Altra Olympus 5 Long Term Review ~ Over 500 miles of Hiking & Daily Use ~
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- A quick follow up to my original video where I took a look at the Altra Lone Peaks, and the Altra Olympus 5.
I've now been using the Olympus 5 for over a year, on many different types of terrain, and this video is to show you just how they've held up over that period. They've had somewhere between 600-800 miles of use.
Thumbs up for hard working man. 6 days a week. Hope you'll be able to retire much earlier.
Thanks for the review... now I am having second thoughs about buying this.
Thanks! Unfortunately, the way things are going here in the UK, I'll probably end up working until my late 70's! 😆
I found that, after a year (at least) with zero drop shoes, they just didn't work for me. Looking back, the Olympus 5 also lacked in the grip department (compared to what I use now) and the ground feel was much, much less than I liked.
I hope you manage to find something that works for you!
Helpful videos Paul. I am a big Altra fan
and have used the Superior and Lone Peaks for a few years but will move to Olympus anyway as the Lone Peaks are driving me nuts with the bad grip downhill on light scree.
One - not so expensive - experiment you could try for leg pain is the Nike Flex Experience shoe. The Nike Free shoes started my journey down more minimalist shoe road over 10 years ago and I still use a pair of the Nike Flex Experience for walking around cities and I can easily do 20km a day in the with no feet pain. Very comfortable shoe, even if they are changing the design slowly to less minimalist.
Cheers Liam, it sounds as though you're switching to the Olympus for a similar reason to me - the grip on the LP was my main problem with them.
I appreciate the suggestion on the Nike and will have a look at them for sure. Somebody else mentioned the Topo Mtn Racer 3, which I've actually purchased and am getting on well with so far. They'll be getting tested properly on a 6 week hike soon.
Nice useful vid! Good to see an actual long term review on these shoes. I have a pair myself and I really like them! For the lower leg pain it might help to wear som dropped shoes a couple of weeks to relief some strain and then try to go back to zero drop.
A good alternative if you want a wide footshaped shoe, but with some drop is Topo Athletic. The Ultraventure or MTN Racer for instance.
Thanks for watching, and I appreciate the advice - have been doing just what you suggested.
Also appreciate the Topo mention, I hadn't come across them before but will check them out! 👍
I’ve been battling plantars fasciitis and my doctor advised me to use zero drop shoes with no inserts and walking around the house barefooted, a week into wearing my Altra olympus 5 my heel pain has been going away. I still have a little pain but definitely manageable. Hopefully in another week i can go hiking the Superstition’s.
That's great, I hope that your plantar goes away soon - if the Altras are helping, that's awesome! Hopefully, you'll be out hiking soon!
I started wearing barefoot shoes about 8 months ago, and I had a similar experience. After an all day hike in the nearby mountains, my Achilles and calves were super sore, to the point of really struggling on the last 90 minutes. I began researching the possible causes and my conclusion is that my strides were too long, causing undue strain in my lower legs.
A week later, on another big hike, I made a conscious effort to increase my cadence and reduce the length of my stride. This really helped in a huge way. Pain levels were down at least 75%. All my life wearing cushioned shoes taught me poor walking habits, so just switching to zero drop barefoot shoes wasn’t enough. Now I’m learning how to walk in proper form.
Thanks for sharing your experience - I'd not even considered that could be a factor! 👌
I love the altras I wish they figured out how to have consistent sizing along the whole line of Altra sneakers. I wear a size up in the Olympus 5 vs the lone peak. I like the zero drop and wide toe box. The laces on the Olympus 5 are way too short to reach the back eyelets and are better in 54” (even 60” would be better). There’s not much heel cup so using all the eyelets locks in a foot better and not possible with the laces they come with. Vibram soles should be on all the Altras at the price they cost- lone peaks wear out too fast.. I had cascadia brooks goretex that were way too tight in the laces area- I can’t wear them/sold them.
I was the same with the Olympus - I found them much tighter than the Lone Peaks. Have you tried the Topo Pursuit, or the new Pursuit 2? Zero drop, wide toe box, Vibram Megagrip outsole....might be worth you having a look at a few reviews.
Yikes. I’m on my second pair of Olympus 5’s and they have both felt pretty dead after about 250 miles. The upper- and the body of the shoe- look just fine. But the midsoles really only feel top-notch for the first 100-150 miles. Pretty disappointing for a $170 shoe
Hey Andy, I was actually really surprised how well the uppers performed - I expected to get more rips, tears and holes!
I definitely used mine longer than I should have though - the midsole did wear faster than I'd hoped.
The quest for the perfect hiking shoe continues!
I’ve had quality issues with my Altras too. It breaks my heart because I’ve worn them since they’ve come on the market. I’m going to try Topos now. Similar wide toe box and decent lugs for trail running but 5mm drop. We’ll see how it goes.
Similar to my situation! I've been really impressed with the Topo MTN Racer 3, especially the traction and comfort. Just completed 510 miles on the GR11 with them.
Topo Pursuit is zero drop.
Lower leg pain is from the extra stretch of your Achilles tendon, even if it's only 5-8mm, as your heel stretches to hit the deck. Try some lower leg stretches, daily, this should sort it out. Great review, thanks.
Hey, thanks very much for the tip - much appreciated 👍 I've been experimenting recently with some 5mm drop shoes, and they've helped massively. I'll try throwing in some stretches, too, and see how it goes.
Hi Paul, enjoyed the review. I'm on my 3rd pair of Cascadias now and can't recommend them enough, and I've taken them through some really tough terrain. Good luck going forward.
Cheers Alan, that's good to know. The Topo's are great, but they rarely get discounted, so it's good to have other options to try out, thanks for the feedback 😀 👍
Thanks for the review. I use Altras for road running and find them pretty good. Escalante 3 and Torin 7s. I made the transition to zero drop / barefoot shoes a few years ago so my calves are pretty well adjusted. That said I also do a bit of massage therapy regularly so that keeps me limbre.
For trails I found the Saucony Peregrine to be awesome for any distance. The toe box is wide (not as wide as Altra), but wide enough. The lugs and entire outsole are grippy and durable. I got the GoreTex version, and while a little heavier, my feet always stay dry and warm. I even wear them on Summer runs and my feet are okay. Might be an alternative for you.
Thanks again for the great review.
Hey, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.
I did consider the Saucony Peregrine, but never got round to trying a pair out. Really appreciate your input mate, I'll put them on my list 👍
I’ve got two pair of Olympus 5 at the moment. One light one gortex. I simply love the wide toe box and have had similar results as many others that they have contributed to easing of foot pains and fatigue. I do love them however I do also think they wear very fast and one thing concerning the vibram sole which is a deal breaker, and the reason I’ll look further to another brand next time… once they get wet, like one time, even the gortex version, is they develop a squeak that never goes away again. It’s not a functional problem but it gets inside your head and you can never unhear it.
Haha! That didn't happen with my first pair, but it did with my second! I moved on to the Topo Athletic range and haven't regretted it one bit. Hope you find something to replace them that works for you.
Hi Paul thx for the video I also walk a lot about 80mile a week and have gone through many Altras this year and unfortunately many of them had to go back to the shop, my Outroads lasted 13 days and Timp 4 5 before they torn and my Lone Peaks also torn and gone back I tried the Olympus GTX boots but I can't ware boots so sold them after 1 time use after km5 my personal favourite and what I could recommend for you is the Paradigm supper comfortable and no upper damage but as I'm in Norway and winter is coming I'm wondering if you have any thoughts on the Olympus 5 GTX low. I looked at them last year but they seemed so stiff almost like a steel boot not flexible at all, I'm currently waring a pair of Toto's I bought after my Lone Peaks but my feet are so soar after only km13 today I can't ware then any more so I have a big problem now but might just have to buy another pair of Paradigms...
Hey, thanks for watching and sharing your experience. I've not tried the Olympus GTX low so can't comment on them. Unfortunately, zero drop just doesn't work for me. I'm currently about 60 miles away from completing the GR11 with a pair of Topo MTN Racer 3's. They've been great for me so far, apart from taking a long time to dry. They have a very good Vibram sole which is something that I really love.
Thanks for the review.
Torn exactly at the same spots but the outsole remains great. Hope they will fix it on the 6. Except this durability issues, I've really loved this shoe. Very stable, grippy, comfortable. Not on the lightest side neither a racing profile or versatile I would say but for very long runs or just for comfort, a beast (better than Hoka for me). I switched on Inov 8 270 (0 drop too), much more low to the ground and flexible but not so comfy and no foot shape toe box.
Interesting they've gone in the same place. I think the Oly 5's have had a few common problems that, as you say, will hopefully be sorted out in the new version. I'm really enjoying the Topo MTN Racer 3 that I moved to after the Oly 5. Thanks for watching!
Hey mate. Nice little vid. I have the Lone Peak 6 and the Timp 4. I like the Lone Peaks, but annoyingly they do give me blisters on longer walks, especially on hard going terrain. I don't get on with the Timp's at all. Like you I can't go back to narrow toe boxes. I've started using Vivobarefoot's and love them.
See you Friday. Fingers crossed for the weather. It's looking a bit interesting for the Saturday. 😬
Thanks fella. I had the LP 6 and liked everything apart from the minimal cushioning and grip performance in the wet. I also had some Timp 4's but didn't get on with them at all either.
The weekend is looking interesting for sure, I hope you've found us somewhere elevated and exposed to pitch! 🌩 ⚡️ ⛈️
Hmm seems like these have some pretty major quality concerns. Shame because on paper they're ideal forntrail ultras. They could atill be
Yeah, they seem to be a bit hit and miss on the QC front, especially with the vibram inserts separating from the outsole.
Fellow postie here and a trail runner, just found your channel and love the content, ordered some topo to replace my altras too! Subscribed 👍🏼
Thanks fella! Much appreciated - which Topo model did you go for, was it the Pursuit?
@@PaulandaPack went for the ultraventure 3 as all the reviews said it's a great alternative to the Olympus, should arrive in time for the weekend 🏃🏼🌲
@@chrisbrandon833 nice, let me know how you get on with them!
@@PaulandaPack will do 👍🏼
One month in the ultraventure 3... absolutely love them, also got the Topo cyclone 2 for fast road miles and they are incredible,
On my third pair of Olympus 5. Biggest wear issues are internal in same spots as yours! Ordered Brooks Cascadia 17 in the wide fitting only to find that they are way too long and not narrow at all so they've gone back. Hope you fair better.
Hey, sounds like we've had the same issues then! My Cascadia 17's also went back. I liked how light they were but they just weren't quite the right fit for me. I'm using some Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3's now, and am really liking them. I've just uploaded a quick video about them, maybe worth a look if you're searching for an Olympus alternative.
Nice to hear from a Posty / Trail Runner..... and very valuable to hear how your Olympus has done over the 800 miles
I ran the Snowdonia Trail Marathon last year in Lonepeak 4's and loved them - even thought I trained in Brooks Ghost 15 - with a way bigger drop....
I've been told I should move to the Olympus 5 by a few friends but after reading many reviews the heals have fallen off them after 100 miles or so....... and as I have an Ultra planned I don't want to find the sole falls off half way up a mountain...... did you hear this yourself.... ?
Looking at your shoes after the mileage they do look great - take care and keep us with the reviews
Hey, thanks for attaching and getting in touch. Sorry for the late reply, I'm out on the GR11 in Spain at present.
I personally didn't have a problem with the heels, but found the Vibram inserts were very prone to separating from the sole, even after a short period of use.
I've been using the Topo MTN Racer 3 for this trail so far (about 280 miles) and am really pleased with them, although they're not zero drop.
If you've been used to Lone Peaks, and move to the Olympus, you'll notice a massive drop in ground feel and responsiveness. The Olympus will probably also feel a lot more snug fitting.
I had almost the exact same wear issues on my Olympus 5’s. One of my lace holes also ripped through. I had a shoe repair shop in Spain fix the heel wear and the lace hole tear with leather. It was only after 100 miles of walking. Thanks for the great video. You did a nice job. I’m still going to get another pair of these because I think I just got a bad pair the first time. Peace. 👍👍😊
Thanks a lot! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Hopefully your second pair will perform better than your first.
Thankyou. Very useful review. I have just done the Hadrians Wall path using Lone Peak 6s and that worked well for me. I am interested in what you thought of the Yorkshire Wolds Way as that is now on my radar.
Thanks Dave, good to hear that the Lone Peaks are working well for you.
I really enjoyed the Wolds Way. The landscape was a little different than what I'm used to, and I found it to be a very peaceful few days on the trail.
Most of it is quite exposed, so if you get unlucky with rain, you'll be glad of some decent waterproofs.
Find any new good shoes for postmen?
Unfortunately not! 😆
Thanks for this! Having the exact same problem with width of trail shoes such as Hoka and brooks. I had the lone peaks before, but didn’t break myself in to the zero drop over a long enough period and had similar issues to you. Now back on the market for new trail shoes after mizunos and after trying on several pairs in a running store they said that maybe I tried these but take more care to adapt over time. Appreciate having someone else’s experience, cheers 😀
Appreciate you watching, thanks. I hope you manage to find something that works for you. I've moved on to Topo Athletic shoes now, might be worth you checking out my review of the MTN Racer 3 that I used on the GR11, they're wide, comfy and have a 5mm drop so don't need any time to adapt.
Thanks, I'll check them out @@PaulandaPack 🙏