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The Altra Olympus 6 would possibly simply be the path shoe that you just didn’t notice 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 equipment tester, I’ve made it my mission to discover the most recent choices and put them by means of their paces, making certain that you just make an knowledgeable choice with regards to 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 by some means be maximal and minimal on the similar time? That’s what it appears like if you’re rocking an enormous stack of cushion with a zero drop shoe!
As all the time, word that we’re tremendous trustworthy in our operating shoe critiques about what works, doesn’t work and naturally we’ve preferences in sneakers after 20+ years operating and testing lots of! So take what appears most precious to you from right here and resolve if it’s a path operating shoe price including to your rotation.
Altra Olympus 6 Particulars
Once 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 in search of 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 a bit 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 in the event 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 with regards to grip. The traction is wonderful 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 thought of WHO is utilizing this shoe when deciding which options to give attention to. For instance, the excessive loop within the again is named 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 in the event 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 improve 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 an enormous fats cushioned operating shoe. However with out transferring to the lighter weight and costlier foams we see in race sneakers. You additionally aren’t getting the tremendous mushy feeling of say a Hoka Bondi, which is sweet on the paths the place you need extra assist.
Whereas the shoe has phenomenal grip, one factor to think about with an enormous stack top is ankle stability. General the large platform is nice if you’re operating and doing basic facet to facet actions, however in the event you’ll be making quite a lot of large 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 professionals and cons to the cushion!
As with all Altra sneakers, 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 to your toes which might really feel wonderful AND permits so that you can get extra energy out of that large toe by holding it straight. Do you know your large toe offers quite a lot of umph in your stride?
Altra Olympus 6 Specs
When you’ve been utilizing zero drop for awhile, I’d place this squarely within the lengthy path runs or hikes class. For certain it’s on our record of finest Altra Trainers.
- Path operating shoe
- Max cushion
- Heel Drop: 0mm
- 33 mm stack top (it’s gotten larger and therefore extra cushion)
- Weight: 10.2 oz ladies’s, 13.25 oz males’s
- Obtainable in 5 colours
- Not accessible in large
- Obtainable at Altra Working and retail shops for $175
General 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 wonderful lugs with highway operating.
Altra Olympus Match
Typically, Altra’s have a extra roomy match to me. It’s actually vital to notice that whereas they’ve the large toe field, that doesn’t imply they’re a large shoe.
As a substitute, you’ll discover that footshape of large on the toes after which coming in alongside the arch and again to the heel.
Some of us have discovered the Olympus to run a bit small in size, so in the event 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 making certain 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 by means of the Arizona summers, so we are likely to consider her with regards to temperature!
The one factor I all the time word with Altra sneakers is the tongue. Some are winners, however loads actually reduce in to the ankles, so embrace the present excessive sock pattern to verify these are cozy.
Altra Olympus vs Altra Lone Peak
One of many points we’re discovering with sneakers currently 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 really fairly simple for us that can assist you choose as a result of these two have some clear variations.
- Lone Peak goes to have 8mm much less cushion, which additionally means the load is considerably much less
- Lone Peak goes to be loads of cushion for the typical path runner (i.e. not doing 50 milers)
- Each have improbable traction, simply barely totally different outsoles
- Each have quite a lot of loyal followers coming again for the shoe yr after yr
- Lone Peak may also have the Stoneguard to guard you on these onerous rocky trails
Related Footwear to Olympus 6
When you aren’t certain that you really want a zero drop shoe, however like the concept 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 sneakers
- Weight: it’s not the lightest of sneakers and that retains it from being certainly one of our favorites
- Sizing is a bit difficult, however in the event you haven’t gotten them massively soiled you possibly can all the time trade.
It’s price noting that these potential drawbacks can fluctuate based mostly on particular person preferences, foot biomechanics, and operating type. What may be a limitation for one runner could possibly be inconsequential and even fascinating for one more
What You Must Find out about Altra Working Footwear
In case you are new to zero drop sneakers, 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 sporting them for 1 quick run for a number of weeks after which slowly growing the gap of that run. Ultimately transferring to with the ability to use zero drop sneakers 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 degree.
They designed this to assist with optimum alignment, domesticate higher kind, and encourage a low-impact touchdown.
Listed here are a few of the claimed advantages of zero-drop sneakers:
- Extra pure operating gait
- Improved ankle mobility
- Higher posture
- Improved steadiness
Why Would You Desire 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 could sound a bit odd if 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 important 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 acquire extra stability, construct stronger foot muscle tissue, and keep a straight nice toe, which will increase the facility produced with every stride.
This design permits your toes to unfold out, which offers you with the potential to get extra energy from every stride.
Hopefully this was useful to provide you an summary of the Altra Olympus 6! Ultimately, Coach Laura stated they’ll stay in her line up for shorter run days or restoration days the place she needs a bit additional cushion underfoot.
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Coach Laura has been a part of the teaching staff since 2021, an extremely runner for over 20 years and a health teacher for almost as lengthy. She’s targeted on discovering the gear that makes path time much more pleasurable.
Coaching yr spherical in Arizona, she provides us the news on scorching climate, technical trails and but doesn’t miss a beat with regards to hitting the roads for a BQ.
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