Every summer season, I attempt to dabble in a little bit of path operating, and this 12 months, I had the chance to check Altra’s latest Olympus 6 on Toronto’s path system. One factor I seen instantly was the spectacular grip of the Olympus 6, making me really feel virtually overprepared for the not-so-technical Toronto terrain. Whereas there are various features I preferred concerning the shoe, the model has made some modifications from its earlier model. Listed below are my ideas.
Class: Impartial Path
Drop: 0 mm
Stack top:
Weight: 345 g (12.2 oz.)/290 g (10.4 oz.)
Obtainable: Now
Value: CAD $210
The higher
The Olympus 6 has up to date the higher from its earlier version, making the mesh lighter than ever to maintain your ft cool and dry. Regardless of a wet and humid summer season in Toronto, the place I typically encountered thick mud, these footwear held up admirably and stored my ft dry on the paths. The shoe additionally options the model’s signature Footshape Match, permitting your ft to take a seat naturally. An all-new premium Achilles pillow provides an additional layer of consolation to the heel, offering a luxurious, elevated step-in really feel that lasts lengthy after your run ends.
I did expertise some frequent toe rubbing towards the entrance of the shoe on steeper downhills, but it surely was OK when ascending or on flat terrain. I’ve a slim foot, whereas Altra’s toebox is usually roomy, which might be the explanation behind the sliding. For these with a wider foot, there’s loads of house to permit your toes to splay and ample room by the midfoot, making it comfy for lengthy days of operating or climbing on the path.
The midsole
Altra is thought for its beneficiant stack top, and the Olympus 6 leads the pack with a 33 mm heel stack. True to the model, the shoe has a zero-drop, that means your heel and toes are on the identical stage. Runners new to zero-drop footwear ought to break them in regularly as a result of unaccustomed stress on the Achilles tendon after carrying footwear with the next drop.
The midsole is constituted of Altra’s plush compression-molded EVA foam. Whereas the shoe’s rugged look initially shocked me, it felt true to Altra’s design as soon as on my foot—offering me with numerous cushioning and help. The Olympus 6 doesn’t have a rock plate, so it’s not designed to guard your ft from extraordinarily technical terrain. Nevertheless, the cushioning is adequate to provide you a bounce on reasonably technical trails with no 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 something the path throws at you. Whether or not the paths have been slick with rain or dry as a bone, I discovered the outsole extraordinarily dependable wherever I wanted it. The Olympus 6 is likely to be the grippiest path shoe I’ve ever worn, and that’s a giant assertion. It boasts a redesigned 4 mm lug sample that provides one other layer of sturdiness and help, providing the traction you’ll want to keep upright and preserve transferring ahead.
The decision
I’d advocate these footwear for critical path runners or hikers searching for distinctive grip and cushioning for his or her technical path adventures. Whereas newer path runners shouldn’t have any points adjusting to a zero-drop, they’re additionally appropriate for knowledgeable ultra-trail runners who love their zero-drop consolation however need extra cushioning and grip for tackling trails. Total, the Olympus 6 is about extra than simply the specs; it’s concerning the confidence to deal with any path and the consolation to maintain operating all day. This shoe delivers, making it a must have for anybody critical about their path or climbing adventures.
