Altra Lone Peak 9+ for Hiking in Perth: A Podiatrist’s Perspective
May 23, 2026
Why Hiking Season in Perth Changes Your Footwear Needs
As someone who has spent a large portion of their life living and working in mountain environments, I am no stranger to long hikes on often rocky and uneven terrain. Heading into late autumn and winter in Australia is always an exciting time for me because, as the temperature starts to cool down, it means I can start planning some hiking trips for my weekends. My English skin can’t handle peak summer hiking in Western Australia!
Being new to Perth, I have been thinking a lot about the terrain on local trails and in the hills, and whether or not my current outdoor footwear is suitable. You will find that the terrain here tends to be loose, uneven, and sometimes slippery. That is where your choice of hiking footwear can make a real difference.
Testing the Altra Lone Peak 9+ on a Perth Trail
I recently picked up the Altra Lone Peak U+ trail shoe and took it for a spin on the Goat Trail at Bells Rapids. The Goat Trail is an easy to moderate short hike, with a sustained steep and sharp incline to begin, rolling undulations across the top, gradual descent, and riverside boulders to navigate, all with loose gravel underfoot. I thought it would be a good choice to test the shoe across a range of terrain that reflects what many hikers around Perth are likely to experience.
If you regularly hike on loose gravel, rocky inclines, or uneven terrain, choosing the right trail shoe can dramatically improve comfort and confidence underfoot.
Why More Hikers Are Choosing Trail Shoes Over Boots
Over the last decade, trail running shoes have become a staple on hiking trails and amongst thru-hiking communities, mostly due to their low weight, comfort, and versatility compared with a traditional hiking boot. Breathability is also a major factor that draws hikers to choose a trail shoe over a traditional boot. I myself have been wearing trail shoes for hiking for a long time, unless I have a specific reason to be wearing a heavy-duty boot.
Why I Chose the Altra Lone Peak
So why the Altra Lone Peak? From a podiatry standpoint, it is a good option for many hikers, particularly when considering the type of trails we commonly see around Perth. What I like about this shoe compared with a traditional hiking boot is that it offers a different approach. Rather than being stiff, heavy, bulky, and restrictive, it is designed to fit more like your everyday shoe, with a roomy fit around the toes, a level platform from heel to toe, and a grippy sole material designed for rocky trail conditions.
What Zero Drop Means on the Trail
The Lone Peak is a zero drop shoe. What this means is there is no difference in height between the heel and toe. This creates a level platform for your foot, which many people find helps them feel stable on uneven terrain, and can also help with control and fatigue during descents, potentially reducing the workload placed on certain muscles during longer walks.
This feature, however, is not for everyone. You should be careful if you are used to wearing a shoe with a high heel drop, especially if you have tightness in your leg muscles, as this can lead to issues during the transition period. If this is you, then a transition period is advised. Luckily, Altra also produces some low-drop shoes with a 4 mm drop, which can help people transition into a zero drop shoe.
If you are new to zero drop footwear, consider easing into it gradually or speaking with a podiatrist before making the switch for longer hikes.
Cushioning, Ground Feel, and the 25 mm Stack Height
The stack height on this shoe is 25 mm. This means it has a moderate amount of cushioning underfoot. Again, not everyone is going to like this, as it can sometimes feel a little thin if you prefer a softer or more cushioned ride. I tend to enjoy hikes with a greater degree of scrambling and easy climbing, so the Lone Peak is perfect for this use case as it can give some extra feel where needed. If you prefer a thicker, more cushioned ride while hiking, then the Altra Olympus G is a good option. The fit and features are similar to the Lone Peak, but with a thicker stack height of 32 mm, meaning more cushioning underfoot.
Why the Toe Box Matters
The main reason I chose this shoe over other trail shoes is the toe box. Altra are known for their foot-shaped toe box, meaning little to no restriction or sideways compression of the toes. The benefit of this is that it allows the forefoot and toes to splay naturally and may encourage greater active engagement of the small muscles in the foot, not to mention added comfort around the toes. Using a wider, more natural-shaped toe box can also help reduce pressure on the forefoot and may be a useful option for people prone to issues such as bunions or Morton’s neuroma.
My Overall Thoughts After Testing the Shoe
Overall, during my test hike, I found the shoes to perform well for the task at hand and to be a perfect companion for the Western Australia hiking season. I found the shoe to be comfortable and roomy, yet secure around the heel and mid-foot, grippy on the variable and loose terrain due to the Vibram Megagrip sole, and stable underfoot.
I have also been using the shoe for golf, and it has actually worked very well as an alternative to a traditional golf shoe. The lower stack height gives you a better feel for the ground, which can help with stability and pressure awareness during the swing, while the deeper lugs provide plenty of grip underfoot. For those wet winter mornings on the course, Altra also offers a Gore-Tex version of the Lone Peak U+, which is a nice option if you want similar performance with a waterproof upper. Now all we need is for Altra to make a dedicated golf shoe.
Who This Shoe May Suit Best
If you are considering updating your footwear to get yourself out on the trails, then this shoe is worth serious consideration. As already mentioned, it might not be for everyone, but getting your foot and biomechanics assessed can help you get into the correct shoe for your foot type, walking style, and intended terrain.
Need Help Choosing the Right Hiking Shoe?
Here at FitFeet Podiatry, we are an official stockist of Altra footwear, so book in for a chat and we can help you find the right shoe for your off-road adventures.
