Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 6

I have been using the Altra Olympus 6 for hiking, running, and fastpacking. This is my first time trying a full-cushion trail shoe, but I have been road running in the Altra Torin for about 6 years. After about 25 miles of mixed terrain, weather and landscapes, I feel this shoe excels in climbing and tackling dry, loose terrain. I felt stable and powerful sprinting up sandy hillsides and dusty singletrack. The shoe absorbs the impact of large gravel, and bites into turns well. I slid around a bit on large wet roots and slick rocks under the stiff midfoot but recovered quickly and happily traded that for the protection from sharp obstacles. The high stack kept my feet dry when encountering mud and puddles, while the well ventilated upper kept me comfortable on long, hot days. The contoured form around the Achilles took a little getting used to, but it worked to lock my heel on ascents; no hot spots. Laces stay tied. Altra gave me this free product to try, and I'm looking forward to putting many more miles on it.

Hi! This is a review from a trail runner who prefers ground feel and minimal stack height! I've also completed several trail ultras and marathons (trail and road) in minimal footwear. I wanted to see how this particular max cushion, high stack zero drop shoe would perform and provide comfort given an injured left heal. I have also worked in run specialty shops. I was so happy to be selected to test the Altra Olympus 6 with my particular preferences. I gave this model 5-Stars because I would and will absolutely continue to rotate this model on training runs. Especially on buffed trails, for hill repeats, hikes and any time I'm feeling like I want a bit more cushion than I prefer. I would recommend this model over other high stack, max cushion models/brands bc of its responsiveness. Sizing and On Foot Feel: I requested a size 8. I am still torn if I would have felt even more secure and comfortable in a 7.5. Regardless of that, I love how they feel around the midfoot, feel secure. I just would like to get them a little more snug around the midfoot, hence why I think a 7.5 would have been perfect. Of course, I love the ample toe box space, so my toes can fully splay, but at the same time not getting smashed into the front of the shoe when going downhill. I should also mention the heel feels pretty secure as well, not too tight, but not loose, either. Under Foot Feel and Performance: This shoe is responsive and not over the top bulky. The cushioning is comfortable without being too "squishy". I think that, not too squishy feel, helps reduce the perception of being on such a thick stack. Which I was concerned about b/c I though I'd feel "wobbly" or have a sensation of slipping off the foot-bed. I didn't get that sensation, and that was a big positive! Activities I Tested the Olympus with: Walks with the dog, hikes, runs, hill repeats, and even a morning of race timing. Surface tested on; Trails that transition quickly between buffed and bEAST Coasty (rocks, roots, boulders). Hill repeats on a look out access road; transitions between asphalt and crushed stone surfaces. What I Enjoyed Most: I LOVED the performance of the shoes during hill repeats; security around mid-foot and the cushion for the downhill abuse on the soles of the feet. I will keep using them on those days. As well as for longer trail run days at a local nature preserve surrounded by miles and miles trails of every kind of surface. (ALTRA gave me this free product to try.)

Altra gave me a free pair of Olympus 6 shoes to test and review. At first, I found them a bit tight and bulky, with a snug toe box that caused some rubbing on my pinky toe during the initial runs. I only had the issue with the right shoe. For context, I typically wear a women's 8.5W or a men's 7.5D in running shoes. However, 8.5 regular in the Lone Peaks fit great. I noticed that the toe box of the Olympus 6 felt narrower compared to the Lone Peaks, but wearing lightweight socks helped alleviate this issue. After running and hiking over 100 miles in the last 4 weeks on various terrains, I was surprised by how well these shoes performed. During a 16-mile trail run in the Porcupine Mountains, my feet didn't feel as tired as they usually do, thanks to the extra cushioning. The Vibram Megagrip soles came in handy and prevented potential slips on loose gravel, muddy, and slippery trails. If you're considering longer, technical trail runs, I highly recommend the Olympus 6.

ALTRA gave me this free product to try. I have been wanting to try the larger toe box but unsure about the low drop and the max cushioned and how my feet would react to that. I'm happy to report my feet are very happy in these shoes!! I especially love the "Gaiter Trap" on these shoes! No need to mess with putting my own hook/loop stuff, these have it securely built in. The stack height is larger than I'm used to so I thought I'd trip over nature but nope, not anymore than my normal clumsiness! The cushion is great to keep feet fresh while going the distance. The snug heel hangs on tight to help avoid slippage. The Vibram soles have the perfect grip to keep me upright on mud and wet grass and gravel!

All I run in is Altra's, so I was stoked when Altra gave me this free product to try. The Olympus 6's look a bit like oversize clown shoes, however, they are SO comfortable I just love running in them! Recently, I was running up a muddy hill along Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and some guy and his dog tried to run up the same hill, and he started sliding down it! I reached my hand out to help him get up the hill, and so he grabbed onto it, and the grip of these shoes was nearly strong enough to hold up him and me, but eventually he started to drag me down the hill with him, so I yelled at him to let go, as he propelled up. It was reaffirming to me though how well these Olympus 6's performed compared to other trail shoes especially on the wet/muddy ground! These Olympus 6's have one heck of a grip! The colors are decent (I always prefer men's colors to women's, but the women's are okay on this model shoe). The heel is a bit large on me, and the shoes look silly on my skinny legs, but these really are super comfortable shoes that still feel pretty lightweight (all things considered) and really do perform well! For someone looking for a high cushioned shoe with good traction, I'd highly recommend the Olympus 6's. Thanks Altra for providing these shoes for free to me so I could review them. I sure do love them!

I have been using the Altra Olympus 6 for hiking, running, and fastpacking. This is my first time trying a full-cushion trail shoe, but I road run in the Altra Torin. I have a spinal cord injury, but Altra's stable, impact absorbing designs keep me moving. After about 25 miles of mixed terrain, weather and landscapes, I feel this shoe excels in climbing and tackling dry, loose terrain. I felt stable and powerful sprinting up sandy hillsides and dusty singletrack. The shoe absorbs the impact of large gravel, and bites into turns well. I slid around a bit on large wet roots and slick rocks under the stiff midfoot but recovered quickly and happily traded that for the protection from sharp obstacles. The high stack kept my feet dry when encountering mud and puddles, while the well ventilated upper kept me comfortable on long, hot days. The contoured form around the Achilles took a little getting used to, but it worked to lock my heel on ascents; no hot spots. Laces stay tied. Altra gave me this free product to try, and I'm looking forward to putting many more miles on it.

The Olympus 6 is fantastic for runs on multiple terrains. It provides a smooth ride on steep, rocky trails with its rugged outsole. The shoe's foot shaped toe box, extra cushioning and breathable uppers kept my feet happy and prevented fatigue on longer runs. Some of the extra accessories of the shoe, such as gaiter compatibility and wide laces, make it versatile for being out on trail for longer periods of time. I found the extra padding provided in the heel/achilles area was unnecessary to the point that could annoy someone if they are more prone to heel slipping in shoes. I would highly recommend this Olympus 6 for anyone wanting a plush feel underfoot when tackling rocky and technical trail runs especially over long distances. They have become my go-to for longer trail runs because my feet fatigue less in the Olympus than any other trail shoe I've tried. ALTRA gave me this free product to try.

I have the previous version of these and love them, so no surprise that I love this version as well! Big improvement I notice right away is that the tongue is softer and won't cut into my ankle. I LOVE that the last for these is their "original" width, meaning it's a true foot-shaped toe box and allows my feet to have space. The insoles I wear don't take up much space and there's plenty of room for them in these shoes. I got these in my usual size (women's 8.5) and the fit is true to size. I sometimes wear wide width in other brands, but in Altras I stay "regular" width (I also own several of their Lone Peaks, Escalantes and Torins). The color isn't my favorite (not a purple gal), but I don't actually care - a shoe is a shoe and like all shoes they won't last forever anyways! Plus once some dirt gets on there, they all look about the same. Otherwise, took these bad boys to work (Forest Service) on a few easy hikes and this weekend took them up to Cascade, ID, to some alpine lakes, and they've done amazingly!! You would think with such a platform of cushion underneath that side-hilling/hiking on really uneven surfaces might be a bit awkward, but they did a great job of staying rigid and not letting my foot slide off the platform. I had that issue a few times with the previous version - this version seems to have stronger construction on the sides so it really keeps your foot where it should be within the shoe. There's also plenty of cushion - never felt a root, sharp rock, etc during every hike and trail run. Breathability has remained the same in a good way - my feet never felt hot. The breathability does allow for dirt to get into your socks but that's a fine trade off. I'd recommend these to anyone who's looking for a little more cushion in their trail-running or hiking mileage. It might take a bit getting used to the platform-ish feel, but should be a pretty quick transition ;) HUGE thank you to Altra for giving me this free product to try!

The Olympus is so rugged, trail tough, and versatile on lots of terrain types while remaining stable and crazy comfortable. I have always loved the wide toe box that makes Altra the best, so this shoe is a no trainer! The traction is super grippy even in gravel, mud, and on loose sandy trails. The base of the shoe is super comfortable and stable. I never felt like I was at risk of rolling my ankle. This is going to be the first shoe I grab for any trail adventure! Altra sent me this product to try for free, and I will buy the next pair once I wear these out! I am addicted.

Thank you Altra for giving me this free product to test and review. I've used em these at work and hiking. Did great in water. I love the new Olympus 6 for women.

I've been obsessed with Altra shoes for several years now, using the Lone Peaks as my preferred trail shoes. I was thrilled to be able to try out Altra's Olympus 6! These trail shoes had no break in period for me and were comfortable straight out of the box. They perform very similarly to my Lone Peaks with noticeably more cushion. They stay true to zero drop and wide toe box. Cons: 1. The loop to pull the heel of the shoe on is too small to fit a finger through, which seems counterproductive. 2. Personally, I think these shoes are pretty ugly to look at. I normally love the look of Altra shoes, but these ones took some getting used to! I feel like I'm wearing platforms and I don't care for the looks. Pros: In spite of the ugly design/colors, these trail shoes won me over entirely by being both practical and comfortable. They helped speed up my healing process for a tendinitis issue I was having with my foot. I put them to the test running dirt and gravel roads, smooth and rugged trails, gradual and steep terrain. They even felt great on the pavement! I put these shoes to the test during a training run up Mt Baldy in Bozeman, a brutal 4 miles up with 4,000 elevation gain on a rugged trail. I was extremely impressed with the traction of the soles, particularly on the downhill portions. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a reliable trail shoe that will be comfortable on the most extreme terrain. I also felt the cushion difference when running on flat dirt road. Altra once again didn't let me down! I've found my forever brand of running shoe, and I'm stoked to have a pair of Olympus' to add to my shoe options! Altra sent me these shoes for free to use and review.

My current Olympus shoes are over 3 years old. They take a beating. I am a cashier at the local grocery store. Carts get ran into my shoes and I stand for 5 to 10 hours on a cement floor. My feet rarely hurt thanks to this shoe. I have tried 2 different styles of the Altra brand with no luck. I'm going back to the Olympus I just wish they didn't sell out of the nicer colors in my 10.5 size. I end up with a color not particularly suited best for me.

Okay I wanted so badly to love this shoe I have been yearning for Altra to get it together since the Olympus 3.5s & the escalante 1s! Come on guys remember what started the company let's all say it together ZERO DROP MINIMALIST STANDARD FOOT SHAPED TOE BOX SHOES FOR RUNNING CLIMBING & WALKING! Yall have somehow turned from that to this..a climbing shoe that digs into the heel by the inner ankle bc of that stupid poofy support part by the pull tab that's not minimal your adding more, and then underneath there's way too much going on it causes soreness on my left bottom foot and agony on my right heel. Iam a crushed heel bone patient and altra used to be the brand I recommended to ANYONE & EVERYONE ESPECIALLY PODIATRY PATIENTS! Now...yikes not so much. I know yall read these & sometimes listen & apply plz hear me roar!! I need a better option on this olympus standard foot shape that accommodates my injury plus the pinky toe corn, bone spurs, & ball of foot pain! All of the things!! Take the heel tab down a bit minimize the shoe keep it standard no weird drops just a zero drop standard foot shaped supportive stylish shoe plz!! I do like the color on the black and blue though

Olympus 5 is superior to the 6. The premium Achilles pillow in the 6 is a downgrade.The shoe is bigger and longer despite same size. The loop is smaller and can't put my finger through to use.

I have been wearing Altras for years. This is my 4th pair of Olympus. I live them but I always feel that the very back of the shoe (the part that reaches up toward your ankle from the heel) should be just a little taller. It always slips just a bit when I run. Even when I use the special lacing system. I live the wide tie box but my foot is probably on the barrow side. Has Altra ever made narrow width options?

I like these shoes overall but I have very high arches and my feet supinate out. The outside back is made different than the last version and isn't as cushioned. It gave me a blister on the right foot which is my worst foot. First time I have purchased your shoes that I had to break in. Wish they were a little wider.

I have purchased a new pair every year. In these shoes I wear a 9.5 . In the lone peaks I wear a 9. The material is not very breathable. My feet feel hot during hiking. In previous Olympus they were more breathable. The footbed is comfortable and highly supportive. The outsole is well balanced and grippy. I never get blisters or hot spots in these shoes

I trained for the Leadville 50 mile in the Olympus 5 and switched to the 6 the week of my race. While these fixed all the hot spots my feet were getting, these felt a little stiffer in the toe box. I felt my foot have to work a bit harder to run in these. For the walking portions of my run they were just perfect. Granted I practically ran in these out of the box with only a 3 mi test run prior, I am going to keep training in them for my next 50 mile in September, Run Rabbit Run, because my knees were happy. I had fresh legs the day after. That is why I switched to the Olympus trail from the montblanc in the first place! Thank you for fixing the sizing! I had to go a size too large in the 5 which caused hot spots and now I'm in my regular size with no blisters. This is a much better fit! I had no ankle rolling issues, they really hug rocks just right and I felt beyond stable running down hill. At 30 degrees temp the sole felt a little stiff, but they got softer as the day warmed up. I could walk in these all day. Dying to try the new Montblanc Carbon next!

As a 34-year-old trail runner and hiker who loves exploring the Pacific Northwest's diverse terrains, I was really excited to try out the Altra Olympus 6. I'm 5'8" and usually wear a size 8, though I often find myself between sizes 7.5 and 8. I opted for size 8 in the Olympus 6, but it felt more like a size 7.5. Even though the shoe has a wide toe box, it snugged my narrow feet nicely, keeping my heel seated without any issues. I first took them out on my usual rugged hiking trail. Right away, I noticed how comfortable and supportive they were. However, the thick cushioning took a bit of getting used to. On more technical paths, I felt a bit less agile and had to focus more on my footing in rocky sections. The extra height from the cushioning made me feel slightly unstable on loose rocks. When I tried them on a cross-country exercise trail with wall jumps, the stability wasn't great on unpredictable landings, so I'd be cautious about jumping over creeks or similar obstacles. To give the Olympus 6 a real test, I headed out to some steeper, more technical trails. The Vibram soles did an amazing job gripping rocky and uneven surfaces. Overall, for anyone navigating the varied landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the Olympus 6 is a solid and reliable choice. ALTRA gave me those free product to try- But this is my honest review!

Wow! Love the tread, love the cushion. I feel like I can walk forever in them and vibram soles feel like a must these days. I found that after 9+ miles or 80+ heat that the shoes started to feel hot. I wonder if that's because of the cushy tongue? Overall I enjoyed the cushion but I think I prefer less cushion on longer hikes so I can feel the terrain under my feet better. I haven't tested them on a scramble/scree field navigation yet, but I'm worried I might roll my ankle with this much cushion. These have become a daily driver for me. I use them for everything from the bike path to local trails and beyond. Grab yourself pair!

I recently had the opportunity to test the Olympus 6 while thru hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail, thanks to Altra giving me a free pair to try. As a long time Altra wearer, I was excited to test out new shoes while actually backpacking, as I typically wear trail runners for hiking and I've noticed that trail running shoes can perform very differently depending on if I'm wearing them specifically for running or hiking. All in all, these performed pretty well. The high cushioning level was nice for longer 20+ mile days on variable terrain (including smooth dirt, as well as loose rock). The original footshape is great for having a wider toe box and plenty of space for the feet to move naturally. The shoes are highly breathable, but did end up having a lot of dust work through the mesh and through my socks. The Vibram tread was great for extra grip, but the section without Vibram tread definitely got shredded up in less than 50 miles. The heel cup did cause a lot of pinching around my heels though, which I've never had to this degree in an Altra shoe, as well as some burning around my heels (similar to the Timp 4). I put about 200 miles on the shoes in two weeks with constant use and the shoes held up pretty well all around. I'm looking forward to testing these out on trail runs next to see how the experience compares. If you're looking for a comfortable trail shoe, especially for thru hiking, the new Olympus 6 is a solid option.

ALTRA gave me this free product to try, and try them I did! I used the Altra Olympus 6 extensively over the past 4 weeks for both trail running and backpacking. Specifically, I tested them on my daily trail runs on mostly even surfaced dirt and grass paths, in Frozen Head State Park (home to the infamous Barkley Marathons), and on a 20-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina. The outsoles provide excellent grip on wet rocks, and the maximal cushioning significantly reduced impact by sharp rocks. The high stack height kept mud out during rainy sections, and the water-resistant upper was a bonus, although it sacrifices breathability, which led to discomfort, hotspots, and blisters for me in hot weather. The shoes fit true to size with Altra's signature foot-shaped last and roomy toe box, and worked great for my low-volume, flat feet. They are comfortable for extended use, especially noticeable during long backpacking trips where the cushioning prevents foot fatigue. However, I experienced hot spots around the ankles and heels, likely due to the heel cup design and short tongue. Design-wise, the shoes are aesthetically pleasing, though the off-white color shows dirt quickly. I recommend more color options that hide dirt better. The durability is impressive, with minimal wear despite rugged use. Improvements could include refining the heel cup design, lengthening the tongue, and slightly longer laces for those using the runner's loop technique. Overall, the Altra Olympus 6 shoes excel for long-distance trail runners and backpackers seeking comfort and durability. These shoes made a significant difference during my hikes, particularly on gnarlier trails while backpacking, including challenging multi-day trips with varying conditions. Their maximal cushioning was a lifesaver after hours on the trail with a heavy pack.