Thanks for sharing this perspective from a different angle.

Thanks for sharing the additional insights!

I think if most of my favorite running days were under 6 miles instead of over, I would have been all in on the LP6s, but with over 150 miles in the LP7, I have to agree that they went backward from last year's model in most ways, traction being the possible exception.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Thanks for the kind words, Thomas. I just finished watching Seth DeMoor's LP6 review, and I was really bummed that he managed to rip a hole in his uppers, which totally threw off the overall scoring. I do agree that the LP5 and 6 upper has some unfortunate RISK of breakdown, but I also know that the shoe can perform for way over 400 miles if nothing goes wrong.

I think the LP6 is probably a pretty good place to give Altra a first try. If the zero drop is new, it's probably good to have a second pair of shoes that are more familiar for you feet to swap back and forth with while you get used to it.

@@KentMearig Quite funny as I have now bought these shoes and just tested them out. I searched online for reviews just to see if they match what I have experienced and forgot I even watched this video and commented! I've ran in the shoes twice now. One time was a long walk/run of about 10 miles. I really like them, I definitely feel a lot more fatigue in the calves and Achilles but I'm building up gradually with them and going to use normal running trainers too as I get more used to them. Really impressed with the grip and how light they are.

@@TheWeightliftingTriathlete Glad you're enjoying your new shoes! I've been trying out a lot of other shoes since I made this video and keep coming back to the LP6s as the most dependable and functional I've found recently.

Thanks 👍

Awesome! All the best to you in your upcoming 50k.

Thanks for sharing innov8 has deeper lugs

Thanks for sharing

Really hope you love your new shoes!

Thanks! I've got about 200+ miles in mine now, and I feel like they're really starting to remind me why I loved the 5s so much, now that I'm not all the time on snow and ice.

Yes, it will be interesting to see how new Altra offerings stack up against the tried and true Olympus line...and I'm looking forward to seeing EGO Max in an Olympus.

@@LP-jn4tw wrong. there IS such a thing as the "best" shoe for specific applications...Objective statements CAN be made...For example, a running shoe is best for running and much better than a highheel or slipper...this is a testable objective fact statement....note however that i am NOT saying that "running shoes are better than high heels or slippers"...ultimately which shoe a person prefers is subjective and just opinion...but are discussing specific applications and within this discussion of application we CAN make statements about which is best or better....Likewise, shoes with max cushion ARE better for ultra long distances. Ergo, my comment. LOL have a nice day

Thanks! I skipped past the the LP 4.5 because I was definitely getting tired of the A-bound midsole material. My understanding is that the stack height has come down over the years, so even with the new EGO midsoles, the 5s and 6s don't have the same style of cushion as the original versions. Still, you could be happy with them, and I hope that's the case.

You're welcome, and thanks for watching!

Much thanks! Hope you have some great runs on your trip.

Thanks. It's just barely still relevant, but my thoughts on the LP7 might still be on the way.

I recently blew a hole through the upper of my relatively new Timp 4s and had to jump back into these old LP6s for a bunch more miles before I could get a new pair shipped. So far, they've held up great...but my feet are starting to get a little more worn down by trail inconsistencies. I hope you have a great hike!

Glad it was helpful!

Hi, and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. My experience with a few versions of the Superiors was that their traction was never horrible, but because of the much less aggressive lug pattern, it was also never great. Overall, I've been much happier with the outsole of the LP5 and LP6...even when they have hundreds of miles on them.

thanks for the response, pretty helpful. is your sizing on your superior 5s and lp6 the same?

@@arikdeguzman8194 For me, the Superior 5s were almost too small, even in a size 11. On the other hand, the LP 6s were just big enough in the size 11 to convince me to switch down to a 10.5. I actually have one foot that fits neatly into those 10.5s and the other is pretty snug. After years with the brand, it's hard for me to feel totally confident in Altra sizing even between pairs of the same shoes, but I'm still willing to say that the difference between Superior and LP FEELS like at least about a half size.

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

Thanks; I hope to have a follow-up at some point, but it looks like it will be a busy spring, so I don't know.

You bring up a good point, and while I might disagree with you about the durability of the LP5s and LP6s, based on my experience over the last year, I definitely agree that it would be really nice if Altra was way more trustworthy in the build quality and quality control department. Some shoes hold up amazingly well, but other versions of the same shoe are a tragedy. Sizing is another problem of wild inconsistency.

I have to admit to being a bit more ambivalent about changes to heel pulls, since for some reason, I just don't use them...but I can't disagree with you. It does feel like a pretty weird change to make.

I don't have any experience in Topo shoes, so I should probably just leave it at that. Reviewing some of the specs, I might add that even the 5mm drop is steep for me at this point, leaving unnecessary padding under the heal and not enough under the balls of my feet.

I've tried on one pair of Hoka's and there was no way my toes would survive high mileage in that toe box. I've never tried the Olympus because I'm not a big fan of heavy shoes, even if they're comfortable.

Hopefully you can find a better informed response to this somewhere or someone else will chime in here, but I'll do my best. I have very little knowledge of the ABC trek, but I have used the Lone Peak line of shoes for a good amount of long day-hikes over the years. If you are already used to doing a lot of hiking in running shoes, then I think you could expect to get good results from the LP6s. If you almost always hike in boots, I would say that Lone Peaks are very far from providing the same kind of protection and support that you would expect from something like the Salomons you mentioned. I hope that helps a little.

In the winter running sequences, I'm in a Houdini jacket that's a few years old, and in the talking head shots, I'm wearing the R1 fleece.

Well, "zero drop" shoes are designed under the assumption that proper running form and economy necessitates a forefoot (or at least midfoot) strike. The idea is that it maximizes the body's performance potential and minimizes risk of injury. All Altra shoes are designed to promote a forefoot strike, and I would say that if you have no intention to transition away from landing on your heels, it would be wise to ignore Altra's shoe offerings. It isn't that they can't have enough cushion and protections for your heel. They will just feel "wrong" every time you land and like they're fighting against your bio-mechanics.

@@KentMearig Thank you, I appreciate it. The reason I ask is that I noticed one of the Altra athletes, Jeff Browning, definitely runs with a heel strike in Altras and I thought that was odd - see kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jauAesynmdW8qIE.html&feature=share at 2:32 and 3:38 minutes. I might ask him too, see what his take is! Thanks again.

@@KentMearig do you heel touch ground first when walking at all? or are you forefoot striking in running and walking both?

@@ineedachair My toes land first only when I'm leaning forward in a running motion...but I never feel like my heals are under-cushioned while walking in zero drop shoes.

Hi Daniel. I have recently discovered Feetures running socks, and I have loved them so far. I use the Elite Max Cushion, Elite Light Cushion, and calf compression offerings. I like the max cushion the most for cold, dry days, but I really like having the light cushion version on when my feet are going to get wet from the snow, even if it's cold.

@@KentMearig Thanks. I'll give them a try. I have been using Thorlos TRMX socks which are described as "moderate-cushion" ankle height hiking / trail running socks. I like the socks but not much warmth. Sometimes I wear them over a lightweight Smartwool PHD running sock but then my feet are a little tight fitting in the LP5. Will be checking out the LP6 as soon as my local REI has them in stock.

@@danieloherrick6332 Yeah, I'm not the best about keeping my feet warm. They actually got so cold on recent slushy and snowy morning that the bottoms of my feet went numb. I guess part of my problem is that don't like to size my shoes big enough to fit warmer socks under them. Good luck with your search.

I have a friend who just picked up his first pair of Escalante Racers as a Christmas gift, and yeah, I've been eyeing those for years. On the other hand, I don't race roads (just train there when I have to), so I might never be able to justify trying them out.

@@KentMearig same here. I don’t do road race, just trail races- ultras. I just train on roads when needed as well. But I’m telling you, they are amazing road shoes. You won’t be disappointed! I’m assuming you have good form, but if you don’t you might want to pass on them.

My take on "true to size" is that it means something different to everyone. All I can say is that I went down to a 10.5 in the LP5s, but then I had to switch back to a size 11 in the LP6s. Others have confirmed that the the 6s have a noticeably less accommodating (or more precision) fit compared to the last version.