REVIEWS
43 Reviews
Bridget C.
the area around the ankle is a bit uncomfortable . if I out my foot bed in tis better.
Katherine
I don't normally leave reviews but I remember seeing some negative reviews about the back of the shoe being too loose because of this pillow back there and I just wanted to let Altra know that the Achilles pillow has been a BLESSING! I had an Achilles rupture a few years ago and could only where running shoes for part of the day before they started to kill my achilles because of the pressure on it. I can wear these all day everyday. I hope that your company gets enough positive feedback to continue the trend because I'll be coming back for more of them!
Tammy M.
Just received these yesterday and I was wondering about them because after ordering them I read the reviews and I thought oh no I really messed up But I absolutely love them. I had foot surgery in Feb and needed a wide toe box and thick sole and these did not disappoint, now I have only had one day but I didn't take off till went to bed and I just love them. As long as they last I am sure I will be ordering more!
Jennifer F.
I've used an older model of these, but when I first put them on, late in the day, they were so snug feeling (not tight, just very snugged down) I was pretty sure they wouldn't work. Wrong! Love these. For reference my usual go-to, always-works shoe is the Via Olympus 2. Out of the box: Very cushiony, and of the original footprint shoes, this is one of the more narrow toeboxes. At the heel is a slight bump that I know other people have complained about, but fit perfectly for me -- very secure sense of being locked into this shoe, in a good way. It was comfortable to walk around on as-shipped. Neutral footbed as best I can tell (I'm not an expert on that), definitely none of the palpable arch support of the Olympus 275 (a shoe I loved but alas did not work out for me). Because of that sense of snugness, I feared these weren't going to work with my orthotics, which I need for the arch/midsole support on longer walks. TO MY DELIGHT: No problems! Orthotics (rigid, low-profile) worked great with or without the original factory insole. Absolutely feel fantastic. --> With the rigid insole the shoes don't *feel* as cushiony, but obviously the cushion is still there, though the rigid insole will spread the weight on your foot so there's not the same sense of sinking into a pillow that I get with these worn as-shipped. Glad I gave these a try. Keepers.
Lola
I have a true wide foot. These shoes are great for women with actual wide feet, not sure about the bad reviews but I discovered my new go to brand!
Nancy C.
I’m a long time Altra Lone peak and Torin wearer. I have many years and many miles of ultra trail running and thru hiking without ever getting a blister. I decided to try the Olympus 6 for more cushioning, as I’m getting older. I started getting blisters and painful bruising around my heel within hours of wearing them. After 5 days of hiking in them I could barely walk! I agree that the Achilles pillow is to blame for the blisters. The shoes do not breathe very well, and dirt gets in the fabric easier than the Lone Peaks. Both of these factors also seem to contribute to hot spots in the shoes. I never wore the 5’s, but I was ready to rip the pillows out of the back of these shoes, but wasn’t sure what would happen and if the blisters would get worse. These shoes are definitely not made for hiking or trail running-maybe some easy mall walking.
RK
Olympus 5 is the best hiker I've ever worn (hiked both Appalachian Train thru and a Colorado Trail thru). I did the full CT in the 5s. I have significant bunions and these are the only shoes I've ever hiked in that gave me absolutely zero pain and zero hotspots/blisters even right out of the box and diving into the CT thru. Bought the 6s after ~800 miles on my 5s and returned them after getting hotspots in only 3 miles. The 6s have a new seam right across the heel cup ("Achilles pillow" supposedly intentional?!?) that is absolutely idiotic. Why put a seam right at the point of highest friction?! That essentially guarantees blisters. Hoping the 7s delete this horrible feature and go back to a smooth heel cup.
Judy W.
My Olympus 5 were comfortable from mile 1 to mile 100+ hiking mainly in Glacier National Park Montana. No break in period required. Going back this summer so we invested in a new pair Olympus 6. Disappointed in the weird heel cushion. Not comfortable, slides on heel! These would definitely cause blisters so I’m opting to take my Olympus 5 again and hope the hold up for another 100 miles.
CP
I don't know who reported issues with the 5 but those shows were perfect from box to 100+ miles. With the sole wearing down on my Olympus 5s, I grabbed these thinking I'd be fine and got some of the worst blisters I've ever had. I wore multiple times prior too, so it wasn't a break in issue. The minute I started hiking uphill, it was over. Cant return but now I am sad because I need cushion long runs.
Velma
Durability is questionable… have been using this shoe for around a month and already am seeing significant wear on upper near the laces. Most comfortable shoe—use it for running, walking, hiking and overall chilling. Love the color-it is similar to dust so you can get really dirty and they look good as new. I had no problem with heel cup. Again. Love how comfortable they are so will likely purchase again. Purchase price is high given how quickly they wear out.
kaibean
honestly i was skeptical about the heel at first, but i got used to it and i have had ZERO blister. From all the hiking, I do this has been the only one that gave be zero blisters. I have short toes, but wide(ish) / flat feet and my feet have never been happier. Every foot is different, but I am glad these have been great. I am sad that the treads do feel like they worn out so fast. I was unsure about the tall cushion and heel at first but I got used to it. As much in the short time I have used and abused them they arent as grippy as when I first bought them. I could buy another pair tbh
MJ
Have always loved Altras because I need a wide toe box but don’t have wide feet otherwise (so a normal shoe in most brands are too narrow in the toes but a wide shoe is always too big). I just started trail running longer distances where I need a bit more cushion than what my Lone Peaks can provide so I looked into other Altras. It sounds like the Olympus is the only other trail running option I have that has a toe box that allows splaying (the Timp shoes are apparently narrow now??) so I purchased these. Sadly, even though the fit was otherwise perfect, I also experienced the heel slip issue and can’t use the shoes. I was bummed to have to switch to another brand for the first time in years. Altra please fix the heel issues in the Olympus and bring back more wide toe box trail running options!
Monique
I LOVE all the Altra shoes and I have used almost every style since Altra was started, but this latest model on two shoes have a horrible heel padding that causes blisters. It has never happened with previous models I’ve worn all these years. I’m so bummed because I can’t wear these latest models no matter how much I wish I could. I hope the next versions don’t have the weird padding :(
CW
I had to throw these shoes away. The new heel area has trashed my heels with the worst blisters I’ve experienced in an Altra shoe. Previously, I’ve loved the Olympus model and would repurchase the Olympus 5 if given the chance. Sad waste of money.
Tavanna
Love the toe box room in these shoes so much, and my feet dont ache after wearing them all day or after a rave/festival. I got my shoes a year ago, and they've yet updated the mesh design in the shoe(dont know how well that improvement is myself) but I will say mine do not breathe. They did start to tear a little not long after getting them, but after a year of constant wear and tear they haven't gotten much worse or torn anywhere else. They were also more purple than I was expecting, but that wasnt a deal breaker. But, other than that I love them, my go to shoes for sure. *pictures are when I first received them, and from today.
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