Altra Olympus 4 Trail Running Shoes

Product Information

We also discovered that the shoe has thinner-than-average rubber layers and lugs. The Vibram outsole is 2.8 mm, 0.7 mm thinner than the average. The lugs (3.0 mm) are also a bit smaller than the average (3.5 mm). That means it takes less abrasion to wear through the shoe's outsole. At least it bites Altra believe in three over riding principles that guide each shoe they make including the Olympus 4.

After my first run in the Olympus 4.0, I was sold on the shoe as a solid option for any trail conditions. The eventual result was the brand’s zero drop “Balanced Cushioning” that puts the heel and toes the same distance from the ground. This gives optimal alignment, cultivates better form, and encourages a low-impact landing. 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. Hoka’s versatile trail shoe can be used for big mile cruising or more technical terrain. Its midsole material is similar to the Olympus 5, with a more robust outsole, and a much more dialed in fit, especially in the toebox. Personally I like the wide toebox of the Olympus, and my style of running tends to favor the less technical terrain, but I can definitely see why the Speedgoat is a trail favorite.If you're unaware, here's what toe-off means: Pushing the ground farther from yourself not only using your entire forefoot but also your toe strength. Yes, this results in minuscule differences, but it adds up when you're competing with milliseconds (hint: Shorter distances). So where does this wide-toe-box, high-cushion trail shoe fit in my trail running lineup, and how does it compare with other options on the market? After about 75 miles in the shoe, I have some thoughts about where the Olympus does well, as well as where I’ve found myself reaching for a different pair of shoes. The Altra Olympus 4.0 is a workhorse of a trail shoe, though I’m not ready to say it’s my new go to for my time out on the trails.

Additionally, Lone Peak 4.5 looks quite pretty ( this Gray/Orange color of Lone Peak 4.5 is really liked by many - including me).The Olympus 4.0 is as advertised: just a beast of a shoe that can hold up to some serious wear and tear. But for me and my preferences, it’s just a bit too much shoe.

Just an FWI and to set the record straight. The Olympus 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 also have Vibram MegaGrip on their soles. This newer 4.0 just seems to add possibly a bit more and what appears to be more aggressive lugs. Great looking update that will replace my 3.0’s with tons of miles. Durability doesn’t seem to be an issue thus far. There are ten “lugs” in the exposed midsole section (I put in quotes because they don’t really do much besides look the part) and thus far they are wearing down some - but every other part of the shoe seems just fine. In summary, with everything else being equal and average, i f the event distance is more than, say, 75 miles (120 km); then the Olympus is likely to be a better choice over the Lone Peak's because of its extra cushion. As fate would have it, I tried the Timp 2 today against my Olympus 4. I'd say the Olympus upper fit is a little higher volume, not massively, but just a bit more. 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.ERIN: This is, I think, the third iteration of the Olympus that I’ve reviewed (maybe it’s the second?) and now that I’ve also tried the HOKA Stinson ATR, I concur with Taylor’s Godzilla versus King Kong comparison. They’re both… I mean, they’re big shoes. Real big. Almost comically so. Who would win? Well, that’s not really the point of this review, I guess, but leave a comment if you want to answer. The Good The Altra Olympus 4.0 fits true to size. I wear a medium size 9.5 (US Men´s). Roomy toebox and foot-shaped design 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.