We’re positive you already know what you want from your running sneakers – they have to be lightweight, comfortable, supportive, and a perfect fit. Altra, a brand started by two high school running buddies, seems to offer exactly what you need. Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior, which of the two runners is right for you?
Whether you’re prepping for a marathon, hitting the trails, or hopping on the treadmill, you can count on Altra to come through. Whatever clothes you wear during your workouts don’t affect your performance, for the most part. But what you’re putting on your feet makes a world of difference.
With the right type of footwear, you can take on the world of running without fear of bruises, blisters, and other (much worse) injuries. Almost every athletic brand carries a full range of running sneakers, but Altra takes the cake. Altra Lone Peak and Altra Superior are best sellers for a reason. Read more down below!
About Altra
We’re not surprised you’re thinking of getting your hands on a pair of Altra sneakers. With high-quality, hard-wearing kicks that promise to keep you on your feet no matter what you’re doing, there’s no question that Altra sneakers are the way to go.
Altra started with a cross-country team, a running shoe store in Orem, Utah, and a toaster oven. Altra co-founders, Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead met on the first day of cross-country practice at the start of their sophomore year at Orem High School in Utah.
Brian and Golden became best friends right away and went off to the races, both literally and figuratively. Golden was the brain behind the operation, though. Golden wasn’t happy with his running shoes and he felt like they were messing with his results.
Rather than trying to get a better pair of runners, Golden decided to heat his runners inside a toaster oven to try to remove the heel and mold it to fit around his feet better.
Ridiculously enough, Golden’s innovative idea worked and he was finally able to wear a running shoe that wasn’t obstructing the way he ran. Golden’s goal was to design shoes that stayed out of the way and that’s what he set out to do.
A few years after, around 2009, Altra was started. And Harper was the one who opted for the name Altra based on the Latin word “altera”, which means “to fix or mend something that is broken.”
Altra managed to become one of the most popular and prominent brands for runners around the world within the first few years. Altra Lone Peak and Altra Superior became the brand’s best-sellers and that’s why we’re talking about them today.
Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior: How do the two runners compare?
Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior – the face-off you didn’t think you’d need. After all, Altra’s sneakers are known as high-quality, hardwearing footwear you can count on no matter what. And, they’re super similar, which might make settling the battle a tough task.
1. History
Where do you start when figuring out which of the two Altra best-sellers deserves your attention? At the beginning!
Lone Peak was Altra’s first trail runner named after one of the peaks in the Wasatch Range. Altra released the first Lone Peak in 2011 and continued improving on its initial design for years and years afterward.
With a wide toe box, balanced cushioning, improved fit and flexibility in the upper, and a close-to-the-ground feel, it’s clear why the Lone Peak became one of Altra’s most sought-after sneakers.
Altra Superior, on the other hand, was released in 2014. With a thin layer of Quantic foam for lightweight, minimalist cushioning, a removable rock plate, and a burrito-style tongue, you’re guaranteed to be pain and pressure-free during the entire run.
2. Design
When comparing the two designs, they’re nothing alike at first glance. Altra Lone Peak is bigger, bolder, and more eye-catching than Superior. Superior sneakers are much more simple, sleek, and runner-like considering that Altra Lone Peaks look like hiking boots.
Other than that, though, both are equipped with a myriad of favorable features that promise to make your workout a memorable experience.
Altra Lone Peak sneakers feature a foot-shaped toe box, plenty of padding, hook-and-loop tabs, and Dual-Nature midsoles. Altra Superior sneakers come with a foot-shaped toe box, balanced cushioning, Dual-nature midsoles, and grippy MaxTrac outsoles.
3. Performance
Now, these Altra runners are made for much more than going to work, grabbing brunch with friends, and running errands. Altra advertises both Lone Peak and Superior as “trail runners” or “runners meant for your for your daily trail outings.”
With everything we’ve mentioned beforehand, you can agree that these runners are breathable, comfortable, supportive, and protective. Whether you’re a pro at running or still figuring out where to start, we’re positive you’re going to be happy with both.
Lone Peak’s ready to take on any terrain thanks to features like MaxTrac outsoles and TrailClaw canted lugs. Superior’s ready to connect with the dirt thanks to the lightweight construction and zero-drop frame. What’s not to adore?
4. Comfort and fit
Calluses, blisters, bruises, and bunions aren’t fun, but with Altra Lone Peak and Altra Superior sneakers, you don’t have to worry about that. Both sneaker styles are padded for comfort, made with lightweight, breathable fabrics, and designed to keep you going all day long.
Both are super, super wide thanks to the foot-shaped toe box. Both are made with Ego foam for moderate cushioning that ensures ultimate comfort.
We can’t help but conclude that Altra sneakers take the comfort cake, regardless of the sneaker style. We suggest getting a bigger size, though, because Altra sneakers tend to run smaller – order at least a half size up from your conventional running shoes.
5. Stability and support
When determining the winner of the Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior battle, you might need to pay attention to detail to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. If you’re suffering from foot problems, you can’t settle for runners that don’t do anything other than “look good.”
“When you look good, you feel good” doesn’t apply when you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, plantar plate tears, and bunions, that’s for sure. But you don’t need to worry about that because both Altra Lone Peak and Altra Superior offer stability and support.
Both offer a zero-drop platform with plenty of padding to alleviate pressure and pain off your feet. Moreover, both come with FootShape technology, keeping your feet in a natural shape as you move.
6. Breathability
Breathability is a must when shopping for runners, but there’s nothing to worry about when you’re going with Altra sneakers. Both Lone Peak and Superior are made with lightweight, breathable fabrics that allow airflow to keep your feet happy and healthy.
Altra Lone Peak sneakers are made with a tightly woven mesh upper that wraps around the foot without suffocating it. Altra Superior sneakers are made with the same mesh upper along with side panels that protect from impact and abrasion.
But we do need to mention that most reviewers agree Altra Superior sneakers are more comfortable and breathable than the Lone Peak. We can assume that’s because of the side panels that allow the air to circulate.
7. Durability
We’re not surprised that both Altra Lone Peak and Altra Superior sneakers are durable.
After all, they’re made with similar high-quality, hard-wearing materials that can withstand the test of time without trouble. Altra sneakers are known to last between 300 and 600 miles (depending on a myriad of factors).
When you wear them an average amount of time throughout the week, take care of them, and store them the right way, there’s no reason your Altra sneakers won’t be able to serve you for years to come. Altra sneakers are fully warranted to the original owner against manufacturing defects for two years.
8. Affordability
Neither Altra Lone Peak nor Superior sneakers are affordable. Now, you can catch them on sale and save some money that way. But on a regular day, you’re looking at paying over $100 a pair. At the moment, Lone Peaks are going for $160 and Superiors $130.
Actually, Altra recently came out with a brand-new version of Lone Peak, and that’s why it’s a little more expensive than Superior. At the end of the day, though, you wouldn’t turn to Altra as an affordable alternative anyway.
Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior: Which runners are better?
We’re sorry to say that we don’t have a definite winner in the Altra Lone Peak vs. Superior battle because the two are too similar. We’d say that you can’t go wrong with either of the two, but that depends on what you’re searching for.
Altra Lone Peak sneakers are great for running high mileage or running on rocky trails, rough surfaces, or any terrain with above-average roughness.
Altra Superior sneakers are better for running low mileage and getting a better feel of the terrain beneath your feet. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!
