How to Choose Hiking Boots

Thru-hikers, weekend warriors, overnight hikers and outdoor explorers who don't let weather or trail conditions keep them inside will love the women's Altra Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX waterproof boots.
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Imported.
View all Altra Women's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproof/breathable membrane |
Upper | Leather |
Lining | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit |
Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 14 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11..5 | 12 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
EU | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 |
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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Like the previous model, the Mids still have some discomfort around the ankles due to rubbing, though it has gradually improved with wear. Aside from that, this shoe is fantastic. I’ve worn them on a muddy, wet 50-mile thru-hike as well as snowy day hikes, and they’ve kept my feet completely dry. They also work well with snowshoes and microspikes, making them a reliable choice for various conditions.
The only shoe that works for my feet is Altra, owing to a serious neuropathy. I work on a community farm and have needed these boots for a while – – the uppers of my old Lone Peak 4s were peeling. The Olympus 6 did have the sore points at the lace lugs, but with a bit of cushioning threaded on to the boot lace, the issue was largely resolved. But, 4 months in, the heel cushioning has failed. And for me, given the neuropathy, the issue becomes severe. I dearly hope that Altra and or REI will provide a full refund. In the meantime, ice on the feet. I know that Altra makes great shoes. But I strongly recommend that folks find a different boot than the Olympus six.
These shoes should not be advertised as waterproof. I was pretty disappointed after spending $200 on these (the most I’ve ever spent on shoes). BUT they were waterproof for about 4-5 hrs of walking in rain, to houses & back to my van as a delivery driver. I spent maybe 1/3 of that time in my van. Around this time, I noticed the shoes getting wet near the bottom edges of the lacing where I circled in the photo. Then about 3 hours later, you could see water soaking into them. I double layered my socks & only the outer layer of sock was a bit wet in the forefoot area. Inside my shoes were wet around the bottom edges in the forefoot area. I’m hoping they will air dry overnight with the insoles removed. I will probably spray them with waterproofing spray since they’re the best option for me. Still MUCH better wearing in the rain than regular shoes & soaked feet. I also don’t know if any waterproof shoes that are actually 100% waterproof. Hoping Altra will make some bc I love their shoes! They’ve saved me lots of body aches & pains!
I have these in the running shoes, but wanted the boots for backpacking. I wore them straight out of the box on a big trip and suffered no consequences. My husband has these shoes and also appreciates them.
Before purchasing the Olympus 6 boots, I'd had a couple pairs of Lone Peak boots. The fit on those was good for me, but I didn't like that I could feel every rock through the sole. I'd also had a previous model of Olympus boots, and the Vibram grips started peeling off of the sole on those not long after they were purchased. I purchased the Olympus 6 boots about 5 months ago and overall I'm very pleased with these boots. The fit is great, they're very comfortable, they're well-made, and the grips have remained firmly in place on the sole. My only complaint is that since only portions of the sole are covered in the Vibram rubber, cactus spines have gone straight through the squishy parts of the sole to my heel.
Starting by saying I never write reviews, but I always base my purchases off them. So hopefully this helps someone as there aren’t any other reviews out there yet! Just received these boots in the mail and was really disappointed. They’re actually more of a pink than beige, and the darker color beneath is purple. They don’t look bad, just very different from what I expected/wanted. Additionally, the lacing is very strange in that you can’t lace the boots at the highest notches without your bow sliding off and sitting on your shin. You could lace them at the second to last notches but then you’ll have a massive bow. Material is a nice quality and they felt comfy, but I’ll ultimately be returning these boots.
I purchased these shoes at my size and realized I should’ve upsize. I then return an upsized by a half size hoping that would solve the problem. I loved the sole, grip, and bottom layer of thickness. Unfortunately the padding around the ankle wasn’t everywhere. I could feel the pinching and rubbing of the ankle part where the shoe laces brackets are through the boot. I wanted to love them but was disappointed that they didn’t fit with no issue.
I got these boots for working in. I was very happy that they came in All black (although they are off black) they were approved for me to wear. No break in for the leather, it is very soft and comfortable. It is an easy on boot unlike the lone peak, it is very light, and cushioned. The only thing is the laces slip up over the top. I sized half size up, as you should in a hiking boot. They fit perfect.
I wish REI would carry more 11.5 sizes in women's Altras. I got last year's version, discounted, in my usual 11 (I wear an 11 in Hoka, On Cloud, etc) but they Altras were way to short in the footbed. I reordered the current version full price in a 12 and these have more than a thumbs width extra at the top. A bit too much space. I really need the 11.5 - this is the case for many shoes - half sizes go to a 10 or 11 then skip to the next full size up. Not cool REI. Why would larger feet not have the same needs as all the rest? I had to purchase my half size at Altra online. Also, this neutral looking color is really very pink, with a very purple sole and mint green details. I didn't expect all that. The shoes themselves appear super comfortable but I didn't have the opportunity to put them to real world use given sizing problems here.
I have the previous Olympus 4 and I still love them. However this 6 is super fantastic and even better that the 4 but wins over the Olympus 5! I never liked the 5 and had to return because they just felt weird,. The cushion in the back of the heel made the shoe feel smaller and you had to size down for things to work. That was the 5. But these 6 really are the top! I was afraid at first it would be too much height with the cushion and may be wobbly but it is stable and firm. This is really the top version of the Olympus the 6. And this color is out of this world! . The laces are wide and tie perfectly. I did not have to double tie because they stay tied. The other always like most have to double tie tie or else they untie after awhile. The new color of this shoe is gorgeous. It looks stunning and expensive which it is. I have been very picky upgrading and this is perfect. I like the Olympus because of how stable. I have the black in 4 because I can do anything like my yard. But this color is real classy. I don't want to get it dirty. Love it Love it!!!! Oh I am 75 years old with lots of arthritis and problems and this Olympus 6 is very very comfortable and has helped my problems with arthritis>