Olympus 5 has been a revelation to me. I’ve had it all in the last year or so, shin splints, planter fasciitis, all sorts of toe problems. Allowing my toes the space to splay out or whatever the heck is going on has been a godsend.
1.5yrs of Plantar Fasicitis and this shoe not only got me on the trails again but it seems to have allowed me to heal. Coming from Hokas which not only made it worse but created new issues in my knees.
100%. The mattress shoes cause atrophy in the muscles and connective tissues in the foot, and shortening of the Achilles and Calf. Plus they promote heel strike style running, which drives impact up through the knee and hip, creating injuries that are life altering. Or the newly invented style of running in these types of shoes, "princess prance," where the runner is up on the balls of the feet at all times, and the heel never even comes close to touching the ground, along with already being elevated by the 2+ inch thick heel of the shoe. Incredibly inefficient.
Hi there. I’m owner of Olympus 4. I use them in daily walk, easy runs and target is for hiking. Couple years ago I decided after watched so many PCT trail videos leave hiking boots and swop to running shoes. Make story shorter- I never be back to hiking boots again. Now is the question. Should I try Olympus 5? Or simply keep 4? I tried Lone peak but for me they to flat. On rocky grounds I had heel aches etc. After tried Olympus 4 I fall in love. After so many hikes they still working great for me. Best regards from UK. Tom
This was a thoughtful review and that is an interesting framework for classifying shoes. You mention that big shoe changes can lead to increased injury risk. Like any other kind of stress, the capacity to handle a wide variety of shoes is something that can be built up to over time. I rotate my shoes daily, never running in the same shoes back to back. I also run both road and trails regularly. This requires the investment into a range of shoes and also being sensitive to how much each shoe is stressing my body. But it seems to have resulted in good resilience to injury.
Hi Christopher, Thanks your your comment, nice insights! I think its definitely a good strategy for building resilience, diversity in training (mixing trails, roads, technical, mud etc) not only increases experience but also resilience in your legs. Regarding shoe rotation, I usually have three: one minimal running shoe (usually the altra escalante), one more maximal but from the same brand (altra torin) and then one maximal shoe for rest days (either a hooka or a new balance) I think this is something every runner has to figure out for him/herself and ther e is no right answer :) Happy running!
Thx for this review and the explanations about minimal index. I'm running in Altra since some years (Escalante and Superior) and with my recent recovery... I discovered pain in the ankles and calves ;p so I'm going to add an Olympus to alternate with my other shoes!
Thanks for the overview. I'm currently wearing LP's in wide. It's a shame they don't make the Olympus in wide. Yes, the Topo Ultraventure would be a good alternative. But it isn't available in my country :(
Love the Olympus! The Lone Peaks are too minimal for me but the Olympus has replaced every single one of my shoes, I have both the normal ones, gore-tex and Via.
How did you feel about the Via Olympus for the road? I’m in the Torin 7 currently and sometimes get Achilles and calf pain especially when I wake up in the morning after running the previous evening. Would the higher stack help, or did you find it to be a bit too heavy as well?
Hey Tristan, Well it certainly isnt a road shoe, and the outsole will get damaged with time due to the friction on the tarmac. If you want a 0 Drop Altra shoe on the road that is a bit more maximal, check out the VIA Olympus. I didnt really care about the extra weight becasue I wasnt interested in running very fast! Hope this helps
@@wildrapha okay cool. I will look into the Via Olympus next time I’m at a shoe store to see if it will work for longer slower miles on road. I’m not a fast runner, I much prefer relaxed paces for long distance.
I’ve been an Escalante Racer runner for a long time. I got a pair of Torins last year, and they gave me shin splints for the first time in probably 12-15 years. If you’re not a neutral runner then a more plush, higher stack shoe won’t help. The Racers used to be the highest stack in my shoe lineup, and they’re a more dense and energetic foam than the Torin.
Hi Thanks for this, what do you consider a neutral runner ? I find this hard to believe but with your 15 year experience there must be something to it!
@@wildrapha I found that the plushness of the Torin was just way too much for me. My feet wanted to pronate, and the construction of the shoe allowed them to do so to the extent that it stressed out my legs to the point of shin splints. Most shoes are neutral, which provide no support or correction laterally. I guess that’s what I mean by a neutral runner, which I think is a runner whose feet fall in a way that needs no additional support or correction. In addition to the Racers I use more minimal shoes like Xero HFS, and the Merrell Vapor Gloves and Trail Gloves. I find that the natural tendency for my feet to pronate (especially the right foot due to an old ankle injury) doesn’t cause any injuries or soreness issues in more minimal shoes. I have been considering a pair of Altra Paradigms for high mileage, since they offer a form of stability assistance that’s somewhat passive.
@@Mysterios0 very interesting! Thanks for sharing! Thats a good argument and maybe a cause to my problems. I do believe its a case by case thing, becasue as you say, we all have different old ankle, knee injuries that play an important role. The olympus is way less "plush" than the torin in my opinion.
Hey! Good content and very informative. I usually use Bedrock Sandals for shorter or less than 2 runs on simple trails. And use Hoka SpeedGoat 6 for longer than 2 hours run or for technical trails. Can sandals still fall into some minimalist index?
I am not a runner, I am heavy, I want to hike. Would you recommend this shoe? I walk around a lot in more minimalistic shoes, my feet are not completely untrained. But due to my weight, they do need some help if I'm going to walk 20+km for a number of consecutive days.
New subscriber here, 'cause I just realised I've actually appreciated quite a few of your videos, and this one too is very useful indeed!! I've slowly but surely massively increased my volume and distances over the last 2 years, I'm so proud to have surpassed 5000km for this year just last Sunday!!😃🏃🏻♀💪🏻 I'm almost about to click on a great deal I found for these but now the wet weather is upon us here, I'm struggling with the slippery mud on steeper trails and mossy stones too, though I don't want all-out mud shoes either as I always do quite a bit of road to and from and even between the trails and I want comfy shoes for long days on all surfaces. Would you recommend these for those conditions please Rapha?? AND how is the sizing too please, I should get my most usual size? Many thanks!!
Hi Bev Thanks for watching my videos and reaching out!😇 5000km in a year is massive! Congrats I would definitely recommend the Olympus 5 for these conditions! Not ideal for road, but if mud and slippery stones are your main concern, you won’t be disappointed with these. Another option from altra would be the outroad. They are specifically designed for road and trails! Regarding size, the Olympus sizes normally ( for me 42,5) but the outroad sizes a bit smaller and I need a 43. I hope this helps ! Happy running and reach out anytime 🤗
@@wildrapha Ohhh awesome, THANKS so much!! I really appreciate it!! Now at 61yrs old, my running adventures have only just begun, You too Rapha RUN HAPPY!! 👍🏻💪🏻🏃🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
Planning to run first ultra trail next year. Run first road marathon this year and majority of training I use Boston 12s. Would AO5 be good to add to rotation or should I actually go more minimal? Would AO5 be good for 50M ultra trail (non technical)?
Hi, I am wearing barefoot shoes now for more than 5 years and I want to start running. Do you recommend the Olympus 5 for this? I certainly don't have the correct running technique, I am really a beginner, but was searching for a wide toe box running shoe. Any recommendations? Thanks Priscilla
hello Priscilla, I would not recommend this shoe for you. If you have been wearing barefoot shoes for 5 years already and are a beginner runner, I recommend something slightly more minimal (this will help adopt a correct running form from the beginning). have a look at the Altra Lone peak for trail and the altra escalante or torin for road.
Many seem to have issues with the outsole coming apart, check other videos and bad reviews about the Olympus 5. Ironically the outsole seems to come apart quickly despite it being a vibram sole. The Lone Peak is a classic, just know that the All Weather version will still let in water regardless so better to just pick the regular version as it's more breathable. The road on the Camino does get hot unless you're headed out pretty soon. Have walked the Portuguese from Porto but didn't have the Lone Peaks yet at that time so walked in sandals which was tough. Some say the newer Altras are of less good quality overall. If you can get your hands on the Lone Peak 6, it's an excellent shoe. Maybe it was Altra at their peak.
Great video. Thank you for the insights. I got two ruptured achilles tendons. Both got "fixed" with surgery. Since then I'm struggling a bit with calf strength. Would you recommend this shoe for hiking trails like the Alta Via 2? I'd love to wear proper hiking shoes but my achilles tendons are at least twice as thick as they were before. So any shoe that is quite stiff and is mid or high is giving me trouble. I've recently started wearing barefoot shoes. Still running marathons and trails in "normal" running shoes though. Thank you for your help and keep it up!
I’ve been running in Altra Torin 7 since Christmas. I wear orthotics and the longest run has been 20 miles but I have a little tendinitis in my right ankle. I added a 4mm raise each side and rotate shoes with a Pegasus. How long does it usually take to fully transition to zero drop shoes?
Great comment, thank you! Happy to read this! It’s taken me a year (more or less) and it’s not just about running. Walk barefoot at home, go on barefoot walks, strengthen your feet, ankles and calves . All of this is super important for a healthy transition. I like to use foameollers for my calves and self massage with tiger balm for recovery. Running short strides on sand or sandy/muddy trails also help (be careful with glass) Slowly decrease the amount of stack night you add to your shoes and make sure to have a high running cadence, which will decrease the vertical impact of each stride. Good luck and have fun out there!
Funnily enough the Olympus was the first Altra shoe I didn't like (I think it was Olympus 4 though). Something about the heel was different and I could tell they would cause me blisters, so I gave them away.
I really like your videos and how you present them. You stated in this video that Altra recommended you to run in the Olympus 5 and the Via Olympus 2 because of your Achilles pain. Did you run in the Via Olympus 2? After stating that Altra recommended this, you only say that you went with the Olympus 5 Trail but you stopped there and don’t say anything mentioning the Road shoe. Just curious. Thanks!
Got the Via Olympus 2, just waiting for the weather to get better so as to not ruin a fine new pair of running shoes quickly with all the rain these days. From the get go, it reminds me a lot of my other running shoe Asics Gel Nimbus 25. In fact somebody should do a comparison between these two max stacked mesh running shoes because they seem so alike, the Gel Nimbus being wide foot friendly too, however it has a slightly narrower toe box. On foot they feel pretty much exactly the same as far as I can tell. Same sizing too.
Yes I would recommend it, but with the little hiccup that they will wear out quicker the more you run on road. It’s best to have a shoe rotation and use the trail shoe when it’s muddy, wet, and the road shoe when it’s dry
@@mrholeechit sure thing, i have the same strat hehe. Let me know how you like them. My current fave are the lone peaks, bit less bulky and heavy, but both are amazing in my opinion.
hey mate, this one or the lone peaks, depending on your level of foot, ankle and calf strength. Strong feet and ankles, go with lone peak. if not, go with olympus :)
Will there be any difference if I buy the women's model according to the actual size of the men's model? For example, the men's US10.5 corresponds to the women's US12. I see that the inner length is the same. Can I choose this way?
I have Saucony Endorphin Elite, Endorphin Speed 3 and Triumph 20's What are the indexes on them? I have been dealing with knee and hip issues and I am now thinking of going to a low drop shoe to see if that helps at all. TY
I bought the via olympus, and I didn't like them. Do you think I am safe to assume i wouldn't like the olympus trail shoe ? Or is it a different thing?
None of this means anything unless the shoe actually fits. Altra touts the qualities of the Olympus, but doesn't offer it in widths. So then a sales person will guide you to one of their narrower shoes, like the Timp, but it is an entirely different shoe. Being old enough to remember when it was normal for shoes to come in widths, modern shoe companies have dispensed with that inconvenience, as if it is irrelevant rather than vital to a good shoe. If Altra offered at least their lead models in widths and addressed their durability issues I might come back to them.
Altra takes a different approach. They have the original footshape (widest), the standard and the slim. Their focus with these is making the toebox wider rather than the entire shoe, since that is the reason most people need a wide. The Olympus would be the wider version of the Timp. I agree that Altra should be offering more Original footshape shoes, sine that is what made them popular in the first place. For me, those are the only Altras I buy.
Hi interesting review but from what I can see I'd say the new Timp 5 is a better option than the Olympus 5 as its got the Ego Max midsole 29mm stack is not that big of a difference to Olympus 5's 33mm and the Timp 5 new Vibram outsole that cover the whole sole is a way better option than that partly Vibram partly foam outsole of the O5 and the T5 is lighter so it will be interesting to see what the Olympus 6 will look like but I don't see a need for it anymore
Hi, I have a calcaneal spur on two heels and currently I’m during shockwave therapy. I’m thinking about couple of shoes’ types like: Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX Aisics Cumulus 5 GTX Asics Trabuco 11 GTX I’m not a runner. I need shoes mainly for walking with Gore Tex because the winter is comming so it would be good to have the additional weather protection. A weigh approx 100-105kg I tried Asics cumulus and Hoka speedgoat 5 and I feel thar Hoka is little more comfortable for me. I’m looking for the shoes that will be softer to reduce the heels pain. In the meantime I found the Altra Olympus and the shape for the forefoot gives more space for natural toe spacing and this shoe is flat so as also more natural but what is the softness of these shoes if You would compare it? Could You give me any advice which one from these four will be more fit for my situation or mabe You have other suggestion? Thanks in advance for Your help. BR from Poland :)
Hello there, Thanks for you comment, I am happy to read that you are still planning on getting out there! Winters in Poland are cold hehe. To answer your questions, many of the shoes you mention I have never tested, so I dont want to give you guesswork. The Olympus 5 is very soft, especially in the heel, it has a plush step in (in my opinion). I believe its the best option because of the natural fit of them, it will make your feet stronger overall while protecting your heel. (the heel cup on the shoes is very sophisticated). However, every shoe fits people differently.. So its hard for me to tell. I hope you find the right one mate, happy hiking!
How was the durability for you? Especially running so much in them? I’ve heard horror stories about lugs falling off but I’ve had two pairs right now and never experienced that so I am wondering if the internet is exaggerating or if they fixed this issue in production?
Mine fell apart after the first run, the grips underneath came unstuck. After the second run, the heel on one shoe came unstuck. Superglue helped. But for the price I expected much better durability.
I love the Altra Olympus 5 but have blown out the sides of these shoes when running in wet weather (around 200 miles). This has happened with this version and earlier versions of the shoe. This could be the downside of having a wider shoe, but I would not trade the wide toebox. I do love the grip and have never had an issue with the lugs at all, in fact the traction has been the best I have had with any trail shoe across terrain.
What is the minimal index for New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail V1, V2, and V3. I have had problems finding Trail running shoes because of my right heel not fitting into the heel cup of shoes (e.g., Hoka’s, Brooks, etc.). This New Balance shoe has been the best fitting for my right heel. I am interested in the Minimal Index as I compare to other trail running shoes. Thank you 👍🏼
Hey John, hows it going? Unfortunately this shoe is not listed on the runner's clinic, but the fresh foams are usually very maximal running shoes. lacliniqueducoureur.com/chaussures/
Hey thanks for your video. Do you know what the minimal index of hoka speedgoat 5 is? I’m looking for a new shoe. I’ve been having on and off plantar fasciitis for years now and I had the altras forever which I loved for their wide toe box. Recently I got hokas to see if it would help with plantar but it seems to still be a problem. I am considering going back to altras but I am nervous about going back down to the zero drop. Thanks for your advice!
Hi, i have never tried but heard good things about Topo, wide toebox and shoes from 0mm to 5mm drop. Have just seen a review of "topo athletic terraventure 3" I think it is a 3mm drop, maybe it is an alternative.
Would recommend these shoes for somebody is doing cross training and jump roping? I’m been wearing Lems Boulder Summits (work boots) and Lems Primal Pursuit Mid as my dailys
After 1000km the shoe started tearing up a bit on the outside where my pinkie finger hits the mesh. All the rest is still perfect. I still run in them 😇
Hello Thierry, What do you mean by sensitive? It’s the same as on the torin with one difference: there is a rocker in the front midsole which makes the shoe more responsive and sturdy than the Torin. The drop is the same though
Hello @rapharunningwild thank you for your response. By "sensitive" I mean feeling zero drop like with the Torins. I read that with more cushion and stack, the feeling of zero drop is less (which is better for the calf). I run with Hoka Mafate 3 (5mm drop) and i'm looking for a trail shoe with grip and cushioning for long distances. I ride the Altra Torin 6 a few times but it lacks responsiveness and cushioning on the road.
@@thierryung9387 thanks for explaining! in this case the 0 drop is definiely less sensitive with the olympus. Maybe also due to the rocker in the midsole.
@@wildrapha I just ordered a pair of Olympus 5. The shoe is comfortable, despite my foot having a normal width, the front is well locked, it does not slide sideways. On the other hand, I find that the heel is not well maintained or tight, compared to Hoka mafate for example. I don't know if it's good or not for the distance.
I got the olympus 5 last year, after 2 runs I got a hole in the top over my toes. And after a run on more challenging terrain the vibram lugs came loose and tore off.. If I take these shoes for a run I always bring a tube of shoe glue with me because the small lug pieces are just not reliable. Might try the olympus 6 as these have a new upper and the lugs are connected to eachother, reason for this is that they are indeed very comfortable. With normal brands I always get blisters on my small toe because the toe box is too narrow for me.
Hello there! I use the calculator on the runners clinic' website: lacliniqueducoureur.com/chaussures/ If the shoe is not listed there, you can sign up as a "runner" add the data of the shoe, and it will calculate the minimal index for you! Hope this helps!
The idea of a "minimal index", no offense, is silly. It's utility is "minimal". You say it's a continuum, but how is it even measured? Is it stack height? Is it torsional rigidity? Is this even an appropriate descriptor of a shoe let alone it's practical utility. The shoes in the visual display on the index don't even have the same heel -toe drop. That's kind of important don't you think? Maybe I am just dense, but can you at least provide source material for where this concept even came from? Current and solid research would be even better.
Minimal index is one of the main pillars of the runners clinic, the leading global reference in terms of comprehensive injury prevention and treatment. As part of a study led by researchers from Laval University, 42 experts from 11 countries defined minimalist shoes and built the Minimalist Index. To access the open-access full version of the article published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, you can spend your sunday here: jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13047-015-0094-5 How is the minimal index calculated? Flexibility The shoe is tested for longitudinal (forward part of the shoe is bent up) and torsional (forward part of the shoe is torsioned towards pronation) flexibility. The more flexibility, the higher the score on this subscale. Weight Simply put the shoe on a scale. The lighter the shoe, the higher the rating on this subscale of the Minimalist Index. Stack height Measured at the center of the heel, stack height evaluates the distance between where your foot sits and the most external part of the outsole underneath. The thinner the shoe, the higher the score on the stack height subscale. Stability and Motion control technologies Simply identify the most commonly used technologies in running shoes to control pronation. The least amount of technologies in your shoe means that the Minimalist Index will be higher. Heel to toe drop The drop is the difference between shoe thickness under the heel and where your toes start. The closer to 0, the higher the rating on the Minimalist Index. I hope this helps you understand that the concept is not "silly". Have a good sunday :)
no no no no... it's flimsy, THIN, and not very supportive... i fell for all the reviews out there and bought one... but the Olympus 5 wasn't supportive at all.. i am someone who feels back pain in a matter of seconds once i try new shoes, and i instantaneously feel if shoes are supportive/good for me, or not... Sorry guys, this shoe did not do it for me, and that is a shame because i had high hopes.... Don't expect too much..
Olympus 5 has been a revelation to me. I’ve had it all in the last year or so, shin splints, planter fasciitis, all sorts of toe problems. Allowing my toes the space to splay out or whatever the heck is going on has been a godsend.
glad to hear this :) Was also a bit of a revelation to me!
A revelation in a good way? So you don’t have those issues anymore since you have the Olympus 2? The Altra fixed them?
1.5yrs of Plantar Fasicitis and this shoe not only got me on the trails again but it seems to have allowed me to heal. Coming from Hokas which not only made it worse but created new issues in my knees.
100%. The mattress shoes cause atrophy in the muscles and connective tissues in the foot, and shortening of the Achilles and Calf. Plus they promote heel strike style running, which drives impact up through the knee and hip, creating injuries that are life altering. Or the newly invented style of running in these types of shoes, "princess prance," where the runner is up on the balls of the feet at all times, and the heel never even comes close to touching the ground, along with already being elevated by the 2+ inch thick heel of the shoe. Incredibly inefficient.
Best video for someone new into Alta… thank you just got mine!
cheers mate, have fun with it!
Hi there. I’m owner of Olympus 4. I use them in daily walk, easy runs and target is for hiking. Couple years ago I decided after watched so many PCT trail videos leave hiking boots and swop to running shoes. Make story shorter- I never be back to hiking boots again. Now is the question. Should I try Olympus 5? Or simply keep 4? I tried Lone peak but for me they to flat. On rocky grounds I had heel aches etc. After tried Olympus 4 I fall in love. After so many hikes they still working great for me. Best regards from UK. Tom
This was a thoughtful review and that is an interesting framework for classifying shoes. You mention that big shoe changes can lead to increased injury risk. Like any other kind of stress, the capacity to handle a wide variety of shoes is something that can be built up to over time. I rotate my shoes daily, never running in the same shoes back to back. I also run both road and trails regularly. This requires the investment into a range of shoes and also being sensitive to how much each shoe is stressing my body. But it seems to have resulted in good resilience to injury.
Hi Christopher, Thanks your your comment, nice insights!
I think its definitely a good strategy for building resilience, diversity in training (mixing trails, roads, technical, mud etc) not only increases experience but also resilience in your legs.
Regarding shoe rotation, I usually have three: one minimal running shoe (usually the altra escalante), one more maximal but from the same brand (altra torin) and then one maximal shoe for rest days (either a hooka or a new balance)
I think this is something every runner has to figure out for him/herself and ther e is no right answer :)
Happy running!
Force on the achilles and calfs sounds way better than on knees and hips in my opinion.
Really good review from a professional runner. Thank you for this detailed info.
Thx for this review and the explanations about minimal index. I'm running in Altra since some years (Escalante and Superior) and with my recent recovery... I discovered pain in the ankles and calves ;p so I'm going to add an Olympus to alternate with my other shoes!
Thanks for the overview. I'm currently wearing LP's in wide. It's a shame they don't make the Olympus in wide. Yes, the Topo Ultraventure would be a good alternative. But it isn't available in my country :(
Love the Olympus! The Lone Peaks are too minimal for me but the Olympus has replaced every single one of my shoes, I have both the normal ones, gore-tex and Via.
Very interessting video. Never heard of this index before.
Glad you liked it! I read a great book from the runners clinic, where i came accross this. its a huge subject within the scientific community
Where do you find a specific shoe’s minimal index?
How did you feel about the Via Olympus for the road? I’m in the Torin 7 currently and sometimes get Achilles and calf pain especially when I wake up in the morning after running the previous evening. Would the higher stack help, or did you find it to be a bit too heavy as well?
Hey Tristan,
Well it certainly isnt a road shoe, and the outsole will get damaged with time due to the friction on the tarmac.
If you want a 0 Drop Altra shoe on the road that is a bit more maximal, check out the VIA Olympus.
I didnt really care about the extra weight becasue I wasnt interested in running very fast!
Hope this helps
@@wildrapha okay cool. I will look into the Via Olympus next time I’m at a shoe store to see if it will work for longer slower miles on road. I’m not a fast runner, I much prefer relaxed paces for long distance.
I’ve been an Escalante Racer runner for a long time. I got a pair of Torins last year, and they gave me shin splints for the first time in probably 12-15 years. If you’re not a neutral runner then a more plush, higher stack shoe won’t help. The Racers used to be the highest stack in my shoe lineup, and they’re a more dense and energetic foam than the Torin.
Hi
Thanks for this, what do you consider a neutral runner ?
I find this hard to believe but with your 15 year experience there must be something to it!
I just love my Escalante Racer.
@@wildrapha I found that the plushness of the Torin was just way too much for me. My feet wanted to pronate, and the construction of the shoe allowed them to do so to the extent that it stressed out my legs to the point of shin splints. Most shoes are neutral, which provide no support or correction laterally. I guess that’s what I mean by a neutral runner, which I think is a runner whose feet fall in a way that needs no additional support or correction. In addition to the Racers I use more minimal shoes like Xero HFS, and the Merrell Vapor Gloves and Trail Gloves. I find that the natural tendency for my feet to pronate (especially the right foot due to an old ankle injury) doesn’t cause any injuries or soreness issues in more minimal shoes. I have been considering a pair of Altra Paradigms for high mileage, since they offer a form of stability assistance that’s somewhat passive.
@@Mysterios0 very interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Thats a good argument and maybe a cause to my problems. I do believe its a case by case thing, becasue as you say, we all have different old ankle, knee injuries that play an important role.
The olympus is way less "plush" than the torin in my opinion.
@@wildrapha couldn’t agree more.
Surprising that you would get achilles pain. It is something you hear with altra and I always thought it was bad form or heel striking
yes can have many reasons, for me it was just the increasing stress on my calves
Hey! Good content and very informative. I usually use Bedrock Sandals for shorter or less than 2 runs on simple trails. And use Hoka SpeedGoat 6 for longer than 2 hours run or for technical trails. Can sandals still fall into some minimalist index?
I am not a runner, I am heavy, I want to hike. Would you recommend this shoe?
I walk around a lot in more minimalistic shoes, my feet are not completely untrained. But due to my weight, they do need some help if I'm going to walk 20+km for a number of consecutive days.
hey mate, yes i totally recommend this one for you
New subscriber here, 'cause I just realised I've actually appreciated quite a few of your videos, and this one too is very useful indeed!! I've slowly but surely massively increased my volume and distances over the last 2 years, I'm so proud to have surpassed 5000km for this year just last Sunday!!😃🏃🏻♀💪🏻 I'm almost about to click on a great deal I found for these but now the wet weather is upon us here, I'm struggling with the slippery mud on steeper trails and mossy stones too, though I don't want all-out mud shoes either as I always do quite a bit of road to and from and even between the trails and I want comfy shoes for long days on all surfaces. Would you recommend these for those conditions please Rapha?? AND how is the sizing too please, I should get my most usual size? Many thanks!!
Hi Bev
Thanks for watching my videos and reaching out!😇
5000km in a year is massive! Congrats
I would definitely recommend the Olympus 5 for these conditions!
Not ideal for road, but if mud and slippery stones are your main concern, you won’t be disappointed with these.
Another option from altra would be the outroad. They are specifically designed for road and trails!
Regarding size, the Olympus sizes normally ( for me 42,5) but the outroad sizes a bit smaller and I need a 43.
I hope this helps ! Happy running and reach out anytime 🤗
@@wildrapha Ohhh awesome, THANKS so much!! I really appreciate it!! Now at 61yrs old, my running adventures have only just begun, You too Rapha RUN HAPPY!! 👍🏻💪🏻🏃🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
@@bev9708 and all that at 61! wow, thats very impressive !!
Good on ya! All the best!
5000 a year at 60 year old? Can you proof this by strava?😊 link , pls
Planning to run first ultra trail next year. Run first road marathon this year and majority of training I use Boston 12s. Would AO5 be good to add to rotation or should I actually go more minimal? Would AO5 be good for 50M ultra trail (non technical)?
Hi, I am wearing barefoot shoes now for more than 5 years and I want to start running. Do you recommend the Olympus 5 for this? I certainly don't have the correct running technique, I am really a beginner, but was searching for a wide toe box running shoe. Any recommendations? Thanks Priscilla
hello Priscilla, I would not recommend this shoe for you. If you have been wearing barefoot shoes for 5 years already and are a beginner runner, I recommend something slightly more minimal (this will help adopt a correct running form from the beginning).
have a look at the Altra Lone peak for trail and the altra escalante or torin for road.
Would you recommend these over the lone peaks for long distance hiking / walking, like the Camino de Santiago? Great video btw.
Many seem to have issues with the outsole coming apart, check other videos and bad reviews about the Olympus 5. Ironically the outsole seems to come apart quickly despite it being a vibram sole. The Lone Peak is a classic, just know that the All Weather version will still let in water regardless so better to just pick the regular version as it's more breathable. The road on the Camino does get hot unless you're headed out pretty soon. Have walked the Portuguese from Porto but didn't have the Lone Peaks yet at that time so walked in sandals which was tough. Some say the newer Altras are of less good quality overall. If you can get your hands on the Lone Peak 6, it's an excellent shoe. Maybe it was Altra at their peak.
hello!
Yes would definitely recommend these over the one peaks.
More grip, more sturdy and better overall for hiking in my book
Great video. Thank you for the insights. I got two ruptured achilles tendons. Both got "fixed" with surgery. Since then I'm struggling a bit with calf strength. Would you recommend this shoe for hiking trails like the Alta Via 2? I'd love to wear proper hiking shoes but my achilles tendons are at least twice as thick as they were before. So any shoe that is quite stiff and is mid or high is giving me trouble. I've recently started wearing barefoot shoes. Still running marathons and trails in "normal" running shoes though. Thank you for your help and keep it up!
I’ve been running in Altra Torin 7 since Christmas. I wear orthotics and the longest run has been 20 miles but I have a little tendinitis in my right ankle. I added a 4mm raise each side and rotate shoes with a Pegasus.
How long does it usually take to fully transition to zero drop shoes?
Great comment, thank you!
Happy to read this! It’s taken me a year (more or less) and it’s not just about running. Walk barefoot at home, go on barefoot walks, strengthen your feet, ankles and calves . All of this is super important for a healthy transition. I like to use foameollers for my calves and self massage with tiger balm for recovery. Running short strides on sand or sandy/muddy trails also help (be careful with glass)
Slowly decrease the amount of stack night you add to your shoes and make sure to have a high running cadence, which will decrease the vertical impact of each stride. Good luck and have fun out there!
Funnily enough the Olympus was the first Altra shoe I didn't like (I think it was Olympus 4 though). Something about the heel was different and I could tell they would cause me blisters, so I gave them away.
I really like your videos and how you present them. You stated in this video that Altra recommended you to run in the Olympus 5 and the Via Olympus 2 because of your Achilles pain. Did you run in the Via Olympus 2? After stating that Altra recommended this, you only say that you went with the Olympus 5 Trail but you stopped there and don’t say anything mentioning the Road shoe. Just curious. Thanks!
Got the Via Olympus 2, just waiting for the weather to get better so as to not ruin a fine new pair of running shoes quickly with all the rain these days. From the get go, it reminds me a lot of my other running shoe Asics Gel Nimbus 25. In fact somebody should do a comparison between these two max stacked mesh running shoes because they seem so alike, the Gel Nimbus being wide foot friendly too, however it has a slightly narrower toe box. On foot they feel pretty much exactly the same as far as I can tell. Same sizing too.
mate, I run both trails and road, would you recommend this shoe? As I don't want to have two pairs :p
Yes I would recommend it, but with the little hiccup that they will wear out quicker the more you run on road. It’s best to have a shoe rotation and use the trail shoe when it’s muddy, wet, and the road shoe when it’s dry
@@wildrapha - Thanks mate, I can use my current shoe for road then, it's a bit old but still does the job, thanks!
@@mrholeechit sure thing, i have the same strat hehe. Let me know how you like them. My current fave are the lone peaks, bit less bulky and heavy, but both are amazing in my opinion.
What would you recommend for a 5 day hike with backpack on The Camino del Norte?
hey mate,
this one or the lone peaks, depending on your level of foot, ankle and calf strength. Strong feet and ankles, go with lone peak. if not, go with olympus :)
Will there be any difference if I buy the women's model according to the actual size of the men's model? For example, the men's US10.5 corresponds to the women's US12. I see that the inner length is the same. Can I choose this way?
Olympus5 vs Timp5? Can you make comparison? Thank you
I have Saucony Endorphin Elite, Endorphin Speed 3 and Triumph 20's What are the indexes on them? I have been dealing with knee and hip issues and I am now thinking of going to a low drop shoe to see if that helps at all. TY
I bought the via olympus, and I didn't like them. Do you think I am safe to assume i wouldn't like the olympus trail shoe ? Or is it a different thing?
Hey there
Very good comment
I feel the same
Didn’t like the via Olympus
But the Olympus 5 a lot more! Especially once the shoe was a bit worn
None of this means anything unless the shoe actually fits. Altra touts the qualities of the Olympus, but doesn't offer it in widths. So then a sales person will guide you to one of their narrower shoes, like the Timp, but it is an entirely different shoe. Being old enough to remember when it was normal for shoes to come in widths, modern shoe companies have dispensed with that inconvenience, as if it is irrelevant rather than vital to a good shoe. If Altra offered at least their lead models in widths and addressed their durability issues I might come back to them.
fair point there!
they happen to fit my width perfectly but i understand that isnt the case for everyone..
Altra takes a different approach. They have the original footshape (widest), the standard and the slim. Their focus with these is making the toebox wider rather than the entire shoe, since that is the reason most people need a wide. The Olympus would be the wider version of the Timp. I agree that Altra should be offering more Original footshape shoes, sine that is what made them popular in the first place. For me, those are the only Altras I buy.
Hi interesting review but from what I can see I'd say the new Timp 5 is a better option than the Olympus 5 as its got the Ego Max midsole 29mm stack is not that big of a difference to Olympus 5's 33mm and the Timp 5 new Vibram outsole that cover the whole sole is a way better option than that partly Vibram partly foam outsole of the O5 and the T5 is lighter so it will be interesting to see what the Olympus 6 will look like but I don't see a need for it anymore
hello
thanks for the comment! Ive never had my hands on the timp but excited to try it out!!
What is the minimum index of the Salamon XT6
I wish they made a good boot
Hi,
I have a calcaneal spur on two heels and currently I’m during shockwave therapy. I’m thinking about couple of shoes’ types like:
Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX
Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX
Aisics Cumulus 5 GTX
Asics Trabuco 11 GTX
I’m not a runner. I need shoes mainly for walking with Gore Tex because the winter is comming so it would be good to have the additional weather protection.
A weigh approx 100-105kg
I tried Asics cumulus and Hoka speedgoat 5 and I feel thar Hoka is little more comfortable for me.
I’m looking for the shoes that will be softer to reduce the heels pain. In the meantime I found the Altra Olympus and the shape for the forefoot gives more space for natural toe spacing and this shoe is flat so as also more natural but what is the softness of these shoes if You would compare it? Could You give me any advice which one from these four will be more fit for my situation or mabe You have other suggestion?
Thanks in advance for Your help.
BR from Poland :)
Hello there,
Thanks for you comment, I am happy to read that you are still planning on getting out there! Winters in Poland are cold hehe.
To answer your questions, many of the shoes you mention I have never tested, so I dont want to give you guesswork.
The Olympus 5 is very soft, especially in the heel, it has a plush step in (in my opinion). I believe its the best option because of the natural fit of them, it will make your feet stronger overall while protecting your heel. (the heel cup on the shoes is very sophisticated).
However, every shoe fits people differently.. So its hard for me to tell.
I hope you find the right one mate, happy hiking!
How was the durability for you? Especially running so much in them? I’ve heard horror stories about lugs falling off but I’ve had two pairs right now and never experienced that so I am wondering if the internet is exaggerating or if they fixed this issue in production?
Mine fell apart after the first run, the grips underneath came unstuck. After the second run, the heel on one shoe came unstuck. Superglue helped. But for the price I expected much better durability.
I love the Altra Olympus 5 but have blown out the sides of these shoes when running in wet weather (around 200 miles). This has happened with this version and earlier versions of the shoe. This could be the downside of having a wider shoe, but I would not trade the wide toebox. I do love the grip and have never had an issue with the lugs at all, in fact the traction has been the best I have had with any trail shoe across terrain.
Which one would be the best for a person with few knee surgeries and plantar fascia, thank you🤙🏽
hey thre, in this case i would go with the olympous, because of that rocker and sturdy midsole
What is the minimal index for New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail V1, V2, and V3.
I have had problems finding Trail running shoes because of my right heel not fitting into the heel cup of shoes (e.g., Hoka’s, Brooks, etc.). This New Balance shoe has been the best fitting for my right heel. I am interested in the Minimal Index as I compare to other trail running shoes.
Thank you 👍🏼
Hey John,
hows it going?
Unfortunately this shoe is not listed on the runner's clinic, but the fresh foams are usually very maximal running shoes. lacliniqueducoureur.com/chaussures/
Hey thanks for your video. Do you know what the minimal index of hoka speedgoat 5 is? I’m looking for a new shoe. I’ve been having on and off plantar fasciitis for years now and I had the altras forever which I loved for their wide toe box. Recently I got hokas to see if it would help with plantar but it seems to still be a problem. I am considering going back to altras but I am nervous about going back down to the zero drop. Thanks for your advice!
Hello there,
Yes!
Hoka Speedgoat 5
Minimalist Index 26 %
Weight 291 g
Heel Thickness 33 mm
Heel to Toe Drop 4 mm
Hi, i have never tried but heard good things about Topo, wide toebox and shoes from 0mm to 5mm drop. Have just seen a review of "topo athletic terraventure 3" I think it is a 3mm drop, maybe it is an alternative.
Would recommend these shoes for somebody is doing cross training and jump roping? I’m been wearing Lems Boulder Summits (work boots) and Lems Primal Pursuit Mid as my dailys
Hello,
I would not recommend for activities like jump roping, just because the outsole will get worn off very quickly
Hey man cool video. How is the durability of the Olympus?
After 1000km the shoe started tearing up a bit on the outside where my pinkie finger hits the mesh. All the rest is still perfect.
I still run in them 😇
@@wildrapha Great to hear, just got me a pair and will be using them on rocky mountain terrain hope I get the that km's out of them as well :)
@@Bathory258 cool! have fun with it
would these be a good shoe for working and walking on concrete with? Tried them on and they are comfy.
Is the zero drop really very sensitive in this type of shoe? More, less or as much as Torins for example? THANKS.
Hello Thierry,
What do you mean by sensitive?
It’s the same as on the torin with one difference: there is a rocker in the front midsole which makes the shoe more responsive and sturdy than the Torin. The drop is the same though
Hello @rapharunningwild thank you for your response. By "sensitive" I mean feeling zero drop like with the Torins. I read that with more cushion and stack, the feeling of zero drop is less (which is better for the calf). I run with Hoka Mafate 3 (5mm drop) and i'm looking for a trail shoe with grip and cushioning for long distances. I ride the Altra Torin 6 a few times but it lacks responsiveness and cushioning on the road.
@@thierryung9387 thanks for explaining! in this case the 0 drop is definiely less sensitive with the olympus.
Maybe also due to the rocker in the midsole.
@@wildrapha I just ordered a pair of Olympus 5. The shoe is comfortable, despite my foot having a normal width, the front is well locked, it does not slide sideways. On the other hand, I find that the heel is not well maintained or tight, compared to Hoka mafate for example. I don't know if it's good or not for the distance.
What about the size? Are they true to size? I got Timp 5 and Timp 4 in 9.5 and Timp 5 are definitely bigger, like half a size.
to me it was true to size
No, not for me. I am a size up in the Olympus 5.
Blud is it good for road or park sprinting ?
@@theepic5377 not really
More for longruns on trails I would say
Not road
are they sized the same?
yes, for me same as the lone peaks
Bro honestly I’m looking for good Allrounder shoe, would you say it’s a daily-shoe?
yes. this one or the lone peaks (lone peaks are my daily shoes)
lone peaks are less sturdy, more flex and lighter.
I got the olympus 5 last year, after 2 runs I got a hole in the top over my toes. And after a run on more challenging terrain the vibram lugs came loose and tore off.. If I take these shoes for a run I always bring a tube of shoe glue with me because the small lug pieces are just not reliable. Might try the olympus 6 as these have a new upper and the lugs are connected to eachother, reason for this is that they are indeed very comfortable. With normal brands I always get blisters on my small toe because the toe box is too narrow for me.
Hello there How con I find my index Really appreciated
Hello there!
I use the calculator on the runners clinic' website: lacliniqueducoureur.com/chaussures/
If the shoe is not listed there, you can sign up as a "runner" add the data of the shoe, and it will calculate the minimal index for you!
Hope this helps!
Your assumption that Altra is minimalist is incorrect. There are many minimalist shoes. But ultra isn’t one of them.
The Altra Olympus 5 is the best running shoe for me. Don't buy the new released Olympus 6, it is not good.
Good to know
Thank you
The idea of a "minimal index", no offense, is silly. It's utility is "minimal". You say it's a continuum, but how is it even measured? Is it stack height? Is it torsional rigidity? Is this even an appropriate descriptor of a shoe let alone it's practical utility. The shoes in the visual display on the index don't even have the same heel -toe drop. That's kind of important don't you think? Maybe I am just dense, but can you at least provide source material for where this concept even came from? Current and solid research would be even better.
Minimal index is one of the main pillars of the runners clinic, the leading global reference in terms of comprehensive injury prevention and treatment. As part of a study led by researchers from Laval University, 42 experts from 11 countries defined minimalist shoes and built the Minimalist Index. To access the open-access full version of the article published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, you can spend your sunday here: jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13047-015-0094-5
How is the minimal index calculated?
Flexibility
The shoe is tested for longitudinal (forward part of the shoe is bent up) and torsional (forward part of the shoe is torsioned towards pronation) flexibility. The more flexibility, the higher the score on this subscale.
Weight
Simply put the shoe on a scale. The lighter the shoe, the higher the rating on this subscale of the Minimalist Index.
Stack height
Measured at the center of the heel, stack height evaluates the distance between where your foot sits and the most external part of the outsole underneath. The thinner the shoe, the higher the score on the stack height subscale.
Stability and Motion control technologies
Simply identify the most commonly used technologies in running shoes to control pronation. The least amount of technologies in your shoe means that the Minimalist Index will be higher.
Heel to toe drop
The drop is the difference between shoe thickness under the heel and where your toes start. The closer to 0, the higher the rating on the Minimalist Index.
I hope this helps you understand that the concept is not "silly".
Have a good sunday :)
Heel striking shouldn’t be an option. Look at how animals and kangaroos jump or walk, they don’t heel strike.
Swimming with arms shouldn’t be an option. Look at how fish swim, they don’t use arms
Shity title
no no no no... it's flimsy, THIN, and not very supportive... i fell for all the reviews out there and bought one... but the Olympus 5 wasn't supportive at all.. i am someone who feels back pain in a matter of seconds once i try new shoes, and i instantaneously feel if shoes are supportive/good for me, or not... Sorry guys, this shoe did not do it for me, and that is a shame because i had high hopes.... Don't expect too much..
Overpriced textile materials.