Last updated at 07/01/2025 11:24:30
originally posted on REI
I purchased these to try vs my usual Timps as the latest version just wasn't that comfy for me. These are definitely stiffer but they have the cushion and room in the toe box I love with Altra. I usually am a 7 in Altra and these fit perfectly in a 7. Took me a bit to adjust the laces as the heel feels a little wider than my Timps. I added my superfeet for arch support. I was worried my heels would slip as they raised my feet a bit but have not had any issues. I've put about 20 miles on them so far across some pretty rocky and dirty terrain. They held the trail really well and they still look great. Hopefully the Vibram sole lasts a bit longer than my Timps. Now if they were just waterproof they'd be perfect!
originally posted on altrarunning.com
Why did you ruin the Olympus? The Olympus 4 was my favorite running shoe of all time. I had 3 pairs. I wore them every day for work and for play. They really helped me with my knees and feet. Why do you keep making your new shoes more narrow? Altra is known for their wide toe box that was UNIQUE. Now it seems you are just conforming to other shoe companies or else trying to use less materials to save on costs. Maybe your new shoe designer has narrow feet and could care less about your loyal fans with wide feet. I notice you have done this with your other shoes as well. The Olympus 5 is too narrow. Instead of keeping the wide toe box you changed it to a narrower "sock like" fit that is very uncomfortable and squeezes my forefoot. You also made the part above the ... MoreWhy did you ruin the Olympus? The Olympus 4 was my favorite running shoe of all time. I had 3 pairs. I wore them every day for work and for play. They really helped me with my knees and feet. Why do you keep making your new shoes more narrow? Altra is known for their wide toe box that was UNIQUE. Now it seems you are just conforming to other shoe companies or else trying to use less materials to save on costs. Maybe your new shoe designer has narrow feet and could care less about your loyal fans with wide feet. I notice you have done this with your other shoes as well. The Olympus 5 is too narrow. Instead of keeping the wide toe box you changed it to a narrower "sock like" fit that is very uncomfortable and squeezes my forefoot. You also made the part above the ankle for gaiters too long and high where it rubs into my achilles and feels very uncomfortable. I have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel. However, your new heel is creased and it slips off my narrow heel. PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD OLYMPUS 4 with the wider forefoot where you could wiggle your toes and the old round heel that did not slip and was not creased and the lower loop for gaiters. PLEASE STOP RUINING YOUR SHOES. Bring back the old quality and the original wide fit. That is your brand and that is what you are known for. Cutting corners to save money or to conform to other brands will lose you customers. People with narrow feet have tons of other choices. Your founder seemed passionate about making shoes for people with wide forefeet. No other brand made shoes like these where your toes could have natural movement. Now I will have to look for a new shoe brand. You do not need to redesign a shoe every year. If you want to make a shoe for people with narrower feet, then you should design a new shoe with a new name instead of ruining one for wide feet that was well-loved by your customers. I can see in the comments that many customers who loved the Olympus 4 found the Olympus 5 very uncomfortable. I hope you will take customer feedback seriously instead of listening to whomever is telling you to redesign your shoes so they are extremely uncomfortable. At the very least, you could offer a wide version if you are not going to make these with the ORIGINAL fit. GO BACK TO THE OLYMPUS 4 for next year!
originally posted on altrarunning.com
I recently heard someone describe the fit of these as "sloppy" and I think that hits the nail on the head. I am new to trail runners and had really high hopes but these unfortunately ruined my feet. The zero drop was a poor choice for me, it destroyed my Achilles tendons and has caused me a lot of grief over the last 3 months with these. If you are new to zero drop I highly recommend you do your research and make sure you are prepared. My heel & the inside of my arch rubbed constantly and gave me blisters, even after sizing up. Lastly, the durability seems very poor. The inside heels are already getting holes and the rubber around the outside has already started to come apart... I am not a thru hiker or doing anything crazy, I have put MAYBE 50 miles on these and ... MoreI recently heard someone describe the fit of these as "sloppy" and I think that hits the nail on the head. I am new to trail runners and had really high hopes but these unfortunately ruined my feet. The zero drop was a poor choice for me, it destroyed my Achilles tendons and has caused me a lot of grief over the last 3 months with these. If you are new to zero drop I highly recommend you do your research and make sure you are prepared. My heel & the inside of my arch rubbed constantly and gave me blisters, even after sizing up. Lastly, the durability seems very poor. The inside heels are already getting holes and the rubber around the outside has already started to come apart... I am not a thru hiker or doing anything crazy, I have put MAYBE 50 miles on these and expected them to hold up much better. Sad to say these will be my first & last pair of Altras!
| Variant | |
| size | 5.5 |
| color | Dusty Teal |
I purchased these to try vs my usual Timps as the latest version just wasn't that comfy for me. These are definitely stiffer but they have the cushion and room in the toe box I love with Altra. I usually am a 7 in Altra and these fit perfectly in a 7. Took me a bit to adjust the laces as the heel feels a little wider than my Timps. I added my superfeet for arch support. I was worried my heels would slip as they raised my feet a bit but have not had any issues. I've put about 20 miles on them so far across some pretty rocky and dirty terrain. They held the trail really well and they still look great. Hopefully the Vibram sole lasts a bit longer than my Timps. Now if they were just waterproof they'd be perfect!
Why did you ruin the Olympus? The Olympus 4 was my favorite running shoe of all time. I had 3 pairs. I wore them every day for work and for play. They really helped me with my knees and feet. Why do you keep making your new shoes more narrow? Altra is known for their wide toe box that was UNIQUE. Now it seems you are just conforming to other shoe companies or else trying to use less materials to save on costs. Maybe your new shoe designer has narrow feet and could care less about your loyal fans with wide feet. I notice you have done this with your other shoes as well. The Olympus 5 is too narrow. Instead of keeping the wide toe box you changed it to a narrower "sock like" fit that is very uncomfortable and squeezes my forefoot. You also made the part above the ... MoreWhy did you ruin the Olympus? The Olympus 4 was my favorite running shoe of all time. I had 3 pairs. I wore them every day for work and for play. They really helped me with my knees and feet. Why do you keep making your new shoes more narrow? Altra is known for their wide toe box that was UNIQUE. Now it seems you are just conforming to other shoe companies or else trying to use less materials to save on costs. Maybe your new shoe designer has narrow feet and could care less about your loyal fans with wide feet. I notice you have done this with your other shoes as well. The Olympus 5 is too narrow. Instead of keeping the wide toe box you changed it to a narrower "sock like" fit that is very uncomfortable and squeezes my forefoot. You also made the part above the ankle for gaiters too long and high where it rubs into my achilles and feels very uncomfortable. I have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel. However, your new heel is creased and it slips off my narrow heel. PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD OLYMPUS 4 with the wider forefoot where you could wiggle your toes and the old round heel that did not slip and was not creased and the lower loop for gaiters. PLEASE STOP RUINING YOUR SHOES. Bring back the old quality and the original wide fit. That is your brand and that is what you are known for. Cutting corners to save money or to conform to other brands will lose you customers. People with narrow feet have tons of other choices. Your founder seemed passionate about making shoes for people with wide forefeet. No other brand made shoes like these where your toes could have natural movement. Now I will have to look for a new shoe brand. You do not need to redesign a shoe every year. If you want to make a shoe for people with narrower feet, then you should design a new shoe with a new name instead of ruining one for wide feet that was well-loved by your customers. I can see in the comments that many customers who loved the Olympus 4 found the Olympus 5 very uncomfortable. I hope you will take customer feedback seriously instead of listening to whomever is telling you to redesign your shoes so they are extremely uncomfortable. At the very least, you could offer a wide version if you are not going to make these with the ORIGINAL fit. GO BACK TO THE OLYMPUS 4 for next year!
I recently heard someone describe the fit of these as "sloppy" and I think that hits the nail on the head. I am new to trail runners and had really high hopes but these unfortunately ruined my feet. The zero drop was a poor choice for me, it destroyed my Achilles tendons and has caused me a lot of grief over the last 3 months with these. If you are new to zero drop I highly recommend you do your research and make sure you are prepared. My heel & the inside of my arch rubbed constantly and gave me blisters, even after sizing up. Lastly, the durability seems very poor. The inside heels are already getting holes and the rubber around the outside has already started to come apart... I am not a thru hiker or doing anything crazy, I have put MAYBE 50 miles on these and ... MoreI recently heard someone describe the fit of these as "sloppy" and I think that hits the nail on the head. I am new to trail runners and had really high hopes but these unfortunately ruined my feet. The zero drop was a poor choice for me, it destroyed my Achilles tendons and has caused me a lot of grief over the last 3 months with these. If you are new to zero drop I highly recommend you do your research and make sure you are prepared. My heel & the inside of my arch rubbed constantly and gave me blisters, even after sizing up. Lastly, the durability seems very poor. The inside heels are already getting holes and the rubber around the outside has already started to come apart... I am not a thru hiker or doing anything crazy, I have put MAYBE 50 miles on these and expected them to hold up much better. Sad to say these will be my first & last pair of Altras!
I love these shoes so much, I bought every color. I know that sounds extreme. But! I have to wear foot drop braces (AFOs) to walk and I have the hardest time finding shoes that look nice and are comfortable with my braces. These shoes are perfect. The wide toe box provides the extra toe wiggle room I need. The slightly elevated heel helps me pick up my feet better. And they’re quite stylish, something I miss from the old days of pre-brace life when I enjoyed stylish shoes galore. Now than I can only wear athletic shoes, my style has been limited. While these shoes are not dressy, they do make me feel like I have a bit of funky shoe attitude than just normal athletic shoes. I really love them. But do keep in mind, I am not wearing them as intended for hiking. I love ... MoreI love these shoes so much, I bought every color. I know that sounds extreme. But! I have to wear foot drop braces (AFOs) to walk and I have the hardest time finding shoes that look nice and are comfortable with my braces. These shoes are perfect. The wide toe box provides the extra toe wiggle room I need. The slightly elevated heel helps me pick up my feet better. And they’re quite stylish, something I miss from the old days of pre-brace life when I enjoyed stylish shoes galore. Now than I can only wear athletic shoes, my style has been limited. While these shoes are not dressy, they do make me feel like I have a bit of funky shoe attitude than just normal athletic shoes. I really love them. But do keep in mind, I am not wearing them as intended for hiking. I love them for their style and AFO accommodation.
I was thrilled when I discovered the ALtra Olympus 4. I have 2 pairs and was excited to get the version 5. I work in healthcare and use these for work and workouts. The 5 is AWFUl--rough tongue, smaller fit, and just NOT the same. I was so disappointed when I put them on. I even tried a 1/2 size up and it didn't help the roughness of the tongue or the overall fit. I am so disappointed in this shoe. It says a lot about comfort when you are willing to pay what these cost (for the 4!!). I have a lot of medical issues and the 4 was just perfect for me and all of my leg joint issues. This is the 1st time I have looked at all of the reviews and I honestly felt relieved that it wasn't just me who felt this way. PLEASE structure the 6 more like the 4. It would be such a ... MoreI was thrilled when I discovered the ALtra Olympus 4. I have 2 pairs and was excited to get the version 5. I work in healthcare and use these for work and workouts. The 5 is AWFUl--rough tongue, smaller fit, and just NOT the same. I was so disappointed when I put them on. I even tried a 1/2 size up and it didn't help the roughness of the tongue or the overall fit. I am so disappointed in this shoe. It says a lot about comfort when you are willing to pay what these cost (for the 4!!). I have a lot of medical issues and the 4 was just perfect for me and all of my leg joint issues. This is the 1st time I have looked at all of the reviews and I honestly felt relieved that it wasn't just me who felt this way. PLEASE structure the 6 more like the 4. It would be such a blessing.
I like them because of the wide toe box (the only reason I bought them), but Altra seem to make the women's shoes a bit 'shallow', by which I mean the depth of the shoe is not big enough for the foot, so the laces are maxed out wide on me, leaving very little left to actually tie a bow with. They're a little shallow at either side towards the heel too. This might be because I have a foot arch. Maybe they have designed them for women with less foot depth, but I've read other reviews mentioning that the laces are too short, so maybe others have the same foot shape as me.I usually buy men's shoes, but they didn't have an Altra men's in size 8 (only an 8.5), so I got the women's version. I was in two minds about them after I bought them, but I'll probably get used to ... MoreI like them because of the wide toe box (the only reason I bought them), but Altra seem to make the women's shoes a bit 'shallow', by which I mean the depth of the shoe is not big enough for the foot, so the laces are maxed out wide on me, leaving very little left to actually tie a bow with. They're a little shallow at either side towards the heel too. This might be because I have a foot arch. Maybe they have designed them for women with less foot depth, but I've read other reviews mentioning that the laces are too short, so maybe others have the same foot shape as me.I usually buy men's shoes, but they didn't have an Altra men's in size 8 (only an 8.5), so I got the women's version. I was in two minds about them after I bought them, but I'll probably get used to them. I can only wear thin socks with them on. I tried them in the gym, but prefer my barefoot shoes there (I don't run there either). I'll use the Altra's for walking about when it is not raining. Its great that they are totally flat and have a wide toe box, whilst also having some ground cushioning - I like flat, but I don't need to feel the gravel under my feet.If I need another pair sometime, I'll likely go for the men's version next time, unless Altra revise their women's shoes. I wish they made waterproof shoes. I know they have a waterproof men's trail shoe, but it has an ankle cuff, which I'd rather not have.I actually gave up buying women's shoes decades ago, so this is a first in a long long time!
Notice the product photos don't show the shoes tied? Probably because the laces are too short to make a bow--these are the shortest laces, EVER. Good luck tying these; they're seriously that short. The shoes weren't functional for me with the laces that came with the shoes.The factory insoles are thin, flimsy & disposable. Most people who purchase these will toss them out. So, we take out the insoles & replace them with decent after-market insoles to the tune of approximately 50 dollars. Next, with this model, we're forced to replace the silly, tiny shoe laces with after-market shoe laces for another 8 dollars. These aren't inexpensive shoes in the first place, and with the replacement parts necessary, they're even more exorbitant.Don't get me wrong--the shoe ... MoreNotice the product photos don't show the shoes tied? Probably because the laces are too short to make a bow--these are the shortest laces, EVER. Good luck tying these; they're seriously that short. The shoes weren't functional for me with the laces that came with the shoes.The factory insoles are thin, flimsy & disposable. Most people who purchase these will toss them out. So, we take out the insoles & replace them with decent after-market insoles to the tune of approximately 50 dollars. Next, with this model, we're forced to replace the silly, tiny shoe laces with after-market shoe laces for another 8 dollars. These aren't inexpensive shoes in the first place, and with the replacement parts necessary, they're even more exorbitant.Don't get me wrong--the shoe itself is great. I appreciate the cushioning, the protection the thickness affords my feet and the generous width of the forefoot. These things, Altra has done well. However, the overall cost and hassle make the Olympus a much less attractive purchase.
I overall really loved the support of the olympus 5 and the wide toe box. The shoe felt like the right compromise coming out of my recovery from ankle surgery. They performed really well on my training hikes - long miles, lots of elevation, in and out of creek crossings, in snow, and on granite.I've had a lot of technical hiking boots, approach shoes, and this was my first time really using trail runners and I was loving it. I'm not sure how long trail runners are supposed to last, but I was pretty shocked when the tread on the bottom started to peal off my shoe mid-JMT. This was around the 180mile mark of the shoe's lifetime (including all my training hikes), and from what I've read you should be getting 300-500miles out of your shoes.I had friends in the Lone ... MoreI overall really loved the support of the olympus 5 and the wide toe box. The shoe felt like the right compromise coming out of my recovery from ankle surgery. They performed really well on my training hikes - long miles, lots of elevation, in and out of creek crossings, in snow, and on granite.I've had a lot of technical hiking boots, approach shoes, and this was my first time really using trail runners and I was loving it. I'm not sure how long trail runners are supposed to last, but I was pretty shocked when the tread on the bottom started to peal off my shoe mid-JMT. This was around the 180mile mark of the shoe's lifetime (including all my training hikes), and from what I've read you should be getting 300-500miles out of your shoes.I had friends in the Lone Peaks with the same mileage that didn't have any tread issues so this also made me think it might be a design issue or quality control issue specific to the Olympus 5 (???)Again a several days later I had more tread literally just flopping from the bottom of my shoe, and all in all at like 240miles I had 6 large 1 inch pieces of tread dangling off my shoe that had to be cut off and removed - leaving bald slippery shoe rubber underneath. I was a bit disappointed with how they held up.
I have trained in the Olympus 4's and love them, see my original review of these Olympus 5's in January. After doing a lot of long distance training walks in the 5's they really started bothering my toes, the toe box seemed shorter or something. Frustrated that I paid so much for them but they were not working...I'm training for the French Camino for May so I need to get the correct shoe NOW. I was able to find a pair of the Olympus 4's from an online store, they worked perfect and will probably wear those on the Camino as I did for the Portuguese Camino last May. I just got off the phone with the Altra factory and told them my story about being disappointed in the 5's after trying to wear them on the 10-15 mile training walks...it seems that they are using a new ... MoreI have trained in the Olympus 4's and love them, see my original review of these Olympus 5's in January. After doing a lot of long distance training walks in the 5's they really started bothering my toes, the toe box seemed shorter or something. Frustrated that I paid so much for them but they were not working...I'm training for the French Camino for May so I need to get the correct shoe NOW. I was able to find a pair of the Olympus 4's from an online store, they worked perfect and will probably wear those on the Camino as I did for the Portuguese Camino last May. I just got off the phone with the Altra factory and told them my story about being disappointed in the 5's after trying to wear them on the 10-15 mile training walks...it seems that they are using a new way of attaching the sole to the shoe, shortening the shoe by 1/2 size...why didn't they mention that when I originally purchased them in January. They told me to size up 1/2 size but they wouldn't compensate me in a way of a discount should I purchase another pair of the Olympus 5. I haven't looked at the website on what they say but they really do need to include the info. I will probably purchase another pair, 1/2 size larger, but right now I'm really bummed. BEWARE! Size up and return them if you have to before your 30 day guarantee is up. I still love my Olympus 4's but can't find another pair around in my size.
Love the shoes but beware of color selection wording. my wife wanted the ones that are actually white with light blue laces and sole. I phoned in the order since i had to return for a smaller size. Got the white/ light blue ones in. they have absolutely no regular blue on them except the dark navy almost black emblem. like i said, shoe feels and fits great but wrong color. she already has this color. since i had to return them for smaller size i don't really want to bother them with another return. probably wouldn't of been a problem if ordering from website. if your wife tells you the white with light blue which one of these would pick as them? surely not the ones with the red soles.
| Variant | |
| size | 5.5 |
| color | Dusty Teal |
Go for an all-day adventure in the plush Altra Olympus 5. Altrarsquos premium Compression Molded EVA foam gives you light and luxurious performance with a little extra bounce and durability. The Olympus is built with Altrarsquos Original FootShapetrade Fit, which is the most voluminous of Altrarsquos shoes. It also has their signature wide toe box so your toes can splay naturally. Like all Altra shoes, the Olympus has a Balanced Cushionedtrade platform that positions your heel and forefoot at equal distances from the ground (or zero heel-to-toe drop), which encourages better alignment and form. Altra redesigned the outsole to make it even easier to run on uneven terrain. The Olympus 5 has the grip and traction to take on any terrain thanks to its Vibramreg Megagriptrade, which is a durable and sticky high-performance rubber that works great on both wet and dry surfaces. A breathable engineered mesh upper is comfortable to wear all day long and Altra refined the sidewalls to increase stability while you are on uneven terrain. The premium collar has been redesigned for added comfort and keeps your heel locked in and secure. Whether you are hiking or running an ultra-marathon, do it in comfort with the Altra Olympus 5.
Go for an all-day adventure in the plush Altra Olympus 5. Altrarsquos premium Compression Molded EVA foam gives you light and luxurious performance with a little extra bounce and durability. The Olympus is built with Altrarsquos Original FootShapetrade Fit, which is the most voluminous of Altrarsquos shoes. It also has their signature wide toe box so your toes can splay naturally. Like all Altra shoes, the Olympus has a Balanced Cushionedtrade platform that positions your heel and forefoot at equal distances from the ground (or zero heel-to-toe drop), which encourages better alignment and form. Altra redesigned the outsole to make it even easier to run on uneven terrain. The Olympus 5 has the grip and traction to take on any terrain thanks to its Vibramreg Megagriptrade, which is a durable and sticky high-performance rubber that works great on both wet and dry surfaces. A breathable engineered mesh upper is comfortable to wear all day long and Altra refined the sidewalls to increase stability while you are on uneven terrain. The premium collar has been redesigned for added comfort and keeps your heel locked in and secure. Whether you are hiking or running an ultra-marathon, do it in comfort with the Altra Olympus 5.
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Go for an all-day adventure in the plush Altra Olympus 5. Altrarsquos premium Compression Molded EVA foam gives you light and luxurious performance with a little extra bounce and durability. The Olympus is built with Altrarsquos Original FootShapetrade Fit, which is the most voluminous of Altrarsquos shoes. It also has their signature wide toe box so your toes can splay naturally. Like all Altra shoes, the Olympus has a Balanced Cushionedtrade platform that positions your heel and forefoot at equal distances from the ground (or zero heel-to-toe drop), which encourages better alignment and form. Altra redesigned the outsole to make it even easier to run on uneven terrain. The Olympus 5 has the grip and traction to take on any terrain thanks to its Vibramreg Megagriptrade, which is a durable and sticky high-performance rubber that works great on both wet and dry surfaces. A breathable engineered mesh upper is comfortable to wear all day long and Altra refined the sidewalls to increase stability while you are on uneven terrain. The premium collar has been redesigned for added comfort and keeps your heel locked in and secure. Whether you are hiking or running an ultra-marathon, do it in comfort with the Altra Olympus 5.
Go for an all-day adventure in the plush Altra Olympus 5. Altrarsquos premium Compression Molded EVA foam gives you light and luxurious performance with a little extra bounce and durability. The Olympus is built with Altrarsquos Original FootShapetrade Fit, which is the most voluminous of Altrarsquos shoes. It also has their signature wide toe box so your toes can splay naturally. Like all Altra shoes, the Olympus has a Balanced Cushionedtrade platform that positions your heel and forefoot at equal distances from the ground (or zero heel-to-toe drop), which encourages better alignment and form. Altra redesigned the outsole to make it even easier to run on uneven terrain. The Olympus 5 has the grip and traction to take on any terrain thanks to its Vibramreg Megagriptrade, which is a durable and sticky high-performance rubber that works great on both wet and dry surfaces. A breathable engineered mesh upper is comfortable to wear all day long and Altra refined the sidewalls to increase stability while you are on uneven terrain. The premium collar has been redesigned for added comfort and keeps your heel locked in and secure. Whether you are hiking or running an ultra-marathon, do it in comfort with the Altra Olympus 5.
