Customer Reviews Altra Via Olympus 2

A joy to run in. Have Saucony Endorphin speeds for faster days. These are perfect for slower/longer. Mad comfy, good bounce, no pains, and no black toenails!! Love. Have atmos too, these are better!

As an avid runner who thrives on challenging terrains, I recently had the pleasure of lacing up the Altra Olympus 2 running shoes. Let me take you on a journey through my personal experiences and share why these shoes have become an integral part of my running arsenal. From the moment I slipped into these shoes, I was greeted by a level of comfort that surpassed my expectations. The wide toe box allowed my toes to splay naturally, giving me a sense of freedom and preventing any uncomfortable pressure points. It was as if my feet were finally able to breathe and move unhindered, even during those long-distance runs. The cushioning of the Olympus 2 is where these shoes truly shine. Altra's signature Zero Drop platform, combined with the generous stack height, provided exceptional shock absorption on every stride. Whether I was tackling rocky trails or pounding the pavement, I felt the shoes effortlessly absorb the impact, sparing my joints from unnecessary stress. This feature, in particular, has been a game-changer for me, as I've noticed a significant reduction in post-run soreness and fatigue. One of the standout features of the Olympus 2 is its impressive traction. The sticky rubber outsole, equipped with multidirectional lugs, offered excellent grip even on slippery surfaces. Ascending steep hills or navigating muddy trails became less of a challenge, allowing me to maintain my pace and focus on enjoying the run instead of worrying about slipping and sliding. Durability is always a concern when it comes to running shoes, especially for those of us who put in countless miles. The Olympus 2 did not disappoint in this regard. The durable materials used in the construction of the shoes, combined with reinforced areas where wear and tear are most likely to occur, have stood up to the test of time. Even after numerous runs through rugged trails, the shoes showed minimal signs of wear, proving their resilience. Another aspect that truly resonated with me was the overall weight of the Olympus 2. Despite the substantial cushioning and robust construction, these shoes managed to maintain a surprisingly lightweight feel. This characteristic allowed me to maintain my agility and nimbleness, ensuring I could adapt quickly to the ever-changing terrain without feeling weighed down. Finally, I must mention the aesthetic appeal of the Altra Olympus 2. The sleek design, accented by vibrant colors and thoughtful details, made me feel confident and ready to conquer any challenge that lay ahead. There's something about wearing a pair of shoes that not only performs exceptionally well but also looks great that adds an extra boost of motivation to my running routine.

A shoe sales person recommended the original Altras because of my foot shape. These are wonderful shoes! They have a great toe box and max cushion. I have put 50 road miles on these so far. A few recommendations. The first one is to make the tongue fixed. The tongue moves around. The next is to the option to have a carbon fiber plate in an original Altra. I feel this model would be the perfect one to do so in. Lastly, please add some better colors or allow people to design their own.

This shoe is the most comfortable shoe ever. I have tried several models but this one beats them all. I have two arthritic knees and because of the rocker sole I can walk faster with reduced pain! Thank you Altra!!!!!!!!!

Love them, great wide toe box, but I'll never sneak up on anyone. They are so squeaky. I've tried different insoles no insoles to no avail.

Due to metatarsalgia I purchased these shoes for the wide toe box and zero drop. After sizing up to 12 from my normal 11.5, the shoes are very comfortable and roomy. I only use them in the house. After about two months, the shoes began to squeak pretty loud. I also purchased one of the newer 4 mm drop trail shoes and have yet to squeak, however, I'm hesitant to purchase any more Altras due to this engineering flaw.

I gave 3 stars because Altra does not stock enough size 14s. I love these shoes. They have a great fit, great toe box, and great comfort. The sole, however, does wear out pretty quickly. I am ready to buy another pair however, Altra has been out of size 14s. Please stock up on size 14s in all your original fit shoes because they are always sold out!

I found that they were too narrow for my feet. I typically wear a 4E size, and despite this model being labeled as wide toe box, it felt significantly tighter than the Torin 7- Wide. One of the major issues I noticed was the lack of room above the toes, which made the shoes feel uncomfortably tight. However, I was very impressed with the cushioning and the color options available. If this model were available in a wide, I would definitely consider purchasing it again.

I can't be the be the only runner whose second toe is longer than the first toe and my middle toe is as long as my first toe. I love the 0 drop and the roomy toe box but the downward angle is too steep and my toes get smushed, and I have pain with every step.

The heels wore out after two months of casual walking. Now the plastic is exposed and hurts my heel when I walk. The shoes are great but not durable at all. Two months is not acceptable life of a shoe. Very cheap fabric inside.

Do NOT buy these. The material in the heel wore out after 3 months, normal use, nothing crazy. This is the first time this has ever happened to me in a shoe. When I reached out to Altra, they claimed it was normal wear and tear. then after complaining again, they offered a gift card for less that half of what they charge for these shoes. What else was I supposed to do except to agree, it was that or nothing.

I use these for daily walking and causal running, purchased 3 months ago, put maybe 200-250 miles on them combined. They are extremely comfy even standing all day, but durability is non-existent. Heel liner is completely worn through in multiple areas, even with lace-lock. Altra claims this is normal wear and tear. Cannot justify the price paid per mile.

I have purchased 6 pairs of these shoes in the past 12 months. Unfortunately none have lasted more than 150 miles - they all wear out at the rear INSIDE of the shoe.

I wore these shoes for about 3 months and they are already falling apart on the inside. I work all day on my feet and I am concerned that theses shoes will not hold up much longer. NOT WORTH THE MONEY

Man, these should be the shoes I've dreamt of. Struggling with Morton's Neuroma for several years, the Altras finallly give my toes/joints room to flex properly. This is the best my feet have felt in I don't know how long. Unfortunately, they do not hold up. Within 40 days, the tread of the first pair had seriously degraded despite only about 100 miles of asphalt running. The interior cloth protecting my heels had worn off both shoes as well. Altra was generous enough to let me exchange them (technically, a return and a re-purchase) in hopes that the new pair would be better. They are not. These shoes will not last more than 5 months for me. In sum, the engineering and design of these shoes is 5 star, but the quality of construction/material is a 1 star. Gotta offer us endurability, Altra!

These are hands down the best Ultra distance shoes I've ever worn. For me, I cannot wear shoes with a drop. Even with a 4mm drop, shoes do not agree with my feet. When I stepped up from half marathon and full marathon to Ultra distances, the Via Olympus 2's were the only shoes that worked without needing to swap out at intervals. The cushion was perfect for alternating between walk and run, fit is always spot on, and I would have no foot fatigue. I have torn through 4 pairs of these in my runs. My only disappointment is they discontinued them and replaced them with a shoe with a 4mm drop. I can wear the fwd via 2, but they are miserable for me for walking. I can only enjoy them if I'm doing strictly runs in them. The Via Olympus 2 filled a niche that wasn't for everyone, but those it was for, it was perfect. I wish the Olympus line would remain, I truly believe replacing the Olympus with the Fwd Via is a shame. If I could afford to, I would stock pile half a dozen pairs of the Via Olympus 2. Altra, if you're reading this, please bring back the the Olympus or something similar. Runners that go to Altra do so because of the 0 drop. Altra is the only truly comfortable 0 drop I really enjoy, and making so many into 4mm drop now, you're pushing away customers like myself that are now searching for alternative options/companies.

I have been running in Altras for the last 15 or so years. As middle age crept up on me, I welcomed a higher stack to smooth out the ride. These shoes absolutely nailed it. They are very well cushioned, but not mushy; lively, with good energy return. They have great transition from mid-foot to toe, which propels me forward. They are roomy, but not loose. And unlike the narrower, 4mm toe drop line that appears to be replacing them, they are true to Altra's original DNA. I absolutely love them.

This is the only shoe in the lineup I can wear. I tried switching to the Olympus 6, and I'm very disappointed since the shoe feels too heavy and does not have sufficient padding with the zero millimeter toe drop like the Olympus via's. I guess I got spoiled, but I'm going back to them. I understand that Altra is looking at discontinuing these, and I would strongly suggest they didn't, because you may lose more customers than just me if you do so.

I buy 4-5 pairs of these every year. I love these shoes. They are comfortable and supportive. I walk several miles a day at work on super hard concrete, and they hold up better than any other shoe I have used. These shoes are a lifesaver; they absorb all of the impact and keep me pain-free and moving at a high pace.

I love the Via Olympus 2 shoes. They're currently discontinued, but I hope Altra will bring them back in some form in the future - no drop, plenty of stack height, firm but still soft enough, no pronounced heel. I use them for long training runs, half and full marathons. Yes, I've tried the Torin 8 (not enough stack height), and the FWD Via and FWD Via 2 (my legs don't handle the 4mm drop well). My one complaint is they last only 300-325 miles before the cushion in the forefoot breaks down. The Via Olympus 2 is a great shoe.

I've been using for over 8-years Altra shoes for running, hiking, and day-to-day use for the wide toe box. A little disappointed that the Torin has gone to a smaller toe box but fortunate that the Via Olympus line maintains the original toe box. I have metatarsal issues and even the wrong socks affects my ability to walk comfortably. Please don't change these from the original toe box size.

Best shoe I have found. Wide toe box and great support

I got these shoes for an upcoming trip to Japan, I plan to alternate these with a pair of Altra FWD Vias. The shoes are very similar in feel, the FWD Vias are a little more cushioned and these shoes are a little more supportive. I have started breaking in both pairs to ensure there will be no problems. You do a lot of walking in Japan, hopefully these two pairs of shoes will serve me well.

I LOVE the Via Olympus Line - the beefy heel is perfection. I have a high arch and these give me relief on the top of my foot. Best shoe on the market.

I'm a certified medical assistant and on my feet all day. These shoes have the perfect amount of cushion and support for me. I now own three pairs because I just ordered another pair for casual wear. I would recommend them highly to anyone who needs comfort and stability for any reason.