Customer Reviews Altra Olympus 5

I'm a die-hard fan of the old Olympus. This fits similarly though my toes feel just slightly closer to the front. The bottom is more durable and firmer than past models. This is better for grip, wear and tear and also for getting pinched by rocks. The inside is a new, very soft material that's more comfortable than previous models. The shoe still has the gator hook in front and heel which is awesome as well as the double hole for a heel lock. Altra shortened the laces, which means if you want to tie a heel lock you need to purchase different laces. I recommend the Solomon Quick Laces. If you are a trail runner and don't know what a heel lock is then Google it and learn how to use it properly. It allows you to tie the area above your arch at a different level of tension than the top lace (to lock your heel in so your toe doesn't smash the front on the downhills). And the shoes look great!

I am an avid runner, and these shoes are one of the best I have worn. The toe box offers plenty of space - much more so than any other shoe I have worn - and the heel is well supported

When the Olympus 4 dropped it was a monster upgrade to an amazing product!! Comfort, style, room, durable. It was what I needed and more!!!! I was super excited to hear that the 5 was coming out this summer since I had already bought 4 of the Olympus 4's. First the color ways are amazing! I went with Orange! Upper seems to be flexible and slightly more durable than the 4. The outer tread seems to be a little tougher and stronger than the 4 as well which will increase longevity, fingers crossed. I roughly ended with over 500 miles before I slowly retired two of the 4's. After wearing the new 5 for a few hours the EVA warmed up and got a little softer. The fit was pretty much a 10/10 for my foot! I size up a whole size from my measurement on the brannock device. This gives me a thumb nail of space so I do not keep black toe nails. The biggest and most noticeable update is the pull tab!!!!!! THANK YOU ALTRA! major A+ for me here following the update with the TIMP. This allows for an easier pull on with the great tongue placement. Another little detail is the beefer gaiter O-ring at the toe box! Nice subtle detail. All in all I am very happy with this update and they did not mess with such a great update. Made subtle detail updates that improved an already amazing product!!! Look forward to so many miles in this new model in most likely a few of the color ways!! Thanks Altra!!

MY SECOND FULL DAY OF WEARING. DEFINITELY NOT SAME FOOTSHAPE AS OLYMPUS 4. NOTICEABLY NARROWER. HEEL DOES NOT LOCK LIKE 4s DID AT ALL!!! MY WORN OUT 4s STILL LOCK BETTER. 4sVERY COMFY OUT OF BOX 5s NOT.

The only negative comment I have is that the laces on the Olympus 5 are to short. That might not seem like a big deal but you cannot double knot when using the heel lock holes. The heel lock is something I use all the time to prevent heel slip on the Olympus models. Cosidering the cost of Altras these days the laces should be designed to be the proper length. Not sure how the research and design folks misssd this one. Now if you feel like comping me some laces that are the right length that would be great.

Love the 0 drop, love the look, love the Vibram sole and in general awesome shoe. But I had to order a whole size up as my toes kept hitting - they run short but also your foot slides forward in them, no good heal lock and the actual lacing does not lock your foot in well. Would worry on a steep decline my toes would hit too much.

Okay after wearing the Olympus 5 for two weeks and several day hikes with pack on I experienced pain on the top of my foot right where the big toe metatarsal joint is ( high point) the new thicker tongue has a seam there but I'm not sure that's the issue exactly as inside the tongue seems smooth and padded. I have returned the pair in my usual size and I ordered a half size larger. I haven't had them long enough to experience the sole separation issue but I'll have shoe goo ready if it does. I certainly will not take them backpacking until I know I can trust them. I can see the sole design change that may have lead to the weakness. I'm including some photos comparing my old 4 pair ( has 600 miles on the 4) and the new Olympus 5 both the same size. The 5 looks smaller for sure. Notice the difference in the tongue , lacing, sole.

The shoe itself is great - fits well, plenty of cushion, a very comfortable ride over rugged terrain, but I can't get a pair to make it to 300 miles before the inner sides blow out. I do 200mi / month

My large feet make it difficult to find comfortable shoes. I had high hopes for the O5. The sole width fit perfectly! The upper part of the shoe however, barely reached the top of my foot. My socks were visible through the tongue of the shoe and loosened laces. If you have wide, yet dainty boned feet, these shoes should fit perfectly. If your feet are as tall as they are wide, keep shopping.

I have been brand loyal for at least 7 years and have purchased the same style andd size. I ordered a new pair of size 8.5 Olympus 5's/ The build quality has decreased with poorly fitted fabric and badly sewn seams. When I tried them on they hurt and felt too tight. When I compared them to the previous pair ( I buy a replacement pair every 6-8 months) they were at least one size smaller than the label.

Shoe fit well and I haven't had any issues with the shoe itself or wearing it

I wear it walking daily and the occasional hike. My feet don't hurt as bad in the morning, huge plus.

My picture speaks for itself. My first Olympus has 150 miles on it and still look strong. Just bought 2 more pairs

I use these at work and they are great. And I do go for walks in them.

For LIFE ! At home, in my woodshop, walking, hiking, playing w/ my RC crawlers, church {when they're still new!}

I've had every iteration of the Olympus. They are my go-to standard for long trail runs! I appreciate that Altra has kept the wide toe box in the Olympus. The Olympus 5 has some issues with the sole peeling up, but it seems to have been resolved in the 6! Love these shoes! Happy trails to you!

After figuring out that my feet have changed since my last pair of Altras and having to go up half a size, these are another great shoe. I ordered late and was set to run another Ragnar trail relay in Zion,Ut, I had no time to break these shoes in. So, I broke them in on the race. Zion is a no joke extreme elevation, extreme terrain, race, and these performed flawlessly. No blisters, no bruising, no chaffing. Thank you again for a great product!

Good wide shoe, ton of support. You'll likely love it or hate it. People complain about durability, which may be very valid. That said I've done a lot of miles on these on Colorado trails which are extremely rocky, and these shoes have help up well with no visible damage. I did a 20 miles trail race as well, and felt good the whole time.

Super cushion, grippy and fits very well. I am a bigger person and it's the most comfy running/hiking shoe I have ever had. So worth the purchase!

i wore 3 pairs of these across the PCT and have tested them THOUROGHLEE lol these are hiker trash certified:) only gripe is that the plastic starts to dig into the ankles after about 560miles

These shoes feel amazing. I wear them for runs and working out. I actually bought 2 pair, that's how good they feel!

I've used these for both on and off-road runs, and they stick to everything. The grips as well as the rubber compound used really give you a good feeling of being one with the Earth. I'd attempt to scale a large building in Manhattan with them if I wasn't so clumsy. In all seriousness though, great shoes and very comfortable. My only gripe is that the laces are short and rigid compared to my Via Olympus 2' and Fwd Experience's. I'll be replacing the laces soon, which doesn't detect from the shoes overall feel and capability.