Every summer season, I attempt to dabble in a little bit of path working, and this yr, I had the chance to check Altra’s latest Olympus 6 on Toronto’s path system. One factor I observed 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 numerous features I preferred concerning the shoe, the model has made some adjustments 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.)
Out there: Now
Worth: 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 toes cool and dry. Regardless of a wet and humid summer season in Toronto, the place I usually encountered thick mud, these footwear held up admirably and stored my toes dry on the paths. The shoe additionally options the model’s signature Footshape Match, permitting your toes 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 slender foot, whereas Altra’s toebox is usually roomy, which may very well be the rationale behind the sliding. For these with a wider foot, there’s loads of area to permit your toes to splay and ample room via the midfoot, making it comfy for lengthy days of working or mountain 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, which means your heel and toes are on the similar 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 a better drop.
The midsole is constructed from Altra’s plush compression-molded EVA foam. Whereas the shoe’s rugged look initially stunned me, it felt true to Altra’s design as soon as on my foot—offering me with a lot of cushioning and help. The Olympus 6 doesn’t have a rock plate, so it’s not designed to guard your toes from extraordinarily technical terrain. Nevertheless, the cushioning is enough to offer 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 had been slick with rain or dry as a bone, I discovered the outsole extraordinarily dependable wherever I wanted it. The Olympus 6 could 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 should keep upright and hold shifting ahead.
The decision
I’d advocate these footwear for severe path runners or hikers in search of 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. General, 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 working all day. This shoe delivers, making it essential for anybody severe about their path or mountain climbing adventures.
