Product Review · Featured at Runningman 2026
Altra Lone Peak 9+ Review: Zero Drop, Extra Grip
The Altra Lone Peak 9+ is a zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide toe box, a 25 mm stack, and a Vibram® Megagrip™ outsole. It is the standard Lone Peak 9 with stickier rubber, and Altra featured it at Runningman 2026.
Runningman lets you pick any distance from 5K to 50K, and our ultra runners want a shoe that stays comfortable at hour five. We pulled the specs and reviewer notes to see how the Lone Peak 9+ handles toe room, grip, and long hours on your feet.
0 mm
Drop
25 mm
Stack height, heel and forefoot
Megagrip
Vibram outsole
2E
Wide width available
Altra Lone Peak 9+ Specs
- Weight:
- 11.55 oz (men’s); 9.3 oz (women’s)
- Drop:
- 0 mm
- Stack height:
- 25 mm in the heel and forefoot
- Midsole:
- Altra EGO™ foam
- Outsole:
- Vibram Megagrip
- Upper:
- ripstop mesh made from recycled polyester
- Protection:
- embedded TPU StoneGuard
- Fit:
- Original FootShape™, in regular and wide (2E) widths
Lone Peak 9+ vs Lone Peak 9: What the “Plus” Changes
The only change from the standard Lone Peak 9 is the outsole. Vibram Megagrip is stickier rubber that holds better on wet rock. If your trails run wet or rocky, that extra bite is worth the upgrade. If your trails are mostly dry, the standard Lone Peak 9 is also worth a look.
Toe Box and Fit
The original is Altra’s most spacious FootShape fit, so your toes spread flat with room through the midfoot. REI suggests leaving a thumb’s width in front of your toes, and if you usually wear narrower shoes, it may feel roomy at first.
Cushioning and Protection
A 25 mm stack gives you cushion for long days while keeping you close to the ground. A thin StoneGuard layer blunts sharp rocks, debris, and rough ground underfoot.
On the Trail
The Vibram Megagrip outsole grips wet and dry ground, and Running Warehouse calls it the grippiest Lone Peak ever. It is the one upgrade that separates the 9+ from the standard Lone Peak 9.
Sizing and Wide Options
Runners are often told to size up when choosing a running shoe. Altra recommends ordering half a size larger than your dress shoe size, and the toe box is already pretty generous. If your feet swell on long days, the 2E wide option gives you extra room.
Who the Lone Peak 9+ Suits
- Runners who want a roomy toe box for long days and swollen feet
- Trail runners and hikers who deal with wet or rocky ground
- Anyone already comfortable in zero drop shoes
Who Should Think Twice About Zero Drop
Zero drop puts more load on the calves and Achilles than a traditional shoe. If you are new to it, build up slowly instead of tackling a long distance in your first week. One REI reviewer reported a sore Achilles after two weeks in them.
Lone Peak 9+ at Runningman
Altra put the Lone Peak 9+ front and center at Runningman 2026. At the Altra activation, attendees took part in personalized foot and movement assessments and got expert guidance on the right pair of Altras for their goals.
On race day, a trackside demo station let participants swap their own shoes for a pair of Altras and test them on the one-mile loop. The Megagrip outsole is built for wet and dry ground, and the 25mm stack keeps you low to the trail and more stable over longer distances.
The Bottom Line
The Lone Peak 9+ puts a roomy toe box, Megagrip traction, and a low 25 mm stack into one zero-drop trail shoe. Ready to try a pair? Shop the Lone Peak 9+ at Altra, or stay in the loop for next year’s Runningman.
Sources
- Altra (n.d.) Men’s Lone Peak 9+ Trail Running Shoe. Available at: https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/products/mens-lone-peak-9-al0a85rg (Accessed: 27 October 2026).
- Altra (n.d.) Women’s Lone Peak 9+ Trail Running Shoe. Available at: https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/products/womens-lone-peak-9-al0a85rh (Accessed: 27 October 2026).
- Running Warehouse (n.d.) Altra Lone Peak 9+. Available at: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Altra_Lone_Peak_9/descpage-AMLP9M5.html?img=1 (Accessed: 27 October 2026).
- REI (n.d.) Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail-Running Shoes – Men’s. Available at: https://www.rei.com/product/242483 (Accessed: 27 October 2026).