Each summer, I try to dabble in a bit of trail running, and this year, I had the opportunity to test Altra’s newest Olympus 6 on Toronto’s trail system. One thing I noticed immediately was the impressive grip of the Olympus 6, making me feel almost overprepared for the not-so-technical Toronto terrain. While there are many aspects I liked about the shoe, the brand has made some changes from its previous version. Here are my thoughts.
Category: Neutral Trail
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height:
Weight: 345 g (12.2 oz.)/290 g (10.4 oz.)
Available: Now
Price: CAD $210
The upper
The Olympus 6 has updated the upper from its previous edition, making the mesh lighter than ever to keep your feet cool and dry. Despite a rainy and humid summer in Toronto, where I often encountered thick mud, these shoes held up admirably and kept my feet dry on the trails. The shoe also features the brand’s signature Footshape Fit, allowing your feet to sit naturally. An all-new premium Achilles pillow adds an extra layer of comfort to the heel, providing a plush, elevated step-in feel that lasts long after your run ends.
I did experience some frequent toe rubbing against the front of the shoe on steeper downhills, but it was OK when ascending or on flat terrain. I have a narrow foot, while Altra’s toebox is typically roomy, which could be the reason behind the sliding. For those with a wider foot, there’s plenty of space to allow your toes to splay and ample room through the midfoot, making it comfortable for long days of running or hiking on the trail.
The midsole
Altra is known for its generous stack height, and the Olympus 6 leads the pack with a 33 mm heel stack. True to the brand, the shoe has a zero-drop, meaning your heel and toes are at the same level. Runners new to zero-drop shoes should break them in gradually due to the unaccustomed stress on the Achilles tendon after wearing shoes with a higher drop.
The midsole is made from Altra’s plush compression-molded EVA foam. While the shoe’s rugged appearance initially surprised me, it felt true to Altra’s design once on my foot—providing me with lots of cushioning and support. The Olympus 6 does not have a rock plate, so it’s not designed to protect your feet from extremely technical terrain. However, the cushioning is sufficient to give you a bounce on moderately technical trails with no foot pain.
The outsole
Once again, the Olympus features the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which isn’t just any rubber—it’s high-performance, sticky and ready to grip anything the trail throws at you. Whether the trails were slick with rain or dry as a bone, I found the outsole extremely reliable wherever I needed it. The Olympus 6 might be the grippiest trail shoe I’ve ever worn, and that’s a big statement. It boasts a redesigned 4 mm lug pattern that adds another layer of durability and support, offering the traction you need to stay upright and keep moving forward.
The verdict
I’d recommend these shoes for serious trail runners or hikers seeking exceptional grip and cushioning for their technical trail adventures. While newer trail runners should have no issues adjusting to a zero-drop, they are also suitable for experienced ultra-trail runners who love their zero-drop comfort but want additional cushioning and grip for tackling trails. Overall, the Olympus 6 is about more than just the specs; it’s about the confidence to tackle any trail and the comfort to keep running all day. This shoe delivers, making it a must-have for anyone serious about their trail or hiking adventures.
