Customer Reviews Altra Via Olympus

I was expecting this shoe to be amazing based on the reviews, but it was NOT amazing to me. The heel slipped quite a bit. And, the cushioning felt firm and inflexible. It sounded like the shoes were made of hard plastic as the slapped the ground with each step. I will go back to the Paradigm.

I'm an ultra runner and have a wide forefoot and narrow heel. Typically this means Altra is the only brand of shoe I buy. This shoe has a VERY wide heel, even with heel-lock lacing. I sized down half a size and the shoe was too narrow at the forefoot. These honestly fit like a 'competitors' shoe and it was incredibly disappointing

Both too narrow and too wide. I've worn Altras for years. They're the only athletic shoe I buy. I've been happy with all but this one. The heel area is too wide so my foot slides forward and then the middle to front area is too narrow.

I was really excited for these Max cushion shoes from Altra. I am a big fan of their Zero drop and Footshape fit. The zero drop is always nice. I hate when all running shoes have a steep drop that makes your toes point down as if wearing heels putting pressure on the toes when standing and having uneven pressure overall from heel to toe as if standing on a hill. First gripe, this one is listed as the "Original" footshape fit, not the "standard" or the "slim" but they felt more on the narrow side. Now the biggest issue... it is so firm! Where is all the cushion? More firm than most regular shoes while supposedly being "Max cushion"? I thought i was tripping and would not believe when i saw another review mentioning it. So I gave it a go thinking after some time they'll soften up. 1 week later well over 20 miles in and they are still hard, no cushion. I even got a black toe. So i thought maybe i just got a bad pair and maybe need to adjust a half size or so... same thing on the next pair! I went and did some research about this to see if I was the only one. Apparently the first of these were nice and soft, but people complained that they were "too soft" and now Altra made them firm?! Come on now, to those people who get a "Max cushion" shoe and complain for being "soft" get a dang different shoe, do you know what "MAX" means? To Altra, please make your max cushion shoes actually soft again and don't listen to these ridiculous people with weak knees complaining about a MAX cushion shoe being soft. 1-star for the Zero drop. The "original" fit/sizing may need some adjustment. The foam/cushion needs a major rehaul! Really disappointed with these, was hoping it would be more like a Sketchers max cushion shoe and feel like walking on clouds, plus that nice Zero drop from Altra, but no... These are hard/firm, not soft at all and definitely nowhere near a max cushion shoe.

Wrong mechanics for my foot- returned!

I am a long-time wearer of Altra shoes. I was so excited about this shoe, their first road running shoe in the original width since Altra moved to the terrible idea of making most models of shoes more narrow. I was also excited about the extra cushioning because I'm getting older and could use it on my runs. I took these out for an easy 5K and hated every second of it. They are so heavy, clunky, and stiff. I thought they'd be cushiony, but they are very much not. Also my heel slipped terribly in them, in spite of me trying out the "heel lock" lacing method. I tied them so tightly to prevent heel slippage that the front half of both of my feet ended up going numb. Overall running in these was just a very disappointing and unpleasant experience. I've already sent them back.

These shoes were not comfortable to wear. As someone on their feet all day, they increased my back pain, and made me feel off kilter. They also felt too wide and too big. They are also not visually appealing - they looked like a brick on my foot.

These are my favorite shoes!! Fit perfectly and it's like walking on a cloud. Came here to buy another pair and sad they are out of stock. Truly love these shoes!

I WEAR

Finally a blister free running shoe. I recently bought a pair of lone peaks for hiking and fell in love. So when I decided to start walking again I looked into Altras. I loved them. Then I decided to start running. These via olympus are absolutely perfect for me. So happy. Not thrilled with the colors but at my age I am more interested in fit than looks. One other small note, the pair I received had a small smudge on the fabric. I'm sure I could have swapped them, but shoes get dirty anyway and so it wasn't worth the effort. That being said, I will buy another pair when these wear out.

I've always had trouble with my 2nd toe bending even thought I buy size 9 1/2 as most shoes aren't wide enough to help with wide feet. I am very happy with the purchase. Only thing is it has a bit of a height.

I wore these to train for a marathon. After running about 550 miles in them, I didn't even realize I needed new shoes! They kept their cushion so well that I was in denial that I needed a new pair. These are great if you have wider feet as well.

I thought Hoka was the best fit for me... Then I tried these on by chance. Wow! My number 1!! My absolute fav!

I love this Altra shoe. I bought the same style again so I could use one to work in my yard. I'm 73 yrs and have terrible feet problems and I have finally found shoes that I can wear all day. I would love other colors.

After 2 hip replacements, one of which damaged nerves causing foot drop on the right, it has been a challenge getting stable again. With damaged nerves on the right, muscles in my lower leg atrophied and tightened causing pain when walking. Plus I need the wide toe beds because of crossed toes following foot surgery. When I first bought these shoes, I couldn't ground my heel on the right because of the tight/atrophied muscles. After a few weeks, the muscles gradually stretched enough that not only could I ground my heel, the pain in my foot was gone! A quality of life saver! I tried the Via Olympus 2, but they cause instability in my walking and are not safe. I cannot ground well wearing them--too padded. Here's hoping Altra will continue to provide the original VIA OLYMPUS shoes because I've found NOTHING else that works for me. Stability and Pain-free! A winning combination!

I recently had foot surgery and wanted bigger toe box in running and walking shoes. I fell in love with these! Just the right amount of support and cushion, the toe box is perfect IMO. I dislike the trend toward super cushioned shoes- I gave away 2 pair of a well known company's running shoes because they were too soft and threw off my running gait, causing all sorts of issues. After 35 years of running, i know not to mess with form! Very disappointed to learn that the via 2 has "more" cushioning as that is NOT what I want or need! I have never understood why running shoe designers are constantly changing shoes that meet the needs of so many. I will try to find more colors of the first Olympus so I can continue to have this comfort.I also have the Rivera 3 and Escalante 4. Both are great and useful for different activities but the best fit is the Via olympus for walking for me.

I use this Altra shoe for walking. I have bad knees and this shoe has the cushion to allow me to walk without pain. It's extremely comfortable and has just the right amount of give. Perfect fit.

I love the comfort and function of the Via Olympus, but I beg you please make an all white one. Or white with gold or tan. Many reviewers have made the same request! We will buy more when WHITE with no obnoxious colors is available. Thank you!