Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 4

I purchased a pair of Olympus 4 on the advise of my sister, who is so afraid that Altra is going to ruin yet ANOTHER pair of shoes, that she stocked up on 8 pairs because she uses them for ultra-light hiking. So, although I don't have an unusually wide foot, I grabbed a pair. I had been trying out several different types of mid-top hikers, and gave up after none of them felt right. These Olympus feel great. Lots of room in the toe box, great Vibram soles (that I hope will last longer than Altra's standard sole) The pull 'em on strap in the back is actually big enough to get a large finger into (unlike my Lone Peak hikers whose loop is so tiny you can't get any finger into it). I like the cushion on the Olympus...very cushy, but not overly so; you can still feel the trail, just not get stone bruised. The toe tip seems sufficient; i've kicked my big toe into a few things and no major complains. I'd just like to add: Altra, i know you got bought out, but for the love of God, can you please leave the Altra brand, known for zero drop and roomy toe boxes, alone? Stop listening to the shopper who have LOTS of other choices of shoes, or just make different widths in your line-up. It's discouraging to find a great brand, and then have it totally obliterated once the owners sell-out and move on. Greed...so frustrating.

This is my 4th pair of Altras. They seem to be the perfect shoe for my small but extremely wide feet. I love, love, love my Lone Peaks, but there's just not enough cushion for my ever worsening plantar fasciitis. So, I saved up to buy the Olympus 4. They were great right out of the box...a month or so later, not so much. I felt a hot spot on my heel after my last trip out. When I took them off I saw that the inside heel lining is completely busted on my right shoe, leaving a hole that will surely cause some issues. The left one is starting to tear too. I haven't even worn them on a run yet, only walks in the woods. I expect more from such an expensive shoe. In fact, I expect more from an inexpensive shoe!

I have spurs, arthritis, bunions, inflamed achilles and cranky plantar tendon issues in my feet and long-ago broken bones that still groan (chased by a rooster over a plowed field - turned my ankle and SNAP went the metatarsals). I wear good shoes, but lately, it's been getting harder to find comfort in even my trustiest go-to brands. I've shifted my workouts from running to biking and swimming, but we help raise guide dogs so walking/hiking is a must every day so I'm giving these a go. Right out of the box, my feet feel better than they have felt in two years. My step feels solid and the degree of cushioning is just right - not so soft that my achilles don't get enough stability, but cushy enough to feel cloud-like. The grips are good on the wet pavement. I'm hoping the no-rise soles and wide toe box will keep my bunions from worsening. Fingers crossed, it looks like I've found "my shoe."

The stack height of 33 mm is vital for me in my daily runs. Provides great underfoot cushioning. I had the Olympus 3 prior to the 4 and both are very comfortable in my usual 9.5 size. Lockdown is better in the 4 and is best version yet for me! Little on the pricey side but between underfoot cushioning and zero drop plus Vibram sole, it's a must buy for me. Will buy again! Love the black/white/melon-orange color way!

This is my fourth pair of Altras, I started out with the Olympus (which I love ) went to the Superior and found they were to narrow for my feet then on to the LonePeak 4.5 which I loved and back to Olympus which hands down is my favorite so far. I run in them 3 times a week and wear them to walk as well. My bunions love this model. I did go up half a size from a 7.5 to an 8. I'm definitely a die hard fan of Altra &the zero drop.

I use these for walking on loose gravel trails, and the grip and stability is amazing. I am prone to ankle sprains and really appreciate the support. I do wish I had ordered up a half size (bought a 10.5 wish I had bought an 11)

I am a Fed ex courier. I have to use a marker on the teal of the black shoes to wear them but these shoes are worth the extra effort. I walk a lot. These are absolutely wonderful. All my knee pain is gone with these shoes. I have bought three pair and intend on buying more.

this is by far my most comfortable shoe. I have very wide feet - short toes and a medium arch and these Olympus are unbelievably comfortable and cushiony ! I also have Hokas but even compared to the blushest model - these Olympus are better - at least for wide feet. They grip the trail, work well on concrete and are not hot even on summer days. I have taken them on 5 mile ( speed) walks right out of the box and my feet felt great afterwards. Fair warning that these have a wider than usual toe box - I love it .. but for very narrow footed people this might not be desirable. I have worn these in ice and snow, in mud, on rocks, gravel and all kinds of ground and had no issues. I love the zero drop shoes and my knees and back are much better with Altra shoes! The only downside is ... these shoes are not flattering by any stretch of the imagination ... they are wide and kind of interesting looking - I am getting question sometimes about the shape but to me ... comfort is everything and I will wear these everywhere

I have tried quite a few Altra shoes and this Olympus is my favorite! Some Altra shoes are wider than others and this Olympus is cut like a Lone Peak and runs nice and wide. I have an extremely wide forefoot and have plenty of wiggle room for my toes in these two models. The main difference is the amount of cushioning, stack hight and tongue. While the lone peak has a cushioned tongue the Olympus has the thinner sports tongue on the edges - no sharpness there however and it feels comfortable with regular socks. The Olympus is maximal cushioned and high ... - this isn't a shoe that will win any type of beauty competitions - wide, with high sole ... not flattering but ... if you can get over the looks ... it is the most comfortable ride you can imagine. Run on your forefoot and you feel plenty of cushioning right under the ball of your foot, heel strike and there too - plenty of cushion. I compared this to a Bondi and the cushion is pretty close. I appreciate the zero drop however and the more secure heel feel. This Olympus is also not getting as hot as most of my other maximum cushioned shoes - a huge advantage for me! The sole is nice and grippy on the trail and despite the impressive stack hight I seem to be able to feel the trail better than in other cushioned hikers - likely because the length groves on the sole allow more flexing. I have both maximum cushioned and minimal shoes and love both for different applications .. my only gripe with the shoe are ... the laces ... no matter what I do ... they seem to loosen and I will exchange them ... maybe because of the reflective strips ?? If you have a wide foot and are looking for a ridiculous amount of cushioning, the Olympus will make you happy. I am not sure how a very narrow foot would fare in these as the toe box is spacious ... the heel however is nicely locked and not loose at all with plenty of support.

At first I thought they were big because it's not what I've been used to all these years. I wear size 9 and thought my feet would look huge. Nope! Make my feet look tiny. Well, I'll never buy any other shoe again. These are perfect shoes for any foot. Whoever designed these shoes knows feet and the body. Genius!

What can I say, I dont like the tongue on these new shoes, tbe way the lace ties over it makes it slippery and quicker to loosen. The material is stiff and my feet sweat a lot more. They are stiffer unlike the older ones that have loose nylon material. Why do good things have to end so soon? I love my 3.5's, not so much with the 4.

The tongue is so UNCOMFORTABLE. I don't understand why it is the shape it is. It cuts in to your ankle. So bummed because Iiked them otherwise.

I have owned every model of the Olympus and I was so thrilled to receive the 4 in the beautiful blue as well as the peach/navy color. Glad I got 2 pair to rotate them on my runs. I sized up a half size because the Olympus 3 ran a little short for me. Incredibly comfortable shoe! Wore them to work tonight and the blue pair matches my scrubs perfectly! Thank you Altra.

I've been wearing Altras for almost 4 years now. They've been great for me, but this shoe has been particularly outstanding for my neuromas. I've bought 3 pairs! I do several miles of walking every day and occasionally can run on soft surfaces. I have to use orthotics, but they fit in the shoe easily. I can wear these shoes all day with great comfort. I even bought a pair for my husband, who doesn't at all have my feet problems... and he loves running in them. He said it improved the way his knees felt. So five stars!! Altra... It would be great if you would consider an all black pair!

I've owned several pairs of these over the years and this is my favorite one yet. It's not short at the toe like the last model and I love how comfortable they are.