Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

When it comes to the trails, Altra Olympus 5 women's trail-running shoes are ready for rugged terrain so you can feel confident in your footing and enjoy the scenery—you've earned that view.
Imported.
View all Altra Women'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 foam |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.8 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 | |
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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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They are comfortable, but the top inside of the heal has worn though very quickly. I've only had these shoes for about 6 months. Also, the outside "toe knuckle" has worn a hole through also.
I love these shoes so much, I bought every color. I know that sounds extreme. But! I have to wear foot drop braces (AFOs) to walk and I have the hardest time finding shoes that look nice and are comfortable with my braces. These shoes are perfect. The wide toe box provides the extra toe wiggle room I need. The slightly elevated heel helps me pick up my feet better. And they’re quite stylish, something I miss from the old days of pre-brace life when I enjoyed stylish shoes galore. Now than I can only wear athletic shoes, my style has been limited. While these shoes are not dressy, they do make me feel like I have a bit of funky shoe attitude than just normal athletic shoes. I really love them. But do keep in mind, I am not wearing them as intended for hiking. I love them for their style and AFO accommodation.
I received my first pair of Altras today. I was so excited. They are so very comfortable. However, the tongue rubs your foot so bad at the top. It is made up of a plastic like material that seems to have been heated to seal thereby making it very stiff and rubs with every step. This is a small part of the shoe but makes a big statement with each step. I will be trying a different design of this brand as they are very comfortable.
I love these shoes and try to get a pair when they’re on sale. They fit me perfectly but I had to size up per recommendation of one of the people who have done The Camino before. I walked my first Camino (117k) last year wearing these Altra Olympus 5 and did not have any issues at all. This month I’m walking over 200k from Porto, Portugal to Santiago, Spain and I’m bringing 2 Altra Olympus 5 so I can alternate as needed.
I purchased these to try vs my usual Timps as the latest version just wasn't that comfy for me. These are definitely stiffer but they have the cushion and room in the toe box I love with Altra. I usually am a 7 in Altra and these fit perfectly in a 7. Took me a bit to adjust the laces as the heel feels a little wider than my Timps. I added my superfeet for arch support. I was worried my heels would slip as they raised my feet a bit but have not had any issues. I've put about 20 miles on them so far across some pretty rocky and dirty terrain. They held the trail really well and they still look great. Hopefully the Vibram sole lasts a bit longer than my Timps. Now if they were just waterproof they'd be perfect!
I really wanted to love these shoes. Sized up a half size on REI recommendation. Unfortunately the heel slips and shoe laces are too short. I went down a half size and toe box was too small and heel still slipped. For reference I wear Altra Lone Peak and Lone Peak All Weather exclusively while hiking/running. Do not recommend this shoe. Bummer.
I’ve had multiple pair of Altra trail runners. These are the most expensive I’ve had, and the worst fitting. The other models I’ve had are the Lone Peak, Outroad, and Timp. The heel is wide and slips no matter what socks I wear. I’ve never had this issue with my other Altras.
I’m an agronomist and I bought these shoes to walk 5 miles a day in hops fields. They work great with gaiters, they’re incredibly light (I am now a convert from heavy work boots!), and their cushion is perfect for my low but long foot arches. HOWEVER if you are to wear low socks with these, the tongue of the shoe will stab you in a weird spot on the front of your ankle. It is very stiff. I always wear tall socks, not even very thick ones, and this mitigates the issue. They work perfectly for the reason I need them!
Sooo Happy I Found This Shoe!! I Have Plantar Heel Pain & Walking Has Been Difficult.. I Bought The Brown/Red & Love Them.. So I Bought The Black /Gray.The Maximum Cushion Has Me Mobile Again.. I Put These Shoes On In The Morning & Wear Till Bed Time.. These Shoes Will Never Hit The Trails But They Take Me On Walks!! REI Thank You!!!
Toe box is not as wide as most Altra shoes. Seemed too small for size indicated.