Every summer season, I attempt to dabble in a little bit of path working, and this 12 months, I had the chance to check Altra’s latest Olympus 6 on Toronto’s path system. One factor I seen instantly was the spectacular grip of the Olympus 6, making me really feel nearly overprepared for the not-so-technical Toronto terrain. Whereas there are lots of elements I preferred in regards to the shoe, the model has made some adjustments from its earlier model. Listed below are my ideas.
Class: Impartial Path
Drop: 0 mm
Stack peak:
Weight: 345 g (12.2 oz.)/290 g (10.4 oz.)
Accessible: Now
Value: CAD $210
The higher
The Olympus 6 has up to date the higher from its earlier version, making the mesh lighter than ever to maintain your toes cool and dry. Regardless of a wet and humid summer season in Toronto, the place I usually encountered thick mud, these sneakers held up admirably and saved my toes dry on the paths. The shoe additionally options the model’s signature Footshape Match, permitting your toes to take a seat naturally. An all-new premium Achilles pillow provides an additional layer of consolation to the heel, offering a luxurious, elevated step-in really feel that lasts lengthy after your run ends.
I did expertise some frequent toe rubbing towards the entrance of the shoe on steeper downhills, however it was OK when ascending or on flat terrain. I’ve a slender foot, whereas Altra’s toebox is usually roomy, which could possibly be the rationale behind the sliding. For these with a wider foot, there’s loads of house to permit your toes to splay and ample room by the midfoot, making it comfy for lengthy days of working or mountain climbing on the path.
The midsole
Altra is thought for its beneficiant stack peak, and the Olympus 6 leads the pack with a 33 mm heel stack. True to the model, the shoe has a zero-drop, that means your heel and toes are on the similar stage. Runners new to zero-drop sneakers ought to break them in progressively as a result of unaccustomed stress on the Achilles tendon after carrying sneakers with a better drop.
The midsole is created from Altra’s plush compression-molded EVA foam. Whereas the shoe’s rugged look initially stunned me, it felt true to Altra’s design as soon as on my foot—offering me with plenty of cushioning and assist. The Olympus 6 doesn’t have a rock plate, so it’s not designed to guard your toes from extraordinarily technical terrain. Nonetheless, the cushioning is enough to provide you a bounce on reasonably technical trails with no foot ache.
The outsole
As soon as once more, the Olympus options the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which isn’t simply any rubber—it’s high-performance, sticky and able to grip something the path throws at you. Whether or not the paths have been slick with rain or dry as a bone, I discovered the outsole extraordinarily dependable wherever I wanted it. The Olympus 6 is perhaps the grippiest path shoe I’ve ever worn, and that’s a giant assertion. It boasts a redesigned 4 mm lug sample that provides one other layer of sturdiness and assist, providing the traction it’s worthwhile to keep upright and hold transferring ahead.
The decision
I’d suggest these sneakers for critical path runners or hikers in search of distinctive grip and cushioning for his or her technical path adventures. Whereas newer path runners should not have any points adjusting to a zero-drop, they’re additionally appropriate for knowledgeable ultra-trail runners who love their zero-drop consolation however need extra cushioning and grip for tackling trails. Total, the Olympus 6 is about extra than simply the specs; it’s in regards to the confidence to sort out any path and the consolation to maintain working all day. This shoe delivers, making it vital for anybody critical about their path or mountain climbing adventures.
