Last updated at 10/05/2026 23:33:40
Mens Altra Olympus 5, The Running Company, Black / 15
Delivery by Thu $10
Altra Olympus 5 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Black (Vibram Sole Sneakers/Runners)
Free delivery between 14–20 May
originally posted on altrarunning.com
Not happy with the changes for this version. I was a die-hard Altra fan, but like others, the changes for this version resulted in the shoe feeling to narrow/tight and a 1/2 size too small. I appreciate Altra's decision to try and improve the shoe like by adding cushioning around the heel cup, but it was too much and I felt immediate abrasion and pain around my heel just walking around the house. And to top it off, shoelaces are too short. I prefer to create the little loop to help tight the shoe and when doing that, I could barely tie the shoes. I would never be able to double knot it if I wanted too. And frustrated because I can't really go to the other styles because I like to have the extra cushion. I really hope Altra goes back to their roots for runners like ... MoreNot happy with the changes for this version. I was a die-hard Altra fan, but like others, the changes for this version resulted in the shoe feeling to narrow/tight and a 1/2 size too small. I appreciate Altra's decision to try and improve the shoe like by adding cushioning around the heel cup, but it was too much and I felt immediate abrasion and pain around my heel just walking around the house. And to top it off, shoelaces are too short. I prefer to create the little loop to help tight the shoe and when doing that, I could barely tie the shoes. I would never be able to double knot it if I wanted too. And frustrated because I can't really go to the other styles because I like to have the extra cushion. I really hope Altra goes back to their roots for runners like me that have for years enjoyed the wide toe box, roomy comfortable feel, nice cushioning and shoelaces that are useable.
originally posted on altrarunning.com
This shoe is alright to run in when everything is just right, but faces too many issues to be worth buying. My biggest issue was with the tread pattern; while the rubber is excellent and provides good grip in a range of conditions, the long individual strips that run under the toes peel up very quickly running on rocky terrain (< 30 miles out of the box). I've been able to continue running in these shoes by super glueing them back together, but they are not worth their more premium price with this major flaw. Hopefully they can get this right on the next generation. The overall durability aside from this issue seems fine, I've reached ~125 miles in them with no other issues arising and seemingly plenty of life left in them. As many mention the laces are too short ... MoreThis shoe is alright to run in when everything is just right, but faces too many issues to be worth buying. My biggest issue was with the tread pattern; while the rubber is excellent and provides good grip in a range of conditions, the long individual strips that run under the toes peel up very quickly running on rocky terrain (< 30 miles out of the box). I've been able to continue running in these shoes by super glueing them back together, but they are not worth their more premium price with this major flaw. Hopefully they can get this right on the next generation. The overall durability aside from this issue seems fine, I've reached ~125 miles in them with no other issues arising and seemingly plenty of life left in them. As many mention the laces are too short and it's difficult to achieve proper lockdown. The oversized heel loop is weird, and makes it more difficult to clip the shoes together with a carabiner without really making them easier to put on.
originally posted on altrarunning.com
After buying Timps and Mont Blancs for a while, I switched back to Olympuses after a pair of Timps fell apart on me with just 100 miles or so on them. In the past, the Olympus has felt like a little too much cushion, but the newest version 5, which fits a bit more snugly, feels just right--no more feeling like I'm walking on platform shoes with them on. This is my second pair of the Olympus 5s, and the first are still holding up pretty well after 400 miles or so, which is really good for Altras (sadly, Altra has yet to consistently put out a shoe with no durability concerns), I just decided that with an ultra coming up in a couple of months I should probably start breaking in a new pair of shoes. I do have two minor quibbles about the shoes. First, although the loop ... MoreAfter buying Timps and Mont Blancs for a while, I switched back to Olympuses after a pair of Timps fell apart on me with just 100 miles or so on them. In the past, the Olympus has felt like a little too much cushion, but the newest version 5, which fits a bit more snugly, feels just right--no more feeling like I'm walking on platform shoes with them on. This is my second pair of the Olympus 5s, and the first are still holding up pretty well after 400 miles or so, which is really good for Altras (sadly, Altra has yet to consistently put out a shoe with no durability concerns), I just decided that with an ultra coming up in a couple of months I should probably start breaking in a new pair of shoes. I do have two minor quibbles about the shoes. First, although the loop in the back of the shoes makes them easy to get on and off, and the loop doesn't dig into the heel (a problem with past models of Olympus), the fact that the loop "leans" away from the heel also leaves the inside of the shoe much more open to leaves, rocks and other debris, so if you are running trails of pretty much any kind you probably need to run with gaiters. The second objection is just cosmetic: the grey/orange color combo looks pretty but the grey looks a lot lighter in real life than it does on the web site, so they start looking dirty very quickly--not that I mind getting dirty, just that the light grey-green color really looks like it's meant for a road shoe rather than something that's going to be trekked through the muck. The Olympuses are, for the moment at least, sadly lacking in the "dusty olive" color option that you can frequently find in their Timps and Lone Peaks--a color that looks like it was born to be run through the mud. Quibbles aside, these get two thumbs up.
| Style | Sneaker |
Mens Altra Olympus 5, The Running Company, Black / 15
Delivery by Thu $10
Altra Olympus 5 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Black (Vibram Sole Sneakers/Runners)
Free delivery between 14–20 May
Not happy with the changes for this version. I was a die-hard Altra fan, but like others, the changes for this version resulted in the shoe feeling to narrow/tight and a 1/2 size too small. I appreciate Altra's decision to try and improve the shoe like by adding cushioning around the heel cup, but it was too much and I felt immediate abrasion and pain around my heel just walking around the house. And to top it off, shoelaces are too short. I prefer to create the little loop to help tight the shoe and when doing that, I could barely tie the shoes. I would never be able to double knot it if I wanted too. And frustrated because I can't really go to the other styles because I like to have the extra cushion. I really hope Altra goes back to their roots for runners like ... MoreNot happy with the changes for this version. I was a die-hard Altra fan, but like others, the changes for this version resulted in the shoe feeling to narrow/tight and a 1/2 size too small. I appreciate Altra's decision to try and improve the shoe like by adding cushioning around the heel cup, but it was too much and I felt immediate abrasion and pain around my heel just walking around the house. And to top it off, shoelaces are too short. I prefer to create the little loop to help tight the shoe and when doing that, I could barely tie the shoes. I would never be able to double knot it if I wanted too. And frustrated because I can't really go to the other styles because I like to have the extra cushion. I really hope Altra goes back to their roots for runners like me that have for years enjoyed the wide toe box, roomy comfortable feel, nice cushioning and shoelaces that are useable.
This shoe is alright to run in when everything is just right, but faces too many issues to be worth buying. My biggest issue was with the tread pattern; while the rubber is excellent and provides good grip in a range of conditions, the long individual strips that run under the toes peel up very quickly running on rocky terrain (< 30 miles out of the box). I've been able to continue running in these shoes by super glueing them back together, but they are not worth their more premium price with this major flaw. Hopefully they can get this right on the next generation. The overall durability aside from this issue seems fine, I've reached ~125 miles in them with no other issues arising and seemingly plenty of life left in them. As many mention the laces are too short ... MoreThis shoe is alright to run in when everything is just right, but faces too many issues to be worth buying. My biggest issue was with the tread pattern; while the rubber is excellent and provides good grip in a range of conditions, the long individual strips that run under the toes peel up very quickly running on rocky terrain (< 30 miles out of the box). I've been able to continue running in these shoes by super glueing them back together, but they are not worth their more premium price with this major flaw. Hopefully they can get this right on the next generation. The overall durability aside from this issue seems fine, I've reached ~125 miles in them with no other issues arising and seemingly plenty of life left in them. As many mention the laces are too short and it's difficult to achieve proper lockdown. The oversized heel loop is weird, and makes it more difficult to clip the shoes together with a carabiner without really making them easier to put on.
After buying Timps and Mont Blancs for a while, I switched back to Olympuses after a pair of Timps fell apart on me with just 100 miles or so on them. In the past, the Olympus has felt like a little too much cushion, but the newest version 5, which fits a bit more snugly, feels just right--no more feeling like I'm walking on platform shoes with them on. This is my second pair of the Olympus 5s, and the first are still holding up pretty well after 400 miles or so, which is really good for Altras (sadly, Altra has yet to consistently put out a shoe with no durability concerns), I just decided that with an ultra coming up in a couple of months I should probably start breaking in a new pair of shoes. I do have two minor quibbles about the shoes. First, although the loop ... MoreAfter buying Timps and Mont Blancs for a while, I switched back to Olympuses after a pair of Timps fell apart on me with just 100 miles or so on them. In the past, the Olympus has felt like a little too much cushion, but the newest version 5, which fits a bit more snugly, feels just right--no more feeling like I'm walking on platform shoes with them on. This is my second pair of the Olympus 5s, and the first are still holding up pretty well after 400 miles or so, which is really good for Altras (sadly, Altra has yet to consistently put out a shoe with no durability concerns), I just decided that with an ultra coming up in a couple of months I should probably start breaking in a new pair of shoes. I do have two minor quibbles about the shoes. First, although the loop in the back of the shoes makes them easy to get on and off, and the loop doesn't dig into the heel (a problem with past models of Olympus), the fact that the loop "leans" away from the heel also leaves the inside of the shoe much more open to leaves, rocks and other debris, so if you are running trails of pretty much any kind you probably need to run with gaiters. The second objection is just cosmetic: the grey/orange color combo looks pretty but the grey looks a lot lighter in real life than it does on the web site, so they start looking dirty very quickly--not that I mind getting dirty, just that the light grey-green color really looks like it's meant for a road shoe rather than something that's going to be trekked through the muck. The Olympuses are, for the moment at least, sadly lacking in the "dusty olive" color option that you can frequently find in their Timps and Lone Peaks--a color that looks like it was born to be run through the mud. Quibbles aside, these get two thumbs up.
It's difficult to make a shoe with this much stack height anything but ugly. However, in my humble opinion, I found these to be the best looking Olympus's to date. There are areas that look vulnerable to wear, namely where they bend up front behind the toes. Time will tell how durable they are. My only real complaint after wearing them for 2 weeks is that the heal seems a little loose. To get it where it feels right, then the lacing is uncomfortably tight. It takes me some fiddling to get a happy medium whereas other shoes, I just throw'em on, tie, and take off without having to readjust. I have noticed one other annoyance: The laces themselves. You have to make an effort to tie them tight or they'll come loose. Sometimes they come loose anyway.If Altra would ... MoreIt's difficult to make a shoe with this much stack height anything but ugly. However, in my humble opinion, I found these to be the best looking Olympus's to date. There are areas that look vulnerable to wear, namely where they bend up front behind the toes. Time will tell how durable they are. My only real complaint after wearing them for 2 weeks is that the heal seems a little loose. To get it where it feels right, then the lacing is uncomfortably tight. It takes me some fiddling to get a happy medium whereas other shoes, I just throw'em on, tie, and take off without having to readjust. I have noticed one other annoyance: The laces themselves. You have to make an effort to tie them tight or they'll come loose. Sometimes they come loose anyway.If Altra would tweak these two areas, I'd rate them 5 star, no question. The devil's in the details as they say though, and for that reason, I'll give them a 4 star.
This company is lesser known and I was hesitant to order from them at first. I did some research and they have been around for a very long time, perfectly legit and have great prices. The shipping of the entire order took a little longer than expected but they got a partial order to me very quickliy.Overall, I would recommen Al's. The shoes were in perfect. I really love Altra shoes I just wish they would stop changing the models. Olympus 5's are great for long distance backpacking. They are very stable and have good cushion, the wide comfortable toe box that everyone loves.If you have never owned Altra before, research zero drop shoes. They can take some time getting used to because they isolate some differenct muscles. Some people having problems with ... MoreThis company is lesser known and I was hesitant to order from them at first. I did some research and they have been around for a very long time, perfectly legit and have great prices. The shipping of the entire order took a little longer than expected but they got a partial order to me very quickliy.Overall, I would recommen Al's. The shoes were in perfect. I really love Altra shoes I just wish they would stop changing the models. Olympus 5's are great for long distance backpacking. They are very stable and have good cushion, the wide comfortable toe box that everyone loves.If you have never owned Altra before, research zero drop shoes. They can take some time getting used to because they isolate some differenct muscles. Some people having problems with durability. I had a pair last year where the lugs started peeling off but I used crazy glue and they are still hagning on.
First fit test right out of the box, It feels like the Lone Peak had a huge Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings and even went back for seconds. So yeah the Olympus is a plump beast of a shoe! Even with all its girth the Olympus 5 is well designed with plenty of breathable protection up top, grip on the outsole and has enough cushion for the longest of runs. Plus you gotta love that it has the original roomy foot shape.Out on the trail Its a grippy, balanced ride that starts off stiff n sluggish but after a few miles it breaks in, softens up and becomes much more comfortable underfoot. I did notice the weight of the shoe at first but faded away once the very satisfying max cushion made my later mile just cruise by. Oddly the Olympus 5 actually feels incredible ... MoreFirst fit test right out of the box, It feels like the Lone Peak had a huge Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings and even went back for seconds. So yeah the Olympus is a plump beast of a shoe! Even with all its girth the Olympus 5 is well designed with plenty of breathable protection up top, grip on the outsole and has enough cushion for the longest of runs. Plus you gotta love that it has the original roomy foot shape.Out on the trail Its a grippy, balanced ride that starts off stiff n sluggish but after a few miles it breaks in, softens up and becomes much more comfortable underfoot. I did notice the weight of the shoe at first but faded away once the very satisfying max cushion made my later mile just cruise by. Oddly the Olympus 5 actually feels incredible and comes to life the longer the run. I can see this being a great option for a 100 miler or slower 100k.One issue I had early on was some heel lift and couldn't get a snug fit with the pillowly heel collar. Once broken in you will get a locked in feel.
I wore these hiking and some city walking and trail running. Pros: Roomy toe box, Beautiful greyish green color , (no longer offered), Nice styling, good grip, mostly comfortable fit and cushioning. Cons: Vibram lugs peeled off very early ( a common problem it seems). The arch support is off somehow, maybe a little too hard or too pronounced, and causes my feet to hurt under the arch. The shoe is well ventilated except the tongue which causes the top of the foot to get too hot in the summer heat. Laces are too short. I ordered a 1/2 size larger than what I usually wear to get a good fit. I really liked these shoes except for the cons which are a deal breaker unless Altra fixes these issues. I don't like the current color ways as much as the dusty green.
I’ve been a loyal fan of the Olympus for years. I’ve always worn a size 13. But the last three pairs of the Altra Olympus 5 in size 13 were noticeably tighter on my feet and there was definitely less space in the toe box. The first time it happened about 6 months ago I thought it was just a fluke, so I returned them. But the second time it happened when I bought a pair from a different retailer, the size 13s were just as tight as the last pair. Then I waited a few weeks and ordered a pair directly from the Altra website and it happened again. The fit is “off.” So then I decided to order a size 14 to see if they would fit my feet better, but hardly any stores carry a men’s size 14 for the Altra Olympus. After a few months, I finally found a pair of the Altra Olympus ... MoreI’ve been a loyal fan of the Olympus for years. I’ve always worn a size 13. But the last three pairs of the Altra Olympus 5 in size 13 were noticeably tighter on my feet and there was definitely less space in the toe box. The first time it happened about 6 months ago I thought it was just a fluke, so I returned them. But the second time it happened when I bought a pair from a different retailer, the size 13s were just as tight as the last pair. Then I waited a few weeks and ordered a pair directly from the Altra website and it happened again. The fit is “off.” So then I decided to order a size 14 to see if they would fit my feet better, but hardly any stores carry a men’s size 14 for the Altra Olympus. After a few months, I finally found a pair of the Altra Olympus 5 in a size 14 on the Dick’s Sporting Goods website. The size 14s fit much better. They still feel a bit… “off” compared to the earlier version of the Altra Olympus 5 when they were first released over a year ago. So, if you order these shoes, just know that they run small. I sure hope that when Altra releases the next version of the Altra Olympus (the Olympus 6) they fix the sizing issue.
I have been running (and hiking) in Altra trail runners now for several years, primarily Lone Peaks, but also Timp and Superior models. After a toe injury I decided to try the new Olympus 5s for their thicker sole and support, but I have been quite disappointed. I bought size 9.5 and 10s to try to see if fit was the issue but neither one worked for me, especially compared to my other Altras. For some background, I run 95%+ trail with lots of hills and, until recently, average mileage between 8-13+ miles or so. Now re-training, I'm at around 4-5 miles, still on trails.Here is my main problem: if the laces are comfortably tight then I have significant slippage, mainly in the heel, but if I tighten them more to mitigate the slipping then the shoes are quite painful. ... MoreI have been running (and hiking) in Altra trail runners now for several years, primarily Lone Peaks, but also Timp and Superior models. After a toe injury I decided to try the new Olympus 5s for their thicker sole and support, but I have been quite disappointed. I bought size 9.5 and 10s to try to see if fit was the issue but neither one worked for me, especially compared to my other Altras. For some background, I run 95%+ trail with lots of hills and, until recently, average mileage between 8-13+ miles or so. Now re-training, I'm at around 4-5 miles, still on trails.Here is my main problem: if the laces are comfortably tight then I have significant slippage, mainly in the heel, but if I tighten them more to mitigate the slipping then the shoes are quite painful. While the toe box space remains fine, the mid-foot becomes so uncomfortably tight that it causes lasting pain even after taking the shoes off. I thought they may need to break in so I've tried to give them a fair shake, but after less than 40 miles of running plus some hikes they should have been worn in enough by now if that was the problem. Strangely enough the 9.5s (which is my usual size in Lone Peak & Superior) slip more than the 10s did. The 10s were just too large with extra space in the front, however they still had the same mid-foot tightness problem. With both sizes I even tried different lacing methods to fix the issue. Not much changed. It just seems the mid-foot is too narrow and so far I've never need a "wide" size in any of my shoes.A related problem is the lace "bite." The upper part of the tongue has inadequate padding. You can really feel the pressure from the laces, especially if you use the "extra" lace holes (which I need to on these to try to lock in the heel as much as I can.) And of course tightening these down only makes the "bite" worse.I wish I could compare these to prior Olympus models (the 4 seems to be well-liked). I still have my Lone Peak 6s (size 9.5) with low miles and they fit great, especially compared to these.For some positives, I did find that the toe box still had ample room consistent with my other Altras and they did provide the extra support I was looking for. And at least there are a couple of decent colorways in the Olympus 5.(Side note: what is with the Altra colorways in all the new models? Who is deciding that these are the colors people want? Most of them are terrible.)Finally, I haven't really had them long enough to adequately test the durability issues that others mention but I can see how they wouldn't hold up for very long. Unfortunately Altra has always been know for their durability anyway. However my Lone Peak 5s lasted the longest of any of my Altras.
I am writing this review because I want Altra to know that they have some huge potential here for an amazing trail shoe. I put two big 15mile + days on this scrambling and trailrunning some peaks in the PNW and was amazed by how supported and injury free my feet felt at the end of the day. That said, after those 30 some odd miles on rocky terrain the outsole of my shoes were already completely destroyed. First of all, the oddest part about the shoe is that the midsole material actually makes up most of the bottom (there is barely any true outsole)- You can see this in the photos if you look. The Vibram strips that are far more durable seem to be weakly glued on as I had a few of the strips start to rip off after only two outings. The midsole material wears away ... MoreI am writing this review because I want Altra to know that they have some huge potential here for an amazing trail shoe. I put two big 15mile + days on this scrambling and trailrunning some peaks in the PNW and was amazed by how supported and injury free my feet felt at the end of the day. That said, after those 30 some odd miles on rocky terrain the outsole of my shoes were already completely destroyed. First of all, the oddest part about the shoe is that the midsole material actually makes up most of the bottom (there is barely any true outsole)- You can see this in the photos if you look. The Vibram strips that are far more durable seem to be weakly glued on as I had a few of the strips start to rip off after only two outings. The midsole material wears away super quick and is not grippy at all. It has since turned to round nubs after only a few more outings. I am quickly noticing that amazing grip vanish. On top of that, the mesh around the sides and front of the fore foot rip and wear pretty easily when rubbed against any sort of terrain making them not the best for scrambles. I bought these giving Altra the benefit of the doubt after reading reviews. Unfortunately everyone hit the nail on the head. It is an incredibly comfortable and performance focused shoe but the durability for the price is just not there. Again, I would love to purchase a reiteration of this shoe. But I only will if they spend some money on improving the outsole - (extending durable Vibram or other material instead of trying to disguise the soft plushy midsole material as the outsole). Please take this comments into consideration. You all are on to something! In the meantime I'll probably send to warranty and trade out for something different.
| Style | Sneaker |
Hit the trails running with the Olympus 5, our plushest trail runner, ready to tackle all terrain. The EVA midsole foam offers underfoot protection and comfort while our Original FootShape Fit gives your feet the space they need to sit naturally. With a breathable engineered mesh upper and a grippy outsole, you can keep enjoying the view all day.
Hit the trails running with the Olympus 5, our plushest trail runner, ready to tackle all terrain. The EVA midsole foam offers underfoot protection and comfort while our Original FootShape Fit gives your feet the space they need to sit naturally. With a breathable engineered mesh upper and a grippy outsole, you can keep enjoying the view all day.
in 2 offers
Hit the trails running with the Olympus 5, our plushest trail runner, ready to tackle all terrain. The EVA midsole foam offers underfoot protection and comfort while our Original FootShape Fit gives your feet the space they need to sit naturally. With a breathable engineered mesh upper and a grippy outsole, you can keep enjoying the view all day.
Hit the trails running with the Olympus 5, our plushest trail runner, ready to tackle all terrain. The EVA midsole foam offers underfoot protection and comfort while our Original FootShape Fit gives your feet the space they need to sit naturally. With a breathable engineered mesh upper and a grippy outsole, you can keep enjoying the view all day.
