Customer Reviews Altra Olympus

Very cushy comfortable shoes, like running on pillows. I recently ran a half-marathon in them, and I'm training for a full marathon and 50K this coming fall. I've been wearing them for both trail and on the street - they're good for both. They have a gaiter trap on the heel (for trail runs) but I don't think I would wear them on any really slippery terrain. The zero-drop is excellent for going downhills however. For me they have replaced my old Cumulus 13s which Asics no longer makes (their "upgraded" versions of the Cumulus have been horrible). These have that same cushy forefoot feel. The sizing of the women's Olympus is a bit off from other running shoes; I normally wear a 8.5 street shoe and 9 running shoe (Brooks and Asics) and had to go with a 9.5 in these. I have bunions and generally wide feet and these give my forefeet and toes plenty of width. I don't know if people with narrow feet would like them. These are also for "neutral" runners (those with medium-to-high arches who don't overpronate or supinate too much). I believe Altra's "Repetition" model is for people who need more stability.

I bought these because I needed a trail running shoe with a better grip than my Altra Torin (which I love above all others, but which sadly have zero grip) and more cushioning than the orange Altra trail shoes (I keep forgetting their name), which have a wonderful grip but way too little cushioning, and which ended up giving me massive problems with my feet during the winter months. I only run in Altra shoes now, because they are the only ones that don't make my feet fall asleep, due to their foot-shaped design, and because I need zero drop shoes with cushioning and flex, but without support, since I supinate/underpronate. There is no alternative to Altra out there, and I tried a bunch of neutral runners. I love the running-on-clouds cushioning of the Altra Olympus, but agree with another reviewer in that I don't like the elevated, upside curling, forefoot. I also do not like the arch support. The 2013 Torins came with two footbed options, one of them being without arch support. I wish the Olympus, at this price, came also with the same two footbeds, because I cannot use arch support. To make things worse, they don't hold up well: Being a supinator/underpronator, I agree with another reviewer that the shoe positions my foot slightly outward, and so now the fabric where my big toe hits it is showing signs of wear from the outside. The outsole, as well, is starting to come off after only around 80 miles and the black color started coming off even before that. These shoes are definitely not as durable as the 2013 Torins - maybe the quality of the company has gone down in general,so I am not sure how the 2014 Torins hold up. I already bought 3 back-up pairs of 2013 Torins, but now I am thinking I should buy a few more. Having said all that,I will still replace them when they become unusable, but I will only wear them when I really need to grip (rain, mud, snow, longer trail runs) and my 2013 Torins the rest if the time, because I prefer how my foot feels in them.

I love them. Ran 3 miles in them today and I'm just so happy with them. I usually wear Brooks pure flow and I was looking for more cushion. And width in the toe box. I am super happy to start my half marathon training with these bad boys!

These shoes, for me, are the most comfortable running shoes I have ever owned and believe me, I have owned a lot of pairs. I run ultras and have trouble with my feet ranging from stress fractures to neuromas to broken joints. These cushiony shoes have given me the most comfort yet. I love the wide toe box and zero drop heel taking pressure off my forefoot. The only problem has been top of the foot pain from running in them for a long period of time.

These are definitely my favorite shoe. I know they are off-road shoes but I find myself putting them on for running on the road as well. On the trails they give me a feeling of confidence that I have never had with another shoe. I am not that sure footed and run pretty cautiously on the trails -- but with these I can definitely push harder. I have also used them for hiking and they are wonderful even for long days!

I've ordered all of my Altra Zero Drop shoes a size bigger than what I wear in other brands and they are perfect. I have knee problems and was concerned surgery was looming until I got these shoes and my knees are doing much much better now. Love the fit, love the cushioning, love the color. These are fantastic shoes.

Great fit. Unlike other Altras, my narrow heel doesn't slip. These shoes are very comfortable and maintain the zero drop. The shoes are stable and one doesn't feel every pebble. I have wide feet with a protruding 5th metarsal and I am fine. Normally, I wear a Mens 6D. Great shoe.

Mom broke her foot couple yrs ago. She loves shoes with a lot of cushion and light weight. She used to wear the easy spirit anti-gravity shoes, but they stopped making those and these are the closest thing.

I love these shoes! They are the lightest shoes I've ever worn, and would honestly rather wear them all day also (I do that with my Torin's). Pay attention to the break in time, you will need some time running shorter distances in these at first, so you get used to the zero drop. I have a bunion, plantar fasciitis, and some weird swelling thingy on the top of my foot, and none of it bothers me while running in these shoes. I had to get a full size larger, I normally am a 7.5 in most shoes, a 8.5 fits great.

Pay attention to that break in period. I average 5 miles per day and needed a week of increases to acclimate my calves to the different sole. Also, be careful about toppling over if you have balance issues. I have tiny feet so opted for a half size increase and the shoe fits perfectly. Very comfortable and has significantly decreased my foot pain in both feet though I still have trouble with plantar fasciitis in the right foot. Alternated these with my hiking boots on a hiking trip and will be replacing my boots. These shoes were great on rocky terrain.

I love my Altra's! I have really wide feet and these are great. They run small, so I ordered a size larger than I usually do. Super comfy!

I absolutely LOVE these shoes. They are so comfortable and cushy. I started having knee pain 2 years ago and despite taking it easy and quitting running, my knees never felt quite right. With these, the pain and clicking is gone. As far as function, I'll compare them to shoes I've worn. They are cushier than Saucony Triumphs, and they have the wide toe box like Merrell's barefoot running shoes, which I need due to my wider toe spread and bunions. They are perfect! The only thing to be aware of is that they run REALLY small. I normally wear a size 8.5/9, but I had to go up to a size 10. I originally ordered a 9.5 based on similar reviews and found that they were still too small.

Wasn't sure about these, and still not sure I love the toe roll. They are super cushioned, which was a bit odd at first, but I wanted more cushion for the treadmill. I find that more and more these are the shoes I pick to wear for every day. Once I got used to them, they were extremely comfortable. Anxious to try the new Paradigm, which are similar cushioning without so much toe roll.

I am trying the Olympus for the first time because I have bad metatarsalgia and neuromas on both feet and am looking for a shoe that won't aggravate them. I trail run ~25-30 miles/week. So far I really like them! My feet still have some issue, but I think these shoes are really helping! An as a added bonus my legs don't get as tired and I feel like I run better! They aren't the most attractive shoe and they definitely run 1/2 size small. I will buy them again!

Great shoe. I normally wear a size 11 and did size up to a 12, but they are still just a tad bit short. I do like the exceptional comfort and ergonomic design.

I have terrible arthritis in my feet and bunions (oh the joys of aging). I am also a runner! I have always worn New Balance as they come in 2E. Recently someone recommended Altra. I was skeptical as they don't come in "W." I just came back from a 7 mile run, second day out of the box! I have slight discomfort/burning in one foot but...I am confident they will break in. It is a blessing to have found these as I was worried about not being able to exercise any more! I also have a pair of the Altra Zero Drop Torrin 1.5, which I use for walking. They just came home from 2 weeks in Israel...perfectly comfy! Yes! Colors a bit funky but...they are so strangely fugly anyway that they work.

Runs a full size small. I wear a 6.5 in 95% of shoes these I ordered a 7 and my toe is at the end. Going to try a 7.5. I heard they run short, even the Altra site says so.

I usually wear an 8.5 in my new balance shoes, but after reading the reviews I went up a whole size. The fit on the purple 9.5 was too short and I have to return it. The fit on the gun metal 9.5 was perfect. So even still the size was pretty inconsistent.

Very comfortable shoe. I normally wear an 8.5 in athletic shoes and ordered that in this style. My big toe hits the end of the shoe so next pair will be a 9.0.

Shoes feel really good. They seem to take the pressure off my knees. However, they run really small. In regular shoes I wear a 9.5. In athletic shoes, I sometimes have to go up to a 10. In these, even the 10 felt a half-size to a full size too small. Hopefully, the next pair fit better. So thankful Zappos has free shipping both ways. That means more shoes!

Nice shoe with lots of cushioning. Unfortunately, these athletic shoes seem to run a lot smaller than normal shoes. I usually wear a 7.5, but upped it to an 8. Still too small, both in length and tight in width. Am now going to try a men's size and see if that doesn't afford me the room in the toebox that I'm looking for. Zappos is great as always.

I loved the lace spacing, fit, roomy toe box, and low under ankle bone. Didn't like that the forefoot is so soft. I like more substance and stability there. I rolled my ankle over the forefoot just walking and suffered a high ankle sprain wearing them. Maybe it was a freak accident, but it don't completely trust them now!

I have this shoe in a different color. They did not fit the same at all. Love the shoe but this time, they did not fit.

I normally would not use offensive language to describe anything. It drives people away and they just stop reading. This shoe was such a big disappointment. Arrg!! I have spent years getting used to Hoka Mafate running shoes. Ever since they sold the company the quality has gone dropped. I have searched everywhere for a replacement. The Olympus came highly recommended. Even though it has a lot of thickness, (stack height), it is NOT ELASTIC AT ALL. Its just like walking on a brick. The reason Hoka is not number one shoe is the height and the added weight. The height makes for a very dangerous shoe. I have dislocated one ankle already. The weight is 16 oz for a M9.5. The Hoka is ELASTIC. It is like wearing a spring. I can can run down hill 2 minutes per mile faster in them than anything else. The Olympus is hard and unresponsive. No matter how hard I came down on them they would not rebound. After two tries and very painful heels I gave up. Don't waste your time or money.