Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

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Delivering maximum cushion and a flexible ride wherever you choose to roam, Altra Olympus 4 trail-running shoes make even the rockiest, rootiest trails feel like a cloud.
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View all Altra Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 33 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 33 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered mesh |
Lining | Nylon |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 6 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 13 | 13.4 |
Altra’s unique FootShape™ toe box and zero to low shoes are built to place your foot in a natural position, with a stable and confident foundation to run on. When fitting, be sure to allow a full thumb’s width in front of your toes. If your feet are used to cramped toe boxes, Altra shoes may feel a little big at first. Give your toes some time to get used to the newfound wiggle room.
Altra offers a range of FootShape fits:
Original Fit: The fit that started it all, Original is the roomiest of the 3 options from Altra.
Standard Fit: The most common fit from Altra is right in the middle of Original and Slim.
Slim Fit: The slimmest-fitting Altra option still allows room for your toes to spread out naturally.
IS THIS SHOE TRUE TO SIZE? The product Features above will provide a suggestion if Altra advises you to size up or down in this particular shoe. If no such note exists, please order your regular size.
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To Whom this May Concern, I hope whoever is reading this is living a life full of running and adventuring.I have been running in Altra shoes for quite a few years now and plan to continue to do so. I love and fully believe in the science behind Altra's shoes and will continue to promote them to everyone in my circles. There is a problem though, we need to make the shoes stronger. As someone who runs a minimum of 3 days a week (I usually bike the other 3 days the week) I need a shoe that will last longer then a couple of months. I started running in the Altra Olympus 4 on October 29, 2020. (see pictures) Before that time I had previously run in Lone Peak 3.0, Lone Peak 4.0 RSM, Lone Peak 4.5, and Time 2. I had been a little reluctant to go with the Olympus model because I felt they may be a little too much shoe/sole for me, but when I wore them I immediately fell in love. My problem began when on March 11, 2021, only about 4.5 months later, the uppers began to rip (see pictures). Looking through my Strava I estimate this occurring at mileage 325. On March 21, 2021, 29 miles of running on the shoes later, I took it upon myself to see if there was a repair that I could do to remedy the situation. Spending about an hour of my time I sewed the rips that occurred on the interior of both shoes (the first shoe I used red thread thinking that would match well, but then the second shoe I felt fishing line might be a stronger material to use) as well as one small rip on the outer toe. It is now April 23, 2021, just about only 6 months from first wearing these shoes and 452.5 miles into these shoes (98.5 miles post repair) and they are ripping again. (see pictures). Please take my advice and make the uppers stronger!
Thanks for your very valuable feedback! We appreciate you detailing your experience so we may consider it in out continued efforts to make quality shoes.
re the Olympus 4- I just got them and well- my Saucony Xodus 11, my Nike Trail 3 Gortex, my ASICS Asics Gel-Kayano Lite 2 and my Nike Fly Knit Invisible are all much more comfortable- I just got the Olympus 4 and I find it hard compared to the others and hurting my heel and ball of my foot and the fact that it has terrible arch support compared to others listed- almost like the last does not agree with foot geometry - I love the splayed out toes in front and the Olympus 4 is by far the best looker of all my sneakers- but the sneaker last feels wrong for me comparing it to all my other sneakers - I may give it one more day of wearing indoors only but I am on my feet all day as I work at a standing desk and do exercising while working at desk - and my gut tells me the beauty isn't meeting the form for comfort- Im trying to add foam for my foot and some fabric to tongue area which is not well foamed at all - its scratchy and hard tongue compared to all my other sneakers- these guys dont build em like the others for comfort imho- I just love the looks and trying to make em work for me - honestly they look so good but them comfort needs to be worked on compared to all my other sneakers- I own a ton of sneakers and my experience is very deep
BEST EVER. Was nervous about the price but not anymore. Just got them and they are wonderful. Never understood when people say that it's like nothing else but it is. They are great shoes. I had broken and foot and ankle on same foot and have had issues getting shoes to feel and fit right. I will be able to wear these for servers hours and be good to go. Lots of great support and cushion where it is needed. Will be purchasing the sandals next for around the house. Spend the money and get the shoes you will love them. Feet need to be taken care of and this is the brand to do it. Thank you from the bottom of my feel literally.
The first few runs I loved these shoes. But soon started noticing wear on the mid-sole and could feel every stone under my feet. I thought this shoe was intended for rugged trail running? Why would Altra use foam? The lugs wore off completely! Poor design. After about 100 miles running I contacted Altra customer service because warranty stated 300-500 miles. They said this was normal wear and tear and they would offer me 15% off my next pair of Altras. They also told me that maybe this happened because of the zero drop sole! Not going to buy another pair of Altras. I want my shoes to last more than 100 miles. Poor design and poor customer service.
Hi Jamie, we're sorry for any frustration you may have experienced during our warranty process. We've sent you an email directly and you should receive it soon. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
I use the product for hiking and just bought my second pair for my day to day activities. My only critique is I had to tie my laces open in the tongue with a runners loop. After putting my custom insoles in which are (foot levelers) they are very low, there wasn't enough room from sole of shoe to the top where laces are. Maybe with new model there can be more room in this space . Other than that I love these shoes !!!
My 1st Altra was Lone Peak 4 not one blister for the last 2 years until I put 2000 miles on it last week I finally had 1 big blister by walking in the PCT rocky rocks. I figure I would get a new one and boy I heard so much about the Olympus 3.5 so I decided to put the 4 and it was a great choice perfect fit .
At first glance, this looks to be the best Olympus yet. Upon testing the shoe, it has a major design / material flaw. I managed to blow out both shoes at the same time ( left and right) at the inner sides, where the breathable mesh meets the more durable support. This was actually an similar issue back in the day for Olympus and potentially fixed by Olympus 3.5. Anyways the pros are that Olympus 4 is far less bulky, has much better lugs / grip, and is aesthetically awesome. The con is that it only lasted me 6 weeks! The rest of the shoe has a lot life left, sad. Will give the Olympus 4 one more chance. I want to love this shoe! But not durable.
700 miles of trail on them! No problem with durability. A couple of snags but I was doing class two rock scrambling and scrapped them on sandstone and snagged them on chaparral. Considering the abuse I feel they did well. Super traction and amazing comfort. They feel like a technical moccasin. I've retired them from the trail but I am using them for dog walks and work shoes. I bought more pairs these are my all time favorite trail hiking shoe.
Just did the 80 mile wind river high route in Wyoming with new Olympus. Not a single blister and gripped the rock like a champ. Only gripe is the mesh got shredded when my foot slid into a crack several times. This is very harsh terrain so if your on a trail shouldnt have any issues. Altra has amazing products as well as great customer support!
This was one of my favorite shoes. More comfort than the speed goat, great tread, amazing style. I loved this . Then the eyelid chain on the paces broke and I can't tighten the forefoot of the shoe.