Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 6

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.

I work and play in the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado. I tested these shoes for several weeks bushwhacking through the woods, hiking on active logging operations, and scrambling up off-camber scree chasing mountain ridge lines. While I gravitate towards a more minimalist shoe style, if I'm being honest, my tired old feet would choose this shoe from a lineup any day. The level of cushioning is what I would describe as plush comfort, with the tradeoff being a slight feeling of bulkiness. The laces can easily be snugged tight and stay in place. I appreciate the roomy toe box, which I've come to love and appreciate with all ALTRAs. One of my favorite features was the heavy-duty tab at the back for assisting with putting on the shoes; I guarantee that the tab will outlast the shoes. I did scuff the lower side of the shoe after only two uses, whether from a rock or a stick I'm not sure. Given the extra bulkiness, I would probably not choose to run in these shoes, but I'm not much of a runner, so that's not an issue for me. My two minor quibbles with the shoe were that the beautiful subtle coloring on the side of the 'women's' shoe were masked by dust and mud after a single use, and that the sizing seemed a bit large. I ordered the same size as previous ALTRAs I've owned, and these felt loose around the ankle, to the point that I had to overtighten the laces to compensate. ALTRA gave me this free product to try.

This shoe is definitely meant for long times on the trail but also performs well for short hikes/trail runs too. It's a larger shoe in cushion and roominess. I found it almost too much cushion and too big. It took me about 1 hr to get the fit just right. Also on shorter trips I like to be able to feel the ground a little more than I did in this shoe. The lug depth and configuration allowed me to feel very confident whether going down wooden stairs s, scrambling up and over rocks or going down a steeper path. The shoe instilled confidence in my footing while on the trail.

As a long-time wearer of the Altra Timps and Altra Lone Peaks, I was excited to give the Olympus 6's a try. The wide toe box and low drop that Altra is known for has worked for me for over 12 years so I was confident in the shape and drop of the shoe, but the maximal cushioning is new to me and the feature that I was most interested to explore if it worked for me. For background, I am a women's size 9 with a narrow, very high arch with pretty large bunions that need some space. I usually remove the manufacturer liner and replace with a high-arch specific insert. Typically my runs either occur on uniformly steep, technical and rocky terrain or runnable, buffed out single track with minimal technicality. As Altra gave me these shoes to try, I was excited to see how they performed in both scenarios. My first few runs in the Olympus 6 were for some easy, recovery runs on buffed terrain. I was pleasantly suprised at what a relief the cushioning of the Olympus was on these days, when I was starting from a point of fatigued and achy feet and lower legs from a hard effort the proceeding days. There were no fit issues or hotspots and my inserts fit nicely. I was extremely thankful for the added cushion for a tired body on these days. I was also aware that the Olympus have become popular for thru hiking, so while I did not have any thru-hiking trips scheduled, I did use them for two days of double digit mile hikes. Again, was very happy with the fit and comfort over the course of a long day on hard-packed, non-technical terrain. I believe the Olympus 6 will be my go-to for long, non technical hikes in the future. I was also able to test the Olympus 6 on technical, steep terrain. I was very happy with the addition of the Vibram soles, as there was definitely more stickiness underfoot on rocky, variable terrain. It also seems to have a bit more durablility than what I have noticed in my previous pairs of Altras after heavy, repeated contact with rocky surfaces. Perhaps it was just my lack of experience with maximal cushioning but I was more anxious in the Olympus 6s in this type of terrain as it felt like I had to work to get more clearance between the shoes and rocks, which made for a funny gait. I also felt a bit more unstable in the lower legs using these on rocks that like to move. For runs that require a bit more agility and stability, I believe I will stick to the Timps or the Lone Peaks but finding the Olympus has been a pleasant surprise and will surely be my go to for hard-packed trails and long hikes.

I have the olympus 2 via and LOVE it. I have a neuroma and other issues and I can walk miles and keep up in that shoe. I was hoping for similar shoe in the hiking version but as others mentioned the heel is weird and totally rubs and fits different than the via. Otherwise it is EVERYTHING I want/need in a shoe. Fix the heel and I'll buy 2! Im gonna order another pair of Via.

Love the cushion Love everything about these shoes Except the heel slip and back tab tore up the back of my foot They need to fix the heel slip and back tab. Would not buy again.