{"id":274245,"date":"2025-06-05T05:19:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T05:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/are-the-altra-olympus-trail-runners-still-worth-it-after-4000km\/"},"modified":"2025-06-05T05:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T05:19:53","slug":"are-the-altra-olympus-trail-runners-still-worth-it-after-4000km","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=274245","title":{"rendered":"Are the Altra Olympus Trail Runners Still Worth It After 4,000km?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\"Are<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Altra Olympus 6 Trail Runners<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
If you\u2019re after a shoe that can go from thru-hikes to trail runs, this is the one.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Performance<\/div>\n
100<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Comfort<\/div>\n
100<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Design<\/div>\n
90<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Sustainability<\/div>\n
40<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Price<\/div>\n
60<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Pros<\/div>\n
Super comfortable fit and cushioning<\/div>\n
Excellent grip <\/div>\n
Wide toe box for natural foot splay<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Cons<\/div>\n
Pricey <\/div>\n
Achilles pillows can be hit or miss<\/div>\n
Zero-drop is not for everyone<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
78<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Buy now<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n

Thru-hiker Kate Donald won\u2019t even look at another running shoe after wearing the Altra Olympus Trail Runner \u2013 a max-cushioned shoe built for long-distance hikers and runners chasing comfort all day on the trail.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

When you find a pair of trail runners that actually work for you \u2013 don\u2019t let them go. I\u2019ve turned down countless offers to review other shoes simply because I\u2019ve already found the one (and no, I\u2019m not sponsored by Altra). From now until forever, I will only wear the Altra Olympus 6 Trail Runner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re the kind of shoe that\u2019s still comfortable after 50 kilometres of running. The kind that I can trust to grip on any surface. The kind that has never given me a blister.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> How To Prevent Blisters While Hiking<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re chasing a shoe that will go from multi-day hikes to daily runs on the local track, the Altra Olympus might just be the one for you too.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunsets with my shoes with never get old | @courtneyevewhite<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Why am I the right person to do this review?<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve been wearing the Altra Olympus range of trail runners for over two years now. Hiking and running more than 4000km, I\u2019m onto my third pair. They\u2019ve taken me through everything, from the muddy forests of New Zealand\u2019s Te Araroa Trail<\/a> to the hot, rocky path of South Australia\u2019s Heysen Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before landing on these, I tried plenty of other trail runners including Hoka Speedgoats<\/a>, Salomon Speedcross and Arc\u2019teryx Aerios<\/a>, but in my opinion\u2014 the Olympus does it best.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My natural habitat | @courtneyevewhite<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Quick Specifications<\/h2>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 289g
\nStack height:<\/strong> 33mm
\nFit:<\/strong> Wide toe box, regular fit
\nHeel-to-toe Drop:<\/strong> 0mm
\nExtras:<\/strong> GaiterTrap
\nColour:<\/strong> Black<\/a> or Teal<\/a>
\nRRP:<\/strong>\u00a0$269.95<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> This review is based on the Altra Olympus 6 Trail Runner (non-Gore-Tex)<\/a> model. There\u2019s also a hiking-specific model (has GORE-TEX) available in both low<\/a> and boot cut<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Performance<\/h2>\n

When Altra first released this shoe, it was marketed for thru-hikers and long-distance runners \u2013 and this is exactly where it delivers. They’re comfortable enough for big-mile days with a heavy pack, but responsive enough to pick up the pace for fast-packing or a casual jog.<\/p>\n

Case in point: I wore them for a spontaneous 50km run around Canberra<\/a> and had no foot issues (humble brag).<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Durability<\/h3>\n

Trail runners typically last 500\u2013800kms of wear, but I like to expect around 1000km if I\u2019m just hiking in them. The Olympus blows those numbers out of the water. Over two years, I\u2019ve pushed three pairs across 4000km, and they\u2019ve held up far better than expected.<\/p>\n

My last pair (Altra Olympus 5) ticked over 1000km before I replaced them with the Altra Olympus 6. Sure, the Vibram grip is peeling at the sole and the cushion has softened (entirely), but they\u2019re still holding shape and the upper barely shows wear. I\u2019ve taken them through mud, snow, water, and tonnes of gravel \u2013 and they just keep going.<\/p>\n

Read more about my experience wearing Altra Olympus 5:<\/strong> The Four Pairs of Shoes I Wore Thru Hiking Te Araroa Over 116 Days<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Old vs new<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/h3>\n

Weather Resistance<\/h3>\n

The Olympus comes in both GORE-TEX<\/a> and non-GORE-TEX<\/a> versions, but I always opt for the non-GTX model. It dries faster, feels lighter on the foot, and breathes much better.<\/p>\n

While the Gore-Tex model might keep the feet dry in light rain, once wet, they stay wet. For multi-day hikes when getting soaked is inevitable, fast-drying shoes win every time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This is the weatherproof boot cut version<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Comfort<\/h2>\n

This is where the Olympus truly shines. These shoes quite literally saved my hike on the Te Araroa (a 3000km thru-hike down the length of New Zealand). I\u2019d been battling with shin splints and blisters, and swapping into the Olympus mid-hike turned everything around.<\/p>\n

The wide toe box (Altra calls it the Original FootShape Fit<\/a>) gave my toes room to splay naturally, stopping the blisters I\u2019d been getting between and around my toes. Turns out I have narrow ankles and a wide forefoot and didn\u2019t know (cheers, genetics).<\/p>\n

The plush 33mm stack height feels like bouncing on clouds. Gravel? Asphalt? Rocky trail? You barely feel it. The EVA midsole foam takes a couple of wears to mould to the foot, but once it\u2019s dialled in, the comfort is next-level.<\/p>\n

One feature I\u2019ve grown to love is the \u2018Achilles Pillows\u2019: cushioned pads around the heel that help lock in the foot and reduce heel slip. For someone with chicken legs (my family\u2019s words, not mine), they\u2019ve been a game-changer. That said, it won\u2019t suit every foot. One of my friends called them \u2018devil shoes\u2019 because the pillows rubbed her ankles raw. So, definitely try them on before committing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Heysen Trail probably didn’t feel as soft for anyone not wearing Altras, just sayin’ (these are the Altra Olympus 5 Trail Runners)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Design<\/h2>\n

The Vibram Megagrip outsole gives incredible traction whether scrambling over slick rocks, sliding scree slopes, or tiptoeing across slippery boardwalks. I\u2019ve rarely had to think about my footing since wearing these, which says a lot.<\/p>\n

The zero-drop design is iconically Altra; practically their entire range is zero-drop. This means there\u2019s no height difference between the heel and toe, so the foot sits completely flat inside the shoe. It promotes a more natural stride \u2013 like barefoot walking, but with max cushioning. It took me a few hikes to adjust to (my calves definitely noticed), but now I love how stable they feel. Zero-drop isn\u2019t for everyone though, so it\u2019s worth easing into if you\u2019re new to it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Brand new and ready to rumble<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looks-wise, I\u2019ll be honest: they\u2019re fine. The colour options are okay but a little plain. I\u2019d love to see Altra have more fun with the designs, like the wild Hoka colourways I\u2019ve seen this season. And I get that not everyone loves the chunky silhouette, but hey \u2013 function over fashion, right?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also Altra\u2019s GaiterTrap system: a velcro patch on the heel and a metal hook at the front for attaching lightweight running gaiters. It keeps out sand and stones, further reducing the chance of blisters, and helps keep laces secure. If investing in any Altra shoe, I\u2019d recommend grabbing a pair of Altra Trail Gaiters<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/strong>6 Reasons (Other Than Snakes) to Wear Gaiters While Hiking<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

No red dirt in my socks thank you very much!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weight<\/h3>\n

At 289g (for the women\u2019s model), they\u2019re not the lightest trail runners out there. However, it\u2019s similar to the Hoka Speedgoat (278g), which is often seen as its closest rival. Considering the stack and durability, I\u2019d say the weight is totally justified.<\/p>\n

Sustainability<\/h2>\n

Altra<\/a> doesn\u2019t speak as loudly as some brands about sustainability, but they are making steps in the right direction. Their parent company, VF Corp (which also owns The North Face), have some broad environmental commitments, like public sustainability goals and a Responsible Sourcing Program.<\/p>\n

Altra also claims to use low-waste manufacturing methods, though details about the specific factories or sourcing processes are a bit vague. They\u2019re not B-Corp certified, Fair Trade, or super transparent about materials used in the Olympus 6, which leaves a bit to be desired.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of potential for Altra to step up their game in sustainability.<\/p>\n

Price<\/h2>\n

At $269.95, the Altra Olympus 6 is not cheap, but in the world of gear that actually goes the distance (pun intended), I believe you get what you pay for. These shoes have outlasted every other pair I\u2019ve worn (looking at you, Hoka Speedgoats, which fell apart after three weeks on the Te Araroa).<\/p>\n

Whilst I may have been gifted the Altra Olympus 6<\/a> by Wild Earth<\/a>, I have paid for previous pairs and I\u2019d do it again in a heartbeat. They\u2019re worth every cent!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Breaks are so much more enjoyable without aching feet | @courtneyevewhite<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

Altra Olympus Trail Runners<\/a> have carried me through thousands of kilometres and continue to be my go-to shoe for every hike and trail run. If you\u2019re chasing max comfort, want zero-drop, and a wide toe box, this might just be your forever shoe too.<\/p>\n

FAQs Altra Olympus Trail Runners<\/h2>\n

Can you wear orthotics in Altra Olympus Trail Runners?<\/h3>\n

Yep, orthotics and insoles can both be used inside Altra Olympus Trail Runners.<\/p>\n

Are Altra Olympus shoes good for wide feet?<\/h3>\n

100%. The Original FootShape Fit gives your toes room to splay naturally, reducing blisters and making long days way more bearable.<\/p>\n

Are Altra Olympus shoes waterproof?<\/h3>\n

The Altra’s come in GORE-TEX (waterproof) and non-GORE-TEX versions.<\/p>\n

Do Altra Olympus Trail Runners last long?<\/h3>\n

Yes! Expect well over 1000km of hiking use. Explorer Kate racked up 4000km in one pair!<\/p>\n

Are Altra Olympus shoes good for hiking and trail running?<\/h3>\n

Absolutely. The Olympus is built for both big-mile hikes and trail runs, offering max cushioning, great grip, and durability.<\/p>\n

Are trail runners or hiking boots better for hiking?<\/h3>\n

This debate will never, ever die. Check out this article comparing trail runners and hiking boots<\/a> to help decide which side of the fence you sit on!<\/p>\n

Find Your Goldilocks Trail Runner With These Reviews<\/h2>\n