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The Altra Olympus 6 would possibly simply be the path shoe that you just didn’t understand you had been lacking. Not solely does it have magnificent grip, however sufficient cushion for tremendous lengthy runs or path mountain climbing days.
As a operating coach and kit tester, I’ve made it my mission to discover the newest choices and put them via their paces, guaranteeing that you just make an knowledgeable resolution on the subject of enhancing your operating expertise.
This time round fellow coach and very long time Altra fanatic Laura Swenson put the Olympus to the take a look at over roughly 40 miles of grime roads, muddy situations, slick granite, and loads of rocks.
Can a shoe in some way be maximal and minimal on the similar time? That’s what it appears like while you’re rocking a giant stack of cushion with a zero drop shoe!
As at all times, word that we’re tremendous sincere in our operating shoe critiques about what works, doesn’t work and naturally we now have preferences in footwear after 20+ years operating and testing lots of! So take what appears most dear to you from right here and determine if it’s a path operating shoe value including to your rotation.
Altra Olympus 6 Particulars
After they say max cushion, they imply it. It is a path operating shoe that’s beloved by many people doing huge mountain climbing journeys and path runners on the lookout for some additional love on these extremely coaching days. It’s additionally going to be a winner for a few of our heavier runners, who discover that somewhat extra cushion does certainly simply really feel good on the joints.
In fact the commerce off with max cushion on this case is added weight. It’s not going to have the pep in your step you would possibly discover them feeling a bit heavy should you aren’t used to taking out a max cushion shoe.
BUT a part of that weight is as a result of they didn’t sacrifice even an inch on the subject of grip. The traction is superb on the shoe! No slipping on the moist/slick granite and nice traction within the mud. The Vibram® Megagrip completely does its job, alongside an up to date lug sample.
We love that they’ve actually considered WHO is utilizing this shoe when deciding which options to give attention to. For instance, the excessive loop within the again known as a GaiterTrap™, designed to make it simple to strap in your gaiters for these critical path or sand days. Coach Laura was additionally excited as a result of the massive strap on the heel is useful getting the shoe on, particularly should you’re fatigued in an extremely race.
The stack top stayed the identical because the Olympus 5, however the weight has gone up considerably within the males’s. It doesn’t present the identical enhance within the ladies’s, so I’m inquisitive about this, however Laura additionally famous the shoe felt heavier than her different Altra’s.
The froth modified from simply being a compressed EVA to a Plush Compressed EVA, which clearly is including to that softness we so love from a giant fats cushioned operating shoe. However with out transferring to the lighter weight and costlier foams we see in race footwear. You additionally aren’t getting the tremendous delicate feeling of say a Hoka Bondi, which is nice on the paths the place you need extra assist.
Whereas the shoe has phenomenal grip, one factor to think about with a giant stack top is ankle stability. Total the large platform is nice while you’re operating and doing normal aspect to aspect actions, however should you’ll be making plenty of huge jumps over river crossings, one thing to think about.
Laura famous that for tremendous technical terrain, she’d be extra prone to run within the Lone Peak with much less cushion, offering extra stability and feeling of what’s transferring underfoot.
Although once more, that prime collar can be going to provide you a bit extra ankle assist, so execs and cons to the cushion!
As with all Altra footwear, you’ll benefit from the FootShape toe field. Their advertising and marketing is that this enables for a extra pure foot motion, which is a sure and no.
What it completely does is present extra room on your toes which may really feel superb AND permits so that you can get extra energy out of that huge toe by holding it straight. Do you know your huge toe supplies plenty of umph in your stride?
Altra Olympus 6 Specs
For those who’ve been utilizing zero drop for awhile, I’d place this squarely within the lengthy path runs or hikes class. For positive it’s on our checklist of greatest Altra Trainers.
- Path operating shoe
- Max cushion
- Heel Drop: 0mm
- 33 mm stack top (it’s gotten increased and therefore extra cushion)
- Weight: 10.2 oz ladies’s, 13.25 oz males’s
- Out there in 5 colours
- Not obtainable in large
- Out there at Altra Working and retail shops for $175
Total you gained’t discover many huge adjustments from the Altra Olympus 5. Essentially the most notable goes to be a greater breathable higher and much more traction from the lugs.
That is completely a path shoe. You don’t wish to put on down these superb lugs with highway operating.
Altra Olympus Match
Usually, Altra’s have a extra roomy match to me. It’s actually necessary to notice that whereas they’ve the large toe field, that doesn’t imply they’re a large shoe.
As an alternative, you’ll discover that footshape of large on the toes after which coming in alongside the arch and again to the heel.
Some people have discovered the Olympus to run a bit small in size, so should you are typically in between sizes, completely go up.
On 90% of my trainers, we use a heel lock lacing and these have sufficient laces to make that simply doable. It additionally helped with guaranteeing a comfortable match to maintain issues from transferring round.
Laura discovered the supplies on the higher a part of the shoe weren’t too stiff and appeared breathable throughout scorching runs. She trains via the Arizona summers, so we are likely to imagine her on the subject of temperature!
The one factor I at all times word with Altra footwear is the tongue. Some are winners, however rather a lot actually reduce in to the ankles, so embrace the present excessive sock pattern to ensure these are comfortable.
Altra Olympus vs Altra Lone Peak
One of many points we’re discovering with footwear recently is that manufacturers have a number of which appear comparable from the skin and results in confusion in selecting the most suitable choice. Don’t they know that generally much less is extra?
However on this case, it’s truly fairly simple for us that will help you decide as a result of these two have some clear variations.
- Lone Peak goes to have 8mm much less cushion, which additionally means the burden is considerably much less
- Lone Peak goes to be loads of cushion for the common path runner (i.e. not doing 50 milers)
- Each have incredible traction, simply barely completely different outsoles
- Each have plenty of loyal followers coming again for the shoe 12 months after 12 months
- Lone Peak may also have the Stoneguard to guard you on these onerous rocky trails
Related Footwear to Olympus 6
For those who aren’t positive that you really want a zero drop shoe, however like the thought of some cushion right here’s the place we’d level you:
Drawbacks of the Altra Olympus 6
As famous, each runner has a choice, so there are only a couple of issues from my expertise.
- Time to adapt to operating in zero-drop footwear
- Weight: it’s not the lightest of footwear and that retains it from being one in every of our favorites
- Sizing is somewhat difficult, however should you haven’t gotten them massively soiled you possibly can at all times alternate.
It’s value noting that these potential drawbacks can fluctuate based mostly on particular person preferences, foot biomechanics, and operating type. What is perhaps a limitation for one runner may very well be inconsequential and even fascinating for an additional
What You Must Find out about Altra Working Footwear
In case you are new to zero drop footwear, please, please, plan for time to adapt. Your Achilles, ankles, calves and tendons want an opportunity to get used to being a bit extra elongated.
You are able to do this by carrying them for 1 brief run for a couple of weeks after which slowly growing the gap of that run. Ultimately transferring to having the ability to use zero drop footwear for a number of runs per week.
The model Altra is well-known for its dedication to a zero heel-to-toe drop in all of its footwear, whatever the quantity of cushioning within the sole. And so, each shoe in Altra’s lineup is designed with a zero drop that places the heel and forefoot on the similar stage.
They designed this to assist with optimum alignment, domesticate higher type, and encourage a low-impact touchdown.
Listed here are a few of the claimed advantages of zero-drop footwear:
- Extra pure operating gait
- Improved ankle mobility
- Higher posture
- Improved steadiness
Why Would You Need a Foot Formed Toebox?
One other characteristic shared by all Altra trainers is that the toe field is designed with the pure form of the foot in thoughts.
It might sound somewhat odd while you first hear that they make a foot formed shoe, however when you see it issues start to click on. I don’t learn about you, however my toes aren’t formed just like the picture on the left.
Essentially the most vital benefit of a foot-shaped toe field is that it permits your toes to splay, or unfold out, whereas operating.
This pure toe splay helps runners achieve extra stability, construct stronger foot muscle mass, and keep a straight nice toe, which will increase the ability produced with every stride.
This design permits your toes to unfold out, which supplies you with the means to get extra energy from every stride.
Hopefully this was useful to provide you an outline of the Altra Olympus 6! In the long run, Coach Laura stated they’ll stay in her line up for shorter run days or restoration days the place she desires somewhat additional cushion underfoot.
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Coach Laura has been a part of the teaching crew since 2021, an extremely runner for over 20 years and a health teacher for almost as lengthy. She’s centered on discovering the gear that makes path time much more pleasant.
Coaching 12 months spherical in Arizona, she offers us the inside track on scorching climate, technical trails and but doesn’t miss a beat on the subject of hitting the roads for a BQ.
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