Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 4

The Olympus has been my shoe of choice for long trail runs and 50-100 mile races since the first version. I've worn out 2-3 pairs of each version since then. The best version was the 3.0 and the 3.5 was pretty close. The 4.0 is a big step in the wrong direction because of the following changes: 1. In order to make the shoes lighter and more flexible, they removed the vibram rubber in 4 grooves that run the length of the forefoot and are about 3/8" wide. They also put grooves in the EVA so it is even thinner there. So there is now quite a bit of midsole foam exposed in the forefoot and much less rock protection. Rocks penetrate these voids on a painfully regular basis on every run. 2. The midsole EVA seems to squish out much more quickly - after only 150 miles it feels pretty much done. I'm not sure if they changed the formula or if it's just because there is a lot less outsole rubber to prevent rock penetration, but these shoes are nowhere near as good on rocky trails as previous versions. 3. The fit is not as good, less padding and maybe a larger heel opening makes it harder to get a good heel lockdown. 4. There is no outsole rubber under the center of the heel, just a 1" groove with exposed EVA foam (similar to previous versions). This allows rock penetration under the heel as well. 5. They now have a split heel rudder again, for inexplicable reasons. 6. There are 3 useless "wings" on the 2nd lace holes from the bottom/front, which make it harder to get a good fit and add some weight and complexity. I'm going to cut them off since the shoes are pretty much done anyway. 7. The tounge slides to the lateral side in spite of the "keeper" that the laces go through. It will not stay in place, and so the central cutout in the top of the tongue is way off to the side not doing its job, while the medial side of the tongue is long and kind of sharp and hits the tendon right in the center of the top of my foot. It gets softer with time but when new this caused some irritation for sure. I'm about 150 lbs and with previous versions I would easily get 350-400 miles from each pair before relegating them to shorter/flatter runs, and after 500 or so miles retire them. After only 150 miles, the 4.0's are no longer feeling like a max-cushion shoe, and no longer protecting my feet from rocks, which means they are pretty much useless on long runs and rocky trails. I guess if you're running flat canal towpaths they might be OK, but for anything else I want more protection and longer lasting cushioning. Please bring back the 3.0 and/or 3.5. Till then I'm switching to Hokas for my long runs and mountain ultras. 2 Stars

I was struck by a rattlesnake last week and the Olympus 4 reinforced front saved me as there was no fang penetration. I have been running with this shoe for 6 month now 4 times a week and loving it. Thank you Altra for this great shoe

I wanted something similar to the Lone Peak but more rugged. The Olympus 4 fits the Bill. However, the toe box feels narrower and the heel feels wider than the Lone Peak. I have to make sure they are tied tight to avoid heel lift.

I am 6'5" 220lbs. Averaging 40 miles per week. Was having problems with circulation after 10 miles of running. Altra Olympus solved this. Great traction, support, and cushion. Was worried at first with a little bit of heel slip. Used a "runners knot" to get a great lock down. Some trail shoes were punishing on gravel roads. Altra Olympus have been great on everything from asphalt to technical to soft. Couldn't be happier.

I love this shoe! I'm a long time Altra customer. This is by far my favorite. I bought and trained with them for a month completing 3 training trail runs of 18, 21, 21miles. Then headed of to the Grand Canyon for Rim to Rim to Rim. They preformed excellent. Cushy and responsive and never a loss of traction. Didn't have to be concerned where I landed on the trail. Rocks don't matter with this shoe. Completed the course with no blisters and feet were sore but overall good. Thanks Altra please keep these in stock. I noticed you no longer had my size 13 available. I hope this is short term.

I am a typical trail runner build with typical feet size (6'/150lbs with not too skinny, not too fat size 12.5 shoes). I always size up a half size for foot swelling but these shoes are a perfect fit overall and you have to embrace the toe splay concept. Toe splay is a by far the best way to improve the connected trail feel, no other shoe allows for this type of connected running feel. This is the most stable and nimble Altra I have ever run in the past 10-years and I could not imagine running a 50/62/100 mile race without it. The sole of the shoe is brilliantly designed, and it feels like you have independent Fox 2.0 suspension in the rear (left and right sides absorb impact separately allowing you to sail the gnarly terrain). Additionally, the traction the shoes achieves when it's wet is simply the best in the market and the rubber hardens up to make the shoes Altra fast when it's hot out (I jokingly say the rubber is magic flubber). The shoes drain water perfectly and they are Altra comfortable, I never get blisters or busted nails. I can literally bomb the mountain like a freestyle skier because these shoes are so nimble and stable, they are incredible. I am stock piling the 4.0s because I got a preview of the 5.0s and the upper on the 5.0 is deal breaker. The material on the upper rises too high on the ankle and now cuts into the outer bumps on the Tibia and Fibula. I am ok with some of the ticker material approach the upper must not come up as high (similar to the redesign of the TIMP4). You will get lots of complains for the normal size running community so keep making the 4.0s and compare adoption. The 4.0 is the best shoes Altra has made in 10-years IMO.

I've ran two 100+ mile races in the Olympus 4 shoe and it's amazing! This is my go to shoe for any run over 15 miles. It's light, stable, I never have to worry about slipping or hurting my feet on rocky terrain and they look fantastic. It's the perfect shoe for me, I'd highly recommend it!!

I have a wide toe box, and hiking, fast packing, trail running require shoes that can be stable and comfortable in all terrain. Grippy, love this shoe!

Would dock a half star as they are slightly too wide in heel and the laces are difficult to get snugged up and they loosen up more quickly than normal. I always have to tighten any shoe before descending a trail. I use these for Hiking so the sloppyish heel is less of an issue and the luxury of the roomy toe box and high cushion is really why I love this shoe and have 10 pairs stashed away in my closet. That said it takes me about 2-3 minutes per shoe to get the laces tight.

Best shoes I have ever owned. This is now my 6'th pair.

I've run in Altra shoes for nearly seven years, Two years ago Altra changed the sizing on the styles. This is a return to the original and the best shoes ever! After 500 miles they are still great!

This is the ALTRA shoe I like best, reason for ordering a spare one, just in case the model is discontinued, please don't.

I wore for everyday things for the first two weeks and felt pretty good about them. I went on my first somewhat long , 12 mile, hike with them this weekend and could not be more pleased. Very comfortable, good traction on a variety of surfaces and my feet were not fatigued or sore afterwards.

Awesome for my wide feet!!!

700 miles of trail on them! No problem with durability. A couple of snags but I was doing class two rock scrambling and scrapped them on sandstone and snagged them on chaparral. Considering the abuse I feel they did well. Super traction and amazing comfort. They feel like a technical moccasin. I've retired them from the trail but I am using them for dog walks and work shoes. I bought more pairs these are my all time favorite trail hiking shoe.

I've been using Olympus for about 6 yrs now and the 4.0 are my all time favorite.