I am a long-time fan of Altra running shoes, having owned 10+ pair over the last five years. In fact, Altra is the only shoe that I wear 95% of the time...24/7/365. About the only time I wear something else is to weddings and funerals. I started with the Instinct 1.5 and loved it; this was shortly after having torn my right plantar fascia when "heading for home" on opening day of our local Senior Softball league while wearing traditional cleats...could barely walk and not run at all for three months after. The zero drop and wide toe box of the Instinct were great during rehab...I especially liked the fact that I had good, solid contact across the full breadth of my foot with the ground. As an interesting aside, I have suffered zero...0...ankle sprains since then as well, because the foot/ankle are not forced into an unnatural position caused by traditional running shoes with built-up heel stacks. I briefly tried the Torin but didn't like it. Then I experimented with the Lone Peak 1.5 for use on the ball diamond and found that it performed beyond my expectations, both infield/outfield and running the bases. I have worn the Lone Peak 24/7 almost exclusively since then...though I did try the Mountain King once...and am now in the Timp which pretty much feels like a cushier version of the Lone Peak. With the Timp, I actually forgot to replace the OEM inserts with my pricey custom orthotics for the first month, including going on several local hikes of 5.5 miles with a 1700 foot gain and 35 lbs. pack...no foot, leg, or back discomfort at all! This particular hike gets pretty messy during the rainy season (and when isn't it rainy in Seattle), and so I decided to try the Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Mid Neo as a hybrid hiking shoe...again, big success. The LP Mid Neo is stiffer on top and bottom than the traditional LP, and it handles the slog up messy trails better than my old Lone Peaks or current Timps. The outer shell is stiffer as well, so it resists road rash a little better, and is supposed to offer some waterproofing protection. I've not immersed them in water yet, but my guess is they are more water-resistant than waterproof. All in all, they are the perfect light-weight hybrid option to heavier, clunkier hiking shoes. The lighter weight and greater flexibility allow me to use a skip-step or gallop when descending, making it easier on the knees. When using this technique, keep in mind to use your back or "drag leg" as a break, keep your toes up so as not to snag on roots or rocks, and always keep your pace or rate of descent under control. If comfortable with the technique, your knees will thank you come 10, 20, 30, or 40 years from now.
