Altra Olympus 6 Trail Running Shoes Review
An in-depth review of our favorite ultra-cushioned backpacking and thru-hiking shoe
Published August 20th, 2025
Our verdict
With extreme comfort, a wide toe box, excellent stability, and a grippy Vibram outsole, the Altra Olympus 6 may be our favorite trail running shoe for hiking, backpacking, and thru-hiking.
We tested both the men's and women's Altra Olympus 6 over 500 miles on trail runs on single track and wide, gravel paths and hiking and backpacking. We even did some road running to test these shoes.
Among our testers, the Altra Olympus 6s are legendary as hiking and backpacking shoes and are a beloved zero-drop trail running shoe option. The Altra Olympus 6 are among our favorite trail running shoes for hiking due to their traction and excellent cushioning suited for long days with a pack. But for running, we think there are better options out there.
Though heavy for running shoes, the Altra Olympus 6 are built extremely well for comfort over the long haul. While we recommend them for hiking over running, if a runner wasn’t concerned with the weight of the shoe they could make the Olympus their primary trail runners.
Here are our thoughts on how the Altra Olympus 6 performs across activities and on different kinds of trails and terrain.
Altra Olympus 6
Men's
Women's
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Altra Olympus 6 Specifications
Price: $175
Weight (pair): 1lb 8.4 oz (men's) 1 lb 4.4 oz ( women's)
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 33 mm
Cushion level: Maximum
Upper materials: Engineered Mesh
Midsole foam type: Compression Molded EVA Foam
Outsole material: Vibram Megagrip Rubber
Rock plate: No
Available sizes and widths: Men’s 7-16; Women’s 5.5-12
Best for
The Altra Olympus 6 excels as a thru-hiking, backpacking, and hiking shoe, as seen here while hiking part of the 770-mile long Grand Enchantment Trail in New Mexico. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Long hikes, thru-hikes, backpacking trips, and shorter runs
Wide feet and people who enjoy a zero-drop shoes with lots of cushion
Anything from rocky terrain to well groomed trails and long road walks
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Olympus 6 Men's Women's |
12.2 oz | 10.2 oz | Maximum | 0 mm | 33 mm |
| HOKA Speedgoat 6 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 35 - 40 mm |
| Altra Timp 5 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 29 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 9+ Men's Women's |
11.1 oz | 9.3 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
| Altra Lone Peak 9 Men's Women's |
11.2 oz | 9.5 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 25 mm |
What we liked
The Altra Olympus 6 has an incredibly wide platform that makes these shoes very stable while hiking and backpacking. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Cushioning from the compression-molded EVA foam is premium, and provides solid comfort during long, arduous trails.
The stability provided by the secure heel cup and broad platform makes for excellent performance on rocky and slippery terrain.
The outsole delivers on grippiness when hiking or running on technical trails.
The responsive bounciness adds an energizing feel.
Toe box and width, a staple of Altra shoes, is nice and roomy in the Olympus 6.
Fit and comfort, especially for wide-footed hikers on their feet all day
What could be better
Weight–at over a pound, this trail shoe is particularly heavy.
Price– it’s about 20-30 bucks more than other Altra trail runners, like the Lone Peak 9 and Timp 5.
How we tested
Treeline Review's co-founder Liz Thomas thru-hiking part of the Grand Enchantment Trail in Arizona in New Mexico wearing the Altra Olympus 6 trail running shoes. Photo by Kate Hoch.
We tested both the men's and women's Altra Olympus 6 on trail runs, road running, hiking, and backpacking on trail and off-trail.
We wore the Altra Olympus 6 on the Grand Enchantment Trail, where we backpacked 500 miles on trails and rough off-trail canyons through Arizona and New Mexico. We encountered numerous rocks, lots of creek crossings (in slot canyons), innumerable pokey plants, and hot conditions. Our 500 miles of hiking in these shoes also included a 30-mile road walk, so we did a lot of pavement hiking in the Olympus as well.
We ran in the Altra Olympus for 100 miles on trails—from fire roads to rockier, muddier, mountainous single track up a canyon. We also included some road running to understand their crossover ability, so in addition to just trail, we incorporated 6 miles of pavement to our testers' closest trail systems.
Performance in the Field
Fit and feel
You'll want to size up half a size on these compared to other Altras. We tried smaller sizes and it just doesn't work in these shoes. Once you get the correct size, though, the Olympus is incredibly comfortable. The toe box shape and extremely wide design work for runners and hikers who usually have a hard time finding a shoe that fits. The heels actually lock down in the heel cup, which is a huge plus for comfortability. There are no hot spots and these work well for wide-footed hikers and runners who have had issues with other shoes.
Ride, Responsiveness, and Cushioning
The cushioning is superb and there’s a responsive bounciness to the foam. It is a highlight of the shoe. The maximum cushion soft midsole is made of compression-molded EVA foam. We found that the cushioning doesn't pancake out until 500 miles or so.
Traction and grip on the outsole
The Vibram Megagrip outsole on the Altra Olympus 6 is strategically placed in the areas where you will experience the most wear and want the best traction. Photo by Kate Hoch.
The Vibram Megagrip offers excellent traction–we never had any questionable moments, even during runs up a canyon through the rock patches, crossing streams, wet rocks, and through mud.
Our backpacking tester had no issues with the traction on off-trail travel through rock fields with ballbearing-sized and baby-head sized rocks. The Vibram Megagrip provided grip on slab rock as well as loose dirt and steep, off-trail climbs and descents.
Breathability and upper
The Altra Olympus 6 (above) and Olympus 5 (below) have mesh uppers with extra ventilation.
Breathability was good, but contrary to what other reviewers online say, one of our testers felt his feet become swampy on hotter outings (two runs in 90-degree temperatures).
In contrast, our hiking and backpacking tester found the Olympus to be pretty standard in terms of breathability in the upper. She tested in Arizona and New Mexico in hot conditions.
Stability and support
The Altra Olympus 6 trail shoes have the traction and stability to handle large rocks and uneven cross country travel, as seen in this New Mexico canyon. Photo by Kate Hoch.
No ankles to be rolled here if you do choose to run in these. The platform is huge and makes them stable beasts on the trail. Our backpacking tester found this stability quite helpful while scrambling up slot canyons and on loose, off-trail. We carried 6 L of water plus a full backpacking backpack while wearing these shoes over 500 miles, and they felt like they diffused that weight well over the wide platforms.
Weight and efficiency
Our running tester found that the Altra Olympus 6 are too heavy to be fast shoes, making them a better option for recovery runs and hiking days. Photo courtesy Curtis Dartsch
These shoes are a whopping 12.5 ounces in a men’s 9. This is a one ounce gain from the Olympus 5 (11.5 oz). Most trail shoes over 10 oz are considered to be a heavier trail runner. These are even heavier than that. With fresh legs, one of our running shoe testers could do okay in these for a few miles, but on longer outings over 10 miles when their legs started to fatigue, they could feel the weight on every step.
For hiking and backpacking, 11.5 oz per shoe is a pretty standard hiking shoe weight–perhaps even lightweight–so our hiking tester didn't find the weight to be an issue at all.
Durability and longevity
The Altra Olympus 5 (left) and the Altra Olympus 6 (right) have similar outsoles with Vibram. The 6 has a different pattern of Vibram than the 5. These two shoes have similar miles on them, however the Olympus 6 saw a lot more off-trail travel.
After 100 miles of running, the shoes look like they did mostly on day one (except for caked on dirt). They are obviously built durably and will stand the test of hundreds of miles no problem.
After 500 miles of hiking, much of which was off-trail through desert canyons, it is probably time to retire them. However, unlike previous versions of the Altra Olympus like the 5s, 2s, and 1s, we didn't rub out the heel cup. The Altra Olympus 6 has a heel cup that actually holds you in place without any slippage. We've loved every version of the Olympus, but for the heel cup improvement alone, we think the Olympus 6 is the best.
Comfort
From our experience, we had no hot spots, blisters, or any rubbing/discomfort of any kind. That’s a win in our book.
Performance on the road
We tested the Altra Olympus on dirt roads, paved roads, and gravel while hiking and running. The extra cushion proved to be a huge benefit on hard packed surfaces. Photo by Kate Hoch.
There was nothing super notable about the road running miles. They felt like an average maximal cushion shoe on the road, and the grip/lugs didn't interfere with comfort. However, if you’re looking for a road-specific running shoe, check out our Best Men’s Road Running Shoes and Best Women’s Road Running Shoes guides.
For road walking miles, the Olympus 6 are among the best shoes out there. The max cushion excels compared to other trail running shoes on pavement, such as the 30-mile road walk section we had to get around private property on the Grand Enchantment Trail.
Features
Drop measurement and impact
The 0mm drop that Altra is known for is meant to encourage range of motion in the foot and ankle, as well as build lower leg strength (always a plus!). If you’ve never worn a zero-drop shoe, try building up to it with a lower drop shoe, or by alternating your zero-drop shoe with a lower-drop shoe for a few outings first. (Check out our reviews on low drop trail shoes, like the Hoka Speedgoat 6 and the Saucony Peregrine 14.)
Stack height
The Altra Olympus 4, Altra Olympus 5, and Altra Lone Peak 8 (left to right) all have different stacks. You can see how the Olympus 5 has a robust heel tab (the same as in the Olympus 6) and a much more refined outsole. Photo by Liz Thomas.
The Olympus 6s have a stack height of 33 mm, which makes for a cushy experience in this zero-drop shoe and limits ground feel.
Heel tab design
Altra Olympus 5 (left) and Altra Olympus 6 (right). Note the major difference in the heel cup. Both shoes have similar amounts of miles on them and are the same size. The prominent heel tab carried over from the Olympus 5 to 6.
The heel tab design on the Olympus 6 is slightly different than on earlier Olympus, coming up higher in the back.
Colorway options
We’re typically a fan of Altra’s color options, and find them to be fashionable for various style types. For the Olympus, we appreciate the more neutral options (Grey/Blue and Taupe) in addition to their fun colors (Grey/Lime and Teal). Many hikers prefer neutral colors whereas runners typically want something bolder and it is helpful they have options for both.
Similar products
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 40-35 mm (men’s), 38-33 mm (women’s)
Lugs: 5-millimeter directional lugs. Lugs in the front of the shoe point forward, while the lugs on the heel point back
Upper: Lightweight woven textile upper
Midsole: CMEVA
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip outsole
Weight (pair): (men’s), 9.8 oz (single), (women’s) 8.2 oz (single)
Like the Altra Olympus 6, the HOKA Speedgoat also uses a Vibram Megagrip outsole and has a higher stack and more cushioning. The Speedgoat has 4 mm of drop, which is a bit taller than the 0mm drop of the Olympus, so for those of you who aren’t ready to commit to a zero-drop shoe, the Speedgoats might be a good option. The Speedgoat doesn’t have as wide of a toe box, nor is it as wide throughout, but the Speedgoat does come in wide sizing. You can read our full, in-depth review of the HOKA Speedgoat 6 for more information.
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Men's
Women's
Altra Timp 5
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 0 mm
Stack Height: 29 mm
Lugs: 3.5 mm
Upper: Engineered mesh
Midsole: Altra EGO MAX foam
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip rubber
Weight (pair): 1 lb. 3.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb 1.0 oz (women’s)
The Altra Timp 5 uses their original EGO MAX foam, which is apparently more luxurious than the EVA compression mold foam used on the Olympus 6. For this reason, some users find the Timps to be more comfortable, even though the stack height is a little lower on the Timp 5 (29 mm) compared to the Olympus (33 mm). If you want a cozier ride, less weight, and to spend less money, you might want to try the Timp 5s. You can read our full, in-depth review of the Altra Timp 5 to learn more.
Altra Timp 5
Men's
Women's
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 0
Stack Height: 25 mm
Lugs: 3 mm
Upper: 100% recycled ripstop mesh upper
Midsole: Altra EGO
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Weight (pair): 22.1 oz (men's 10.5), 18.6 oz (women's 8.5)
The Altra Lone Peak 9 is a zero-drop trail running shoe with much less stack height than the Olympus 6. The rubber compound on the Lone Peak 9 isn’t as sticky as the Olympus 6 except for the Lone Peak 9+ (which uses the same Vibram). The Lone Peaks are more popular among thru-hikers, but if you can afford it, the Olympus are a better choice, especially for rugged trails, due to their better traction and support. See our full, in-depth review of the Altra Lone Peak 9+.
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Men's
Women's
HOKA Challenger 7 ATR
Cushion: maximum cushion
Stability: neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 31-26 mm (men’s), 29-24 mm (women’s)
Lugs: 4 mm
Upper: vegan mesh
Midsole: compression molded EVA
Outsole: Durabrasion rubber
Weight (pair): 17.8 oz (men’s), 14.6 oz (women’s)
The Hoka Challenger 7s are a great option if you’re looking for a less technical shoe than the Olympus 6. They’re designed to transition from trail to road, so a great option if you’re planning to do both during your running or hiking. Notably, the outsole on the Challenger 7 isn’t as grippy, and the lugs aren’t as effective on more challenging terrain. For long distance hiking/backpacking, we prefer the Olympus 6, but we love the Challenger 7 for its maximum cushion and diversity. To learn more, read our full in-depth review on the Hoka Challenger ATR 7.
HOKA Challenger 7 ATR
Men's
Women's
Who should buy the Altra Olympus 6
Thru-hikers and other backpackers on their feet all day who will be using this shoe to do everything from make miles and do camp chores will love the Altra Olympus 6. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Buy it if: you are a hiker, backpacker, or thru-hiker who wants the benefits of a trail running shoe without the heavy overbuiltness of a hiking shoe or runners looking for an active recovery shoe.
Skip it if: you’ll be doing more training or hard running than hiking. We can recommend this shoe heavily for hikers galore, but think runners on longer outings over 10 miles may start to feel fatigued from the weight.
Where to buy
REI
Pros: 1-year guaranteed return policy; 10% dividend for COOP members
Altra
Pros: Best retailer for colors and size options, especially for bigger or smaller feet. Refund within 30 days in original packaging.
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Why you should trust us / About the Author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
She was a guest editor at Backpacker Magazine, where she is currently the columnist of “Ask a Thru-hiker” and instructor of their online class, Thru-hiking 101.
Her first book is Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. The book was the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book, and was deemed by judges as destined to become the “Bible of the Sport.”
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.
She represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative.
Liz’s keynote speaking engagements have included colleges and universities including Yale and MIT and on Capitol Hill, the Trust for Public Land, American Hiking Society, and BikeTexas.
You can read more about Liz at her wikipedia page here! To see all of Liz's stories, check out her author page.
