Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 3.5

I've tried numerous brands and styles. I stand and walk in concrete ten hours a day at work and my back and knees suffer if I wear inadequate shoes. The Olympus 3.5 has the best cushioning of any shoe that I have worn. I also wear the Paradigm 4.5 and it is very good, but it does not prevent fatigue the way the Olympus does. I am on this site Now to order another pair.

I have been with Olympus through it's last several versions. The cushion and outsoles have always been spot on, but the durability of the uppers greatly increased with the 3.5. I have been running in the pair I currently have for several months with no significant compression or abrasions. My only issue is that when wet, the insole tends to bunch towards the front on downhills. This was easily fixed with a piece of double-sided tape. Ready to break in a fresh pair for the upcoming season, if there are any races to run.

I was finally able to get this shoe once it was available in my size. I wore them 2 days before participating in a local 50K trail race. As soon as I hit the trail, I knew this was the perfect shoe for me! The cushion performed as it should, the traction was amazing, and for the size of the shoe? They didn't feel heavy or sluggish at all. I will buy this specific model of Altra over and over again because this shoe definitely meets the demands of the trails!...Thanks Altra!!!

I have had a few Altras (and for me - and with older feet) this the best shoe for backpacking which gave the most comfort I have had in years. I have been rock and ice climbed and had all the high tech gear and boots for all of it. For long trips in the Backcountry this is much better than a boot weighing too much. Of course for colder weather and ice fields a more rigid high performance boot is required; however, when staying on the trail, this shoe should provide all the compfot, stability and support needed. Fits as described. I have a high Arch and this should gives me the support I need. Highly recommend.

I have had 3 pairs of Olympus and on my 4th. Prior to wearing Altra's I was on Salomons which were good but Olympus' grip, cushioning, stability and comfort converted me. I run on trails that are wet in many occasions and the Megagrip just gives me the confidence I won't be slipping on my way down especially wet rocks. The thick cushioning save my knees from the damage going down steps. If there is abit of imperfection, I would say its the weak adhesion of the outsole at the toe box which is the first thing to go unstuck after 100 miles or so. I have to say, the colour combo of the new Altras are way more attractive than before. Good job guys!

I've struggled with many IT = knee issues over the years. While I know there are many factors to these issues shoes can be a contributor. I've seen Ultra's on practically everyone in the trail and adventure running scene this past couple of years. So I decided to try them. I'm now on my second pair. What I've found is a stable ride, amazing cushioning, great room for foot swelling (no lost toenails!) and just a great shoe. From day one there we're no hot spots and the shoes just fit great. From trail to concrete these shoes give my legs great shock absorption and I comfort. Can't say enough great things and a true believer after many years of pain I'm so much better....no runner has 0 pain.

I have been wearing the Olympus 3.0 for a while now. Short runs and long runs, they have been great! I recently retired them to be my "mowing" shoes and loved them so much that I un-retired them twice. With that said, I received the 3.5 about a month ago and I feel the exact same way about them as I do about my old pair. I've only gone on a couple of runs with them so far and the runs are just as enjoyable and comfortable as I had hoped. This is the shoe.

The Olympus 3.5 is my second pair of Altra's. The first was the Timp 1.5. Both work well for me. I do a lot of hiking and some trail running on uneven, knarly, rooty, rocky and steep trails in the Tillamook Forest. I switch back and forth between shoes every other day hiking. I have hiked up to ten hours straight per day and foot pain is almost non exsistant. I really like the zero slope because you use your entire foot and Altras seem to get better traction. Maybe because of this. I have not had a problem with either shoe and am hiking and trail running on average 25 to 35 miles per week the last few months.

I have had the 2.0 for over 3 years for occasional running (help reduce knee enjury) but mostly walking all day (help reduce sore and swollen feet). I started using them for work to help relieve plantar fasciitis. I can't say they helped with my knee, I wore a knee brace that helped a lot when I wore the shoes, and my knee pain is non existent as long as I use proper form. Using the shoes for walking, they were like walking on clouds, dense squishy clouds, and I did notice an improvement in foot pain. They greatly helped with my plantar fasciitis! Now that I have the 3.5, I've noticed my 2.0 are not as soft to walk on as the 3.5. whether the 3.5 are made softer or if the 2.0 have been wearing out, I don't know, but these shoes have been great! I looked into other maximalist shoes but the zero drop is why I keep choosing Altra. It makes sense that people would feel more comfortable going from boots made for riding horses to shoes with a slope, but it doesn't make sense to have a slope considering we no longer ride horses and our bodies are not made to have extra lift under our heels.

Negligible change in fit feel and function from 3.0. Only issue I had with the 3 was toe cap peeling back some after 100 miles or so. I have worn Olympus since they first came out and the three and 3.5 or no doubt the clunkiest looking. Especially the outsole. But they work for me quite well and are surprisingly stable with excellent grip. They snug down nicely in the midfoot to minimize slide but have room in forefoot. Got the gray with green accents and I like it a lot. Have to say if I could have found 3.0 in my size 12 cheaper I may have gotten them. Still, I am happy with these.

I have two sets of Altras I use. I use Timps for the trails I run (best trail running shoe I have tried) and Olympus for the road. I do this because I tried to run the trails (technical steep and rocky) with the Olympus when my Timps brokedown but immediately began twisting my ankles. The stack height really caused problems when navigating builders, etc.. especially when moving at a quick pace. I had to retire these to road running only. I do have knee injuries and the Olympus have been wonderful to glide around on roads or smooth trails. Highly recommend but be careful when using on technical trails.

Cushioning and traction seem very good. Exceeds my expectations. However, these shoes are too tight over the top of my feet. To make the problem worse, the laces seem too short, I can barely tie them. Perhaps once they're more broken-in there will be enough give, but I don't recall a pair of Altras (this is my fourth) feeling tight like this. This is my first pair of trail shoes, so maybe that's just how they're designed. Time will tell.

True to form, this shoe has the wide toebox which I've grown accustomed to. But the width seems to extend all the way back around my heel. So much that during runs I often stop and re-tie my shoes trying to get a secure fit. There is lots of side-to-side play inside so I think I'll try some different insoles to help stabilize my foot. Otherwise a great shoe. These have replaced my Hoka Speedgoats which feel too narrow now.

Downhill traction on wet dirt/mud/snow (and steep dry dirt) trails faded fairly quickly for me as the tread in the heel area wore down. I have the 3.0's. The tread appears to be the same on the 3.5's. Good shoe, but the tread pattern doesn't work well for me for those kinds of trails/conditions. Fine on the uphills. IMO, best use is probably for gravel or rocky trails. Very cushiony, smooth ride. Stopped using them for forest trails after about 150 miles due to the traction issue (almost injured myself a couple times) and now happily use them as road shoes...currently approaching 300 miles. Upgraded my trail traction to a pair of King Mountains (and Lone Peak mid RSM's for winter slop). Traction problem solved. However, they're not cushiony shoes. For traction AND cushion? Maybe the Timp 2.0's? They're next on my list when it's time for new shoes. :)

Just unboxed Olympus 3.5s. Was hesitant buying and trying but so glad I did. Went with grey/lime color size 11. Happy with lone peaks but I think I will start rocking these instead. Gave four stars only because I haven't hiked in them yet but see no future problems. Super cush! Ok time to get them dirty!