Customer Reviews Altra Via Olympus

I really wanted this to be my new go-to shoe. Unfortunately, I had to send it back because it just wasn't wide enough ( I wear 4E in other brands). I loved the cushioning and the way it affected my gate. Please make this shoe in the original shape, but wide (like the Lone Peak). It would immediately replace any other brand I have used.

First off, huge Altra fan. I've owned a few road shoes and a pair of hikers from Altra and have been impressed more often than not. Too start with on this particular style: I had to return my normal shoe size for a half size larger. Even then, the insole is the exact same dimensions as my Torins in the smaller size. The stiffness of the outsole makes it to where I have to overtighten the laces to get a good heel lockdown, in turn causing my feet to go numb about 2 miles into a run. All in all, I wish the foam was a little more pliable, the toe box a little wider, and the sizing to be consistent across the board. Durability seems not to be an issue here.

These are ok but when I put on my old Torin 4s and Torin 4.5s these feel way harder in the sole. It is kind of disappointing. The cushion is not comparable, and both of my Torins have tons of miles on them (both are over 1.5 years old). I will likely go back to Torins, but I do not like how they keep getting more narrow. The width and fit on the Olympus is perfect, just need a more cushy feel in the sole.

Received these as a gift three months ago and felt wonderful. 3 months later, the left shoe is pinching my foot on the inside when i step down. I reached out to Altra...told me it was wear and tear with basically tons of tread life left....They were comfy to begin with and was pleased but if 3 months is the life expectancy I wont purchase again. They seem delicate.

These shoes feel nice for walking and perhaps hiking in, but they were much too hard for the long runs I had planned on using them for. In fact, my Provision 6 and Provision 7 shoes provide much more comfort than these shoes. Altra makes some really great shoes. This one isn't for me.

I can't understand the reviews that say this shoe is cushiony. The pair I received are hard like bricks. Actual bricks that don't bend or give at all. They are so stiff I had difficulty walking across the room. I wonder if they have a mfg issue bc these are HARD. Not at all what I expected. I typically wear a 10 Wide in the Torin so got a 10 in these and I would definitely need to go up to 10.5 if I wanted to keep them. I am sending them back due to the absolute rock-like feel of the "max cushion." Torin is so much more comfortable. Very cool looking shoe but just can't deal with the stiffness.

SO DISAPPOINTED!! I've been asking for a road shoe based on the original foot shape based on the Olympus for a while. I was STOKED when these dropped. After putting them on the first time, that immediately turned to disappointment. These are nowhere near the width of the Olympus trail versions. They are so narrow in the heel/mid-foot that the inside of my foot is actually sitting on the edge of the foam sole. I REALLY want to love these, but no way I can wear them. Going to have to return mine and keep waiting I guess.

The original foot shape was excellent. Putting them on felt great but when I ran or walked I them they are very stiff, unlike the Olympus trail model. It feels like a stability show honestly. They seem durable and lightweight but feel like running on bricks. My feet went numb after 1.5 miles. The rocker shape may be something that I am not used to in Altra shoes. It makes my feet feel like there's a drop.

Group of 5 of us tested these, every user felt the underfoot was hard, not cushy at all, a bit of a clunky ride. Surprised to see the 5 star reviews claiming these are Cush.

I received these in the black men's size 8. Pros: And they are very light but sturdy! Originally size 9 in women and they fit with enough room for a thick sock. No need for me to size up which I like. Cons: these are not made for over pronation feet. I am flat footed and over pronate and these shoes allow my feet to roll inwards. It looks like it will support due to the wide footbed but this is a facade to the true feel. I feel let down. I will keep them and insert my ortho inserts into them and see if that helps to use for my daily walks with my dog but other than that I'll stick with my Asic Kayano 30 for the real walking. Thanks anyway Altra. And thank you Sierra that I didn't have to spend a ton of money!!!

Loved the original foot bed, but very stiff. Not comfortable for walking.

Love the style and colorway options; this shoe is one of the most uncomfortable running shoes I've ever owned. I bought these since I had been eyeing them for over a year, but after 5 miles, these will go in the back of the closet as a last resort. If I can provide any advice to Altra: it's to get your in-house product marketing team a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam More V4s. Even the V5s drop in the spring of 2024. Get them those. Ultra cushion shoes shouldn't be a "deload" or "recovery" shoe. This talk is nonsense. I like running on a cloud for a 5k or a half, doesn't matter. The moment an ultra cushion shoes goes on the feet, the connection and comfort should be IMMEDIATELY felt without stepping foot outside.

For me the sole of this shoe felt very strange. It's hard to describe but the hardness was vastly different depending on the section. Under the ball of the foot the softness felt appropriate and if running this was fine as I land on the front to mid section. What seemed way off to me was the later and heel section. Especially the inner section of the heel. I honestly couldn't believe how hard it is. With normal walking on sidewalks each step was a reverberation of the cement all the way up my legs into my body. And the sound with each step was like I was walking in high heels or clogs as it made a very loud and noticeable sound with each step when the hard section of the sole made contact with the ground surface. The rest of the shoe was fine. I only wore them once and already felt some discomfort in my foot and legs due to the abnormal hard heel section. Can not recommend this shoe. The Paradigm 6 is much better suited for me.

Max Cushioning? When running, I sound like a Clydesdale racing for the barn. Wouldn't recommend for running for us older folk. Maybe race walking around the mall. Back to the Torin's

Having spent thousands of miles in Lone Peaks and the Torin, I bought the Via Olympus expecting even more of the great cushion of the Torin. Already the Torin is almost too small for me. My Lone Peak in size 15 are fantastic. The Torin in 15 is barely usable, somehow it's a smaller 15. Upon wearing the Via Olympus, I discovered that it is much more stiff ride than a Torin, although taller, and even smaller than the Torin! Not even close to a 15. I am losing my mind figuring out Altra's sizing. But to buy the MAX CUSHION shoe not feel cushiony at all is baffling.

I bought these after being recommended them by a friend. After years of jamming my feet into football cleats, I have a wicked tailors bunion. These shoes hug way too tight on the outside of my foot causing circulation issues. Idk how altra got its reputation but if these are the shoes they did it with, I find it hard to believe. Maybe they were great at one point? It looks like they decided that they no longer need to make a quality product. If you love the shoe, I'm happy for you! But if you're looking for a wide toe box show to alleviate pressure on a tailors bunion, this isn't going to do it.

I agree with other reviewers that the foam is too stiff. I put 136 miles on them and they did not soften. Switched to the new altra Torin 7's which feel softer and I'm really enjoying them.

The front plastic was ripping off my toenails. I wrote to the company, but got no response. Hopefully they can fix this. Other than this I really like them.

I wanted something like a Rivera 2 with more cushion...this ain't it. Like other have mentioned, the Cushion on the Olympus 2 feels ROCK HARD, they really messed up somewhere in designing this shoe.