Each and every summer season, I attempt to dabble in a bit of of path working, and this 12 months, I had the chance to check Altra’s latest Olympus 6 on Toronto’s path device. Something I spotted instantly was once the spectacular grip of the Olympus 6, making me really feel nearly overprepared for the not-so-technical Toronto terrain. Whilst there are lots of facets I favored in regards to the shoe, the logo has made some adjustments from its earlier model. Listed here are my ideas.
Class: Impartial Path
Drop: 0 mm
Stack top:
Weight: 345 g (12.2 ounces.)/290 g (10.4 ounces.)
To be had: Now
Worth: CAD $210
The higher
The Olympus 6 has up to date the higher from its earlier version, making the mesh lighter than ever to stay your toes cool and dry. In spite of a wet and humid summer season in Toronto, the place I incessantly encountered thick dust, those sneakers held up admirably and stored my toes dry at the trails. The shoe additionally options the logo’s signature Footshape Have compatibility, permitting your toes to take a seat naturally. An all-new top rate Achilles pillow provides an additional layer of convenience to the heel, offering an opulent, increased step-in really feel that lasts lengthy after your run ends.
I did revel in some common toe rubbing in opposition to the entrance of the shoe on steeper downhills, but it surely was once OK when ascending or on flat terrain. I’ve a slender foot, whilst Altra’s toebox is usually roomy, which may well be the rationale at the back of the sliding. For the ones with a much broader foot, there’s a lot of area to permit your ft to splay and considerable room during the midfoot, making it at ease for lengthy days of working or mountain climbing at the path.
The midsole
Altra is understood for its beneficiant stack top, and the Olympus 6 leads the pack with a 33 mm heel stack. True to the logo, the shoe has a zero-drop, that means your heel and ft are on the identical degree. Runners new to zero-drop sneakers will have to destroy them in steadily because of the unaccustomed tension at the Achilles tendon after dressed in sneakers with the next drop.
The midsole is comprised of Altra’s plush compression-molded EVA foam. Whilst the shoe’s rugged look to begin with shocked me, it felt true to Altra’s design as soon as on my foot—offering me with plenty of cushioning and beef up. The Olympus 6 does no longer have a rock plate, so it’s no longer designed to offer protection to your toes from extraordinarily technical terrain. Then again, the cushioning is enough to come up with a leap on reasonably technical trails and not using a foot ache.
The outsole
As soon as once more, the Olympus options the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which isn’t simply any rubber—it’s high-performance, sticky and able to grip anything else the path throws at you. Whether or not the paths had been slick with rain or dry as a bone, I discovered the outsole extraordinarily dependable anyplace I wanted it. The Olympus 6 could be the grippiest path shoe I’ve ever worn, and that’s a large remark. It boasts a redesigned 4 mm lug trend that provides every other layer of sturdiness and beef up, providing the traction you wish to have to stick upright and stay transferring ahead.
The decision
I’d suggest those sneakers for severe path runners or hikers searching for outstanding grip and cushioning for his or her technical path adventures. Whilst more recent path runners shouldn’t have any problems adjusting to a zero-drop, they’re additionally appropriate for knowledgeable ultra-trail runners who love their zero-drop convenience however need further cushioning and grip for tackling trails. Total, the Olympus 6 is set extra than simply the specifications; it’s in regards to the self assurance to take on any path and the relaxation to stay working all day. This shoe delivers, making it essential for someone fascinated with their path or mountain climbing adventures.