Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX

These shoes are well cushioned and comfortable. Unfortunately, half way through my first hike, the vibram glue-ons started to separate from the sole. Reading the reviews, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Until Altra fixes this issue, no serious hiker should rely on these shoes. They may be great around town, but they cannot be depended on.

As others have mentioned, these shoes are too narrow. They say they're the original fit, but they are definitely not. I've had many pairs of Altras, including a pair of the new Via Olympus. These don't feel good and that's a major bummer. I don't have a lot of shoe choices due to my feet shape. Altra has bummed me out lately with poor quality and now this, so I'm probably going to be looking around for alternatives.

Only walked in them less than 5 miles

I recently hiked a segment of the GA section of the AT. Springer Mountain to Neel Gap. Decided at last minute to wear these instead of the LonePeak 6 (which I love). They were warm, provided great traction, and gave a bit more protection from rocky terrain. Definitely the right choice for me. My buddy was slipping and sliding. I didn't slip or lose my footing once.

This is the only Altra shoe I found built for hiking, not running. I use this for daily hill-climbing (3-5 miles) on regional park trails, not for running (80 y/o). I really like the large toe box design, which resolves a long-standing fit issue for my wide feet. I ordered a size 14, which is my regular hiking shoe size. There was no 14.5 option and I don't want to go to 15. The shoes are too short in the large toe and damaged my toenails and caused swelling when I broke the shoes in. I will lose both toenails. Still do not know about durability. Style is fine. I think there is a huge market for wide toe box hiking shoes. I walk >1,000 miles a year.

Fantastic support Less knee pain while hiking and the next day Great traction, feel connected to the ground. Changed my hiking

I've only run in the snow so far and these have frozen to provide good traction. Not great on ice but good enough for a vibrant sole without spikes. Kept my feet complete dry as well. This feels like a sturdy well built shoe that has become my go to for winter and wet weather running and hiking.

The laces are too short and it causes them to be tied a bit tight. The shoe itself does in fact need to be broken in. They aren't terrible though. The timp is more comfortable in my opinion.

I have the non GTX and I love those. The waterproof aspect is fine but the fit is very tight. I have the same shoe in the same size except this one is waterproof and it feels like different sizes. The laces are too short and the ankle loop that was perfect on the non GTX is tiny and sucks now. Pulling on your shoes is much easier with a loop that fits two fingers and is an inch wide unlike this new one that only fits one finger and isn't as wide as a shoelace.

I researched similar shoes for weeks, and I bought a pair six weeks ago. They fit great, the toe box is perfect for my bunion, the cushioning is as good as my Hoka Bondis, and the waterproofing has been perfect so far. However, I noticed when I was walking on smooth floors indoors, they were very sticky sounding. Like, so sticky sounding everyone in earshot notices and looks up. I thought it would wear off after a while, but it hasn't. I posed the question to Altra, and they responded, "The Olympus has a Vibram outsole, which is intentionally very sticky. It keeps the wearer from slipping when hiking or trail running, but it will stick to slick indoor surfaces." I have lots of shoes and boots with Vibram (or similar) outsoles, and none of them sound like this. I bought these shoes for traveling in the cities and countryside of the UK in rainy October. Seemed like a versatile shoe for a light traveler. Not sure I'm going to take them now, since it's likely that when I'm in Westminster Abbey it will sound like I stepped in a plate of maple syrup on my way in the building. Too much to pay for shoes I can only use outdoors. It's unfortunate. I really like the shoes, but the sound is ridiculous and embarrassing. I can't recommend these shoes, and I won't buy them again, because of this.

Very comfortable, nice walking/hiking shoe, especially with Goretex in the winter in low snow in CO. But the tread is peeling off. Not good. If you fix the tread, this is a 5 star shoe.

Was excited to get these well cushioned hiking shoes. The cushioning is great. The grip from the tread is great. Other than that I am very disappointed. I got a full size up from my street shoe size. Even at that, these shoes are tight and stiff. After about 10 miles on two hikes, they seem to be loosening up and are stopping the pressure points on the top and outside my forefoot. They fit much tighter and are much stiffer than my other Altra shoes that are half a size smaller. But perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the shoes are already worn through on the inside top of the foot opening. I think the stiffness of the shoe causes this point to bend out when flexing the foot. My other show hits it at this point as the foot comes forward. See picture for wear and tear after just two outings adding up to about 10 miles.

Have bought altras in the past for their width, the Olympus 5 is wayyy narrower than any altra I've had in the past. I can't even wear them with the insole in. Bummer! Also the heel tread started to peel on the 1st day I wore them.

I received these as a replacement under warranty for a pair of Olympus 5s that were falling apart after a month. The size is ok, however these shoes as well as all the newer Olympus 5s fit way too tight and narrow. I don't know why everyone's been raving out Altra's as a minimalist thru hiking shoe. Why would you want to go minimal on your footwear. You need to take care of your feet. I'm so frustrated with Altra at this point. I've had 7 pairs of Altra's in the last 2 1/2 years, they all fall apart way too fast, they used to fit great but now they're all too narrow and too tight. They aren't worth $180-$200, if they fall apart in 2-3 months. Now I have a pair of shoes I received under warranty that are way too tight and uncomfortable and another pair of Olympus 5s that fit tight as well with the sole falling apart and coming unglued. I think I may switch to New Balance and stick with Keen or Asolo.

I think this NEEDS to be said. Altra has some serious problems with manufacturing. I have bought many pairs of shoes from Altra, even 4-5 of the same pair because a shoe of the same model and size can vary widely. I wonder how many of the negative reviews on this site are due to, not a problem with the shoe's design, but due to significant manufacturing inconsistencies. These are too small, but is it just this pair? My size is pretty consistent with Altra (I think) and other brands. I was really excited about this shoe for the sake of the gore-tex and it coming in the original foot shape. (Also, I don't understand why they are moving away from the more natural, wider toe box and making them narrower. Many People buy Altras for the zero drop and natural, WIDER toe box.) Now only a few are available in that shape. Now I have to decide if I'm willing find a way to float the cost of 4-5 pairs of shoes AGAIN to maybe find one made to the correct size. I imagine not everyone wants to do that; not to mention the waste of resources from the returns. I don't know, maybe instead of coming out with a new version of a shoe every 3 months, try and get your manufacturing more consistent?

I like the feel out of the box.It is however pretty snug compared to other Altras. A bit tight and firm at first. The cushion comes after a wear in period and so does the room in the toe box. I feel since its a water proof shoe this will get better in time.

Best shoes I've ever bought. I have such a hard time finding shoes for my wide feet. I also have high arches & tendinitis in my Achilles. I'm a rescue tech/first responder I highly recommend these!

I wear these every day. In the past I've had to size up because my feet are so wide, but the toe box on these are a game changer.

i walked the Camino Frances with these pair. started new with maybe 5mi of trial walking. then only used it for walking the Camino Frances. i think i can get another 100km + more out of it.

I am raising my review to 5 stars. I liked the shoe well enough after breaking it in to buy another one, half a size larger, and that feels slightly too large. My knees appreciate the extra cushion.

Awesome shoe. Have had multiple pairs of Olympus 4 and 5 w/o GORE-TEX. Took a bit to break it in compared to non GORE-TEX Olympus 5. Burly shoes. Good traction. Quite a few miles and looks and functions great. Great for winter hikes and walk daily to work. Fit is good but had to order 1/2 size larger.

Having read others' views, I ordered a half size up (from 7.5 to 8) and it is just great. It is of course WP, so doubtless too hot for warm weather, but in the 15-45 deg. range I've used it these last 135 miles on trails and gravel, it is luxurious and secure. All-day 13 mile section of Superior Hiking Trail and no hot-spots, no skids, no pain. Yes, it is a pity that no gaiter trap.. can't imagine what made them do that with a WP hiker.