Altra Lone Peak's in their natural habitat.
In this review we'll compare the Altra Timp vs Lone Peak trail running shoes.
Summary: Timp vs Lone Peak
The most important difference is the additional cushioning the Timp 5 offers over the Lone Peak.
- The Lone Peak is Altra's closest to a typical running shoe anatomy: Average cushioning and hence also average underfoot protection and average ground feel. It's your safest bet.
- The Timp, on the other hand, is more cushioned than the Lone Peak, so ground feel is sacrificed a bit, and the underfoot protection is superior.
Altra Timp
Cushioning: Timp vs Lone Peak
Cushioning often comes down to personal preference and typical running style and location. Regardless, when it comes to cushioning support when comparing Timp vs Lone Peak, the Timp is the clear winner.
If you were to line up all of Altra's trail running shoes by their amount of underfoot cushioning, the Lone Peak's would be right in the middle. And the Timp's would be placed right next to the them.
So how does this cushion difference play out in practice?
If you're either:
- A bit on the heavier side (say, more than 190 lbs)
- New to running/hiking
- Running/hiking on a relatively rough and/or rocky trails
- Planning to run/hike for long distances
- Prioritize underfoot protection and cushion over ground feel
- Want to go easier on your joints (for any reason)
- Not overly concerned with amount of traction
... then you'll probably like the extra cushion in the Timp's.
Traction: Timp vs Lone Peak
Traction was my main beef with earlier models of the Timp, but I'm happy to say Altra has improved it in more recent versions. Nonetheless, the Lone Peak's are still superior in this area.
The traction performance of the Lone Peak isn't exceptional, either, but it's still noticeably better than the Timp.
The Timp 5's feature Vibram Megagrip rubber, while the Lone Peak 9's have updated MaxTrac outsoles for stickier grip and improved durability.
When trying to decide between Timp and Lone Peak, I'd prioritize cushioning preference first and traction performance second. The chart at the bottom of this post can also help your decision-making.
Underfoot Protection & Durability
While the Timp's offer more cushioning than the Lone Peak's, only the Lone Peak has a rock plate. If you often run on technical, rocky trails, the presence of a rock plate can offer substantially improved comfort. If you've ever had a midsole footstrike directly on a sharp rock, you know what I'm talking about.
Fit
The Lone Peak's fit slightly narrower in the upper. The width of the soles are the same (as with all Altra shoes).
As for sizing, expect true-to-size fit across models.
Conclusion: Altra Timp vs Lone Peak
If you're either:
- Quite a bit on the heavier side (say, more than 190 lbs),
- New to running/hiking,
- Running/hiking on a relatively more rough and/or rocky trails,
- Planning to run/hike mostly for long distances,
- Prioritize underfoot protection and cushion over ground feel,
- Wishing to go easier on your joints (for any reason),
- Not really wishing much traction...
... the Altra Timps are a solid choice for trail runners. If your situation doesn't tick many of these boxes, go with the Lone Peak's.
| Miles / km | Cushion | Bottom line |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
75+/120+ | High | Best for super long hours of standing, walking, hiking or trail running | ||
75/120 | Avg-high | 2-in-1: Trail running and backpacking | ||
50/80 | Avg | Safest bet. Closest you get to a typical running shoe anatomy. | ||
30/50 | Avg-low | More of a minimalist, performance shoe. |
These are only approximate values assuming typical settings. If you think you ...
- Are heavier than the average person
- Relatively less conditioned for longer runs
- Will mostly run on more technical trails
... then strongly consider the more cushioned option.
