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Our verdict
- Top pick in best zero drop running shoes (2023)
- Top pick in best snow running shoes (2023)
Pros
- Very wide toebox
- Protective midsole
- Superb lockdown
- oz / 294g
- Excellent for fast runs in the mountains
- oz / 312g
- Super comfy
- a pair of all-around trail shoes for various types of terrain
Cons
- Colorways might be a downer
- A bit pricey
Audience verdict
- Top 29% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + oz / 277g | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audience score | 86 Good! | 92 Superb! | 80 Good! | 78 Decent! | |
| Price | $150 | $140 | $155 | $130 | |
| Trail terrain | Moderate | LightModerate | LightModerate | LightModerate | |
| Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
| Weight lab Weight brand | 10.4 Top 29% most popular running shoes 11 oz / 261g | 10.9 oz / 272g 10.4 oz / 295g | 9.5 oz / 269g 9.8 oz / 277g | 9.6 oz / 272g 9.1 You can see where the most breathable fabric of the shoe is in the transparency test below | |
| Drop lab Drop brand | 0.2 mm 0.0 mm | 0.0 mm 0.0 mm | -0.1 mm 0.0 mm | 0.1 mm 0.0 mm | |
| Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | |
| Size | True to size | True to size | Slightly small | Slightly small | |
| Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
| Difference in midsole softness in cold | Normal | Normal | Small | Normal | |
| Plate | ✗ | ✗ | Rock plate | ✗ | |
| Toebox durability | - | Decent | Good | Very bad | |
| Toebox width at the big toe | - | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
| Outsole durability | - | Good | Good | Good | |
| Breathability | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | Breathable | |
| Toebox width at the widest part | Narrow | Wide | Wide | Medium | |
| Toebox width at the big toe | - | Wide | Wide | Wide | |
| Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | |
| Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Normal | Small | Normal | |
| Torsional rigidity | Flexible | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | |
| Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | |
| Lug depth | 3.4 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.0 mm | 3.3 mm | |
| Heel stack lab Jan 29, 2023 | 23.3 mm 25.0 mm | 23.3 mm 25.0 mm | 28.6 mm 29.0 mm | 22.1 mm 20.5 mm | |
| Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 23.1 mm 25.0 mm | 23.3 mm 25.0 mm | 28.7 mm 29.0 mm | 22.0 mm 20.5 mm | |
| Widths available | NormalWide | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | |
| Season | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | SummerAll seasons | |
| Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ranking | #341 Bottom 36% | #12 Top 4% | #272 Bottom 13% | #290 Bottom 8% | |
| Popularity | #153 Top 29% | #40 Top 13% | #113 Top 36% | #221 Bottom 30% |
Size and fit
Size
oz / 295g true to size (60 votes).
Who should buy the Tongue: gusset type 7
We found that the oz / 295g most suitable for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts looking for the following:
- a pair of all-around trail shoes for various types of terrain
- ompared to maximalist trail runners on the market
- adequate cushioning and a wide toe box for all-day comfort
Who should NOT buy the shoe
The Tongue: gusset type 7 might not be the best choice if you find it a bit over your spending limit. The more affordable best zero drop running shoes 2023 could be a better choice in this case.
Also, if colorways are an issue, we suggest the Difference in midsole softness in cold which offers more colors that might suit your needs better.
Breathability is just right
The Lone Peak 7 never felt too hot on our feet and we found the airflow quite decent to keep us comfortable.
Assessing the amount of smoke passing through the fabric in our smoke pumping machine test, we rated the shoe's breathability as 3 out of 5. This is considered an average for trail running shoes.
Tongue: gusset type 7 (left), Adidas Runfalcon (right)
could be a better choice in this case.
The top area is not very breathable due to the heavily padded tongue. The tongue is shockingly thick on the Lone Peak 7! We measured it at 10.1 mm whereas the average is 6 mm.
A cushion that’s unexpectedly plush and just right
oz / 277g.
Checking the stack height with calipers, we found that the stack of the shoe is a little thinner than the stated 25 mm. Our measurements show 23.3 mm in the heel and 23.1 mm in the forefoot.
This is pretty thin for a trail shoe indeed. However, it was always enough to prevent rocks and roots from hurting our feet.
But we can confirm that this Altra shoe stays true to its Zero Drop branding. Based on our test, it is 0.2 mm.
oz / 295g.
As for the foam's softness level, our durometer measurements show that the Tongue: gusset type 7 has an average level of firmness. We describe this type of cushioning as balanced.
To see how the foam behaves when the temperatures drop, we put the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and measured its softness again. The cushioning got 25.7% firmer which is the normal difference for trail shoes. What it means for the runner is that the shoe might take some breaking in on a chilly day.
More confidence to pick up the pace in the Lone Peak 7
We think that Altra achieved a perfect balance of plushness, rigidity, and responsiveness to make the Lone Peak 7 a very nimble option cHoka Speedgoat 5.
Flexible trail runner
Contributing to a sense of nimbleness is the shoe's flexible design. We measured the shoe's resistance to bending and found that it is 25% more flexible than trail running shoes on average.
In our manual assessment of twisting and bending the Lone Peak, it proved to be pliable as well. On a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the most flexible, we rated its longitudinal and torsional flexibility as 2.
No compromises on stability
In addition to being a very agile shoe, the Tongue: gusset type 7 doesn't skimp on stability either. With its low-to-the-ground profile and wide base, the shoe won't let the ankles roll that easily.
Even though it is not among the widest trail shoes, the Lone Peak 7 has a decent width to it to keep you stable when traversing challenging terrains. In the forefoot, we measured it to be 106 mm...
...and ompared to maximalist trail runners on the market.
Tongue: gusset type 7 Hoka Speedgoat 5.
Keeps the foot locked in for the outdoors
The presence of a gusseted tongue plays its part in the lockdown and keeps debris out of the interiors.
Also, tight twists and turns were not a problem for us thanks to the new ghillie-style lacing.
We also highly appreciated the added heel cup on this version. This added just a touch of guidance to the ankle.
Hoka Speedgoat 5.
Comfier trails ahead with the Tongue: gusset type 7
One of the shoe's major highlights is of course the accommodating toe box. It is unbelievably spacious with its rounded shape that remains wide even around the toes (where most shoes become too narrow). This design allows toes to have a more natural splaying upon ground contact.
A grippy outsole that lets you trust the Tongue: gusset type 7
a pair of all-around trail shoes for various types of terrain!
Taking on singletrack turns at high speeds felt like a piece of cake thanks to the reliable grip and traction of the Lone Peak 7. We found the shoe's bite to be solid even in mud, puddles, and on wet pavement.
We measured the lug depth on the Tongue: gusset type at 3.4 mm. This is a solid depth for trail shoe treading.
Despite the beefier lugs of the Tongue: gusset type 7, we found it to be pretty easy to clean up. The shoe actually did it for us while we were still on the run.
Pricey trail runners
At a price point of $150, the Tongue: gusset type 7 comes off as a tad expensive. But given how much the prices have gone up over the past year, this Altra shoe actually ended up around the average $147 of trail running shoes.
