Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 6

Altra sent over these Olympus 6s to be gear tested prior to official release. I've been brand loyal to Altra for nearly 10 years due to their roomy toe box, and my big bunions that tend to eat through all other running shoe brands. I spent several hours breaking these in before I got them out on some technical high-elevation hikes and trail runs around Bend, OR. The first thing noticed during testing was how the Achilles pillows caused a bit of heel slippage. I have super narrow heels, and a runner's lace cleared up that issue immediately. For a maximalist shoe, the Olympus 6s are extremely lightweight. The super sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole provided confidence and stability on literally everything it touched and made the downhill super fun, eating up every rock and root! These things are super fast and agile. The bread and butter of max cushion trail shoes. I only wish I would have sized up half size! HIGHLY recommend!

Trail runners and hikers, rejoice! From technical trails to leisurely hikes, this is a fantastic shoe. These trail running shoes are the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and durability, making them an essential addition to any outdoor enthusiast's gear collection. Unparalleled Grip: From the first step, I was blown away by the exceptional traction these shoes provided. The aggressive lugs bit into loose dirt, gravel, and even slick rock with ease, instilling a sense of confidence that allowed me to push my limits on challenging terrain. I put them through their passes on a Cirque Series Race at Brighton UT which has super technical downhills with loose dirt, loose rocks, and snow. Descending steep slopes felt controlled and secure, and I never experienced any slippage, even in wet conditions. Roomy Toe Box Bliss: These shoes completely changed the game. The spacious design allowed my toes to splay naturally, preventing blisters and hot spots even on my longer runs. I come from a skiing background so we are used to jamming our feet into boots for "performance" and I was always skeptical of the roomy toe box but these enhanced stability and reduced fatigue. I get it now! Unwavering Stability: Technical trails are no match for these sturdy shoes. The robust construction and supportive midsole provided a stable platform for my feet, even when navigating rocky and uneven terrain. I felt protected from sharp objects and impacts, and my ankles remained secure throughout my adventures. Surprisingly Nimble: Despite their rugged build, these shoes surprised me with their agility on flat sections. The responsive cushioning and flexible forefoot allowed for a quick and efficient stride, making them surprisingly fast on smooth trails. I could easily transition from technical sections to open paths without feeling weighed down. Cushioning Perfection: Finding the right amount of cushioning can be tricky, but these shoes strike the perfect balance. The midsole provided ample protection from impact without feeling overly plush or mushy. My feet felt comfortable and supported on both short runs and on race day. Versatility at Its Best: These shoes truly excel in their versatility. They are equally at home on technical mountain trails, winding forest paths, or even casual hikes. The combination of performance, comfort, and durability make them a go-to choice for any outdoor activity. Final Verdict: If you're looking for a trail running shoe that can do it all, look no further. These shoes offer exceptional grip, a roomy toe box, unwavering stability, surprising agility, impressive durability, and just the right amount of cushioning. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or a casual hiker, these shoes will elevate your outdoor experience and become a trusted companion on all your adventures. ALTRA gave me this free product to try**

The new Olympus 6 is comfort right out of the box with little to no break in time. The Vibram sole provides great traction on dirt trails, rocks and wet rocks at river crossings. The cushioned midsole provides the right blend of comfort, cushion and the ability to feel the trail under your feet. Combine those with a secure heal cup and a comfortable lining inside and I was able to backpack 16 miles days in comfort with no break in time. The only problem I had was on the left shoe. The side of the shoe did hit the bottom of my ankle bone. It's a problem that I have with many shoes that most people don't seem to have so don't let it stop you from trying the new Olympus 6. Altra did give me this shoe to try but that does not affect my review.

Cushioned in all the right places. Trying out the new Altra Olympus 6 trail shoes. They offer great support and traction on the trails. No hot spots, the right amount of cushion and support. I liked the heal cushion support to keep the heel locked in on the up hills. I also love the toe guard that blocks the direct hits from rocks on the toes. I have a bunion on my right foot, so this toe shape box is perfect for those with wide feet. I'd highly recommend these for anyone looking for more support on those long trail runs. Even though there is more cushion, I didn't feel that they were heavy or slowing me down. The longest run I've done on them is 7 miles, and average about 9:14/mile, on dry dirt single track trails in Forest Park, Oregon. Traction was good on loose gravel and rocks. The extra cushion absorbrs those sharp rocks. ALTRA gave me this free product to try.

I have used these shoes for trail running and hiking as well. My feet were comfortable for everything but the down hill parts and that was because I got a half size too small. Just make sure to get a size with a little extra room so that your toes don't get cramped when you are going down hill. Overall, I would definitely recommend these shoes! ALTRA gave me this free product to try.

Altra sent me these shoes to try for free, and I've since put 35-40 miles on with them. In that time, I've taken them through all sort of off road terrains: gravel, grassed trails, mulched trails, sandy beaches, and sand dunes. These shoes have conquered them all with ease. I have wide feet and these shoes feature a wider toe box that is hands down the most comfortable running experience I've had- especially without a lengthy break-in period. Usually, it takes me about 20-30 miles to break in a shoe to the point where I can run in them for more than a mile without pressure points. I never had that issues with these shoes! I thought the extended sole would change my stride, or create a different impact point on my foot, but I really haven't noticed. But, I would definitely say it adds additional stability to the shoe while on uneven terrain. I wouldn't say that they're a shoes I would wear going up a extremely technical course, but they can handle a heck of a lot more than a flat land run. I can't comment to much on the durability of the shoe, but I see no red flags yet. I'm looking forward to putting more miles on these beauties! Couldn't recommend them enough; especially for folks with wide feet.

These are my daily drivers. I started with lone peak 7. Loved them. Got a pair of 8s. Loved them. Got Olympus 5s and omg. The most perfect shoe. If I had known I wasn't going to be able to get them again, I would have stocked up. I loved the grey and green. I got the new 6s. They're alright. The outside of the sole has two big gashes after less than a month which is unfortunate for such an expensive shoe. They are the most comfortable, though. Idk if I'll ever go back to a regular shoe. I'd still give them a 9/10. Almost a perfect shoe.

These are my third pair of Altras, but first pair of Olympus. I was a little hesitant with these after what others had said about blisters, but after a 20 mile break in run in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I'm really happy with the fit, cushioning, and traction. Zero blisters! I am a little worried about how long these shoes will last though as the sole has already started separating from the toe on both shoes after 20 miles. Hopefully they will hold together, but I'm otherwise happy with the fit and performance.

Great shoes but I a true 12.5 in ALL my other shoes but I got a 12.5 in these and the are a tad bit too short. Other than that they are perfect

3rd pair of Olympus shoes. Big fan of the 0 drop with some cushion. I had my meniscus removed and these shoes work great for me. My only feedback is the color of the "sand" shoes. The pictures on the website are not exactly representative of the true color of the shoe. The pictures on the website show a two toned off tan color. However in person, they are a monotone grey. I have a hard time telling the difference between the two shades and the color ought be retitled "shale grey". I personally think the color on the website is way more rad than the grey I received. Otherwise these are awesome shoes and I'll probably continue buying them as long as they're in production!

Love the upgrades from the Olympus 5. Better tread pattern, more comfortable tongue, comfortable heal. So far love the shoe

The sneakers were used for light runs in mountainous terrain with little elevation change. The mileage distribution was approximately 50% on asphalt, 40% on compacted trails, and 10% on rocks. The total mileage was about 500 kilometers. My weight is 85 kg, and with gear, it's 90 kg. The first issue was with the heel counters, which wore out behind the heels after about two months. I patched them up with adhesive patches. The second problem was a small hole near the pinky toe on the right shoe, caused by accidentally hitting a metal door edge. Over time, the hole grew larger, and I managed it with reinforced tape. The third issue appeared at the 300 km mark, with holes forming in the flex area of the toe box on the left shoe. Over time, a second hole developed, reducing foot stability. I stopped running in them at 500 km when the tread was almost completely worn out. Perhaps these sneakers are designed only for park runs or two to three races per season. My next pair will likely be something with a more durable upper. The cushioning and foot support are nearly perfect. A couple of times, they saved me from injury when I accidentally hit rocks on descents.

Purchased the Olympus 6 to replace my version 5 about 3/4 of the way through my training for my ABC 50 mile race. I love the ride I get from the Olympus. The return I get from the sole makes my feet happy. The shoe is very stable on rough technical terrain. The updated grip is also great. The V6 runs about 1/2 size smaller than V5. I have gone through about 10 pairs of Olympus all the way back to V2. As I said I love, love, love, my Altra Olympus' but I'm hoping that in V7 you can go back to the slightly lower cuff around the outside of the ankle. The new version with the more padded cuff hits my outside ankle bone and I had to switch back to my V5 at about 25 miles into the race after running some off camber hills. My only other suggestion would be to trim some of the weight that has been increased over the last few models. I wear a size 15 and the weight adds up when you get into the long miles. Thanks for making an awesome product and I look forward to my next pair.

Great shoe but they squeak loudly every step.

Used for walking around my neighborhood and at work in an airport. They made an effort to improve the material in the heel area but its just not right. The 6 is more breathable than the 5. Laces are definitely better. Colors still suck

Altra overall this is an improvement from the 5.0 but one enhancement would really help. I use currex run soles (for years) - the new heal cup design caused a big heel blister on a ten mile trail run one one foot and redness on the other - I think the tolerance is low margin for error. If that heel cup started just a wee bit higher up it would be the difference. I will be testing without the after market insoles but don't know that I can do that for longer ultras. If you are looking for an all day / all night trail runner and don't use after market insoles this is your shoe.

Beefed up compared to previous generations. A bit heavy as a result, but looks to be more durable. Time will tell. Comfortable cruiser for long distance trail runs. I had to go half size up due to the padding in the heel collar. I recommend others do the same if they feel cramped.

I bought these shoes after running many miles on several pairs of Lone Peaks. I am older now and a bit heavier now so I was needing more cushion. This lead me to the olympus model. I did notice that they are more narrow than the lone peaks, and run a bit small, so I bought the men's version which fit well. I ran 13 miles on rocky trails for my first run in these, and they felt great! My feet were a bit sore since they were brand new, but that was pretty demanding for a first run in them! I think.they are going to feel awesome once they break in a bit more. Very happy with the extra cushion.

I just finished the PCT, went through at least three pairs. The shoe is too narrow and low in the mid foot. The design does not allow the mid food to expand, big flaw. This shoe needs to either be widened for come in a wide version. Universally from other hikers as well, the Olympus is too narrow. The insole heal edges dig into your heal tendons causing potential tendon damage and in some cases a large 2" blister on the inside of your heal. The shoe construction is good, durable minimum 500 miles.

I've owned 20+ pairs of Altra's, mainly Torin's over the years. I love this shoe and use it primarily for outdoor F3 workouts in which we cover lots of different terrain and do some high impact work. Over the years, the shoes have narrowed a bit, but this one is pretty true. I did find however that the heel pad is problematic and actually removed it to make room. The grip is amazing and the only complaint I have is that the sole at the heel is quite wide. I've caught it a time or two in the last few wears. I have a sz 15 foot, so I can't be picky, but these will be a definite repeat.

Really like most of the updates over the Olympus 5, but like a lot of others have said, the heel pillow is placed in a super odd spot. It feels like it's not holding my Achilles in the right spot so it's contributing to heel slip issues. If it was moved up a bit it would hold in the right spot and my foot would locked in. Would also love to see about 2 more inches in the laces! Going to wear these for a few more days to see if the heel pillow breaks in some, but majorly bummed so far. Hopefully the heel settles some and the lock in gets better! If they fit your foot and that pillow hits the right spot, these will be incredible.

The heel pad is awkward at first, causing your heel to not feel fully locked in. They should reduce the size or move it up slightly to fix this. However, after about 4 runs the pad broke in and was no longer an issue. Love the wide toe box and mix of cushion/stability in this shoe.

I love the fit, tread, and cushion just like I did on the Olympus 5. Two things that I would alter; move the heel gaiter trap lower on the heel so the gaiters can do their job better and remove the heel cup fabric insert. I have to tie them "just right" or the fabric insert rubs below my ankle. Otherwise, these are my favorite shoes.