My pair of Olympus 4s joined me at the peak of my AT strength and didn’t miss a beat when I asked them to carry me 116 miles during our first four days together through Maryland and into Pennsylvania. Coming from a pair of Timp 3’s, my legs and feet were already used to the Altra ride. However, I definitely noticed the extra spring in my step and holding power on surfaces of all types. Naturally, I ended up with a few new blisters, but those callused over, leaving me with just my rapidly diminishing skepticism that the extra cash was worth it. The plush cushion of the sole makes the Olympus 4.0 less responsive than one would hope. Some of the energy return is eaten up in the sponginess, but of course, this isn't really a shoe for taking to the races. Comfort for days! So where does this wide-toe-box, high-cushion trail shoe fit in my trail running lineup, and how does it compare with other options on the market? After about 75 miles in the shoe, I have some thoughts about where the Olympus does well, as well as where I’ve found myself reaching for a different pair of shoes. Great all-day underfoot protection is not the only thing you’re getting with the Olympus. All-day comfort is coming from the topside too. An engineered mesh upper provides a soft feel and great breathability. The Olympus 4 has a new thin gusseted tongue that provides a noticeably better fit and another comfortable touch.

Having run in earlier models of the Olympus I would chalk this up as one of its greatest improvements. The sidewall and toe box aeration holes are strategically placed and work to keep this shoe cool and airy. The fact that Altra didn’t just overstuff the heel collar and upper lowers the amount of insulation that might otherwise overheat your foot. In Altra's trail running line, Lone Peak's are the closest you get to a typical trail running shoe and hence a safer choice than the Olympus and is probably a better option for beginner folks.

Heel-to-toe drop

We also discovered that the shoe has thinner-than-average rubber layers and lugs. The Vibram outsole is 2.8 mm, 0.7 mm thinner than the average. The lugs (3.0 mm) are also a bit smaller than the average (3.5 mm). That means it takes less abrasion to wear through the shoe's outsole. At least it bites With a stated weight of 329 g / 11.6 oz (US men’s size 9) the Olympus 4.0 is certainly not the lightest trail shoe around, but then again, that really isn’t what this shoe is designed to be. Below I have included the stated weights of some similar maximalist trail shoes from different brands (all stated weights are based on a US men’s size 9): The tongue is gusseted with thin bands on either side to keep it planted, and you may notice that the top of the tongue has a small notch in it. Somewhat reminiscent of the Nike Vaporfly, the notch fits perfectly for the tendon or ligament at the top of the foot. Number two: Overall, the fit is a little like eating a platter of fully loaded nachos without a napkin or utensils… a bit sloppy. That cheese is movin’. I kind of expect it from a max cushion shoe, but I was really hoping for a supremely secure fit like that found in the Altra Timp 2.

Recently, I reviewed the HOKA ONE ONE Stinson ATR 6. If that shoe is Godzilla, the Olympus 4 would be King Kong. Do not even try to twist this into a larger metaphor of who would crush the other in a monster street brawl, and definitely do not make this a political matchup… it’s a shoe review, dangit! All I am saying is that they are both huge shoes and are very similar in properties and performance. That said, the Olympus is different enough to distinguish itself as its own “monster” on the trails. What is lost in responsiveness is easily made up for in comfort. The sidewalls are constructed with just enough padding, in just the right spots, and the tongue's low profile all add up to an amazing feel. That combined with the plush cushion of the sole makes for a shoe you just don't want to take off. They all are, it’s just what they do. Narrow-footed runners might be swimming in it, but medium to wide-footed runners should find a very comfortable home in the Olympus. Cushion: It might not be for everyone, but the bounce in this ride is undeniable. I experienced fewer pointy zingers and less daily foot fatigue in these shoes when compared to other, less-cushioned shoes that I have used (and loved) while thru-hiking.Jeff: Another spot that seems like a mild change, but the reality is much greater. The Olympus 4 has lots of Vibram Megagrip rubber, with metatarsal-shaped lines of lugs from the ball of the foot forward. Hoka’s versatile trail shoe can be used for big mile cruising or more technical terrain. Its midsole material is similar to the Olympus 5, with a more robust outsole, and a much more dialed in fit, especially in the toebox. Personally I like the wide toebox of the Olympus, and my style of running tends to favor the less technical terrain, but I can definitely see why the Speedgoat is a trail favorite. I wanted to make this clear before we get to compare these two products because cushioning would be my single most important criteria when deciding between them - although joint health shouldn't be counted as a criteria. Straight away the Olympus 5 feels like it could be the Olympus 4.5, following Altra’s tradition of calling minor updates _.5 instead of a full new number. The outsole and midsole are nearly identical, while the upper is a subtle shift. That said, I really enjoyed the Olympus 4, so a slight refinement is great.