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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Best Running Shoe Reviews – Altra OlympusReview}}This has rapidly become one of my favorite running shoes. It The Altra Olympus has the soft cushioning that is like the best of similar to 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 HokasOlympus might pretend to be a trail shoe, it won't handle the soft mud or slick rock in the midsole thins at way the front and back to create a rocker effectMafate will. For an even more stark comparison, and this the [[Hoka Clifton]] is a little much lighter while providing even more noticeable than the Hokascushioning. I felt this worked well, though I've talked to runners who have found the rocker a little disconcertingrated it as "Highly Recommended." {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}{| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Altra-Olympus-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus top]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-inside. You can see the difference in the slice through the two shoes above, with the Hoka tapering in front of the ball of the foot and the jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus inside]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus starting to taper much further back-outside. jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus outside]] |}

* {{H:WhyBuy}}. You'''Midsole'''re after a [[Maximalist]] shoe that fits your foot. However, you might be better with the lighter weight and better cushioned [[Hoka Clifton]] , 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. ** '''Cushioning'''. The Olympus is softly cushioned, though like most EVA foam it some miles from the initial firmness to wear off. ** '''Drop & Shape'''{{H:drop}}. Altra is known for their zero drop and the Olympus is no exception. 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 [[MinimaxMaximalist]] 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.** '''Structure'''{{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. ** '''Flexibility'''{{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.* '''Outsole'''{{H:outsole}}. The Olympus has harder rubber over most (but not all) of the surface of the sole. However, unlike many shoes Note that put the harder rubber on the contact points the Olympus has a cutout in the harder rubber five ovals that makes are colored to match the outline of a foot. This is superficially attractivemidsole and positioned almost like toes are actually outsole, but not particularly practicalprotruding midsole. . * '''Shape'''{{H:shape}}. The shoe is the classic Altra shape, which follows the outline of the human foot much better than other makes. This gives it a broader toe box, but I find there is not enough height for my toes and [[Shoe Modifications| I still have to cut the toe box open]].{{H:TryCuttingShoes}}* '''Upper'''{{H:upper}}. The upper is a thicker material than most road shoes, but is reasonably breathable. The weave of the material makes it quite tough and abrasion resistant. There is good padding around the ankle opening.* '''Tongue'''{{H:tongue}}. The Olympus has a classic tongue rather than a tongue-less sock style of upper. The tongue is partially attached on the inside edge to keep it positioned (see below for an image). The tongue has minimal but adequate padding.* '''Lacing'''{{H:lacing}}. The flat laces work well and remained tied. Like many Altra shoes, I find the position of the uppermost eyeholes a little old, with the top hole too high and the next hole a little too low. The shoes come from the manufacturer laced in a way that indicates they think you should do a [[Lacing#The Heel Lock| "heel lock" style of lacing]], which I hate. I find that approach is very hard to get the tension right.* '''Heel counter'''{{H:heelcounter}}. The Olympus has a surprisingly firm heel counter which is reinforced by the midsole foam rising up around the lower part of the heel. However, there are no strongly defined edges, so it should not cause a problem. The heel counter comes as far up the back of the heel as is normal for running shoe.{{BuyShoes|RW=T|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}{{ShoeGraphs}}=Comparisons=Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.==Olympus and ParadigmHoka Clifton==The Comparing the Olympus and Paradigm the [[Hoka Clifton]], the Clifton wins on light weight and superior cushioning. * Similarities** {{H:price}}. Both are remarkably similar shoesexpensive, but tend to have a good lifespan.** {{H:trails}}. Both will handle rocky trails quite well, but not mud or slick rocks.* Advantage Altra Olympus** {{H:shape}}. The Altra Olympus has a better toe box.** {{H:drop}}. The Altra Olympus is zero drop. ** {{H:longevity}}. The Altra Olympus has more outsole, so it's easiest to talk about will resist abrasion better though the Clifton has tougher exposed midsole than most. * Advantage Hoka Clifton** {{H:weight}}. The Hoka Clifton is a lot lighter, which is a critical advantage. ** {{H:cushioning}}. Both are thickly, softly cushioned, but the Clifton achieves the differencescushioning with less thickness.{| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Altra-Olympus-top. In many ways jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus top]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus inside]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus outside]] |- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-Clifton-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka OneOne Clifton outside]]|}==Olympus and Altra Paradigm==Comparing the Olympus and the [[Altra Paradigm could be thought of as ]], the road version of Paradigm wins on weight:* Similarities** {{H:shape}}. Both have better toe boxes than the Olympusmore usual shaped shoes.** {{H:drop}}. Both are zero drop. ** {{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 Paradigm cushioning is road onlyquite close, where with the Olympus will handle both road having more in the heel and mild trailsthe Paradigm having more in the forefoot.* Advantage Altra Olympus** {{H:longevity}}. The Olympus is slightly thicker and slightly heavierhas more outsole, but so it will resist abrasion better than the difference is fairly marginal when you're wearing themParadigm.* * {{H:trails}}.The outsole on the Olympus is quite hardwill handle mild trails a little better, and can lack traction on but it's a treadmill at steep inclineclose run thing.* Advantage Altra Paradigm** {{H:weight}}. The Altra Paradigm is slightly more cut away at the base of the heel to produce more of a rocker effectlighter. [[File:OlympusParadigmRun.JPG|none|thumb|x300pxx150px| 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 cushioning and is lighter weight. If you're after shape and comfort, choose the Olympus, but if you want lightweight cushioning, choose the Clifton over either.* Similarities** {{H:price}}.Both are expensive, but tend to have a good lifespan.** {{H:trails}}.Both will handle rocky trails quite well, but not mud or slick rocks.* Advantage Altra Olympus** {{H:shape}}. The Altra Olympus has a better toe box.** {{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. {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Altra-Olympus-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus top]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus inside]] |[[File:Altra-Olympus-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Altra Olympus outside]] |- valign="top"|[[File:Hoka-Bondi-B-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi B top]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-B-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi B bottom]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-B-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi B inside]] |[[File:Hoka-Bondi-B-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Hoka Bondi B outside]]|}

|[[File:OlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|Altra Olympus [[Shoe Dissection| dissected]].]]|[[File:HokaOlympusSlice.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|A comparison between the Altra Olympus and Hokas. Notice the difference in the way the sole tapers towards the front of the shoe.]]|- valign="top"|[[File:OlympusParadigmSide.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px| Here is an external comparison of the Altra Olympus and the [[Altra Paradigm]].]]|[[File:OlympusParadigmSole.JPG|none|thumb|300px| The Paradigm (top) has less grip and more flexibility than the Olympus. ]]

|[[File:OlympusParadigmSole.JPG|none|thumb|x150px| The Paradigm (top) has less grip and more flexibility than the Olympus. ]]|[[File:POCMSB_Top.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|[[Altra Paradigm]], [[Altra Olympus]], Hoka Conquest, [[Hoka Mafate]], [[Hoka Stinson]], [[Hoka Bondi]] (From left to right).]]|[[File:POCMSB_Inside.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|[[Hoka Stinson]], [[Hoka Bondi]], Hoka Conquest, [[Hoka Mafate]], [[Altra Paradigm]], [[Altra Olympus]] (From top left to bottom right by row).]]

|[[File:POCMSB_Outside.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|[[Hoka Stinson]], [[Hoka Bondi]], Hoka Conquest, [[Hoka Mafate]], [[Altra Paradigm]], [[Altra Olympus]] (From top left to bottom right by row).]]|[[File:POCMSB_RearOlympusTongue.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|[[Hoka Stinson]], [[Hoka Bondi]], Hoka Conquest, [[Hoka Mafate]], [[Altra Paradigm]]A close up of the tongue, [[Altra Olympus]] (From top left to bottom right by row)showing how it's sown in on each side.]]

|colspan="3"|[[File:OlympusTonguePOCMSB_Rear.JPG|none|thumb|300pxx150px|A close up of the tongue[[Hoka Stinson]], [[Hoka Bondi]], Hoka Conquest, showing how it's sown in on each side[[Hoka Mafate]], [[Altra Paradigm]], [[Altra Olympus]] (From top left to bottom right by row).]]