]

I have a question. Does your insoles move around in your shoes in wet conditions?

[@SticksBlog]

These still haven't even seen dirt. I just got them a couple of days ago and still trying to decide whether I will keep them or not. Saying that, the 3.0's were reported to do this, however, the general consensus that this has been fixed in the 3.5's.

[@allemansratten4281]

Shoes on a table is bad luck. ;-) I have the 3.5 in a hightop. Very comfortable. The soles @ the tip of the toebox is coming apart. Dont have a ton of miles on them yet (less then 50 actual hiking). Not sure how theyll hold up longer term but comfy.

[@SticksBlog]

The toe cap seems to be a big complaint with the Lone Peaks... I have a couple of hundred miles on my 3.0's but they are holding up well. Granted only about 90 or so of those miles were relatively hard miles though.... Anyway, these shoes are definitely comfortable, but I think they may still be just a little big for me...

[@brettfliesser]

how do these perform for OCR type stuff, specifically spartan race? just bought the king mt 1.5s but im not sure i like them that much. was thinking about trying these out.

[@SticksBlog]

I am not sure what OCR is... but I can say that for me they have turned into only an around home/town shoe... I don't really do any running, but I would guess that if it were an easy run on flat ground they would be ok... as for hiking, I don't like them for this... they are just a little too big on my feet... If they were just a little smaller though I think I would personally be in love with them...

[@balkangetaway]

A shame they made them narrower. There are plenty selection for a marrow foot. Not many for a wide. But if you want to sell many shoes i guess the narrower is the way to go

[@SticksBlog]

I really don't agree that they made them narrower. When comparing the insoles from my older 3.0 and these 3.5's they are the exact same size. I do think that they have tightened the uppers up a tiny bit with the reinforced stitching, but on my foot, both shoes feel the exact same as far as fit is concerned. I was actually disappointed that they were the same size and not a little narrower like so many people claim... Oh well...

[@floesh-408]

Do you wear camping shoes for after a days hike?

[@SticksBlog]

Nope. Trail runners are pretty dang comfortable!

[@floesh-408]

Stick's Blog So no slippers if your trail runners and all wet and you are camp letting them dry out?

[@SticksBlog]

They dry out pretty fast, so no need. If it's raining while at camp I am usually in my tent too, so no shoes then either.

[@서장원-i1w]

Wet rock were slippery, so I slipped from that.

[@SticksBlog]

My Inov-8's have been great, especially at traction, even on wet rocks! Saying that, with the wrong step, even the stickiest of shoes can slip... but the Inov-8's are way ahead on the Altra's in terms of traction.