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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Olympus Review}}
The [http://www.zappos.com/altra-olympus Altra Olympus] has rapidly become one of my favorite running shoes. It 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 Hokas, the midsole thins at the front and back Olympus might pretend to create be a rocker effect, and this is a little more noticeable than the Hokas. I felt this worked welltrail shoe, 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. I've rated it as "Highly Recommended. " {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. You're after a [[MinimaxMaximalist]] 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. 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.
* {{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.
* {{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. . * {{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}}
* {{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.
* {{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.
* {{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.
* {{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}}
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=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==Olympus and Hoka Clifton==
Comparing the Olympus and the [[Hoka Clifton]]:, the Clifton wins on light weight and superior cushioning.
* Similarities
** {{H:price}}. Both are expensive, but tend to have a good lifespan.
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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 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
** Nothing{{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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