Zero Drop Running Shoes

Altra zero drop running shoes has been a favorite among runners who prefer some cushioning for their barefoot running. The latest zero drop trail shoes released by Altra is its lone peak 1.5 series.  I was pretty excited about it and had to wait patiently for a few months until it was finally released this year. I already has a Altra superior zero drop shoes so I wanted to see if the lone peak 1.5 will performed better.

Out of the box comparison

From the moment that I unwrap the box and took the shoe out, there was some clear difference between altra lone peak 1.5 vs superior.

• Less flexible: During my bend test where I try to bend the shoe as much as possible, the lone peak 1.5 is a lot less flexible than the superior, which is what a lot of runners are going for.

• Larger wide toes: For runners with a wider toe spread, the lone peak 1.5 is more accommodating.  I have wide toe myself so on the first try, the lone peak 1.5 definitely feels more comfortable than the superior.

• More grip: This was just the first impression but I felt the lone peak 1.5 had more grip vs the superior.  The latter gave me a feeling of wearing slippers!

The run test

So far, I have run 6 miles with the lone peak 1.5 and this is how it compares against the superior from the initial experience:

• Forefoot strikes: During the initial run, I have noticed that I was running on my toes. This is good as I am a forefoot striker and is also in line with the design of zero drop running shoes. If you are a heel striker, it is advisable to take it slow during the initial period to avoid causing injuries to your knee.
• Somewhat loose fit:  I don’t know if this is a common problem but after prolong running, my feet tend to lift a bit off the shoes.  One reason is that the laces are pretty long and it takes some effort to really tighten the fit. It was not a major turnoff but I did notice it during the running.  I don’t have this problem with the superior running shoes.

• Very light:  The official description says that the altra lone strike 1.5 weighs 9.9 oz but it feels much lighter when I am running in it.  Comparing to the superior, I would say the lone peak 1.5 feel lighter.

• Tighter running grip:  On my first run, I have take it to a gentle mountain trail near my place. The grip felt much better than the superior model. I have not tested it in more stressful conditions such as snow or rain but I could tell the lone peak 1.5 should perform better than superior in these conditions.

Conclusion

Overall, I am happy with my purchase of the Altra lone peak 1.5. As a trail shoe, it performs better than the superior with its tighter grip, lighter weight and a more comfortable fit.