Great review! Thank you. I just picked up the Superior 5's and I just wanted to make sure that that was the right call over the Lone Peak's. Your insights confirmed it for me as my upcoming 50K is mostly gravel and the trails I run here in Richmond, VA aren't as gnarly as those in the Rockies. Thanks again!
Thanks. The Lone Peak was awesome and I wouldn’t switch either if it’s working well for you. That little bit of cushion, Ego midsole, and rock guard felt great on the mountain. Happy trails!
Coming back from a gnarly head injury and my training goal is just to be able to run the Pemi Loop by this winter. A problem I've had with Altras in the past is the grip on wet rock. I adore the fit and comfort, but with some balance issues, and a slightly delayed response of adjustment and compensation from my body, I need slipping to not be a heightened factor. In dry conditions, with only a handful of water crossings, Lone Peaks are my favourites. But they have some drawbacks on wet, cold, icy trails.
Wet rock can be a problem and i don’t know what the best answer would be as I don’t find myself in that situation enough for it to be a huge issue for me. What have you found that works in that situation?
@@trainspartan4464 I'm going to give the LP 5s a try, as I've only had experience with the 3s and 4s. Went out yesterday for about 14 miles and 80% was wet, muddy, and rocky. I think the slipping problem might come more from the slick mud on the shoe, or on the rocks from other trail use than the actual wet rocks or wet shoes themselves. I will have to pay attention and test this theory, and then come back with the results.
I have a pair of the Saucony Mad River TR version 1. 4mm drop, pretty wide toe box, customizable lacing holes with an option to drill screws and/or drainage holes in the outsole and they have excellent grip. I've walked on icy pavement with them and didn't slip once. Version 2 is the current one and it looks about the same with maybe a higher stack height but the first version may still be available online at a discount.
I recently ordered both and sent the Superior back, kept the Lone Peak. As a minimalist runner, I wasn't expecting that. But the Superior just didn't fit right, whereas the Lone Peak felt slipper like for me.
Thanks for the comparison. Good to hear the LPs can work for the biggest ultra distances and that the superior will work up to 50k. I'm a beginner runner since about two years and have ended up with plantar faciitis when training and completing my first 50k. So now I'm turning towards altras and vivobarefoots as they seem to fit my feet very well and also seem to promise better run form and strength to heal my PF and avoid injuries, so that I can keep developing my ultra distance abilities!😊
Congrats brother! Best of luck on your races and congrats on your entry into ultra distances. Running has changed my life and helps keep me sane. If you find that the Lone peaks don’t give quite enough foot protection or cushion the Mont Blanc or Timp 4 are fantastic shoes with a bit bigger stack height. I’ve found I prefer them to the Lone Peaks for really rough or technical ultras.
@@trainspartan4464 thanks for the tip! I can definitely relate to the mental-emotional benefits of running, I'm noticeably less neurotic and happy with myself now a days
I'm just running in the snow and ice during Winter, but the first pair of trail shoes I bought last year were heavy and stiff (Saucony Peregrin). They didn't work for me at all. I'm still considering the Superior.
Ultra runner here. Superiors have always been a go to for me. I"m wondering if I need the Lone Peaks for longer stuff. I love the Torins, Escalante, Superior and I have one pair of Olympus for really big stuff....May get a Pair of Lone Peak 5. I was disappointed in the last Timps...good laces but unforgiving and hard feeling. Thanks for your review.
I have really liked my Lone Peaks and will definitely use them for my longer or more rugged runs. For shorter or less technical runs the Superiors are awesome. I have my next big 100 miler in 6.5 weeks and will use the Lone Peaks. I’ll let you know if I have any issues
You had me laughing at short runs being 50K 😂 but to answer your qs I'm not training for anything but I am planning to go on hikes and walk around a park this summer. Is there a shoe that can do both?
For something like that I think the Superior 5.0 would be perfect. It’s very comfortable, light-weight, and slightly cheaper. I’ve had a pair last over 500 miles and they’re still extremely comfortable, so that would be my recommendation.
Been doing most of my trail running in Shamma mountain goat sandals have a 50 mile are coming up but that’s in mid December and it might get colder so I’m probably gonna be running in. My Tara ultra G270 form inov8
I haven’t had any major problems with grip on the superiors until about 300 miles or so when the lugs just get worn down too far. Otherwise they are fantastic minimalist trail shoes.
I have used the Olympus 4 for two 100 mile races and it got me across a Hardrock 100 qualifier finish line last year, but at the Cactus Rose in Texas I was crushing it, but something happened to my ankle at mile 55 and by mile 80 I couldn’t hardly walk so I dropped. For months I rehabbed it, but as soon as I tried running in the Olympus I got that pain in my ankle again. It was the weirdest thing and I still don’t know why that happened. In the race I think I rolled my ankle and got a nasty tendinitis, but I don’t know why the Olympus had the ankle pain later because every other shoe was fine. I was bummed because that shoe was incredibly comfortable to run in and worked great that first race. I’m going to have to give the Timp a try at some point, but I have to get my shoe collection down to less than my wife’s or it’s a no go 😂
Thanks for the review, that colorway look sharp on the Superior 5! How's the sizing for you? Altra says order 1/2 size up, did you find 1/2 size up worked best for you? I normally wear a 9.5 and hoping to order online once without having to exchange!
I like just a little more room in the toes so I typically go 9.5 in shoes and prefer a 10 for my trail shoes. If you have a local store that carries Altra see if you can get sized. I’ve found the sizing is pretty consistent across all models I’ve tried
I've wearing the same superiors for 3 or 4 years, and finally decided that it's time (long overdue) for a new pair. So I just got my new Sup 5s yesterday, and find that they are too short; toes jammed up against the front, so I need to go up size. So, yes I think go up a size, and it seems the sizing isn't consistent over the years
Great comparison, i am going to be utilzing them for trail running and also a 220 mile JMT thru-hike. which one would do you feel would better for the 220 mile hike?
Sometimes the "upgrades" don't seem to make things better, that's why when I find a pair I really like I tend to buy 1-2 extras so I have some in stock in case I don't like the newer versions.
when you say you noticed a big difference on midsole and the following category you didn't say which one was better in that way, just that you noticed a difference. will you elaborate for me on those parts?
I really like both shoes, but the lacing of the Superior is really frustrating. My Superior 4's flattened out faster than the Lone Peak. I know many have that problem with LP, but I have not noticed it so much.
I love both shoes, but the extra little cushion on the LPs is really nice for longer runs. I’ve got a hundred miler next week and I’m taking the LPs for sure
Good review! I recently purchased my first pair of LP 5.0. I’m a Lone Peak fan and only just recently purchased the 4.5 in addition to the special edition 5.0, after almost maxing out my second pair of 3.0, which I really like. I’m not a big fan of the 4.5 because the outer toe area and vamp feels a bit unstable and provides less protection against the occasional toe stubbing compared to the 3.0. With the 4.5 outsole I also feel more ground contact on my feet (solved that by switching to a more protective insole). I haven’t tried out my LP special edition 5.0 yet but just from looking at them the outer toe area seems to be made with more stability and protection than the 4.5. So this review was right on time! But man, the 5.0 special edition looks so good I almost don’t want to dirty them up.🤣. Any thoughts on the 4.5? I haven’t put a lot of miles (81) on the 4.5s yet, longest run is 17, but enough to say I prefer the 3.0 over them at this point. I haven't raced much recently but mainly run trails that are a good mix of gnarly terrain, challenging hills, small stream crossings and decent single/double track flats. Most of my long training trail runs are 10-20 mile range and up to 50k when racing.
Really a great review man. 👍 I'm interested in Superior 5....What about the size? Did you find this shoe true to size? I use to wear 9,5 usa in Altra Torin 4 plush and in Olympus 4. Instead I need 9 usa in Escalante Racer... In Topo I wear all shoes 9,5 usa. But I'm really in doubt... cause lot of people find Superior 5 larger in the front.. 🤔 Unfortunately I've not possibilitie to try them in a shop and I have to buy them on line. Do you suggest me to size down half or the same size? Your advice is appreciated.😄 Good job. Waiting (surely) for your next great reviews, cheers. 🤪
@@trainspartan4464 Thanks for your advice. Yet another proof that we are all different ... In Altra I have 9.5 us in all models. I had never had Superior and I easily took the same size as always. With regret I realized that it is definitely short in length. I should go up to 10 us but then I risk floating in it in the midfoot. Conclusion: I must cancel the idea of finally having a Superior. I will stay with my Timp 2 and Olimpus 4. Thanks again. See you soon with your other great reviews. Good job.
I have 600km in my Superior 5's. My only issue is they get a bit slippy in mud. The tread gets clogged up and I skate out sideways if the mud is more than 1/2 inch deep. Might try the LP next time as the tread lugs look a bit deeper and more aggressive.
Great, great video. I love walking/running on short (10 k) rocky trails. I have also very wide feet. What would you suggest for someone like me? The Superior 4.5, the Superior 5, the Loan Peak 5? Also, since I switched to Altra, I'm not going back. I've a pair of Loan Peak 4 and I love them. Thank you so much.
Interesting, because I actually wish I had gone up half a size in the Superiors as well because on descents my toes tend to crowd into the end of the shoe. Was the shoe too long or did it feel too wide for you?
@@trainspartan4464 too long. width was good. read a lot of reviews on them and most people feel they run big. I would suggest people to just try them on first, my regular size felt ok but a little long, when I sized down 1/2 they felt more secure and still enough room in front unless going down steeps often is your thing the extra toe space may be better
That's a totally fair assessment. To be fair my last Lone Peaks were the 3.5's, so I was going off of the size of my Superior 4.0s when deciding what size to get. There aren't any shoe stores nearby in Southern Idaho that carry Altra for me to try on, so I had to order online.
Just wondered if you found there to be much difference in feel / cushion between the Superior 5 to the 4's? Love the 4's, probably my favourite Altras but wondering if there's really much difference here other than purely aesthetics? (..and fair play the 5's look good) Cheers
They feel pretty identical to be honest compared to the 4’s. I wouldn’t dump a good pair of 4’s to upgrade myself, but I don’t think they took a step backwards in terms of comfort either. Once your 4’s are dead I would feel confident in getting some 5’s and being happy with them. Happy trails!
Interesting comparison would be... Altra Lone Peak 5 vs. the Joe Nimble nimbleToes Addict Trail and the "wanderToes 2.0 Lite" ...in alpine Terrain, which is very technical and very challenging for the Material.
How's the fit? Do you buy the same size in both? I've got the superior 5, but they are a little narrow for my flat feet. Been eyeing the lone peak wide.
I went half a size up on the Lone Peaks and am glad I did. I think the sizing is really similar for both, so half a size up on the Superiors would have been perfect too. My issue was my toes hitting the end of the shoe if I ever kicked a rock. Width in the toe box is fine with both for me.
That's a good point, and honestly, I prefer the metric system because it makes so much more sense. We just have to be rebels out here in 'Merica! 😂. I'll work on adding metric units to videos going forward 👍
Hi, I'm getting into zero drop shoes (or at least low drop) and am considering these Superiors or Lone Peaks. I wanted to ask what your recommendation is between these and another trail running shoe like a Saucony Peregrine or Xodus Trail. The Peregine does have a relatively low drop (4mm) and was curious if you had a preference and maybe why! Thanks.
Balega are by far my favorites. I’ve had very few holes in any pairs and I’ve had some for over 2 years now with hundreds of miles on them. Injinji are pretty cool toe socks, but they’ve worn a lot faster for me
Oh absolutely. My retired Altras are all I wear say to day and to work as well. They hold up so well I hate trashing them when the grip is gone and they’re so comfortable still that they still have great use as lifestyle shoes
Hi thx for great video. I’m just starting to run again and after 1 week with Nike Pegasus my Morten’s Neuroma came back. But I have no problem walking bare foot so I bought a used pair of Vivo barefoot shoes and after 2 short 3km runs in snow and tar had no problems but I’m hard on shoes and can’t buy any bare foot shoes in Norway so I’m interested to get a pair of Altras but what’s the difference between Lone Peak 5 vs Lone Peak 5-M they are priced the same at $125 and the Superiors at $136 not a big difference in price but with the new foam in the 5 should that be a better choice for a more mixed surface run. Thx
I’m not real familiar with the Lone Peak 5M, but if you want a more cushioned run Lone Peak is the way to go. If I did more running on a hard surface (asphalt, cement) or really rocky terrain I would personally get the LP over the superior, but on typical trails either is a great choice.
What would you say about fit? I have LP 4 in 12 and superior 4 in 11,5. The superior feels a little too small and the LP feels a little too big. I wonder if the LP 11,5 would be a better fit. And no, I cant just try and return, I live in another country and its a little hard to return things 😢
I went up half a size from the Superior 4.0s and like the fit better. I haven’t had a Lone Peak since like 3.0, so I’m not sure about the comparison there, but I prefer a little more room than too tight. I’ve lost way less toenails since going up half a size. Hope that helps.
It's pretty good actually. I just jumped in a pond today because it was so wretched hot on my run and four miles later when I got home they were mostly dry on the outside and should be almost completely dry by morning. That being said, it is very dry here in Idaho, so if you have more humid weather it may take a bit longer, but that would be any shoe. l had a lot of squishing action the first mile after I completely saturated them, but they felt fine the last three and I noticed my wet socks more than the shoes by the end of my run.
I prefer the fit of the superior, it feels far more secure on my feet and the feeling is better. Lone Peak is a disappointment for me, too soft, too sloppy.
how annoying, when you were talking about the difference in soles You never mentioned if the difference you felt was negativ or positive. And then you did the same on the "stack height", you said things like "I noticed a difference on that hard terrain with that lone peak 5" you not even saying it te difference was good or bad. And btw plz define difference or not use the word since it can mean litterly anything.
Fair enough. The lone Peak soles performed better on rocky terrain and concrete/asphalt. The LP provides more cushion and protection and was more comfortable on those surfaces. Grip wise on the lugs it was a wash for me. I do the majority of my training in Superiors to harden the feet and do big trail runs and races in the Lone Peaks. Hope that helps
