Having been an Altra purist since day one (11 pairs), I was genuinely concerned about the departure from their traditional zero drop. But as an avid runner, I recognize the importance of rotating through different heel drops & midsole materials to help prevent injuries commonly associated with chronic running. I might check it out. Thx, Matt.
Took me a long time to understand this, but a zero drop with cushioned high stack sole means negative drop. Heel sinks as it lands with massive force even when walking, so it's an overstretch for the calf-achilles-plantar fascia and all the intrinsic tendons and muscles = numbness, soreness, damage to tissues and muscles leading to plantar fasciosis or fasciitis. But zero drop with 3 mm of rubber sole (Xero HFS and other barefoots) leads to other problems when walking or running on hard surfaces - metatarsal pain, fat pad atrophy, hammertoes, calluses and joint pain. So Altra Lone Peaks (mainly 6) are the best of all Altra shoes - the sole is more rigid and leaning towards rubber stiffness. And 4mm with cushioned sole like the FWD would be an actual zero drop shoe. As always, colors are bad, so I'll wait for the grey mesh + orange sole of the FWD Experience Flow in May 2024.
This is a great explanation and it made me aware of holes in my thinking. I knew this was the case for some shoes with drop and soft midsoles, but it never occured to me the same would be true for zero drop shoes resulting in a negative drop. Of course, as a regular-guy-reviewer I have no way to test this scientifically, but I'll be aware of it in the future! Thank you!
I have a few runs / 20 miles in them so far, and I really like them. Midsole feels like a perfect blend for me. Not squishy but not harsh. I can easily move quickly with them and they fit perfectly. I did notice they seem to glide better and I can notice the rocker more when I add in some slight heel striking, so I would think heel strikers would like this one more maybe?
I bought one pair a half size up and one a full size up to test. These run small. I ended up keeping both. The half size up I use as my work shoes but I found it a bit snug for running as my feet swell (especially my right foot). The full size up fits good. A thumb space in front of the big toe and plenty of width. I really like this shoe. I’d really like a light trail version with some lugs.
I demo run in these shoes. They look nice. The upper felt a bit thick and the foam was not very bouncy. I wish they used some of their better foams. I think I would be more likely to use them as a gym shoe which I can do strength training/lifting and also run a few miles on the treadmill. They would make good as causal shoe as well. I agree, I think they (Altra) made a good decision to also produce 4mm drop shoes. This will open their shoes to a bigger audience that needs wide toe-box but cannot run in a zero-drop shoe.
I’m with you on Altra using a better foam! Just using their EGO Max would make this better. Still, I don’t mind the firmness. It seems to be the right level of firmness (for me) without being uncomfortable in any way.
I have a pair and so far really enjoy them. I believe a shoe roration with different stack heights is important. The midsole is nothing special but do you really need it to be for most of your runs? The upper is really nice as well. I'm a forefoot striker but do love the design of the heel. No matter how you land on your heel the transition and roll off is really nice. I do not have really wide feet but I love Altra mainly for the roomy toebox.
Good to hear and I agree about the midsole not being "special (whatever that means) isn't necessary for our daily runs! The most important thing, above all else, is comfort, and that's where this shoe shines!
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you so much because I did my last half beginning of this year with a Nike alphafly. And after that I developed a weird shin pain on the medial side of my left leg. But it was not a stress fracture per the MRIs. So I'm worried it might be the shoes. As my altra lone peaks don't cause the same pain !
Having been an Altra purist since day one (11 pairs), I was genuinely concerned about the departure from their traditional zero drop. But as an avid runner, I recognize the importance of rotating through different heel drops & midsole materials to help prevent injuries commonly associated with chronic running. I might check it out. Thx, Matt.
As an Altra purist, you owe it to yourself to try them! 😁
@@its_Matt_B_ Indeed. Thx, Matt.
Took me a long time to understand this, but a zero drop with cushioned high stack sole means negative drop.
Heel sinks as it lands with massive force even when walking, so it's an overstretch for the calf-achilles-plantar fascia and all the intrinsic tendons and muscles = numbness, soreness, damage to tissues and muscles leading to plantar fasciosis or fasciitis.
But zero drop with 3 mm of rubber sole (Xero HFS and other barefoots) leads to other problems when walking or running on hard surfaces - metatarsal pain, fat pad atrophy, hammertoes, calluses and joint pain.
So Altra Lone Peaks (mainly 6) are the best of all Altra shoes - the sole is more rigid and leaning towards rubber stiffness.
And 4mm with cushioned sole like the FWD would be an actual zero drop shoe.
As always, colors are bad, so I'll wait for the grey mesh + orange sole of the FWD Experience Flow in May 2024.
This is a great explanation and it made me aware of holes in my thinking. I knew this was the case for some shoes with drop and soft midsoles, but it never occured to me the same would be true for zero drop shoes resulting in a negative drop.
Of course, as a regular-guy-reviewer I have no way to test this scientifically, but I'll be aware of it in the future! Thank you!
I have a few runs / 20 miles in them so far, and I really like them. Midsole feels like a perfect blend for me. Not squishy but not harsh.
I can easily move quickly with them and they fit perfectly. I did notice they seem to glide better and I can notice the rocker more when I add in some slight heel striking, so I would think heel strikers would like this one more maybe?
Good to hear your early impressions are good. 👊🏽
I bought one pair a half size up and one a full size up to test. These run small. I ended up keeping both. The half size up I use as my work shoes but I found it a bit snug for running as my feet swell (especially my right foot). The full size up fits good. A thumb space in front of the big toe and plenty of width. I really like this shoe. I’d really like a light trail version with some lugs.
Very interesting? Do you wear other brands? Are there other brands you have to go up a half to full size in?
I demo run in these shoes. They look nice. The upper felt a bit thick and the foam was not very bouncy. I wish they used some of their better foams. I think I would be more likely to use them as a gym shoe which I can do strength training/lifting and also run a few miles on the treadmill. They would make good as causal shoe as well.
I agree, I think they (Altra) made a good decision to also produce 4mm drop shoes. This will open their shoes to a bigger audience that needs wide toe-box but cannot run in a zero-drop shoe.
I’m with you on Altra using a better foam! Just using their EGO Max would make this better. Still, I don’t mind the firmness. It seems to be the right level of firmness (for me) without being uncomfortable in any way.
I am super curious about this shoe. I must say
It’s a great intro to Altra!
I have a pair and so far really enjoy them. I believe a shoe roration with different stack heights is important.
The midsole is nothing special but do you really need it to be for most of your runs? The upper is really nice as well.
I'm a forefoot striker but do love the design of the heel. No matter how you land on your heel the transition and roll off is really nice.
I do not have really wide feet but I love Altra mainly for the roomy toebox.
Good to hear and I agree about the midsole not being "special (whatever that means) isn't necessary for our daily runs! The most important thing, above all else, is comfort, and that's where this shoe shines!
Good 👍
Thanks, mate! 👍🏽
would you use those for a nice easy half marathon run ? im not looking to break records, just wanna be comfortable and finish the half marathon !
Yes, these would work well for that! They're not overly soft, but I think that makes it even better for your goal with it!
@@its_Matt_B_ thank you so much because I did my last half beginning of this year with a Nike alphafly. And after that I developed a weird shin pain on the medial side of my left leg. But it was not a stress fracture per the MRIs. So I'm worried it might be the shoes. As my altra lone peaks don't cause the same pain !
"not entirely inspiring" 😂😂😂
🤷🏻♂️ They’re still a great shoe! 😁