iRunFar’s Greatest Path Operating Footwear information captures fashions that carry out nicely on a variety of terrain and which can be appropriate for a breadth of anatomical variations. The Altra Olympus 5 ($180) has proudly made the information.
Though the Altra Olympus 5 hits the pocket exhausting at $180, it presents the runner a predictable, cushioned, and enduring experience. I undoubtedly think about this Altra mannequin a prime decide for backpacking and long-distance mountain climbing, in addition to for lengthy, sluggish days out on the path. The Olympus 5 shouldn’t be a quick and nimble shoe. I don’t really feel fast in it, although I’ve gears — nicely, a minimum of generally. The Olympus 5 has a gentle and robust governor, and it performs in its prime on lengthy, zone-two days.
This Altra mannequin seemingly holds two disparate ideas without delay. It’s maximalist, with an precise weight of 11 ounces for a U.S. males’s dimension 9, with a formidable 33-millimeter stack top, coupled with Altra’s signature zero-drop and authentic FootShape Match. Perhaps for others, this doesn’t appear contradictory, however I’m consistently working in numerous pairs of footwear weekly, and the bulk have been minimalist and low-drop footwear. Thus, it took my mind a run or two within the Olympus 5 to regulate to its huge facilities and long-distance qualities.
I’m hooked on its modest cushion, grip, and construction. I’m happy to have one other shoe that may additionally climate the climate because the weekly mileage creeps up. With a lot of climate having hit the U.S. West Coast of late, I’ve been capable of actually check the Olympus 5’s drainage, outsole, and integrity — in largely rain, slightly snow, and a few ice.
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The Altra Olympus 5. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Altra Olympus 5 Higher
Altra designs footwear for toes and physique mechanics that choose a extra pure really feel and require a large toebox for splay, and the Altra Olympus 5 matches that invoice. For many years, footwear have been designed to pressure toes into a really slender, blade-like coffin. Toes are sometimes held tightly collectively with out sufficient freedom to maneuver, flex, and lengthen whereas the rest of the foot is girded tightly into place. Slim footwear have their objective within the working world — nonetheless, Altra’s authentic FootShape Match and enormous platform are designed to counter the restrictive nature of a whole lot of trainers and to assist runners discover a extra pure and appropriate biomechanical gait. The toes and a large toebox do matter in the long term.
With that being mentioned, at first look, the Olympus 5 appears to be like clunky and block-shaped. The clunky look does switch right into a barely clunky really feel, however with the intent of sustaining construction and safety for lengthy runs or prolonged mountain climbing excursions. As a aspect be aware, Altra does make an Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX with added Gore-Tex expertise. General, the match of the Olympus 5 in all dimensions, together with quantity, is true to dimension — leading to a fantastically comfortable really feel.
The higher is an engineered mesh with respectable drainage, which I can report because of nonstop wet testing circumstances. The mesh is fortified with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) safety on the forefoot with additional protection above and alongside the large and pinky toes. The higher heel collar is suitably cushioned and forgiving for lateral and medial ankle actions. Under the built-up cushion, there may be ample heel construction with TPU overlay reinforcements under the padding to maintain the heel in place. Moreover, there’s a substantial medial heel counter to stop extreme overpronation and to keep up a balanced cushioned platform touchdown. It’s a stable, well-built heel.
The heel design additionally incorporates a major and built-in pull tab. Much like the Altra Timp 4 — learn our Altra Timp 4 evaluation — I continuously use the tab to ditch the occasional decomposed granite that inevitably finds its approach into my footwear. Like different Altra fashions, there’s a Velcro tab for Altra’s proprietary gaiter and a corresponding plastic loop on the base of the tongue for higher connection. I didn’t put on the gaiters, but when I proceed to put on the Altra Olympus 5 within the drier months, it might be a mandatory funding.
I ought to have identified higher than to put on my quick ankle socks within the Altra Olympus 5 the primary time. Once more, just like the Altra Timp 4, although there’s a subtly comfy padded tongue, the highest fringe of the tongue is a thinner, versatile, and rubber-like materials that tends to chop into the decrease leg/ankle. I counsel carrying quarter or crew socks whereas working within the Olympus 5 to keep away from this attainable bloody subject.
A lateral view of the Altra Olympus 5.
Altra Olympus 5 Midsole
The Altra Olympus 5 midsole is just like that of the Altra Olympus 4. Not many modifications had been made for the subsequent iteration of this lengthy hauler. It’s a little shocking that the Olympus 5 makes use of industry-standard Compression Molded EVA contemplating that Altra makes use of the EGO Max in a few of its different fashions, such because the Altra Timp and Altra Mont Blanc — take a look at iRunFar’s Altra Mont Blanc BOA evaluation. The EGO Max is designed with coaching efficiency in thoughts and undoubtedly will increase the consolation and responsiveness of the shoe.
The Olympus 5 is designed with the previous Compression Molded EVA, which nonetheless withstands the check of the path and maintains enduring consolation, however with out the spring and pliability. However, the Olympus 5 boasts InnerFlex expertise that provides “grid-like grooves within the midsole” to enhance flexibility and extra pure actions underfoot.
Altras have traditionally been criticized for breaking down faster than different trainers, however the Olympus 5 feels completely different. This midsole has endurance. The stack top, coupled with the usual EVA foam, features as a stable floor protector. Though it would take away some floor really feel and responsiveness, it was designed to maintain the “run far” runner out on the path for the journey at hand.
A medial view of the Altra Olympus 5.
Altra Olympus 5 Outsole
I used to be impressed and at dwelling with the Altra Olympus 5 outsole design, materials selection, and total really feel. I run a whole lot of miles in different manufacturers and fashions that additionally function Vibram Megagrip, which permits for distinctive grip and adaptability over technical terrain. Regardless of the Olympus 5 not being designed for rocky and slick floor, the grip performs nicely in the course of the moist winter months. The large shoe base, coupled with the Vibram expertise, takes any fear or pondering out of lengthy descents and steep ascents — even within the drastic climate circumstances during which these footwear had been examined.
The vast majority of the lugs are beneath the forefoot and are TrailClaw designed, that means they’re designed to raised defend the metatarsals. There’s one other set of perimeter lugs to supply base traction and safety. The lugs are many and shallow at strategic underfoot places. There’s uncovered midsole down the center of the outsole with a “Y” formed groove to shunt materials, particles, and water. Since this shoe is already hefty, preserving slightly weight off the outsole doesn’t overly have an effect on the underground friction and stability.
The outsole of the Altra Olympus 5.
Altra Olympus 5 General Impressions
The Altra Olympus 5 grew on me shortly regardless of an ambiguous first outing. The preliminary run was slightly robust as a result of I had solely been working in very mild minimalist path and street footwear via the early winter months after reducing my mileage and diversifying my motion to different sports activities for the low season. The burden, bulk, and sharp tongue left me with hard-to-heal cuts, however after a number of days of persistently working into the dawn, I fell in deep like with the Olympus 5. These footwear match into that sluggish, long-distance area of interest and their design and construction preserve the runner within the desired slow-paced zone. The Olympus 5 isn’t a quick and technical shoe however has sufficient safety in case the runner finds themselves in some rocky conditions. The Olympus 5 is made to help a protracted day outdoors on the grime whereas sustaining pure foot and ankle actions, fortified with an all-around construction that’s safe touchdown after touchdown.
Take a look at our Greatest Path Operating Footwear information to learn extra of our ideas on the Altra Olympus 5 and the way it compares to different prime footwear at present obtainable.
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- Have you ever run within the Altra Olympus 5? How did you discover them?
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A prime view of the Altra Olympus 5.
