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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Olympus Review}}
The Altra Olympus has rapidly become one of my favorite running shoes, though the [[Hoka Clifton]] has eclipsed it by being lighter and better cushioned. It has the soft cushioning that is like the best of the [[Hoka Shoe Review| Hoka range]], combined with zero drop and a nice wide toe box. It's remarkably flexible given its cushioning, with an outsole that works well on the road. Like the Hokas, the cushioning means the shoe works well on rocky stony trails as well. Like other Altra shoes, the tongue area is wider than most shoes, reducing the pressure slightly on the top of your foot. The weight Unfortunately, the Olympus is similar to a nearly as heavy as the [[HokaMafate]], but somehow feels lighter than the Mafate is better ate earning its weight, with a Hoka when I'm runninglot more cushioning and an outsole that works in nearly every terrain. Like While the Hokas, the midsole thins at the front and back Olympus might pretend to create be a rocker effecttrail shoe, and this is a little more noticeable than the Hokas. I felt this worked well, though Iit won've talked to runners who have found t handle the rocker a little disconcerting. You can see the difference soft mud or slick rock in the slice through way the two shoesMafate will. For an even more stark comparison, with the [[Hoka tapering in front of the ball of the foot and the Olympus starting to taper Clifton]] is much further backlighter while providing even more cushioning. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. You're after a [[Minimax]] shoe that fits your foot. You However, you might be better with the lighter weight and better cushioned [[Hoka Clifton]] however, or the all-terrain [[Hoka Mafate]]. * {{H:cushioning}}. The midsole of the Olympus is not quite as soft as the typical Hoka foam, but it's softer than the earlier Altra shoes like the Torin were. * {{H:drop}}. Altra is known for their zero drop and the Olympus is no exception. weHowever, However, while the thickness under the ball and heel is approximately the same but there some rise under the arch. This gives some medial support to the ball of the foot, but it does not push up on the arch in a way that causes problems. The Olympus tapers gently and evenly from the ball of the foot to the front, which is quite different to the Hoka which has an abrupt taper at the front of the shoe. Like many [[Minimax]] shoes, the rear of the midsole is cut away to create a bit of a rocker. However, rather unusually the outsole extends back, which may be an attempt to absorb heel strike. The midsole wraps around the lower part of the foot improve stability, reducing the stilt like instability you can get with a thick sole.
* {{H:structure}}. This shoe uses single density of foam, though the wrapper that extends above the level of the liner painted a different color to make the shoe look a little less bulky.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The Olympus is fairly flexible for shoe of this thickness and this flexibility tends to increase over the first few miles as the foam breaks down and softens.
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==Olympus and Altra Paradigm==
Comparing the Olympus and the [[Altra Paradigm]], the Paradigm wins on weight:
* Similarities
** {{H:shape}}. Both have better toe boxes than the more usual shaped shoes.
** {{H:price}}.Both are expensive, but tend to have a good lifespan.
** {{H:grip}}. Neither has great traction on wet, slick surfaces or mud.
** {{H:cushioning}}. The cushioning is quite close, with the Olympus having more in the heel and the Paradigm having more in the forefoot.
* Advantage Altra Olympus
** {{H:longevity}}. The Olympus has more outsole, so it will resist abrasion better than the Paradigm.
** {{H:trails}}.The Olympus will handle mild trails a little better.** {{H:cushioning}}. The Olympus is thicker and softer cushioned, but it's a close run thing.
* Advantage Altra Paradigm
** {{H:weight}}. The Altra Paradigm is lighter.
[[File:OlympusParadigmRun.JPG|none|thumb|x150px| I actually ran with an Olympus on one foot and a Paradigm on the other. It's a great way of comparing two shoes, but don't try this at home as it's also a great way of getting injured.]]
==Olympus and Hoka Bondi==
Comparing the Olympus and the [[Hoka Bondi]], the Bondi has slightly more cushioningand is lighter weight. If you're after shape and comfort, choose the Olympus, but if you want lightweight cushioning, choose the Olympus wins out for comfortClifton over either.
* Similarities
** {{H:price}}.Both are expensive, but tend to have a good lifespan.
** {{H:drop}}. The Altra Olympus is zero drop.
** {{H:longevity}}. The Altra Olympus has more outsole, so it will resist abrasion better and wear more evenly.
* Advantage Hoka Bondi
** {{H:weight}}. The Altra Olympus is a little heavier.
** {{H:cushioning}}. Both are thickly, softly cushioned but the Bondi is a little better.
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