Altra's new Lone Peak 4.5's (released on 1st of Nov 2019) in action. According to Altra's website, Lone Peak 4.0's are discontinued now (duh) and are also even almost sold out.
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).
I laid out all the changes that took place going from Lone Peak 4.0 to 4.5 in this post.
"This means that going from Lone Peak 4.0 to 4.5, the fit, comfort and durability are improved drastically.
Outsole equips the very same outer structure so-called "MaxTrac", so unlike other updates like Timp 1.5 > Timp 2.0 and Olympus 3.5 > Olympus 4.0, traction isn't impacted with this one."
Of course, but be aware that there are two Lone Peak configurations out there - one designed for running and the other for hiking:
- Lone Peak LOW's (running): These are the base models (typically doesn't even have LOW suffix in Altra's site). These are the ones I'm reviewing in this post and although they can be and are being used by hikers, their main design intention is trail running.
- Lone Peak MID's (hiking): Altra also offers Lone Peak's with MID adaptations, which are designed specifically for hiking (here's the source at altrarunning.com)!
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.
Some scenarios where Lone Peak 4.5 (more cushion & roomy fit) would be a better suit:
- Running mostly high-mileage,
- Having a higher body-weight (evens out the extra cushion),
- Running on too rocky trails or any terrain with above-average roughness,
- Wanting to go easier on your joints for any reason,
- Having wider feet.
Some scenarios where Superior 4.0 (more ground feel, lighter, more fitted) 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,
- Feeling better in a more snug 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.
Extra cushioning in Lone Peak 4.5 also increases foot protection (cushion always helps with this in any case) and makes it a more durable option than the Superior 4.0.
Lone Peak 4.0 was already more durable than the Superior 4.0, and now, with the Lone Peak 4.5, the difference is stretched out even further.
How will this play out in practice?
The rougher the terrain (or the longer the run), the harsher the trail running shoes are going to be treated. And the harsher they're treated, the more observable and important the durability will come.
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.
Superior 4.0's. Less cushioned mid sole offers superior ground-feel compared to the Lone Peak 4.5's.
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.
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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!
LOW is for trail running! MID is for hiking. Here's the source at altrarunning.com!
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.
The three upgrades took place going from Lone Peak 4.0 to 4.5 are (1) improved durability, (2) new lacing system to fine tune the fit and (3) some extra color options. I'm also told that Superior 4.5 is going to be on the shelves "soon". There isn’t a planned release date. I'm only told that it'll be out in the market "in a few months".
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: