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2 pairs of the Superior 5, terrible traction when wet on limestone. 1 pair of the Olympus 5, much better traction but the midsole packed out around 200 miles in and that’s probably because of the inner flex thing because there’s less foam there. I’ve got some topo pursuits with 400+ miles that are great and Nnormal tomirs with 400+ miles that’s are also still great. I just don’t think altra makes a great shoe for me, especially because I have a narrow foot and would lose multiple toenails after marathon+ distances.
Have any of you had luck with inexpensive shoes that work well for disc golf? Which ones? For example there are things like this available: [https://www.amazon.com/NORTIV-Waterproof-Lightweight-StreamRunner-NMUMHI2505/dp/B0F1MS1GMT?crid=4AJXYQ3GXNDF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.\_ck4zdPDtLAi9YOZtbroINo\_85LP-tlbnKl9e3zV9m2fckp7MyxaatHSCEZzUv3lUFLnAvNMwI3g5DqevDus8FGsWhtLh910y6d9\_ZSzwA3zCgcx5RZxocIIoW0UP6NnDIxNKrQ2YgxenF0gm5aPRCLr2kNsxBsA5pGFapq0rbjBIXEiniDtyjFpp7NdL7oBR0SmhJr9d93HkXh5UP1yXEBbhxDCff2qW2KF6qfLUBzwOniaf00oYCBFHRv23\_KArd1Zks8Cqk2dLMDGwzPOEobOokhWgBLghOfyKErvbK0.B7\_lSr5fNAr5GnWGNOhknkXWYKwqD8Z9J-GOYcURWek&dib\_tag=se&keywords=nortiv%2B8&qid=1755438646&sprefix=nortiv%2B8%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-19&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/NORTIV-Waterproof-Lightweight-StreamRunner-NMUMHI2505/dp/B0F1MS1GMT?crid=4AJXYQ3GXNDF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._ck4zdPDtLAi9YOZtbroINo_85LP-tlbnKl9e3zV9m2fckp7MyxaatHSCEZzUv3lUFLnAvNMwI3g5DqevDus8FGsWhtLh910y6d9_ZSzwA3zCgcx5RZxocIIoW0UP6NnDIxNKrQ2YgxenF0gm5aPRCLr2kNsxBsA5pGFapq0rbjBIXEiniDtyjFpp7NdL7oBR0SmhJr9d93HkXh5UP1yXEBbhxDCff2qW2KF6qfLUBzwOniaf00oYCBFHRv23_KArd1Zks8Cqk2dLMDGwzPOEobOokhWgBLghOfyKErvbK0.B7_lSr5fNAr5GnWGNOhknkXWYKwqD8Z9J-GOYcURWek&dib_tag=se&keywords=nortiv%2B8&qid=1755438646&sprefix=nortiv%2B8%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-19&th=1&psc=1) I'm kinda over spending $150+ for shoes that are perfectly fine after 5 months except for the tread on the plant foot.
I bet they are. The Altra Olympus 5, last year, and 6 this year are my perfect shoe. Waterproof totally, comfortable absolutely, grippy on any and every surface....so grippy they wear out in 5 months on the right heel and front right for foot. I now have shoes that are perfectly fine except Imbalanced in height and plane...I just can't accept they are now trash when they otherwise fine. So my solution is just find a regular, non sale, non opportunistic, reliably available low cost shoe.
I wear Altra Olympus 5s and love them. I think they fit slightly wider than the Lone Peaks. Not sure how the 6s compare.
I can't say it will be the right fit for you but I find the Olympus to be the widest shoe Altra offers.
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.
I have generally given up on durability. I use Altra trail runners and yes they begin to fall apart after 200 miles. But that's what fits me and keeps me outside so it's just the cost of my sport. I could go with something more durable but I would likely pay more and be less satisfied. Also I put in a warranty claim regularly because these shoes often don't last a year at the rate I use them. I often get my money back in that case.
Altra Olympus 6 addressed the heel padding disintegrating by adding a sewn in suede heel pad. I went through 9 pairs of Olympus 5 on the AT in 2024. I switched to the Olympus 6 in late 2024 before Te Araroa and have gone through 6 pairs since without the heel blowing up.
Altra, I have the Olympus 5 (probably too padded for you) and the Outroad (great lightly padded road/trail hybrid) I wear a mix of Altra and Xero
I have the Olympus 5 and the Via Olympus 2, they are my go tos for trail shoes and teaching in respectively Outroad and Escalante are my favorites for running
Howdy ULers, I am in need of some real help and advice. I feel like I have been on a never ending journey to find a pair of shoes that actually work with my feet for the better part of 4 years. Lets start with what I've tried and why they don't work: * Altra Olympus 5 - One of the most comfortable shoes to try on, love how they walk and the padding is great for PA trails. However after about \~150 miles the padding around the ankle that locks your heel in place rubs and destroys my Achilles. Maybe that's when the inside of the sole starts collapsing and the shoe has just worn out, but for $180 that's disappointing. Would try again if the only option * Altra Lone peaks (All WTR Mids, 8, 9) - I have wanted to love these shoes and keep trying them again, but they have zero arch support, they have no padding, and no durability. If I lived in Washington these would probably be perfect, but alas, \*rocks\* * La Sportiva Jeckyll 2 - my current runners. Durability is 10/10 I've put at least 300 miles on these shoes and they are groing strong. The from the insole down to the outsole they're the best shoes on earth, however the toe box is narrow, and the upper is so thin that the laces hit a lot of uncomfortable pressure points on the tops of my feet. * Topo MTN Racer 4- loved the dimpled insole, everything else about this shoe was a disaster. * La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX - I got these on my travel day going from the whites to the ADK's because I rolled my ankle in my runners and desperately needed some ankle support. Swapped the regular insoles for some SOLE cork guys and will hopefully have some success, but the outsoles are not super grippy and I really wish they were. * LOWA Renegade GTX - I had a pair of these for 5+ years and are overall the best boot ever made if you ask me. Unfortunately, they're super heavy, dont breath at all, and the boot goes up quite high and it makes moving quickly where you want your ankle to be able to move, impossible. So that brings me to the next point, what I would look for in an ideal shoes: * medium cushion stack made of responsive, dense foam, grippy outsoles, and a supportive insole (solomon and the la sportiva jeckyll do this best IMO) * A wider toe and foot box, with a durable upper that breathes, but is thicker than a layer of mesh to pad the foot against the laces * zero drop with a hell lock system that doesn't rely on gripping around the Achillies. So people of Ultralight, does anyone have some ideas for what to try next? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! EDIT to ask if anyone has actually tried the Flux Footwear trail runners? Ive looked wt the brand several times and always feel skeptical.
I also had a rub spot on the Olympus. Took it out on a 5 day trip, ~45 miles, for the first real try (had worn it around town but not much, unfortunately my only option) and was bleeding on my heel by the time I got done. Don't even know what to consider now.
I have been wearing Olympus back to the 3 series. The 5s had some issues with the heel, but other than that they have been a pretty solid shoe.
Probably because not everyone is looking for cushioned shoes in their trail shoes. I have been a fan of the Olympus models for several years, but particularly after I broke my leg a few years ago. They were the only shoes I could wear during my recovery when I was walking on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. I have had LPs, wearing a pair now. I really like them, too, but I prefer more cushion any time I am carrying weight or going on a long distance.
Topo Athletic or Altra. Altra Lone Peak and Olympus are my go to trail shoes. Lone Peak has a Goretex version but I never bother with it. The upper drains fast and dries quickly. Get the Lone Peak 9+ for the vibram sole. Olympus has vibram also. Traction is great with both. I don’t have experience with Topo yet, but my wife and everyone else I know who has them loves them.
I’m tempted to try a pair, but have had issues finding a good size fit. LPs and Olys do well, but you are right, they tend to mileage out 500ish at most. Plus I am so used to the zero drop after several years of wearing them. How much of an issue would that be for me? Any at all?
Altra Lone Peak and Olympus have been my go to trail runners. I have very wide feet, so most of the brands you mentioned are not an option for me since they only offer a standard D width. Topo Athletic would be another brand I would consider but Altra has been working well for me long enough I am reluctant to switch.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Deep mud and soft ground

Top pick
Salomon - Speedcross Series
Best for Quick draining and drying for wet trails

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Road-to-trail transitions

Top pick
Nike - Pegasus Trail Series
Best for Steep technical descents

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Technical rocky terrain

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series
Best for Ultra-marathon racing

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series





