Best Altra Trail Running Shoes (Every Model Compared)

The full Altra trail lineup compared and ranked. Lone Peak, Superior, Timp, Olympus, King MT, Mont Blanc — find the right Altra trail shoe for your terrain and goals.

The Altra Trail Lineup: A Full Picture

Altra makes six distinct trail shoes, each designed for a specific type of runner and terrain. If you’re shopping the Altra trail lineup, you’re probably thinking one of two things: either “I love Altra, which trail shoe should I get?” or “I didn’t know Altra made six different trail shoes—what’s the difference?”

This guide is built for both of those runners.

What makes Altra unique in the trail world is their commitment to zero-drop geometry across their entire lineup. Every shoe on this list keeps your heel and forefoot at the same height, which means your foot strikes naturally without the artificial heel elevation that most traditional trail shoes force you into. That single choice—zero-drop—changes everything about how your feet, calves, and ankles work on technical terrain.

The six shoes in this roundup span from the Lone Peak (workhorse long-distance), to the Superior (nimble and technical), to the Olympus (maximum cushion for ultras). Each has a purpose. Understanding what separates them will help you pick the right one for how you actually run.

Quick Pick Summary Table

How I Tested These Shoes

I’ve tested each Altra trail shoe across multiple types of terrain: rocky scrambles in the Colorado high country, technical single-track in the Pacific Northwest, loose scree fields, muddy trail running, and long-distance efforts. I’m tracking stack height, ground feel, grip, how they handle obstacles, durability, and the overall experience on different terrain types.

All six of these shoes share Altra’s zero-drop platform and FootShape toe box philosophy. What differs is stack height, terrain-specific features, and the way each shoe prioritizes ground feel versus protection.

The Shoes

Altra Lone Peak 8

The Lone Peak is Altra’s flagship trail shoe, and for good reason. At 25mm stack height, it’s the goldilocks option—enough cushioning to handle long distances without feeling disconnected from the ground. The Lone Peak has been refined across eight versions, and the 8 is a mature, battle-tested design.

I use the Lone Peak 8 for my standard trail runs and long distance efforts. The fit is balanced—not pinched at the toe, not loose at the heel. The shoe flexes naturally, so your foot does the work instead of the shoe doing it for you. The MaxTrac outsole grips well on both wet and dry terrain without being aggressive enough to feel clunky.

The reason runners keep coming back to the Lone Peak is that it disappears when you run. You don’t notice you’re wearing a trail shoe because it moves with your foot naturally. On 15-mile days, that translates to less fatigue and better form maintenance.

Key specs:

• 25mm stack height (balanced)
• 283g weight
• 0mm drop
• MaxTrac outsole with moderate lugs
• Standard fit, roomy toe box

Who it’s for: Long-distance trail runners. Anyone doing back-to-back trail runs. Runners who want maximum versatility across terrain types. People running 10+ mile trail efforts.

Who should skip it: If you need extreme technical grip, Superior might be better. If you’re doing extremely rocky ultras, Olympus provides more protection.

For a detailed breakdown, see my Altra Lone Peak 8 review.

Altra Superior 6

The Superior is Altra’s speed option for trails. At 21mm stack height, it’s noticeably more minimal than the Lone Peak, which means more ground feel and feedback. The Superior is designed for technical single-track where you want to know exactly where your foot is landing.

The fit is snug—not tight, but definitely closer than the Lone Peak. This snugness means your foot is locked in during technical movement, which translates to confidence on steep descents. The midfoot is narrower, making it ideal for runners with narrower feet.

I reach for the Superior when I’m doing faster efforts or when terrain is technical and I want maximum feedback. On a 10-mile technical trail with lots of scrambling and fast sections, the Superior excels. On a 20-mile ultra on similar terrain, I’d switch to the Lone Peak because the extra cushioning matters.

Key specs:

• 21mm stack height (nimble)
• 238g weight
• 0mm drop
• MaxTrac outsole with more aggressive pattern
• Snug midfoot fit

Who it’s for: Speed-focused trail runners. Technical terrain enthusiasts. Runners with narrower feet. Anyone doing shorter, faster trail efforts.

Who should skip it: If you have wider feet, the Lone Peak or Timp are better choices. For ultra-distance or rocky terrain, more cushioning helps.

Check my Altra Superior review for details (7 is the predecessor version, but the characteristics are similar).

Altra Timp 5

The Timp is Altra’s all-terrain shoe. At 28mm stack height, it’s more cushioned than the Lone Peak, but still maintains Altra’s commitment to natural foot function. The Timp’s design philosophy is “comfort for moderate distances across anything.”

What makes the Timp special is its versatility. It’s cushioned enough for long efforts, nimble enough for technical sections, and protective enough for rocky terrain. It’s genuinely a one-shoe solution for many trail runners.

The fit is medium-volume—not as tight as the Superior, not as roomy as the Olympus. The toe box is spacious, so your toes have room to function naturally. The shoe flexes well despite the higher stack height.

I use the Timp for mixed-terrain days where I don’t know exactly what the run will throw at me. One minute I’m on technical single-track, the next I’m on loose scree, then back to groomed trail. The Timp handles all of it without complaint.

Key specs:

• 28mm stack height (cushioned all-rounder)
• 280g weight
• 0mm drop
• MaxTrac outsole, balanced lug pattern
• Medium fit, roomy toe box

Who it’s for: Trail runners wanting one shoe for everything. Anyone doing mixed-terrain efforts. Runners seeking balance between protection and feedback.

Who should skip it: If you want maximum speed, Superior is better. If you want maximum protection, Olympus is the answer.

Altra Olympus 6

The Olympus is Altra’s maximum-cushion option. At 33mm stack height, it’s significantly more padded than any other Altra trail shoe. The Olympus is designed for ultramarathoners who want maximum protection without sacrificing zero-drop geometry.

Here’s what matters about the Olympus: it’s not a mushy shoe despite the high stack. Altra’s approach to cushioning is about responsive feedback, not dead padding. The Olympus still lets you feel the ground; you’re just better protected from the impacts.

The fit is high-volume throughout. If you’ve struggled with toe box room in other Altra shoes, the Olympus is your answer. It’s also ideal for runners with swelling feet—the extra volume means there’s still comfortable room even as your feet expand during longer efforts.

I’ve used the Olympus on ultra-distance runs and on back-to-back heavy running days. The cushioning makes a real difference in foot fatigue accumulation, and the protection on rocky terrain is noticeable.

Key specs:

• 33mm stack height (maximum cushion)
• 312g weight (heaviest in the lineup)
• 0mm drop
• MaxTrac outsole with robust lugs
• High-volume fit throughout

Who it’s for: Ultramarathoners. Heavy runners. Anyone with high-volume feet. Runners training for mountain ultras with rocky terrain.

Who should skip it: If you want ground feel and minimalism, the Superior is your choice. For short, fast efforts, the extra weight and cushioning are unnecessary.

Altra King MT 2

The King MT is Altra’s technical mountaineer shoe. At 17mm stack height, it’s the second-lightest in the lineup. The King MT is purpose-built for runners who spend time scrambling up technical terrain, rock hopping, and navigating complex mountain challenges.

What makes the King MT different is the aggressive tread pattern and the geometry designed for upright scrambling. This isn’t a shoe for flowing single-track; it’s a shoe for places where running and climbing blur together.

The fit is snug, especially at the heel, which locks your foot in place during steep scrambles. The toe box has enough room for natural toe splay, but the overall package is tighter than the Lone Peak or Timp.

I use the King MT when terrain is genuinely technical—not just “challenging,” but actually requiring scrambling. If there are rocks you’re stepping on with hands sometimes, the King MT is the right call.

Key specs:

• 17mm stack height (technical minimal)
• 249g weight
• 0mm drop
• Aggressive tread pattern for scrambling
• Snug fit, locked heel

Who it’s for: Technical scramble runners. Mountain racers on complex terrain. Anyone combining running and climbing.

Who should skip it: For smooth trail running, longer distances, or less technical terrain, any other Altra shoe is better. This is specialized equipment.

Altra Mont Blanc

The Mont Blanc is Altra’s newest entry into the lineup, purpose-built for Alpine terrain and mountain racing. At 30mm stack height, it splits the difference between cushioning and ground feel. The design philosophy is “technical alpine racing with enough protection to handle unpredictable terrain.”

The Mont Blanc features a refined tread pattern and upper construction designed specifically for complex alpine terrain. The fit is roomy throughout—more accommodating than the Superior or King MT, but with purpose rather than just generosity.

This is the shoe Altra built for runners racing events like fell races and alpine ultras where terrain is mixed, unpredictable, and demanding.

Key specs:

• 30mm stack height (alpine balance)
• 290g weight
• 0mm drop
• Alpine-focused tread and construction
• Roomy, accommodating fit

Who it’s for: Alpine racers. Mountain ultra runners. Anyone combining technical terrain with longer distances.

Who should skip it: For standard trail running, the Lone Peak is more proven. For pure technical scrambling, King MT is better.

How to Choose Your Altra Trail Shoe

The Altra trail lineup makes sense once you map it by use case:

For Speed & Technical Ground Feel (Sub-24mm stack):

• King MT 2 (17mm) → Maximum technique, scrambling
• Superior 6 (21mm) → Fast and technical, single-track focused

For Long-Distance Versatility (25-28mm stack):

• Lone Peak 8 (25mm) → The default choice for most trail runners
• Timp 5 (28mm) → Extra cushioning for longer efforts
• Mont Blanc (30mm) → Alpine-specific terrain

For Maximum Cushioning (30mm+ stack):

• Olympus 6 (33mm) → Ultras and rough terrain

The decision framework is simple:

1. How far are you running? (Shorter = less cushioning needed)
2. How technical is the terrain? (More technical = snugger fit, more ground feel)
3. What’s your foot shape? (Wider? Olympus or Timp. Narrow? Superior. Average? Lone Peak)
4. What’s your priority? (Speed? Superior. Versatility? Lone Peak. Comfort? Timp or Olympus)

Most trail runners find their home in the Lone Peak. It’s the goldilocks option. But if you’re doing ultras, have wide feet, or prioritize specific terrain, one of the other five might be your perfect fit.

Altra Trail vs Other Barefoot Trail Brands

Altra owns the zero-drop trail space in terms of variety. Most other barefoot trail brands focus on one or two models. That variety is Altra’s strength—but it also means you need to understand what separates them.

For a broader look at barefoot trail running options beyond Altra, check out my best barefoot trail running shoes guide, which compares trail options across brands.

Final Verdict

The Altra trail lineup is the most complete zero-drop trail offering on the market. Whether you’re a speed-focused technical runner or an ultramarathoner who wants maximum cushioning, Altra has a trail shoe built for you.

The key insight: don’t assume they’re all the same. Each serves a purpose. Find the one that matches your running style, and you’ve found your Altra trail home.