Why the Altra Lone Peak 9 Is My Favorite Walking Shoe

While I wouldn’t describe myself as an athletic person, I am very active. I have two energetic dogs and the three of us love our “walkies.” We live in a hilly suburban neighborhood in Oregon, and our walks often take us up and down the paved trails that snake through the neighborhood. There are also unpaved paths behind my house, and when we need a change of scenery, we love to hit up one of the many, many other spots for easy hikes in my vicinity. 

While I’m never lacking in options when it comes to where I walk, I’ve run into struggles with what footwear to wear on these walks. My feet got wider after I had kids, and I experienced plantar fasciitis while pregnant—that was a pain I definitely didn’t want to relive. Plus, because it’s Oregon, there’s mud, leaves, moss and loose dirt on the trails, which can be steep in some places.

All that to say, I’m looking for some particular qualities in a perfect pair of walking shoes. I need a wide toe box, which helps with comfort and stability when walking down steep hills. I’ve also fully fallen when wearing shoes without grips, so now I look for hiking-and-walking shoes or running shoes that have some texture on the bottom. With how much I walk, I try to replace my walking shoes at least once a year, if not more often. 

After trying seven of the most popular sneakers around, I can say that the best, by far, are Altra Lone Peak 9s. And trust me, I’ve put in some effort trying heaps of other shoes, including the Brooks Ghosts, several pairs of Nikes and Merrells, ASICS and even Timberlands—but nothing compares to my pair of Altras.

My first time falling in love with an Altra sneaker was the Lone Peak 6, and when I wore through my pair, I loved the 7. Full disclosure: I recently tried the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Low 2, and they just didn’t work for me. For whatever reason, my feet never got used to them on my morning walks. But when I returned them to REI, the person who processed my return told me she loved Altras and recommended I try the new Lone Peak 9 sneaker. I ordered them right away, and I’ve never been happier with a walking shoe. 

Altra Lone Peak 9 Shoes

I’d say I have sensitive feet, and I’m prone to walking on the outsides of my feet, which is called supination. In the past, I’ve had issues with shin splints, hammer toe, stress fractures and leg and back pain. If it’s even a little hot, my feet swell and easily blister. After spraining my ankle while pregnant, I’ve had several other close calls when stepping wrong. 

A surgeon once told me I shouldn’t be a runner because I had “weird anatomy”—I still haven’t figured out what she meant by that. But exercising without running has been better for me, and that includes my beloved walks. All this to say, if anyone’s going to have an issue with a sneaker, it’ll be me. 

The Altra Lone Peak 9s have some design upgrades from previous versions that I absolutely love. For instance, there’s a newly improved outsole that helps improve underfoot grip and durability—both perks for me as a daily walker who enjoys walking trails with uneven terrain. They’ve also upgraded some of the foam in the sole, which makes the shoes a little bit more comfortable. 

Paired with their previous design features, I’m one happy hiker. The wide toebox and space in the midfoot helps me walk properly and reduces pain when walking downhill. They also have zero-to-low drop from heel to ankle, which also helps my foot maintain the most natural position and keep my balance.

I didn’t get the waterproof design, but the material on the basic 9s is durable enough that I haven’t had an issue with water soaking into my socks if I’m walking on wet grass or similarly damp terrain. The grips and traction on the bottom have been perfect—not too clunky, like heavy hiking boots, but powerful enough to help me keep my footing even when my Boxer-Lab tries to pull me off the trail in pursuit of a squirrel. 

I’ve been walking more since I got my new Altras, so, at this rate, I’m going to need to buy them again before the year is over. I might even upgrade to a pair of the Lone Peak 9+, as they have even more traction, or maybe I’ll stick with a pair of the regular Lone Peak 9s. Either way, I’m so happy that I’m comfortable walking long distances over different terrains—and my dogs are even more thrilled. 

Altra Lone Peak 9+ Shoes

At the time of publishing, the price started at $140.