Altra Olympus 4 Trail Runner Review

Altra’s cushiest trail shoe has intimidated me for years.  Not only does the name Olympus elicit visions of dispassionate Greek gods tossing around lightning bolts, but these kicks have always seemed like more shoe than I can handle.  That fat stack of midsole foam and aggressive styling look mean enough to keep me trembling in my Lone Peaks. 

That said, I’ve never met a shoe that gave me too much cushion, so naturally, I’ve been intrigued by the Olympus after enjoying so much personal success with Altra’s other trail runners. And it’s not just me. Once a rare sight in a sea of Lone Peaks, the Olympus has quietly collected an increasing share of the thru-hiker footwear pie. In reality, my curiosity has never been great enough to vault past the lofty price tag of the Olympus, and my interest has remained purely academic.  Until now. Dun dun dun.

With thousands of happy miles hiked in cheaper shoes, the question I set out to answer during my review period was, “what does one get for the added expense?” Was it boosted comfort alone, or did the ‘name-brand’ Vibram rubber actually grip better too? In my view, in order to justify the higher price, the Olympus needed to eclipse the Lone Peak in two ways: it must travel further before needing to be replaced, and it must provide better traction. Midway through my AT thru-hike, it was finally time to find out.

The Olympus 4 has been superseded by the Olympus 5, which is pretty much the same shoe. The Olympus 4 can still be found for sale, but links will be to the new model.

Altra Olympus At-a-Glance

altra olympus

The most cushion possible. That’s what they Olympus is about.

MSRP: $180
Shoe Type: Maximally cushioned trail runner
Stack Height: 33mm
Drop: 0mm
Weight: Men 11.6oz / Women 9.6oz

Intended Use

Despite what thousands of slow-moving, pack-lugging hikers will tell you, trail runners are not designed for backpacking.  This includes the Olympus 4.  These shoes are intended for faster off-road locomotion (aka running). Specifically, they were created for those who prefer maximum protection from the points and jabs of the trail, or who just want the cushiest ride possible.  

Fortunately for us hikers, many of the attributes valued by trail runners are also beneficial for us as we plod along under our heavy burdens.  Breathable, lightweight, quick-drying, comfortable, grippy, and cushioned. All of these are important, and with the Olympus, Altra maximizes the emphasis on the last two adjectives on that list.

Circumstances of Review

Slap some paint on it and call it a trail. A rocky (and slick) section of the AT in PA. Oof.

My pair of Olympus 4s smoothed out my ride for nearly 700 miles of my AT thru-hike between Harpers Ferry, WV and Killington, VT.  Incredibly, I would have been happy to push them further had I not already arranged for my replacement Lone Peaks to be delivered to me just before completing our 7th state together. 

During that stretch, the trail threw some pretty gnarly terrain my way, including the fabled, long-dreaded, and still-underestimated rocks of Pennsylvania, not to mention the hideously overlooked rocks of Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.  And in between the rocks were plenty of slick roots, mud holes, and ankle-deep leaves. Don’t worry, there was also plenty of smooth cruising too.  While the varietous terrain was often frustrating, it provided a comprehensive, and suspiciously subjective, understanding of what these shoes can do.

Altra Olympus 4 Features

A thick midsole, Vibram rubber, and the Gaiter Trap are prominent features of the Olympus.

Max cushion:  The Olympuses are Altra’s cushiest trail shoe. A pair of these stilts boasts 33mm of foamy stack height, versus Altra’s 25mm Lone Peak’s and 29mm Timps.

Vibram Megagrip outsole:  Vibram is well-known for their grippy and durable rubber, and Altra brings in the experts to collaborate on the Olympus. Their Megagrip is a classic, tried and true formula. Great traction is what I was most excited about when trying the Olympus.

Footshape:  Making shoes that actually fit the anatomical shape of a human foot is what Altra is all about. This is most obviously noticed with the wide toe box, which allows the toes to spread and behave naturally.

Zero drop:  Along with the aforementioned Footshape, zero heel-toe drop is a signature of the Altra brand. What that means is that the thickness of cushioning foam is uniform under the entire foot, creating a level surface on which to stand, hike, and run.  Proponents of this style claim that this geometry promotes a more natural footstrike versus shoes that incorporate a positive “drop,” usually between 5-15mm, which raises the heel above the toes.

Gaiter trap:  I don’t hike in gaiters, but if I did then this would tickle me pink. A built-in velcro patch on the heel secures the back of running gaiters, including Altra’s own version as well as the ever popular Dirty Girl Gaiters.  With other shoe brands, one must add their own velcro, which is always at risk of coming unstuck.

How’d They Do

It wasn’t all rocks and roots. The Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania was 15 miles of smooth cruising, made all the smoother by that Olympus cush.

My pair of Olympus 4s joined me at the peak of my AT strength and didn’t miss a beat when I asked them to carry me 116 miles during our first four days together through Maryland and into Pennsylvania. Coming from a pair of Timp 3’s, my legs and feet were already used to the Altra ride. However, I definitely noticed the extra spring in my step and holding power on surfaces of all types. Naturally, I ended up with a few new blisters, but those callused over, leaving me with just my rapidly diminishing skepticism that the extra cash was worth it.

By the time I replaced those shoes with a vintage pair of Lone Peak 3.5s left over from the CDT, I was fully onboard with the benefits of the Olympus. The only thing that I never got used to was looking down at the extra wide footprint (necessary for keeping these things from tipping over). I’m still not sure that the price is right (and that will be a different answer for everyone), but the Olympus satisfied my requirements needed to justify the premium price. After 700 miles, they still had life left and felt comfortable at the end of a long day. Furthermore, the Vibram MegaGrip absolutely provided better traction than Altra’s house brand MaxTrac. The Olympus is the real deal.

Fit

altra olympus

Nearing 700 miles and looking the part. That wide toe box is an Altra signature. The Olympus incorporates their most voluminous fit.

Like the Lone Peak, the Olympus is designed with Altra’s “Original” fit, which happens to be their roomiest. Of course, everybody’s feet are different, so calling this a good thing would be absolutely ridiculous. However, generally, I think that more space is conducive to foot wellbeing over long distances as they swell and spread throughout the day, weeks, and months. If you like the fit of Lone Peak’s, then the Olympus will probably work for you too.

Comfort

As expected, the Olympus 4s were pretty darn comfortable.  That familiar, roomy Lone Peak fit let my feet be the shape that they were supposed to be, and the super thick foam provided a cushy ride even when the ground was anything but. In miles of rock hopping along the arrow-straight ridges of Pennsylvania, I never bottomed out or poked a sole.  Only occasionally did my feet feel stumpy at the end of the day, and they felt fresh on most mornings. Aside from my blisters, my feet were as happy as they’d ever been during a thru-hike, especially if we’re talking about how they felt in shoes over 500 miles old.

Durability

My pair of Olympus’s made it nearly 700 miles without major issue, and they could have gone further. That qualifies as durable in my book.  The upper mesh started to crack open at the toe creases during the final week, and some weird stick drama punctured an ever-widening hole near the laces, but these were minor blemishes that did not affect the shoes’ function.

Stick drama. I would call this a freak accident except for the fact that it happened twice. Aside from this large hole, the upper mesh proved to be very durable.

The important stuff, midsole cushion and outsole traction, performed even better. The grip never dipped, and while the foam trampoline did compress noticeably over the miles, it was still springy and protective to the final jabby rock. I’ve had Lone Peak’s feel more used up at 500 miles than they Olympus at 700.

Bear in mind that shoe wear and longevity depends on several factors. Terrain certainly plays an important roll. Dust and grit abrades the material of the shoe uppers, which causes holes to form.  The SoCal section of the PCT is hell for shoes for this reason. User weight is also an important consideration.  I’m a lightweight at 144lbs when I’m fully fed, hydrated, and haven’t pooped for a few days. While I might get 700 miles out of a pair of shoes, a hiker weighing more than me may see significantly less before the tread wears flat and the cushioning packs out.

Altra Olympus 4 Pros

altra olympus

The Vibram rubber is legit, and that toe cap is my hero.

 

 

Grip: I have no doubt about it, the Vibram Megagrip is grippier than Altra’s house brand MaxTrac, which is found on their other trail shoes.  Though not a silver bullet for slick roots and slimy rocks, my completely unscientific and purely subjective opinion is that this rubber sticks better on any surface.  I found it confidence inspiring, and sometimes confidence is all one needs. Going back to my old Lone Peak’s was a noticeable and treacherous downgrade.

Cushion:  It might not be for everyone, but the bounce in this ride is undeniable. I experienced fewer pointy zingers and less daily foot fatigue in these shoes when compared to other, less-cushioned shoes that I have used (and loved) while thru-hiking.

Longevity:  The upper mesh of these shoes did an admirable, albeit imperfect, job of resisting holes and abrasive wear over 700 rugged miles.  However, as I’d hoped, the cushioning and outsole durability are standouts in Altra’s lineup of trail shoes. Despite an obvious reduction in bounce, the thick midsole was still going strong when most others are little better than cardboard.

Fit: Unsurprisingly, the Olympus’s are great for hikers who prefer a toe box that’s on the roomy side.  That’s what the trademarked Altra Footshape is all about. Personally, I also prefer the high-volume fit for hiking even though I have low-volume feet.  Let those tootsies spread, smoosh, and swell.

Protection: Holy toledo, did I stub my toes about a million times during those 700 miles.  While trail runners will never be as protective as a pair of burly boots, the Olympus 4’s did a great job of shielding my feet against bangs and bruises. The reinforced toe especially save me from a whole world of hurt, and maybe even a broken toe.

Altra Olympus 4 Cons

altra olympus

All that ‘white’ is just foam, not rubber. It doesn’t grip at all when wet, which takes some getting used to. But hey, look at the rubber after 700 miles. Pretty good shape.

Price: Assuming that these shoes are actually a decent fit for your foot, then the inflated price tag is probably their biggest downside.  Arguably this is mitigated by their propensity to cover more miles before falling apart, but $180 is still a bowel-cramping number.

Tread gap:  In a bid to cut weight, probably maybe, the Vibram outsole is omitted from a significant portion of the mid-foot.  This leaves just the foam of the midsole and a perimeter of rubber to grab the ground from arch to heel. I didn’t find this to be an issue unless I stepped on something wet without contacting the actual Vibram on the forefoot, but it took some recalibration after the first surprising, soapy slip.  These shoes have great grip, but only where there is rubber.

Tippy: All that tall cushion takes some getting used to on uneven footing.  The staggering width of the Olympus actually provides great stability once the sole is planted, but my ankles often ended up in unexpected places while rock hopping during my first few days in these shoes.

Final Thoughts

Darn, these shoes are actually pretty sweet.

 

Yep, Altra’s Olympus 4 is cushier, longer lasting, and grippier than the brand’s other trail shoes. And not just marginally.  Put through the wringer over 700 miles of varied AT tread, it became clear to me that the thru-hiking community was not wrong. These shoes are ready for an extended, pack-on adventure.  I came into this review skeptical of an overrated, overpriced fad, but finished totally onboard with what this shoe offers over my trusty Lone Peak’s. That said, I’m far from certain that the benefits justify the price, for me.  Budget restrictions will be different for each individual, and I’m satisfied to know that if I do dish out for that premium price then I will at least be rewarded with premium performance.

Shop the Men’s Altra Olympus

Shop the Women’s Altra Olympus

Similar Trail Runners

Hoka One One Speedgoat (Women’s)

MSRP: $155
Stack Height: 33mm heel, 29mm toe
Drop: 4mm

Altra Lone Peak 6 (Women’s)

MSRP: $140
Stack Height: 25mm
Drop: 0mm

Altra Timp 4 (Women’s)

MSRP: $160
Stack Height: 30mm
Drop: 0mm

Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 (Women’s)

MSRP: $130
Stack Height: 25mm heel, 22mm toe
Drop: 3mm

Read The Trek’s review of the Terraventure 3 here.

Disclaimer: The Altra Olympus 4s were donated for purpose of review.

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Comments 8

  • Kevin Bunker : Aug 2nd

    Great shoe review, but give us an update! How is the hike going?

    Reply
  • Donna : Aug 2nd

    Hi Owen! Thanks for the review. Waiting for an update on your continuing hike! Please keep us all posted. Take care!!

    Reply
  • thetentman : Aug 2nd

    Nice shoe, too bad it does not come in a 12 3-5 E size. Propet is the only answer for me.

    Reply
  • Harry Key : Aug 3rd

    I live in Scotland…I purchased pair of Olympus 4 shoes from AltraUK on the 6th of March.They took my money but failed to deliver my shoes.
    I have contacted AltraUK, Altra Europe and Altra HQ more than 20 times and have been completely ignored.
    Shoes are great but customer care is non existent.

    Reply
  • Smitty : Aug 26th

    Nice shoe, read your reply on infamous day 101, your too diplomatic but you have to be I suppose. I do volunteer work as a gift not my avenue to an authorized position. It also appears you were in compliance of all rules. A perfect thru hike.

    Reply
  • Chuck : Jan 9th

    Thanks for your review. However my experience with the Olympic 5 on the Portuguese Camino was not what you experienced.
    After about 100 miles two of the rubber vibrancy strips came loose. Fortunately I was able to superglue them back. Also, by the end of the 200 miles or so the interior lining had numerous holes.
    The shoe is very comfortable and I enjoyed them but was disappointed in the durability.
    As an aside, when I reported the early failures to Altra ( I asked for nothing, just wanted to report the problems) “customer service” showed no interest or concern.
    Bottom line: Very comfortable shoe that may not hold up as long as a $180 should and expect no help from customer service. Apparently they don’t care.

    Reply
  • sven : Mar 19th

    In my opinion ALTRA IS A SCAM

    Shoes which start falling apart as early as a month or two of very light use. No running, just going to the office and using them as everyday shoes. Holes in the fabric, sole flattening out and more. ABSOLUTE JUNK !

    Experienced the same INFERIOR QUALITY with 3 pairs of Altra shoes.
    The internet is full of disappointed customers who paid good money for Altra shoes only to have them falll apart very very quickly.

    The company of course does not care.

    My advice , DO NOT BUY ALTRA as long as their quality is junk.

    Reply

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