Love the Altra shoe rotation side-by-side comparison. The Olympus 4 looks amazing for 400 miles, and you're right, more important for the midsole to still have some cushioning than the upper to be perfect.
Thanks for your guide to the Altra Trail shoes! Amazingly useful vid! I use Altras but when it came to buying a pair for trails it became very confusing. Your guide to the line up helps clear that all up. Looking for a Trail version of my Torins I ended up buying a pair of Lone Peaks which have worked out pretty well. Though after see your recommendations I think I might get the Olympus for longer runs.
Thank you so much, loving your reviews.....I’m in Perth Western Australia and struggle to find anyone to speak to in person about these shoes, let alone get fitted! I finally managed to try on a Loan Peak 5 the other day with a sales person who was hell bent on selling me a HOKA Bondi and when I asked about the Olympus 4 he insisted I stick with a stability shoe like the HOKA, he had none in store my size!. I’ve never worn zero drop shoes as such but have been wearing Birkenstock sandals for the past few months and absolutely love them. I was in crutches for four months with a rather large meniscus tear in my knee and since wearing the sandals I have had a miraculous change and now manage to put weight on my leg now. As winter has set in over here I’m in a desperate search to find a winter equivalent. I finally found a shop that sells Altra across the other side of the city to find out the specialists in there were very biased and closed off and literally told me he would highly recommend I stay clear of these shoes and I quite frankly was pretty pissed as all I wanted to do is learn more about them. Your videos have completely sold me on Altra and I too believe the Olympus appears to be king, with many other amazing reviewers saying the same thing. If anyone can tell me how the Olympus 4 fit compares to the Loan Peak 5’s it would be most appreciated. I tried a women’s 9.5 in the Loan Peak and am hoping for some guidance on what size to order online in the women’s Olympus 4. Thank you for all you do beautiful soul 🕊💎🌈
Hi, and thanks for the kind words. Personally, I would highly recommend anyone with knee issues and tears etc to go zero drop (but transition slowly) as promotes a much better cadence, foot strike and upright posture… seems you have felt that with the flat sandals. Great work! Regarding the Olympus, same length and definitely more room upfront overall than the LP5. I have done some more recent reviews and comparisons - I am big fan the Timp3 too. Also, I find one has a much better ground feel in Altra midsoles, more than the likes of Hoka. Big fan of hoka but serves a different purpose. Another brand that also offers zero drop and space in topo athletic, have a look. Good luck on your zero drop quest , and thanks again.
very nice Altra collection you have! if 2020 hadn't been the way it was, and I didn't have about 3 pairs of Solomon ready for 2020, I would definitely have taken some Altra Olympus 4 today! thanks for the review!
Just the video I was looking for. I’ve recently transitioned to Altra for a few different reasons. I’m currently running in the Torin 4.5 plush/Rivera for the road and the Lone Peak 5 for the trails. I’ve already noticed some limitations for the Lone Peak and are curious at the other shoes Altra offers for my quiver! Thanks for the tone of info. Just checked your home page and you have some cool videos. Subbed and will share your channel! Keep up the brilliant work. Peace. Chris.
Chris thanks, really appreciate the feedback. I am actually about to do a video comparing the Timp 2 and Olympus, two of my favourites... both great (plus v different from the lone peak - also great but I really use the Lp for hikes. Etc. ) All depends on what you like , but the Timp personally hits the sweet spot of cushion, protection, comfort and weight. Thanks again for sharing ... really helps grow the channel as still pretty new 👍👍
@@movemorenowjames Awesome. I’ll keep my eye out for that video! Personally the Olympus looks too cushiony (and pricey!) for everyday trail running so the Timp looks like a great option I’ve yet to try it but looking forward to learning more about it. Thanks again!
Nice. I love my Superiors for trails. Especially where I'm at with it not being so technical. Bro you need to do a cooking vid with all that kitchen! You must do some baking with all those ovens.
Sold. You've convinced me to buy the Olympus 4.0. Altra midsoles packing out way too early are my biggest worry, but sounds like these are going strong even after 400 miles on them. Sounds like a bucket-seat feel with your foot wrapped by the midsole and not perched on top, nice. Would you say the King MT would be a great choice for a super technical, super steep run? That's one time I don't mind a cramped toebox!
It’s a great shoe; the Olympus. Definitely bucket seat and midsole still good ... the king Mt would be good but it is really quite a firm ride, so if you like that then 👍👍
@@movemorenowjames Cheers for the reply, just subbed to your channel, nice work! Yes, the King MT I'd probably need to try, just need something really close to the ground and firm for being nibble on and around rocks. But yes, very specialist and I wouldn't be doing anything past 5K in these on the rare occasion I'd be doing that. I have a 50 miler in June with firm trails so the Olympus sounds just the ticket. Love the Timp 2 though, wonder what they've done to bring in the 3.0 coming in March and skipped the usual 0.5 iteration...
If there’s a load of rocks the mt would be good as has a great rock plate, which is why it’s pretty firm. The TIMP 3 midsole is the same, just the upper differs, slightly more accommodating I think.... Olympus works really well on road too, great energy return from the midsole.
Great video bro! I have them all except King mt. I love the Timp 2 and im sure you Will since it is quantic on it. Very good commute shoe between tarmac and trail. Salute from Sweden 🤙🤙
Hey, thanks ... will have to buy the timp 2 then! But also tempted by the escalate racer for a faster road day. The Torin 4.5 is awesome but sometimes almost too plush!
@@movemorenowjames Great to hear man! Looking forward to hear what you think:) And on the Escalante racer note, they feel really fast, pure running feel and ground contact. Super breathable though so maybe get those in a couple of months.
@@movemorenowjames Ran 30 k in mine today. They are 1 mil higher stack than the torin plush but feel mor responive. I Think it is the outsole rubber and the insole on the torin 4.5 is really plush aswell.
Ultras are great shoes and they are all I have worn for the last four years. The Olympus was way too soft for me and caused foot pain. My favorites were the superior but I wore them out. I currently have lone peaks with the Gore-Tex which kind of makes it a heavy shoe. The lone Peak seems a bit roomier than the superiors for me. I also have a pair of lone Peak hiker boots which fit really good too, but they’re like a high top sneaker. The cayads are amazing casual shoe. Of course the escalante is a great road warrior. Point is, everyone is different. I thought the Olympus was going to be awesome, but just didn’t work for me.
Great review mate... doing the cost to coast this year.... really hoping to wear the Olympus 4 but can’t get any 11’s anywhere.....🤷🏼♂️ got several pairs of lone peaks but all seem to feel flat after 70 odd miles..... will check the 5’s when they’re out👌🏽 ATB
The Lp does flatten out... I have bought the Timp 2 a few weeks back, don’t know if you saw the review but an amazing shoe. Really comfortable quantic midsole and feels light. 29 mm of stack is ideal. Check them out ... I am doing a 100 miler on august and I think they could be the one...
@@WoodsmanocD86 that’s what I heard but they aren’t . I think the insole it comes with is high and very firm, I swapped it and then had a few extra millimetres... the lone peak is, in my opinion, narrower than the Timp. It also opens up a bit after a few runs. I too heard the rumours but I think once you swap the insole , it’s all good. (The LP5 all weather is definitely narrower, it’s ok just snug - would not want to use it for a long long run)
@@movemorenowjames cool... just found the Timp in my size... talking of size, I take an 11 in the LP... stick with 11 for the Timp? what insole did you swap out with? appreciate the help mate 👍🏽
Hi, I will be doing a 2022 version of this soon, just picked up the Mont Blanc and lone peak 6 (wide) … waiting to get the Timp 4 then will put something together
Hi James, really enjoying the videos! I'm thinking of moving to Altra and their zero drop, in particular the Olympus 4. It looks fantastic. So far I've been running in 8mm drop shoes. I wondered if you have any advice on transitioning from that kind of difference to zero drop? I've read/watched a few things and the sensible thing seems to be do it slowly but then I've also read some people suggesting it can take 6 months or so!? Keep up the good work, love the channel.
Hi, thanks ! Yes it can take a while, and maybe even six months but all depends on the person: I want from Nike etc at 10-8 mm to hoka at 5mm and then some topo athletic at about 3mm... once I started using Altra I went all out too soon ... loved the feel of them but should have rotated other shoes in the week. I would also do some calf strengthening and stretching ... so; say if you run 5 times a week , start with one of those at zero drop (but also use that zero drop shoe when walking etc and also, go barefoot around the house when possible’)
This is a useful video, thanks! I am a relatively new convert to Altra road shoes (Escalante 2 and Racer) and have started looking at a soft ground trail option. I appreciate your mention of the closer fit of the King MT but do you still wear the same size as the other models? I've seen a couple of other videos that recommend sizing up.
Hi, thanks... yes, all Altra shoes are 10.5 Uk for me, which is 1/2 a size up from an exact fit. They all feel very similar in size to me... just ordered the timp 2, arrives tomorrow, completing my Altra trail line up. First impressions video up on sat. 👍👍
Hi James! Is there a big difference in grip on the Superior 4.5, which has maxtrac rubber, and the King mt.2, which has vibram megagrip? I currently have a King mt2 at home, but the outsole is already completely worn out and the king mt2 shoes are no longer on the market. I'm wondering if the maxtrac outsole, which is also on the Superior 4.5, works well in wet conditions, or on wet asphalt?
Hi, in short, no. The grip on the superior is not as good as the king mt2… that said, the superior is a great shoe. Light, comfy and great ground feel, the grip is ok but in wet conditions, not so!
Hello, which of those models would you recommend to walk in the mountains? They would be for dirt roads not too complicated. I like that it has drop 0 and these models seem very comfortable. Thank you.
Hi, best one for hikes would be the lone peak 5 , I have done a more recent comparison... check it out. The lone peak 5 has great ground feel plus good protection and durability..
Thanks, to be honest no, I always feel I sit into rather than on the Olympus... but can see why and how so might turn their ankle as 33mm is pretty high. Maybe it’s because the trails here are quite soft not rocky which mean there’s not as technical stuff to roll ankle on?! ...👍
A great start would be the lone peak, awesome for hike and ez running ... plus stone guard . The tread would Work for bikes too.. currently on an ez run in them Now!👍
Hi, I would generally go for the Torin 4.5 or escalate for faster sessions... they are not feature here , these are just my trail ones.... I recently gor the Timp 2 too, great shoe. (I also use some Nike and hoka in my rotation, too many shoes !!). Thanks for watching Sara .... both my wife and sister have the Torin 4.5 and love them...
I actually did a 80k race in my Altra King MT 1 back in 2019. I was expecting a lot of mud, but didn't happen. By the end my feet where very sore and there where some holes in the upper, but I finished... :D I'm considering getting the Olympus for a 160k race I'm doing this year.
Hi, just reviewed the king mt 2, not sure if you saw, but too firm for me... the Olympus is awesome - I have a 100 miler in August and most likely will be using the Olympus or the Timp 2 - which is amazing (29mm but lighter and does not hold the mud like the Olympus)... thanks for watching
@@movemorenowjames My current Altras are KingMT, Superior 3, Timp. I've done 110k races with Timp and Superior. But where I run, the vibram rubber makes a big difference, that's why I'm considering the Olympus. I always hope Altra would make the Lone Peak with vibram rubber. That would be a sweet stop for me.
Don't know how you managed to do 400 miles on any of these without much wear on the sole. Part.of my King MT 2 studs were half gone after only 40 miles.
The Timp backed out at 160, the Olympus going well after 250 , hardly used the LP all weather and only covered about 50 miles in the king all on mud ... my old speedgoat 4 is completely worn out on its tread after about 600’miles... Most of my trail shoes don’t really lose their tread as I am right on the trails...
@@movemorenowjames Of the 40 miles on the King MT 2, I had about half on snow/ice covered road and half on frozen trails. I have the Lone Peak 4 RSM which also worn badly after 60 miles - half on snow and half on asphalt (less than 1 mile on icy road which I slipped and fell and almost killed myself). I have no premature wear problem on road shoes though so don't know what the trick is to preserve the outsole of these "trail" shoes.
I know ; love it but the durability on Altra isn’t great - lasted about 400 miles, better than the Timp at 160 miles... I did a more recent comparison a couple of months ago
@@movemorenowjames my hoka challenger ATR 5 is coming to the end of its life and I wanted to look at a zero drop option to replace it with. I run long though, currently training for my second ultra.
@@movemorenowjames From what I've seen, the Timp 2 doesn't hold up very well. The upper material cracks pretty quickly. So that could be an excuse to buy a new pair in a couple of months. :-)
