Altra - Olympus 5 Trail Running Shoe

Same, by mile 300 the forefoot had lost about 20mm of stack, I think the “inner flex“ design isn’t great for longevity.

That’s pretty crazy, like I said, mine have about 350 miles in them and the tread is at least still at 50%. I had the Olympus 5 and the tread was great at 350 miles but the foam was toast. I also had the superior 5 and that altra rubber is trash at longevity and traction in anything remotely wet.

personally, altra lone peaks for only trail and olympus 5s when mixed (on pavement for part of the run). altra customer for life!

Altra Olympus have done me really well. Super wide and stable. More mild trails here in Michigan but I’ve been getting close to 500 miles out of each pair.

I’ve been wearing the Altra Olympus 5 and they’ve served me well. Very wide and stable platform on a pretty durable vibram megagrip outsole. Not fast by any means but built to go the distance. I’ve ran (2) 100 milers and numerous 50k-50 milers in them and have been happy with their performance.

Personally I’m an altra guy. Olympus 5s have given me 450 miles on average across the two pairs I’ve ran through. Good and durable vibram with a thick midsole for protection. They’ve been my 50-100 mile shoe of choice. I ran a pretty rugged 50 mile ultra recently that emulates the AT with rocks and roots and the Olympus performed well. It even rained before and during and my footing and grip was solid on all surfaces and the wet rocks. The Lone Peak fits extremely similarly but has less cushion for more ground feel. I’ve never been able to get down with Topo because of their high arch (I have medium arches and they’re still too much for me) but they may be right up your alley. They have a few models to explore that are all pretty well built, 5mm drop or lower, and a wide foot shaped toe box. In either avenue, if you have a local running store trying before you buy is always a nice luxury!

Altra Olympus 5s are the best trail runners (for hiking) I’ve ever worn. They were on sale at Altitude Sports recently (online). Try Last Hunt (.com) too. I bought two pairs because they were about 40% off at the time.

I have them and I'm wearing my regular size 45 (US 10.5) They're significantly better than the Olympus 5, especially the upper (it has more space, and it's better designed) I ran in lone peaks for years, I'll never do it again. They destroyed my ankles. Olympus 6 is a different ball game. 👍

heh, are you me? I have spent the last 2 months trying to find the perfect shoe/sock combo. I have a problem pinky toe and toe socks were making it much worse. I think I have the beginning of a tailor's bunion and arthritis in my pinky toe from it that makes any pressure turn into pain. I tried the Pursuit 2, Ultraventure 3, Terraventure 4, Traverse all in 11.5. I was comparing them to the Altra Lone Peak, Timp 5 and Olympus 5 in 11.5. I agree with just about everything you stated. For me the terraventure pinky toe discomfort was very noticeable and actually the arch of my foot overhung the side of the shoe the mid foot was so narrow. Traverse was in the running with the Pursuit 2, but ultimately both had a deepish heel cup with stiff backing causing discomfort on achilles area. I ended up going with the Timp 5, but really wanted the Pursuit 2 to have worked out since they felt the most immediately comfortable to me. Update: I found a week before doing the JMT that Timp5 also gave my pinky toe discomfort on long hikes. And just 2 days before I left for the JMT I found that Timp5 has a “Standard” foot shape that is narrower in the toe than the Lone Peak’s “Original” foot shape. I picked up a pair of lone peaks the day before I left and used injinji toe socks without any issue. Wish I would have gone with the extra cushion in the “Original” footshape Olympus on the JMT for that darn SOBO decent down Muir pass.

The toebox of the 6 is narrower than the 5, but even the 6 is slightly wider than the Lone Peak 9.

I alternate between Altra Olympus 5s and Speedgoat 5s and the Speedgoats have held up better than the Altras, which has surprised me. I’ve had the lugs come off the soles of the Altras while I’ve gotten nearly 500 miles on my current Speedgoats.

Olympus 4 was a good shoe.

Olympus 4 was such a great shoe. 5 was too heavy and narrower. 6 I won’t try….

Olympus 4 was such a great shoe. 5 was too heavy and narrower. 6 I won’t try….

In the 5s I wear a half size up because the heal was weird and pushed my foot forward but in the 6s I wear my normal street shoe size. 

I'm a big fan of Altra & Topo Athletic. Last year's Camino I wore the Altra Olympus 5 and I finished the Portuguese 2 weeks ago wearing the Topo Atletic Ultraventure 4. Both work great for me and are worth a look.

Altra Olympus, Topo Ultraventure and Topo Phantom with Yaktrax for winter roads.

I love Topo but agree the ultra venture doesn't have a lot "life" in it's cushion - it lasts but isn't boing-y . The topo phantom is my go to for long road runs and I've been happy with the Altra Olympus 5 for trail and road long runs. The topo mountain racer is pretty sweet, I've mileaged my last pair out and am waiting for sales - it's light weight and decent cushion : ))

I had this issue with the 5. Tried using runners lacing and now they fit like a glove. No issues going up or down.

Just bought a pair of Olympus 6 after Olympus 5. Main change is the heel cushion which is pretty useless. It never was an issue (for me) with the Olympus 5. This new feature means you need a full size bigger whereas half a size was enough with the 5. I actually went just half a size bigger and I king of regret it. The shoes seems pretty solid to me but let see if the sole sticks with time .

I tried the most popular ones from couple brands and were the worst ones for me. Personally like Altra LP for technical terrain - short/mid runs, Olympus 5 fits me really well but the weight is little bit annoying, some small parts like altra sign, inside peeled off after 400k.. it's comfortable, ran 50k+ and my feet felt really well but not buying again. Asics Trabuco fits me really well, but new 13 got reduced toebox width so it's not for me anymore... so many differences across brands / models. Visit [https://runrepeat.com/](https://runrepeat.com/)

I love my Olympus 5s. Only complaint is the same for ALL Altras. I find the midsole wears out (loses rebound) before the out sole wears out or I tear anywhere.

Don't get the 6 if you have wide feet. They are MUCH narrower than the 5.  And will leave your feet in pain quickly. Very sad Altra is heading down this path

Any chance I get, I'm barefoot. If I'm at home, I'm not wearing shoes, and I exercise shoeless in the house, too. I *cautiously* think this is why I made the switch to Altra zero-drop shoes without ever even knowing that it presents problems for so many people to do so. Might also be why I immediately felt more comfortable with Altras and will suffer no other shoe anymore.

Unless I'm hiking in deep snow (which means very little chance of going fast), I'm wearing my Altra Olympus 5 trail runners. They're comfy, versatile, grippy, and breathable. I adore these shoes and take every opportunity to plug Altra. Some people struggle with the zero-drop nature of Altras, but if you're *not* actually running, it shouldn't be a problem. But I also have a pair of Merrell Yokota mid waterproof boots for the deep snow hikes I sometimes do in winter. They are very comfortable and I've got no complaints. Well, I think the shoelaces are excessively long, but that's not a big deal, just an annoyance.

**Altra Olympus 5** But they are nearing the end of their life, at which point I will be getting the **Altra Lone Peak 9**. I have loved my Olympus shoes and I'm sad to see them go, but I'm really excited about trying the Lone Peaks.

I can only compare Altra Olympus 5 in 14 with current version Topo Ultra Adventure 4 14 w. They are somewhat sole shaped alike. I had issue finding well fitting aftermarket size 14 insoles that supported my high arch that properly fit that Olympus model or else I would have continued with them. Now, I know of after market high arch Olympus 5 size 14 fitting orthotics available. I need arch supporting trail runners as an UL long distance backpacker and trail runner doing 30+ mile days. The other shoe that fits my feet and is arch supporting is the Hoka Bondi 14 w which are a pavement running shoes but I use them for UL backpacking on established single track with mindful foot placement in good weather.

Yeah I miss the old Olympus.

I have the same passion for good trail shoes and also a colourful rotation at the moment. In my rotation I’ve got 2x La Sportiva Akasha II - my absolute favourites for technical terrain and yes it is a very simple shoe, but I’ve ran a 100 miler in them and had no problems at all. Also here in Greece we have very technical mountainous terrain, so that’s why they are my go to. Just retired my SG 5s which I loved for daily training. Did 1000K in them - Never made it to a race though. Altra Olympus 5 - not a huge fan of the zero drop. I took my time and I’ll throw them in there every once in a while. The Salomon Slab Genesis is an interesting one. Could work for you, if you have narrower feet. It grew on me, but it does not compare to the Akasha II. Merrell Agility Peak 5 - not really a hidden gem anymore. Many say it’s like the SG 3. I like the shoe. Rugged, solid, but with a little bit of a loose heel. Every foot is different though. I’ve tried to find something that might blow me away just like the Akasha II did, but haven’t found that shoe yet. Give it a try!

Altra Timp 5. Been through the two previous versions of the Timp and I think 5 are the best so far. They're kind of between Lone Peak and Olympus. I have a pair of GTX Olympus (I don't remember which version) that I wear every once in awhile, but I'm not a big fan of how thick the midsoles are and the uppers are really stiff.

I've owned 8+ pairs of Altra trail runners over the years, including the Olympus 4, 5, and now, 6. The short of it is that the 6s are the best that I have owned (at least after 100+ hiking-only miles). I can't speak to the long-term durability of these shoes, as I purchased them in July, but thus far, they are showing no signs of issues or abnormal wear. One thing that I was initially worried about was the new heel pad; I developed a hot spot and then a blister on my left heel after my first hike. I treated and taped it, hoping that the combination of my skin thickening a bit post-blister, and the shoe breaking in would resolve the issue. It did (it took about two weeks to feel good about this). I agree with the original poster that my heel feels more stable than previous versions of this shoe. All other aspects of this shoe feel like my previous versions of it - lots of cushion, good stability, and great grip in all conditions. One thing to note, I have always sized up a half-size in the Olympus line to allow for some swelling and to prevent toe-bang on downhills. I never experienced any of the notorious Vibram outsole issues (peeling) that other users reported on previous versions, but I did have small holes develop on the upper on two pairs of my 4s, right next to where it flexes over the toes, next to my pinky toe.

I've owned 8+ pairs of Altra trail runners over the years, including the Olympus 4, 5, and now, 6. The short of it is that the 6s are the best that I have owned (at least after 100+ hiking-only miles). I can't speak to the long-term durability of these shoes, as I purchased them in July, but thus far, they are showing no signs of issues or abnormal wear. One thing that I was initially worried about was the new heel pad; I developed a hot spot and then a blister on my left heel after my first hike. I treated and taped it, hoping that the combination of my skin thickening a bit post-blister, and the shoe breaking in would resolve the issue. It did (it took about two weeks to feel good about this). I agree with the original poster that my heel feels more stable than previous versions of this shoe. All other aspects of this shoe feel like my previous versions of it - lots of cushion, good stability, and great grip in all conditions. One thing to note, I have always sized up a half-size in the Olympus line to allow for some swelling and to prevent toe-bang on downhills. I never experienced any of the notorious Vibram outsole issues (peeling) that other users reported on previous versions, but I did have small holes develop on the upper on two pairs of my 4s, right next to where it flexes over the toes, next to my pinky toe.

Altra Olympus. They will help with the plantar fasciitis as they are quite padded. I swear by them and they're all I wore on my '22 hike.

I would maybe recommend the Altra Timp or Olympus series over the Lone Peak for your use case. They are certainly comfier for walking in (especially Olympus for a wider foot), but great for running too.

I think you mean lower stack height. I personally prefer a lower stack height for that reason- less risk of ankle injury. For example, I don’t mind walking in my Altra Olympus but if I’m running I reach for the Lone Peaks.

I’ve used Lone Peaks for years, but for the last month I’ve been really enjoying the Olympus.

Topos are mostly all minimal drop, vs Altra zero-drop. If you want a longer lasting shoe, go for altras olympus or new lone peak 9+, both have vibram sole.

I have a pair of Olympus that need replacing soon - how does the Ultraventure compare? My main gripe with the Olympus (despite quite liking them) is the upper - I'm always having trouble getting a nice snug fit. It does dry quickly though, which is nice

I've had Topos, Hokas and all different kinds of Altras. The Altra Lone Peaks were by far my favourite - glorious shoe. My form just felt so much smoother and they were roomy without being clown shoes. As for the other altras I had, the Monc Blanc's had awful heel slippage, horrendous collar on them, and the Olympus had too much cushion and so were bad for technical trails, though the Olympus was still decent. Word of warning, the zero-drop aspect does make a difference. I was fine for a good while but eventually ended up with achilles tendonitis so if you do get any adjustment niggles then be sure to do some prehab for that. If i were you I'd get a pair of Lone Peaks and just bring them into the rotation. Play it by ear and listen to your body. Good luck

Yes, in my experience higher stack typically translates to instability. Especially during turns or changing direction. I always roll my ankles ony Altra Olympus, doesn't really happen with anything that has a lower stack.

I've always rolled my ankles when wearing hokas, even if I'm just trying them in a store. The only hoka shoes that I don't roll my ankles in are the carbon X. I also roll my ankles in the altra Olympus so in my option there is a direct correlation with stack height. Is there a reason why you want a higher stack? There are really good options at lower stacks, and some shoes even have a rock plate for additional protection.

I'm an altra fan and imo the lone peak and olympus are their most durable shoes. Great for wide feet. However, I don't find them to be the best for scrambling despite having done some burly objectives in lone peaks. I've heard scarpa can be a good fit for slightly wide feet and are very durable as well. I'm eyeing scarpas ribelle and spin planet for the same reason as you - want a mountain runner that handles exceptionally well as a scramble too. Their ski boots are amazing fwiw.

Everyone is right in here, but I’ll tell ya what I’ve gone through: Brooks Cascadia: Wore this model for years. Eventually found that the cushion wasn’t enough for my knees. The shoe held up okay overall Hoka Speedgoat: definitely a big switch compared to the Cascadias. Almost felt like my feet were on the second story of a double deck bus. The cushion, which is fantastic, felt taller because of this and I would find myself tripping often. This was probably me getting used to the model. It was a bit small in the toe box. Overall love the shoe and comfort level. Out of the box, VERY grippy, but after 100 miles of trails they’re shredded. I had to switch to protect my wallet! Altra Olympus: Big time grip, comfy, and wide toe box. I’ve only put about 30 miles into them, but I dig em. I find the material the heel is made out of pulls on the sock/skin on the back of my heel, it feels like a suede or felt almost. I honestly thought I was going to have an enormous blister, but it ended up being okay. These are my current shoes. I know all of these experiences are very personal, but I thought I’d share with you my experiences with a few models. Hope this helps.

Altra Olympus, the mother of zero drop / wide fit, and way more comfortable over distance than the Lone Peak. That said, the 6 is a shocker so I'd skip it unless you can find a pair of 5s.

Altra Olympus 4 and Lone Peak 4

If you’re going to stay on a trail, and you aren’t dealing with snow, def trail runners. My boots only come out now if it’s super cold and wet/snowy. Used to think I needed the ankle support but, eh, I haven’t noticed the difference. I do know I am less fatigued because my shoes are lighter, so that’s a big plus. I love my Altra Olympus shoes. But anything with a proper grippy tread for trails should be fine. You have to find the right one for your feet.

This. If the Altras were keeping you blister free, and assuming the plantar fasciitis was caused by the impact and not the zero drop, the Olympus will likely work well for you. They have a very wide toe box just like the Lone Peaks and are zero drop, but have a really high stack for maximum cushion.

I wan to add that this is an IF situation. Zero drop works great for some, but can cause tight calf muscles in others, which can actually trigger plantar fasciitis. So if you don’t know if impact or tight calves was the cause, it would be a risk to go back to a zero drop shoe.

Maybe you could try more padded Altra, so Timp or Olympus. Lately, I'm a huge fan of Inov8, so maybe you could look into those as well. The new models are foot shaped like Altra or Topo but have a bit more support for me. I wouldn't get hoka speedgoat. It's really narrow shoe which could cause other issues on trail.

They are fine if you like the fit. I prefer the Olympus for the extra stack/cushion.

For light hikes I wear lone peaks. For big days I wear Olympus. Also consider topo athletic.

Im guessing they won't be wide enough but Altra's Olympus and newest Lone Peak are wide by default and then come in wide as well. I'd take a look at them.

Altra Olympus. I have tried the lone peaks and prefer the extra cushion.

Had lots of issues in my Hoka trail shoes, challengers and Speedgoats…switched to Altra Olympus…amazing

I swear by Altra. I hated the Lone Peaks. Not enough padding and my feet hurt like crazy after around 10 miles. It made it almost too painful to walk. I switched to Altra Olympus and love them. They have more cushion. I have worn them right out of the box into a long backpacking trip with no blisters or discomfort whatsoever. That said, they are not sturdy. Actually, I think I’m on my 5th pair in 2 years and I am a weekend overnight backpacker. I’ve had the treads come loose less than 15 miles out of the box. Their durability is crap to the point it’s hard to believe a legit company accepts this as their product. But they’re so comfortable, I get them anyway. But I buy from REI so I know I can replace them for free within the first year. And I’ve just accepted the cost of comfortable shoes for me is the $150-200 they cost every year.

I ran in Altra Olympuses and they felt great! My feet were about the only part of me that didn’t hurt after, haha. I like to wear my Injinji toe socks when I’m running something like a Spartan race, so the extra room in the front with Altra or Topo is nice.

Altra are my best option for the combo of wide forefoot + cushion for rucking. Downside (for me) is that my best fitting alters are trail shoes with heavy lugs and walking on pavement/cement wears the lugs down like mad, and they are expensive to have to replace often. I try to find them on clearance when they have new versions coming out. Olympus are my favorite, lots of cushion, lots of toe/forefoot room. I also like the Lone Peak, but more so for daily life than rucking, the extra cushion of Olympus is nice. I can't wear Hoka because they are too narrow for my feet. I have mostly been a barefooter in daily life for a lot of years, and my feet are now Flintstone feet. Walking, I general wear Shamma sandals when it's not winter. So the Altras are for rugged hiking, rucking, and then winter.

Had the same issue; Altra Olympus GTX Will be your answer🙋‍♂️. C2C in UK June with them. Wide forefoot and waterproof, zero break in time and comfy 😉

Altra Olympus or Timp have massive toeboxes. Comfy too. Vibram soles and decent lugs on the bottom too. Really trail runners but are good enough for hiking too imho

I've always enjoyed Altra Olympus when I want something cushy. The new Olympus have a weird heel that some people don't like though. I'm 5'11" and 230lbs currently for reference. I also like the Lone Peaks a lot but they have a lower stack height.

I did my first 50k in the Olympus— only fault was a cactus spike I carelessly kicked

Shoes are very individual so you just have to check around and see what works for your particular foot shape. For example I can’t do Hokas, Topos were too narrow in the toe box, and brooks Cascadias were just too narrow period for me. Ended up going Lone Peak -> Olympus -> New Balance Heiros. Currently trying the North Face Alta Mesa 300s which seem promising as well.

Really comfortable but at least in the size 14s I wear the sides blow out. Same issue with the Olympus. I've switched to New Balance Heiros which are a similar shape but at least they hold together until the bottoms are too thin to protect my feet. https://preview.redd.it/5cuixhpub69f1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68150112f77175278b621fe7116f1721c057e8ea

I changed from Lone Peak to the Olympus for the extra cushion, were pretty comfortable imo! But wish they had a little more rock protections tbh

Switched from the Lone Peaks to the Olympus’ and they’re killer. Just ran a high mountain 50 in them. Really great for rough terrain.

I love the Altra Olympus trail runners, way more support than the lone peaks and no blisters

I wear Altra trail running shoes and I’m so satisfied. I always use them up to 1200 km. For me the best Altras for long runs on the trails are the Olympus, wich have a vibram grip (the best) and very durable. I don’t like instead the proprietary Altra’s sole that that your Timp bears (bad grip, not very durable). So if you want to stick to Altra my personal advice is to try Altra Olympus.

I've always ran in my altras up until 700-750 miles, with the Vibram sole; of course it would be better to change shoes at 550 miles. I'm speaking from personal experience.

Altra Olympus with injinji liners and darn tough socks. Already done 650 miles with not one blister

I use them all the time on thru hikes and hiking in the Lake District. I use Altra with the Vibram mega grip which is really sticky and gives you confidence. The only downside is they don't last as long as boots

Altra Olympus trail. Stability, grip, toe room. I have very fussy feet and have worn these up to 14hrs with no pain.

They’re dogshit for rocky terrain with mesquite and cacti around. The bottom of the sole is 95% foam and cactus thorns and mesquite spines will go right through them into your feet, ask me how I know lol. An absolute no-go for rugged hikes in the desert.

Along with all the PT mentioned here I had a heck of a time for about a season of trail running when I first started. Over time you will get stronger and start hitting higher-angle slopes/rocks and stuff with strength in the feet and ankles. I started with more of my road geared shoes and twisted mine often. I switched to Altra Olympus trail rated and the bottom of the heel is flared out wide. That really made a huge difference in stability. When I start noticing less support, I buy a new pair at usually 3-400 miles

Altra Olympus, best trail runner ever

yeah, slightly light, I have 5&6, and in my opinion 6 is lighter than 5 while also easier to consume it's sole. BTW, lack of air cushion make me to buy some shoes like altra Olympus or speedgoat for my recovery running.

I walk and run in zero drop Altra shoes 100% and have for several years now. I spent more than a year transitioning by running in a mixture of Brooks, then Hoka, then Altras. My trail shoes were the last change I made and even though I'd been running all pavement miles for a while at that point on zero drop the change was very noticeable on trail running. Calf and Achilles soreness galore. I'd never switch back at this point, but take it very slow.

Hoka Speedgoats and Altra Lone Peaks are some of the standard favorites. Note that if you aren't already running in a zero drop shoes like the Altra then do NOT just jump into those, you're calf muscles will go into early retirement. But as with any shoe go to a store and try on different brands and make sure to get plenty of training miles in them first. I personally run in Lone Peaks but I also have a new pair of Altra Olympus meant for longer training distances (all my shoes are Altra and have been zero drop for years). The lightness, feel, grip, and drainage ability of the Lone Peak are why I use them in all Spartan race distances thus far. I've tried on the Hokas but find them a little to narrow in the toe box (another benefit of the Altra shoes).

Move to the Olympus, I did and it’s been amazing

I've been using the Olympus 5 but as of late, Norda 001 has peaked my interest. I tried it on and the fit is excellent. Apparently Dyneema (the material the upper is made of) is as strong as steel. They have a waterproof line as well.

Altra LP, Saucony Perigrine, Topo MT or Terraventures, Brooks Cascadia, and the list goes on. I am biased for Altra Lone Peaks for its ultimate comfort. The Olympus are a bit chunky for trails in my opinion but it is up to you to try them on and decide. Altra LP are comfortable out of the box. The outsole is durable and work well for most conditions. If you run on wet trails, find a shoe with Vibram outsole (Olympus for Altra). IMO, on trails the lower the drop the better. The zero drop is very unnoticeable. Most moderate and harder trails are constantly changing under foot, having a drop of greater than 4mm for me is detrimental for stability. If you are running easy trails or gravel paths a regular road shoe will be fine. The advantages of a trail shoe are foot protection, water drainage and grip. Otherwise a pair of road shoe can handle flat paths of gravel or packed dirt just fine. Go to a specialty store and try try, try. Remember sales associates can give good advice......but they can also be misinformed or biased. They can recommend but you need to make the decision based on your preferences.

My altra Olympus. Great traction, stability and cushion.

I didn't think I would go for a road shoe. The desert is a tough place for shoes. Gaiters are a must, but the brand doesn't matter too much. I've had nice desert experiences with the Altra Olympus and the nnormal tomir. Both have enough cushion to keep rocks from smarting too much. Both are not narrow, so sinking into the sand shouldn't be too much of a worry. The Olympus is obviously wider, but the tomir has great lugs for loose terrain. Desert comes in many varieties. If you are going to spend most of your time on well maintained 2 track, road shoes might cut it. Otherwise, I'd definitely go for trail shoes.

I've found Altra to be notorious for not much longevity. I've had more than 10 different models/versions over the years. Most of the time either the upper goes or the rubber goes early. Olympus 4 have held-up. The original Montblancs also lasted ok for me, but had different issues. I have since started also using Hoka (wide models) and Topo Athletic. Will get a pair of Timp 5 soon to see how it's evolved.

I was looking for a more cushioned Lone Peak and wanted to like the Altra Olympus so badly. I just could not get a good heel lock no matter how I laced them up. Always felt like my heel was halfway out of the shoe and sliding all over the place.

I like my Altra Olympus'. I own both lowtops and the GoreTex mids. They're very padded although I do put SuperFeet insoles in them as I find the Altra insoles lacking.

I like my Altra Olympus low tops for backpacking. I feel they’re a bit more padded than the Lone Peaks ( I own an older pair of those.) I do put SuperFeet insoles in them though as the factory ones don’t have enough support for me.

I use Altra Olympus trail runners for backpacking with a 25 lb pack in rough terrain. I think one thing that is important is traction. You want a sole with \*some\* type of lugs. So not sure if 'street' running shoes will do it. You want 'trail runners.' I haven't used boots for years. Edit: also, I find padding imporant which is why I like the Olympus vs. something like the Lone Peaks. They have a lot of padding.

I have recently switched from Salomon Ultra Glide to the Altra Olympus and I must say I really love them. The reason for the switch was that most trail shoes create pressure points on the underside of the lateral bony part of my ankle (Hoka Speedgoat was horrrible for me), but the sides of the Altra’s are relatively low so they work very well for me. I’ve used them for a quite technical 35k race last weekend after having only done one 10k in them prior but the zero drop gave me no issues, my road shoes have 6mm drop. Unsure if it was due to the terrain, me having done plenty calve raises in the gym, or that I was just lucky though. The wide toe box is very nice and the cushioning makes them super comfortable. They also have great grip. One challenge for me still is keeping the foot from sliding in the shoe. Heel lock lacing felt a bit uncomfortable (tongue of the shoe is quite short). Sliding wasn’t very noticeable during the race, but two nails looked quite rough afterwards so I guess I should’ve laced tighter. Hope this helps!

Yeah, so you definitely need to figure out what works and is comfortable for you. I have seen folks very happy and very unhappy with basically everything, from hiking boots over trail runners to sneakers or sandals. That said, I did the most recent camino in trail runners and it was my first without any feet issues whatsoever. I took Altra Olympus, in general I like that brand for walking long hikes because tie toe box is wide so the toes don't rub against each other or the sides, even if feet swell.  I also like toe socks and taking the shoes off at every break for airing out. But as i said, I met folks who were most happy with their hiking boots and those walking comfortably in sandals, so testing what works well for you before the trip is definitely good.  I would do at least one full day hike to see whether you have any issues or hotspots after a couple hours in your shoes. Helps with testing the rest of your gear setup (Is the underwear comfortable after hours of walking? Does your water access work fine?...) as well. 

I am a fan of Hoka and Altra on the trails and regularly alternate btn speedgoats and Mont blancs on my longer runs, but that won’t work for everyone. Others chimed in on transition but I will also note how the zero vs (typically) 4mm drop is less noticeable on trails vs roads. As with any new shoes, ease into the mileage. Don’t just rip a 20-miler in your new zero drops. Also, topo or altra, I recommend finding a good running store to try out a few options and see what feels best on your feet. I’ve found the biggest difference in feel when running comes down to the stack height and less so the heel drop. If you like the higher stack/cushion, that will narrow your choices in either brand. For Altra, I think Olympus, Timp and Lone Peak are their flagship trail shoes. There are good options out there but what works for me may be a fail for you and vice-versa. Good luck!

Olympus in my opinion. But shoes are highly personal. Not much sense in knowing my preference. Overall Altra quality has gone downhill since they were acquired.

So just like Olympus 5... It resolves when I use trail running socks. Or just some thicker socks.

You could also try the Altra Olympus Trail. They have more cushion than the Lone Peaks, so for me are more comfortable.

I've used the altra Olympus line since I thru'ed the AT. Have used them all throughout the whites and like them. The 2 main advantages in my mind are: vibram soles (IMO, these are much much better than the default altra soles on the timps and lonepeaks that I have also used), and high stack height (helps with the knees on the rocky descents in the whites)

I always wear Altras LP or Olympus but only buy them on sale for less than $100. Usually weird colors or last years model.

I started an AT thru hike on Lone Peaks. Had to switch to Altra Olympus due to painful plantar fasciitis after 300 miles of terrain that was much less severe than the White Mountains. I eventually landed on HOKA Speedgoats - more padding, decent grip. The wide version was wide enough but not as roomy as the Altras. Every foot is different and lots of people love Lone Peaks. My feet just couldn't handle the minimal cushioning.

I ended up finding some 5s to try. Agree that the toebox is wider than the 6s. Overall width and length fit my hobbit feet better. I might be imagining things, but wearing them around the house, my feet feel hotter in the 5s. Wish the 5s had gaiter attachments.

I wanted to like them, but the ankle collar/heel area was rubbing and had pressure points in some really annoying ways. I thought the fit was TTS (unlike the 5 which was a 1/2 size too short). I also think they feel bigger and are more clunky than the 5s. I ended up returning them because they just didnt feel smooth or comfortable. I know the 5s have durability issues but i like them way more imo.

What is up with the heel cushion thing? It is in a really bad place and feel like my feet are slipping out. Loved the 5s, severely disappointed in the 6. Wish Altra would stop messing around with what works

Tried the 9s? I’ve had 5s I liked and I have 7s, they held up well enough that it’s the tread wearing out first. Any stark difference in regular utility or fit between 9 and 7? Thanks.

Did you wear them out and return? I sent mine back, didn't like the weird cushion bar in the heel area - though I understand why it might have been put there as this is where my 5s wore out fastest. I've ordered another two pairs of 5s before they go - best trail shoe I've ever worn.

Physical protection from pokes and rocks aside, my experience, and others have shared similarly, that boots do not really do much to prevent ankle sprains. Boots generally have higher/thicker soles, so if you do turn your ankle, it's a higher fulcrum point and you could turn your ankle even more than if you were on a thinner sole of a trail runner. The only time I turned my ankle significantly was when I was wearing big, heavy, think leather-upper Vasque St. Elias boots. The firmness of the ankle wrap on those meant I couldn't 'get out of it' by turning forward or any other split-second reaction. Once it started over sideways, there was no getting out of it. Contrast that with trail-runners; I currently have Speedgoats, but have hiked with Altras, Salomons, Oboz, and others, and it's the same. If I turn my ankle, I seem to be able to quickly compensate and prevent myself from putting all my weight over on a completely turned ankle. I do that on every hike, sometimes twice. Never injured myself that way.

I tried on my altras for the first time at running room. Sold me on that pair pretty quickly for comfort. Found them cheaper online, but was very happy to be able to try them on.

Yes I use these. I just ran 15m of trails in them this am. I hesitate to give anyone shoe advice (everyone's feet are different) but I really like these. I tend to run more difficult and rooty trails. The only thing I don't like about these is that for very rooty trails the heel height really contributed to ankle rolls. I run about 190 pounds. My go to shoe for races and medium distance is the Nike air terra kiger. My system is the wild horse for long training runs, the kiger for races and most training days (they are lighter and lower heel, less padding), then I keep a pair of altra zero drop for an occasional form check. I'll run like a 5k in them to regain more nuanced feel in my form to check myself on making sure my stride length and strike points stay where I want.

I love a wide toe box but can’t do zero drop. I don’t like the lack of push off and I’ve had plantar fasciitis in the past which is not suited for zero drop. I use Topo and Altra low heal to toe drop but not zero.

Altra trail runner fan. I was forced out of boots years ago due to neuropathy in both feet. I have done many long distance hikes in them including the John Muir Trail. They have drawbacks; eg, feet get wet more easily crossing streams but it something I can live with

I use Altra trail runners when traveling because they are light and comfortable and can double as normal shoes in a pinch, but for normal hiking close to home I stick to boots. Trail runners wear out too easy and are too expensive for the amount of hiking I do.

I do xero shoes for everything but backpacking. I've done trips in them for shorter times and have done okay but I'm also a fan of altras. JMT is longer so I wouldn't do xeros the whole time personally.

Durability aside, try on both shoes. If you’re not thru-hiking then durability doesn’t matter much. Yeah, it’ll be annoying if they give out sooner than you expected, but the comfort can be worth the money. For me, Altras are the most comfortable by far. I wanted to switch to Topos due to the rave reviews and the vibram sole, but I had to immediately return them due to their pronounced arch support. My feet hated them and my altra trail runners and road shoes are the most comfortable shoes for my feet I’ve ever worn. I was late to the game so I’m sure I missed out on the glory days, but until another company comes out with a wide toe box and no arch support trail runner it’s altra all the way for me.

Have you used trail runners for backpacking before? I like Altras because they have the widest toe box. But they are zero drop and that doesn't work for everybody. They work great for me but I know plenty of others have disliked them. A lot of people like Topos and Hokas as well. The point is that shoes are way too individual for anybody to successfully recommend one that will work for you.

Trail runners all the way, trail runner technology has come a long way! They’ll be more breathable and lighter than boots. Altras are a classic thru hiking shoe but don’t have great longevity. Topo, Saucony, and Brooks I’ve had good experience with all of them. There’s also Salomon and Merrell, but I’ve never tried them. I’d recommend ordering a few pairs off of REI to try them out. You can return them even after using them.

Only time I use my Crispi boots is when I’m hunting and might have 100+lbs on my back packing out an animal. Anything else I use my Altra trail runners.

I got a pair of Altra trail runners recently and they are literally my favourite pair of shoes now. The lower drop and wide toe box, as well as the excellent lugs and grip suit me so well. I’m much more confident on downhills thanks to them! Will check out the boots when it’s time to replace my Meindls! 

Trail runners for sure. I love my Altra's, though I have to say, I don't like the sole. The grip is pretty crappy, especially if it's wet. I love a vibram sole and wish Altra would shift to that material.

I strictly use trail runners. Like the Altras, though there are a lot of wide toe box shoes out there now. Gone through s lot of scree with them. I do go through them quickly.

Yes but a stiffer trail runner will be more comfortable on the rocks. La Sportiva, for example, is better for scrambling than an Altra. Both will work but for Dolomites would suggest something stiffer, with firmer lugs.

My Altra trail runners are all I ever hike in. The slim and grippy sole makes them extremely safe in scree and rocky terrain.