The Altra Lone Peak NeoShell is the water resistant, insulated version of the Lone Peak. While billed as a trail running shoe, the Altra Lone Peak has become a popular favorite in the ultralight backpacking community.
Speaking of favorites, see how and why Altra became my favorite shoe.
Using a waterproof yet breathable membrane fabric dubbed by Altra as NeoShell, the shoe has proven itself to indeed be waterproof and breathable. I have used the shoes in many wet conditions including downpours and snow and have not experienced any water infiltration. Many of my hikes have been in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the NeoShell also has proven to be an effective barrier against sand.
The mid-sole is by Altra’s description, moderately padded. The mid-sole also has a thin plastic StonegGuard liner designed to prevent rocks and sharp objects from intruding through the sole. I have found this to be reasonably effective both with the NeoShell and the regular Lone Peak.
The sole is moderately aggressively lugged. The sole provides good traction on both loose and steep trails that I have hiked and has been stable on hard packed and paved surface. It has proven to be sure-footed in wet conditions as well as dry. I have only encountered one small slip while on an evening walk on icy roads. I would expect that under similar conditions off-road, the Neo-Shell would have been fine.
Overall, the Altra Lone Peak NeoShell has proven to be a great addition to my collection of hiking shoes.
Disclosure: The author purchased this product with his own funds
Shop for Altra shoes at REI
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