Footwear

Timp saw an extensive revision going from 1.5 to 2.0, so it deserves its own post.

Summary

The two biggest updates from my perspective:

• Timp 2.0 now feels a little bit more secure (especially through the mid foot) due to the improved outsole,
• It feels a little bit more "runnable" when you're on the road and not on the trail.

Lastly, this Grey/Blue color of Timp 2.0 is loved by many (including me) and is also the most preferred color combination. 

Now a little bit more detail than that. 

Traction

The biggest downside of Timp 1.5 was its outdated outsole (which incorporated so called DuraTrac technology) which offered quite poor traction capabilities.

Considering that this is a trail running shoe, this could have and did report some bigger issues than comfort: Safety. Some users reported twisted ankles and some other ankle injuries.

Now the lugs protruding outwards from the outsole got updated to what is called the "MaxTrac" in Altra's terminology, and made up the biggest update going from Timp 1.5 to 2.0.

To my knowledge, MaxTrac is the second most recent outsole grip technology used in all the Altra trail running shoes.

Another thing that might have caught your attention on the outsole is the vertical channel starting from the heel and reaching out almost to the midfoot.

This split in half adds to the flexibility, allowing it to move more freely in lateral axis and hence providing extra independent lateral suspension. This means that;

• On slippery surfaces, you're now much less likely to slip sideways, 
• Any sort of collision on one side isn't going to be able to affect the other side anymore.

Other minor changes

There are also some subtle changes in the upper, lacing system, foot-shape toe-box and the midsole, but nothing really noticeable in practice for the majority of us.

You can think of the Timp 2.0 as the trail version of the road-running shoe Torin.

Watch the founder of Altra explaining all the changes took place:

Transcription:

• How's it going guys I'm Connor from Running Warehouse. Today I'm here with Golden Harper founder of Altra and we have the latest update to the Timp series.
• This is the Timp 2.0. Now just taking a look at this shoe it looks completely new from top to bottom. What is this shoe all about?
• Yeah so Timp is just an awesome balance of cushioning trail, road to trail comfort all wrapped into one. It's gonna be a great long day shoes (how we've historically pitched this shoe) and put a new traction pattern on it. That's gonna make it great for a wide variety of surfaces.
• Great great now comparing this to 1.5 like I said it looks very different can you talk about some of the updates?
• Yes so the Timp 2.0 is gonna have an outsole that's just better multi surface traction to it. Multi-tiered bugs gonna be better for all kinds of conditions. And then put a new upper on it similar to the 1.5 upper in a lot of ways. Really nice balance of comfort and control on this upper. And then with the asymmetric lacing being subtle but they're just really you know this shoes emphasis is comfort for long miles out on the trailer for road to trail and obviously has our signature balance cushioning platform to help improve your running form. Our foot shaped toe box as well to you know just give you more power stability and control at push off and obviously more comfort.
• That's great now for someone who's maybe been in the 1.5 before what would you say is kind of the biggest change from this update in terms of feel on foot?
• I'd say it feels a little bit more secure through the mid foot and it feels a little bit more runnable when you're on the road are probably the two biggest changes out there. Also like side to side traction on the trail because of the the way the lugs are set up so those are the biggest changes if you liked Timp or sorry a Torin we're on the road this is basically a trail version of the Torin or a road to trail version of the Torin.
• That's great that's great now this shoe is gonna be out very soon when when can people get this?
• The end of 2019 you should be able to pick this up.
• Perfect, you can check it out at running warehouse!

I made an extensive research and also contacted the Altra Customer Service about this (find chat history at the bottom - but I've already put together everything he or she (it's "Alex", lol) mentioned).

In summary, being closer to a typical, balanced trail running shoe, Lone Peak 4.5 offers a more cushioned structure and a little roomier fit compared to Superior 4.0, which in the end make Lone Peak 4.5 a better option for high-mileage runs for most people. 

If you think you'll mostly be running low mileage, though; it mostly comes down to your personal preference: Ground feel vs cushioning (more on this in a minute).

Additionally, Lone Peak 4.5 looks quite pretty (this Gray/Orange color of Lone Peak 4.5 is loved by many - including me). 

The first thing you need to know when comparing Lone Peak 4.5 and Superior 4.0 is that they're more alike than they’re not. The differences are minimal, although not non-existent.

#Note: I'm told that the Superior's 2020 revision 4.5's are "soon" to be on the shelves as well. There isn’t a planned release date but it's  supposedly should be in the market "in a few months".

The two most important differences between Lone Peak 4.5 and Superior 4.0 are in their foam cushioning and fit.

Let's get to the bolts and nuts of the former first.

Cushioning vs Ground Feel: A Trade-Off

In all cases, there's a trade-off between ground feel and cushioning. The less the cushioning, the more the ground feel (fleet vs float).

Lone Peak 4.5 is placed right in the middle of this trade-off. It's equipped with a moderate amount of cushion. Not too much, not too little. So the ground feel also ended up being average.

This makes Lone Peak 4.5 a more all-round, balanced, safe pick. It performs very well in both ground-feel and cushioning departments - but isn't great in any of them. Depending on a trail runner's personal preferences, needs and desires; this may or may not mean that Lone Peak 4.5 has just the right amount of cushioning.

That said - the more the cushioning, the more comfortable you'll feel during high-mileage runs. That's a fact for the vast, vast majority of us.

The Superior 4.0, on the other hand, is intentionally equipped with a less amount of cushioning - but not by a huge amount than the Lone Peak 4.5.

After all, it's meant to increase the ground-feel without sacrificing the nice cushion feeling too much.

This is a great trade-off for folks who want to get more of the feeling of earth beneath their feet when running, and hence connect with the activity to its fullest...

...as long as the terrain isn't too rocky to a point where it actually starts hurting your feet and become counter productive AND as long as you won't be running for too long.

How long is too long? If a mileage feels too long for you, then it's too long for you. And if a trail is too long for you, your joints will start hurting quicker due to a lesser amount of cushioning.

Ground feeling is also necessary for muscle - brain feedback loop when running, and hence more of it helps you run better in the long run. But the effect of this isn't noticeable for the vast, vast majority of us.

It absolutely isn't all that aggressive though, oh no. 

Consider the least cushioned Altra trail running shoe, for example.

It offers incredible ground feel, but sacrifices so much more cushioning than the Superior does that I'd only recommend getting it if you really know what you're doing.

THAT would be aggressive. Just like this insanely cushioned Altra trail running shoe.

Summary: Lone Peak is perfectly balanced between ground-feel and cushion trade-off. And Superior is a little bit more on the less-cushion / more-ground-feel side but not by a HUGE amount.

So it's a matter of personal preference. Read more about this here on Altra's own site. 

Comfort and Fit

This should single handedly be the single most important factor you should take into account when deciding between these shoes. In fact, when deciding between any shoes.

The reason I didn't mention this any earlier is because (1) it's too subjective to measure & compare and (2) main factors that determine the ultimate comfort of these shoes are either similar or identical: Toe box, width, length, ankle support and drop.

One isn't objectively more comfortable than the other. If you feel fairly uncomfortable wearing Superior 4.0's, then I'd highly doubt getting a pair of Lone Peak 4.5's will solve all your problems and vice versa.

Because it's not THAT drastic of a change.

Width

Lone Peak 4.0 had a wider fit than the Superior 4.0, but it seems like the Lone Peak 4.5 got narrowed down and is now closer to the width of Superior 4.0 (source at altrarunning.com).

However... Superior 4.0 is still slightly more fitted (width isn't the only parameter here) and Lone Peak 4.5 is more roomy.

I'll mention some shared features from now on. If you aren't interested to read this up-coming part, then skip right to the conclusion heading.

Toe-Box

As you might already know, Altra is actually famous for its spacious toe-box. Both the Superior 4.0 and Lone Peak 4.5 offer the same room in the toe-box.

This is especially important during steep descents. Read more about this here on Altra's own site.

Heel to Toe Drop

Both Superior and Lone Peak are zero drop shoes (meaning that the heel and forefoot are positioned at an equal distance from the ground).

In fact, all the Altra shoes are...

Contrary to what some people seem to believe, ample cushioning doesn't necessarily hinder minimal (zero) heel to toe drop.

Superior offers average-low (21 mm total stack height) and Lone Peak offers average (25 mm total stack height) cushioning - while both successfully manage to be zero drop.

Generally speaking, considering human anatomy, yes, everyone should always benefit from zero drop (and you most likely will), but I've seen enough people to believe that it isn't always the case.

Like I said, though, I bet you'll have all your sports shoes transition to drop-zero once you start using them.

Read more about this here on Altra's own site.

Length

Both Lone Peak 4.5 and Superior 4.0 size up just as expected and are identical to one another.

I'd still absolutely recommend you to take a look at Altra's own [Visual] Sizing Guide.

Water resistance

One last point I'd like to make is that the upper of Lone Peak 4.5, "Durable Quick-Dry Air Mesh", is noticeably more water resistant than the upper of Superior 4.0, "Seamless wrap-around engineered knit".

Superior still offers more than enough protection for rain - even heavy rain - but if you think you might step in puddles and get your feet soaked in sometimes when running, then this can be something to consider.

Weight

This one is short. Superior 4.0 is significantly (2.6 oz) lighter {7.9 oz (224 grams) vs 10.5 oz (298 grams)} than the Lone Peak 4.5.

Conclusion

Some scenarios where Lone Peak 4.5 would be a better suit:

• Running mostly high-mileage,
• Having a higher body-weight (evens out more cushion),
• Running on too rocky trails or any terrain with above-average roughness,
• Wanting to go easier on your joints for any reason,
• Have wider feet.

Some scenarios where Superior 4.0 would be a better suit:

• Running mostly low-mileage,
• Want to get more of the feeling of terrain beneath your feet,
• Wanting to decrease weight as much as possible,
• Prefer a snug fit.

Get yours accordingly.

My conversation with the awesome Altra Rep Morgan

I thought some of you guys might be a stranger to the terms and concepts used by the Rep, so I asked about the details even to the most simple things.

Hope this helps you!

20:46 Morgan
Thank you for contacting Altra! I'd be happy to assist you.

20:47 Canberk
Hi Morgan!

20:47 Canberk
Hope you're having a great day

20:47 Morgan
Hello!

20:47 Morgan
Ditto! How can I help?

20:47 Canberk
I'm gathering information regarding the differences between Superior and Lone Peak shoes. I'd appreciate if you could share their technical & practical differences with me, as well as their most suitable intended uses.

20:47 Canberk
Could you help me about it?

20:48 Morgan
Sure! Both are trail shoes, used for running/walking/hiking on trails or anything other than smooth surfaces, but main difference would be the fit and cushion!

20:48 Morgan
Superior being more fitted and low cushion, while Lone Peaks are more roomy overall and moderate cushion!

20:49 Canberk
By more fitted, do you mean the Superior offers a more narrowed down fit (in width) than the Lone Peak?

20:49 Morgan
Correct.

20:50 Morgan
Width however, will be either D for men, B for women.

20:50 Morgan
But the last would be more fitted, less refined in the heel, and less volume.

20:51 Canberk
What do D and B stand for?

20:51 Morgan
Those are standard widths, B is typically more narrow and D more roomy.

20:51 Morgan
For example, true wide sizes would be 2E or 4E, so D is a step down, and B is two steps down.

20:52 Morgan
I'm sorry, does that make sense?

20:52 Canberk
Haha sorry, I'm a bit lost

20:52 Canberk
Never heard of 2E, 4E, D or B before

20:53 Morgan
So sorry, you should be able to google it but basically, 2E-4E= WIDE, D standard for men, B standard for women.

20:53 Morgan
So if you don't normally buy true wide sizes and are typically in womens sizes, it would be a B width.

20:54 Morgan
If you convert into mens sizing, it would be a D width.

20:54 Canberk
How does this apply to Superior and Lone Peak?

20:54 Morgan
Mens Superior would be a D width, womens would be B.

20:54 Morgan
Same for Lone Peak.

20:55 Canberk
So it's identical in both shoes

20:55 Canberk
Assuming both are either mens or womens

20:56 Morgan
For width, yes. But again, the last (fit) is different, refer back to the fitted vs more roomy.

20:56 Canberk
Yep - now it makes sense. Thanks a lot for taking time to explain all this Morgan!

20:57 Morgan
You're so welcome!

20:57 Morgan
Is there anything else I can help you with today?

21:00 Canberk
Yes, one more thing please! About the cushion, what would be their intended uses?

21:02 Morgan
Definitely up to you, they are trail shoes so most cases are running/hiking/walking, lost of customers use them for hikes like the Appalachian trail, etc. Or there are people even have worn them for daily wear, but of course with the traction on the outsole, you could wear that down faster than if normally on trails like they are intended for.

21:02 Morgan
But definitely up to you!!

21:04 Canberk
Sorry I actually tried to ask about the different amounts of cushioning they use.

21:05 Morgan
Oh so sorry, cushion would be moderate for Lone Peak at stack height 25mm, Superior being low with stack 21mm!

21:06 Canberk
And how would that play out in practice?

21:07 Morgan
It is definitely personal preference, the shoe won't make you do anything special because of the cushion, it would just be what works best for you.

Altra Lone Peak 4.0 to 4.5

21:07 Canberk
OK!

21:07 Canberk
One last question:

21:07 Canberk
What are the upgrades that took place from Lone Peak 4.0 to Lone Peak 4.5?

21:07 Morgan
Definitely durability!

21:08 Morgan
That would be the biggest and basically the only change, other than new colors being introduced.

21:08 Canberk
And is there going to be a Superior 4.5 on the shelves?

21:08 Morgan
Yes!

21:09 Morgan
No set date at this time, but check back in a few months!

21:09 Canberk
OK - thank you for ABSOLUTELY AMAZING help Morgan

21:09 Canberk
That's it from my side 🙂

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Also, here are two good video reviews:

For Lone Peak 4.5:

For Superior 4.0: