Altra - Olympus 6

I just finished the O two weeks ago and wore the Altra Olympus 6s, and couldn't have been happier with my choice. They're mid height and have the lightness of trail runners, but the ankle support of hiking boots, and they are Goretex. It was so nice to be able to just plow through the streams without having to be worried about my feet getting wet, and the insides did not get wet at all. I had a big back and forth with my partner where I really wanted to wear trail runners, as that's what I normally wear for hiking, but I'm glad he talked me into these instead. Highly recommend!

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. 👍

Came here to comment exactly this. I'm 6'2", 190lb (188cm/87kg). Daily trail runner in Switzerland, running 70-80km/week. I have the Trabuco Max 2 and Max 3. Version 4 is the most recent launch. By far the most comfortable trail shoes I've ever owned. They just work perfectly for me. Have over 1000km in the 3's, so super durable too. Also own Hoka Stinson 6 (bit soft), Brooks Caldera 6 (too firm, never softened up), Altra Olympus 6 (midsole felt dead from the start) and Nike Wildhorse 7 (most comfortable upper of any shoe but midsole a bit thin) but none are as good for me as the Trabuco Max.

Just tried the running version on at REI and love the fit. Needed to go one full size up for good fit over my normal altra sizing (12 in my lone peak -> 13 in the Olympus). Question: how different is the hiking version really?? I want something sturdy that I can take up high and beat up, GTX is nice but not absolutely must have. Not sure if I should go runner version or hiker/GTX.

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

Sorry that was typo. I have 2 trail shoes. A heavy lug and a light grade. My light grade is an Altra Olympus 6 And 3 road shoes.

Took mine for a first run today and almost instant discomfort in the right heel, nice blister after the run..... will have to figure out the lacing to fix this or wear them in?

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….

I’ve become one of those weirdos who always needs a wide natural toebox on all my shoes, so I’m a big Altra fan. Altra Lone Peak 6 - lower mileage, faster runs on trail. Altra Olympus 6 - just got these to replace a pair of Hokas that I used to love. Great so far for longer distances. Altra Paradigm - good all around road and treadmill shoe. I know Altra has uneven reviews but I’ve honestly been happy with all my shoes from them. One exception being that the MaxTrac outsole on the Lone Peak really could be better in wet conditions. Wish it were Vibram.

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 just found out that they re-released the mythical Speedgoat2. HOKAs have a relatively narrow toe box, mind you. If you like low drop, I would recommend checking out Altra. The new Olympus 6. The toe box is pretty wide and all Altras sport a 0 mm drop. The drop used by HOKA is 4 mm. Though I am not sure if this is important in trail shoes. I use both and are quite happy with them. The main advantage that I see is that the Altra has a fancy Velcro strap at the heel to attach their proprietary gaiters. They work well, but make me look like I'm wearing Scrooge McDucks shoes XD

I have run on Altras for 4 years. I don't understand the stories about zero drop being bad for your calves or exploding your Achilles. I would love a hater to explain with medical proof about these claims. I love the roomy toe box and feel it allows for better contact with the trail. I have had Olympus 4-6, and they are my long haul high milage 100k+ stomper shoe. For shorter runs, I use the Mt Blanc or Timp because they are more nimble and feel responsive. Watch out on the Olympus 5. They fall apart too fast, IMO but Altra has stood behind their warranty and gave me a credit for them and got a nee pair of Olympus 6. They are built sooooo much better and I have almost 400 miles on this set and they look like they will last a lot longer. I do not run on the road or gym in Altra, so 🤷 in that area.

I’m 6’4” 220 and I am rockin the Altra Olympus 6 and I like it a lot! Some people don’t like the minimal heel drop(4mm) but I find them to be really comfy and awesome for all kinds of rugged terrain (I run trails around Tahoe mostly). They also make a trail gaiter that fits the shoe perfectly and prevents anything from getting into the shoe while running which is super cool. The wide toe box is great too. Whenever I go back to my old Brooks trail runners my toes feel cramped now. I’ve also been eyeing the new Altra Experience Wild 2. Aside from Altra, I saw the new balance fresh foam Hierro shoes online and they look really nice and they also have a wide option as well.

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 spent a day trying different shoes at different shops. The softer heal counter is a driving force - drop, cushioning and wide toebox are also important. The 3 I narrowed it down to were… in 3rd place Altra Olympus 6 (but no drop), in 2nd the New Balance Hierro - seemed good and 1, which surprised me, the Nike Zagama 2 (which was slightly more flexible than the Hierro - a good or bad thing, I’ll report back). The toebox for the Nike has sometimes been described as narrow, when I tried it on it was fine.

Why the big drop wanted? You doing like huge elevation every run? I’d say you want Altra Olympus 6, on my second pair and plan to get a 3rd later this summer. But they are zero drops which I have never look back from. Still do 1k ft elevation on my usual 8-10mi runs, but I stretch the calf and dorsiflex regularly, have no issue. Haven’t rolled an ankle in a year since switching to zero drop, plus my cadence increased, and knees feel so much better.

Olympus 6 is by far my fav. Incredible comfort and I’ve had great luck with durability.

Yup, I have 500+ miles, all trail, and several 3-day hikes in the whites on mine, with plenty of life left. Did a quick 4.5mi today in the snow even! Def getting another pair when needed.

If you already know you like the zero drop and foot shape that altra offers try one of their bigger stacked shoes like the Olympus 6. If that’s too heavy and too much stack try the new timp 5 boa or the topo pursuit. If you want a little bit of drop but still foot shape try the topo Mtn racer or ultraventure.

I'm doing Altra Olympus 6 right now and enjoying them.

I’ve been down the Altra LP route and really loved the 6s, now I have the 8s and they’re just too hard on my soles. My feet really hurt after a long day. Also I have the gtx versions and they are _very_ hot on a hot day. Last time I went out I wore the Altra Olympus 6s and found them to be much more comfortable, but still not great on the heel if I’m honest. But they are certainly more comfortable and cushioned. So I’ve just bought a pair of Hoka Anacapa 2s as I’ve heard good things about them. The cushioning seems really good but if there is an issue it’s that moving from Altras, the toe box feels narrow. I’m not saying that’s an issue yet, I’ve only worn them for fairly short walks for two days so far, but it’s something I’m aware of. If the toes aren’t an issue then I have to say that the comfort is really good so far and I hope they work out, I think they will go a long way to reducing the footsore feeling after a long day on the trail.

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

Did 10 + miles round the Welsh Brecon Beacons last weekend and my feet feel the best they have ever done. it's like floating on air with such a low weigh in every step. the large footbox is the best thing for wide feet and the achilles pillow thing worked well for me. Vibram grip is fantastic up & down hills. The only minor complaint i have is the lowness of the shoe under the ankle - i keep getting tiny stones/bits of dirt flicking into the shoe and have to stop to empty bits out. Solid 9/10 for me

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

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

Did you get anywhere with this? I’ve just received my Olympic 6’s in a UK 10.5 and I love the fit around the mid foot and the roomy toe box is great but I can’t seem to get the heels locked down without having the laces so tight that they’re a bit uncomfortable. Tried heel lock lacing but really the laces are too short for that, I can replace them of course. Did you find a fix? Cheers

I’m hoping the leather Olympus 6 will be an awesome everyday shoe

I Love my Olympus 6 🔥

Altra Olympus 6 Altra Lone Peak 8 Altra Timp 5 Yes, I love Altra lol

I just got my Altra Olympus 6 High top hiking shoes (leather top) and been out today, just love them. I always get the 12.5 for all my Altras, then add my orthodic and often a small heel pad as well. The size is a little too big for me, but building it up makes the shoe the right size. while giving me the ample toebox for my well worn, well aged flat feet.

I absolutely love my Olympus 6s

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

Did my first run in my Olympus 6 a couple weeks ago. It’s was awful. Returned them. The weird heel cup tore my feet up. The huge cushioned was a nice ride but I had to make a conscious effort to pick my feet up higher on anything that wasn’t perfectly graded. Plus they exhausted my ankles due to having to counter the cushy feel. I know many people love them. Not a shoe that works for me. I went back to my Lone Peaks.

I used to love them, but the new version has a tall and stiff heel counter that kills my achilles.

I did a 100K in Lone Peaks, but I changed pairs. However, that was the older Lone Peaks. The Olympus used to be good but the new version has this insanely high heel counter that is painful to me. Beyond that I've had Altras last a long time and ones that ripped in their first run. Altra has very spotty quality.

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.

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’ve been using Altra Olympus as my daily shoe and hiking shoe for years. Love them.

Yes, I regret buying the Speedgoat wide because it squished my pinky toe and midfoot. I have switched to Altra Olympus and it was the perfect fit for me, perfect toe box and my midfoot is no longer squished.

I like zero drop shoes because ones with drop always cause me shin pain. So generally anything under 50 miles are Altra Lone Peaks and anything above are Altra Olympus. But the no drop can be something to get use to. I like my shoes to pretty much just cause my feet from getting bruised, nothing more.

The proprietary Altra outsole is notoriously bad on wet conditions. It’s the one drawback of the Lone Peaks. But the Olympus have a Vibram outsole and performs tremendously in wet and muddy conditions.

I had a couple pairs of the old lone peaks that lasted forever but never really had adequate traction, then I had the Olympus which I still have but they’re yardwork shoes after 250ish miles. They also never had the traction I was looking for. Then I went through 2 pairs of Timp 5s which had the traction but the first pair fell apart at 80 miles and the second pair at 140. I tried Topo mtn racer3s last week and they had the traction I want but they blistered my arches on all 3 of the runs I did in them. Returned them and got Lone Peak 9+ and I’m praying they last 300 miles.

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.

I am in my third pair of altra Olympus shoes. I use them all summer long. I really like them for the downhill because its cushion on the knees is great. If it’s a one day hike, you can really send it on the way down the hill too!

I have tried GoreTex and Seal Skinz and found that shoes or socks that have a membrane end up just as wet by the end of the run because my feet get all sweaty and maybe even heavier because they don't drain for shit. As far as brands go, here is a quick review NNormal (Tomir) started falling apart after 30km. Not impressed with fit, look or durability. Hoka: SG4 fantastic shoe, had 3 pair SG 5, never felt stable in my foot ran maybe 20km before I retired them to leisure shoe. Tecton/x V1 and V2 Super comfortable shoes, dog shit in the mud but I love them on the dry days. V3 blew apart in the forefoot after only two runs. I fixed them but they are not super stable either... we see how much I end up using them in the future. Altra: Lone Peak and Olympus...meh OnClouds went straight to goodwill, Saucony: Peregeine / Endorphin Rift again not impressed with durability and no good for mud and wet roots. Speedland: GL-PDX I looove them, just yesterday I was heading up the mtn and caught my foot on some hidden rebar, this would have destroyed the toe on any other pair of shoes that I own and I was sure I would look down and see a hole... nope, not even a mark. I am greatly impressed. They drain well and have nice traction as good or better than Vibram. GS:RAR Initial impression is that they fit well and after some minor adjustments to lugs are comfortable to run in on the treadmill, nothing outside yet as I will use them in the snow with crampons and in the summer. when it is dry. No experience with Norda, I don't like how they look imo Keep in mind that wool insulates even when wet and if you are going in a long run maybe bring a dry pair along for a pit stop ✅ I recommend this over membranes any day. For reference I run in Southwest Norway where we get around 300 days of rain yearly. Happy Trails 🤙🏼

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’ve done quite a few summer hikes in Alta Olympus (including Agung, Bali) and had no issues: light, comfortable and grippy. They dry quickly as well.

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.

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

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.

If you like Altra, maybe just go with Olympus line? You didn’t specifically say you wore the wide version of Lone Peaks or if you’re just looking for regular shoes that have a wider profile. If you don’t care about drop, Topo Ultraventure 4 wide.

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

Makes sense, but i replace my shoes after 300-400 miles and Altra have always held up that long for me.  If you're looking to get more miles than that, I can't give a fair assessment of any of them  Fwiw, I have Olympus for trails and Torin for the road (half marathon or less).  I had Lone Peak before the Olympus and actually still wear them for hiking or walking trails.    If you're looking for something else, I  wear Saucony Endorphin series for the long stuff.  Mostly because they've got a little drop. However they're a bit snug in the toe compared to the Altra, so it's a trade off.  But tas with the Altra, I can't say how well they'll hold up beyond 400 miles.  Certainly good up to that point though.

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.

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

Another valid option could be regular trail runners with a pair of sealskin (or other brand) of waterproof socks. I used to use the Lone Peaks before switching to the Olympus but don't go for the goretex versions. If I know it's gonna be soaking wet or even involve walking through tall wet grass, I'll take a pair of waterproof socks. No good if you're doing anything involving stream crossings or anything over ankle height water but at that point, nothing is gonna keep your feet dry so might as well get something that let's water drain.

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 😉

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

After 3 caminos with different hiking shoes, I am now totally happy with my trail runners. I had Altra Olympuses, they did great. Not zero blisters but my feet were generally happy.

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.

Soft. Cushy. I recommend all new runners start with a soft shoe because you're about to brutalize your legs in the best way. I'm an Altra man, personally, and I'd recommend the Olympus line because it's the cushiest shoe they offer. As you become more familiar with running and get stronger, you can decide to drop the cushion level. That's actually what I'm doing as well. I've converted two of my friends to Altras and they love them as much as I do.

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.

This is amazing to hear from a fellow TBI survivor and kudos to you for continuing your running. For your trail feedback a shoe with a minimal stack of cushion underfoot typically gives the best feedback. But you also should consider that most thin or minimal shoes might also have a rock plate in them but also if the cushioning is soft or firm it will influence the feedback with firmer usually being better feedback. Zero drop being the answer for feedback is flat out wrong. Zero drop does not equal less foam underfoot, case in point is the Altra Olympus. Very high stack and stiff shoe with zero drop. Also the minimal shoe won’t offer you protection so be mindful of how long you might be able to run in the shoe even while you are slowly getting used to the minimal protection. Consider that even if there is a great option for the minimal shoe that fits the bill for your ground feedback but doesn’t allow you to run even 50% of the length of runs you’d like to be running, well than that is kind of a useless option. I think having a shoe that fits your foot better and better communicates where the shoe is on your foot also outweighs the pure ground feedback as it is more predictable of shoe. Totally my bias but I have fit shoes at Running stores for 15+ years so I’m going to be at least a little biased. Most trail shoes now have Vibram outsole which is really the benchmark for other brands to match. I have personally had multiple pairs of Saucony trail shoes with their Powertrack outsole have every bit as good as traction as Vibram. From Saucony, I believe the Peregrine to have great trail feedback in addition to the Powertrack outsole. Also the traction from Salomon Contagrip is widely regarded as equitable to Vibram. From Salomon, their S-lab pulsar 3 is a fantastic shoe with fairly minimal cushioning, and a firmer cushion that also relays feedback well. I know Inov8 is well regarded for their grip with incredibly tall lugs, sometimes 6-8mm lugs, but those super tall lugs feel like shit on anything but very soft ground that they can dig into. Think about what kind of dirt you have and that will also play a part in the lugs that will grip better. Inov8 definitely fits the category for tall lugs and minimal cushioning for several of their shoes. Altra Maxtrack outsole has been fine but I’ve found it to be not quite up to par with Vibram/Contragrip/Powertrak. Altra with Vibram outsoles has been good but definitely shoot for a lower stack that you can run with and put the mileage you would like to run in. Topo Mtn Racer with Vibram outsole is great grip but might leave trail feedback be desired. I find Topo to fit more locked in overall than Altra. Hoka Zinal is a great minimal trail shoe but leaves traction to be desired unless you have quite hard pack dirt. Hope this helps. Thank you for reading my novel. I apologize

I've got Olympus but the lugs are still pretty shallow. I'm used to an original pair of Innov8 Roclites which are still like tractor tyres (albeit the Goretex failed and they are now glued together for dry walks). However the new Innov8 last shape I find really narrow in the mid and quite long in the toe so I sent them back. Anyone care to share thoughts on Salomon Speedcross or Thundercross as a muddy solution for Altra runners? My feet aren't super wide but I definitely prefer Altra sized toebox.

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

I’m a newbie and a big guy. My calves were blowing up so bad I couldn’t run. Get 300meters. Sometimes 8. Then crippled. Went to running room and they put me on Altra Olympus via 2 and I can now run. Calves don’t even pump!! I have bird legs and little calves. So definitely not strong. I just grabbed a pair of FWD via (5mm drop) to add. My goal is to work up to 8mm drop (novablast. Etc) to see what feels better… faster. More natural. But like those afraid to drop down. I’m afraid to build up lol.

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

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

You really need to try them on — only you can figure out if they’re comfy or not. I LOVED Speedgoat 5 for last hundo and Speedgoat 4 when I did R2R2R. I didn’t think they were really all that “stable”, but I found them light, soft, and good traction. But you could also go with a super built-up shoe like Altra Olympus — again, not what I’d call stable but really saves wear-and-tear on the legs and feet. And I had a lot of great trail runs in Nike Invincible — not a trail shoe, but SO soft and comfy (I liked it a lot more than the Zegama). I don’t think you need a super technical shoe for R2R2R. The most important feature is that you avoid blisters.

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.

I haven’t bought a new pair of cascadias since I think the 12s so take this with a grain of salt, but I really like my Altra Olympus. I also have hobbit feet and moved from the Cascadias because I kept blowing out the side.

Altra Olympus, best trail runner ever

I haven’t worn hiking boots in many years now. I only hike in Altras trail runners (Olympus is my favorite). When I travel for hiking, all I bring is my Altras and a pair of xero sandals.

I haven’t worn hiking boots in many years now. I only hike in Altras trail runners (Olympus is my favorite). When I travel for hiking, all I bring is my Altras and a pair of xero sandals.

Altra Olympus or Topo brand shoes. They’re the best out there. I live in Altras and recently discovered Topo. They’re just as comfortable. I haven’t worn hiking boots in 6+ years now for backpacking, hiking, scrambling, nothing, and I’m better for it

I use ALtra trail runners (lone peak, Olympus), about 75-80% of the time, with waterproof I get the waterproof Lone Peak. For trails where I need more ankle support, I wear full grain leather LEMS. I love the zero drop and the wide toe box both of these brands are known for. YMMV on those aspects- depends on your foot. You may not need/want the wide toe box, it may not be your fit, you may end up with blisters, etc. So best idea? Go to REI or other store when it is slow- and get a good fitting and try on a bunch of options. And then go to another store and do the same. And then figure out what shoe brands/styles work for your feet :).

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.

I live in Asheville and have covered hundreds of miles of trail running around here and many Spartan weekends almost exclusively on Altra Lone Peaks (5/6/7). Except for the uncommonly wet mud-fest at Black Mountain many years ago I've never had grip problems. I've started running in a pair of Olympus for a lot of my training runs, saving the LPs for races, short runs, and race prep. I would recommend Altra trail shoes as you've already been running on zero drop on the road, but I will caution that zero drop on trails (and our elevation) will still take some adjustment. You calf muscles will be screaming after the first few runs. Get some ASAP and get a few short/mid trail runs in before the races.

The Lone Peaks have a wide option. But the normal version of the Lone Peak and the Olympus use Altras "Original Footshape", which is already very wide. I use both because I have a wide midfoot and they fit me well. I was very happy with the Olympus 4. The Olympus 5 was a no go for me and I bought up multiple pairs of the 4s. Haven't tried the 6, but I heard they did a better job with the heel lock, which was a huge problem in the 5s.

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 recently ran a pretty runnable 50k in the Altra Olympus and loved the extra cushion. But I have been running in Altras for years, so I already knew i liked them and am used to the zero drop.

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 own a pair of older Lone Peaks and they are fine boots. I put SeperFeet insoles in them as the factory ones do t have enough support for me. One complaint is they are not very padded. I’ve since switched to the Altra Olympus low tops for backpacking and like them a lot. I normally hike in very rough rocky terrain and they do fine.

I like my Altra Olympus's trail runners for backpacking in rough terrain.. They have a high cushy stack, big toebox and are zero drop. I do put SuperFeet insoles in them as the factory ones don't have enough support for me. Other popular brands are Hoka and Salomon.

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!

Old topic, different thread—but it's worth repeating for those still deciding on footwear. For hiking in fair or wet weather that isn't too cold, trail runners are often the go-to choice. I'm a fan of Altras and regularly wear both the Olympus and Lone Peak models. As with any shoe conversation, the most important factor is fit—specifically, having ample room for your toes. A wide toe box helps prevent discomfort and injury over longer distances. In snowy or cold conditions, I switch to the Danner Crag Rat Evo. They offer great insulation and support. I've also worn the Danner Mountain Light II, but they're on the heavier side. The Mountain 600 is a solid option too—except for two seams located in the middle of the boot. One of those seams runs right across my navicular bone, which causes discomfort. That said, the newer Mountain 600 Evo looks promising and might resolve that particular issue. One downside to wearing Gore-Tex boots year-round is the heat—they tend to trap warmth. Also, if water does get inside, you’ll need to stop and empty them out. They take a long time to dry, often longer than a single day of hiking allows. This isn’t the case with non-waterproof hiking shoes, which dry out more quickly and can be more forgiving in shallow water crossings. Believe it or not, trail runners can actually perform really well on rocky sections. Sure, they don’t last as long as leather boots in terms of durability, but the tradeoff is comfort and weight. Hiking in a well-cushioned trail runner is just a lot more pleasant—especially over long distances—than lugging around heavier boots.

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. 

The Altra Olympus left me in happy tears last weekend. After years and years of horrible blisters due to bunions and aching sore feet due to badly shaped feet, these shoes are it for me. Personally I did not enjoy the transition to zero drop and decided to add some small heel risers. Combined with toe sock liners and a couple pieces of leukotape, for the first time in my life I’m not dreading hiking more than 10 miles. I feel like I have finally cracked the code for my feet!!!

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.

Altra fan here. I use the Lone peaks in the wide version. Huge toe box, absolutely love these things. I've used the Olympus as well for longer distances(50km +) as they have more cushion but I prefer the lone peaks.

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

You could try the Alta Experience Wild - 4mm drop.  I’m quite enjoying them.  I’ve tried to get used to zero drop, hiked in the Olympus for years because they fit my feet so well, but the downside is Achilles pain afterward.

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.

Common with the zero drops....I was in Olympus for a few years...same thing. Give the Altra Experience Wilds a try. 4MM drop has worked for me.

Agree with above, I bought my hiking Altras from a running shop. There website has a good list of stockists. Also good to remember that with Hokas, if you buy from the website or the Covent Garden store you can wear them for 30 days and return them for a full refund if you don’t like them

I fully transitioned marathon training from hoka (4mm) to altra within 6 months, progressively increasing mileage with altras. In my case, zero drop shoes helped having a natural stride and removed some pains in the back and on the shoulders I could experience before. 7 years and counting, never got injured. No harm in trying for yourself and see what feels right as long as you proceed carefully.

For at least a couple of year now, I've been using my zero drop Altras once a week, for a short to mid-distance easy run. Having a shoe rotation and switching it up is a great idea--including with the drop.

It really varies person to person and there is the transition period from 4-12mm drop to 0mm drop. If you take the time to acclimate to 0 drop, you'll generally be find for most distances. This could mean starting with walks around the neighborhood or doing errands in 0 drops and progressively working them into your runs. That said, some individuals might not ever fully acclimate to 0 drops. I wore Altras exclusively for years and while I did 100 milers in them, my calves consistently felt a bit more sore compared to my friends who were in similar shape but ran in 4-8mm drop shoes. How my calves feel at mile 20 for example would be how they felt at mile 30. I still wear 0 drop shoes, but it would be nice to decouple wide toeboxes from drop, which is the space Topo is in.

Having run in Hokas (which only have a 4 or 5mm drop, depending on the shoe) I got some Altras earlier in the year. I just switch between the two brands randomly at the moment, partly because I have a few pairs of Hokas to wear out, partly to gently encourage my Achilles to get used to the zero drop and minimal stack. I’m looking forward to the day I’ve worn through all my Hokas and can go Altra all the time, but in the meantime my Achilles are happier with me for changing slowly.

I switched from an 8mm shoe to zero drop Altras for trail running and my Achilles have never been happier. But, I don’t do road running.

I had the opposite experience re plantar fasciitis with zero drop shoes. Developed PF from tennis, and struggled through a year of stretching, squats, rest, insoles and Naprosyn. Switching to Altras fixed the issue almost immediately.

This is so fascinating to me because I had the opposite experience. Developed PF from tennis, tried literally everything else and then gave zero drop a try as a last ditch effort. Issues resolved quickly and now I don’t even have to stretch or foam roll or anything.

This is so fascinating to me because I had the opposite experience. Developed PF from tennis, tried literally everything else and then gave zero drop a try as a last ditch effort. Issues resolved quickly and now I don’t even have to stretch or foam roll or anything.

Hey OP, hijacking this high-level comment in the hopes that people see this... Here are two excellent podcasts about the purpose and benefits of barefoot shoes by very credible professionals: [Irene Davis and Peter Attia](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MQ4EQau0kFHN6nZDZDAxk?si=C9GZInbdR9G1jrDGtxzsRw) [Courtney Conley and Peter Attia](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5iVi3arAK9aUyCcFQqBFsL?si=gy8W6COZR6-_0Kxm4u4ifw) There are so many effectively uneducated people trying to speak in this topic, from bro-science YouTubers to people like your friend. Experience doesn't replace a proper science-based understanding of not only the biomechanics involved, but also the data on injury occurrence in practice. I only hike and run in Altras and Xeros. The fact that you need to train to wear them just demonstrates that all other shoes are coddling your feet and legs. In that sense, it is *non*-zero-drop shoes that are posing the injury risk, because it is *those* shoes that create the deficit of strength in the first place. Not the other way around.

I love Altra's zero drop, I have two pairs. I also have Saucony Peregrine 13s though with a 4mm drop, that may work better for you.

I have very weak ankles. My left one is rebuilt with titanium plates because I rolled it one too many times. I was very apprehensive about switching to trail runners, specifically zero drop Altra's. I went ahead and tried it and learned something interesting. The frequency of my ankle rolling went way down. I figure the raised heel of traditional shoes/boots were causing me to roll more than my ankles simply being weak. I feel more connected to the ground if that makes sense. Whereas if I put on an older pair of shoes with a drop, I feel wobbly again. I have been wearing altras as everyday wear for almost 3 years and have maybe rolled my ankles 3 times over that time frame. Your results may vary but I think its worth trying out a Zero drop shoe. It may help quite a bit.

I have been in zero drop shoes for about 10 years. Altras have always been the most comfortable for me, but they just don’t last very long. I’m 6’3” 215 pounds, so your results may be better. I’ve pretty much settle on Topos for their decent durability. Since you have narrow feet, you might look at something from Astral. The compound they use for their sole (G rubber) is amazing. Like walk over wet, moss covered rocks with zero shits given type of amazing. I have a wide, high volume forefoot so they just aren’t great for me overall. My Goldilocks would be Altra comfort/Topo quality and durability/Astral sole

Lone peaks have zero drop, which means when you land on your foot you should be landing more towards the balls of your feet and with your feet below your center of mass. This is a more natural running form. If you’re heel striking in zero drop shoes, especially running up or down hill, it’s going to stretch out your tendons way past your norm. I run in zero drop Altras for trail and road.

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 have been told by my podiatrist that my feet are hypermobile and I run and hike (lots) in zero drop trail runners only (inov-8 and Altra). Never had boots for any of my adult-life serious long distance hiking. I agree that your PT should give you specific strengthening exercises for your particular issues but I see no advantage wearing boots … just heavy and hot and very slow drying. Every blue moon I roll an ankle but that’s because of tough terrain, not boots, and I’ve never injured my ankles in the process.

I've put over 2000 miles into a couple pairs of Altra runners. I have boots I use for more rugged adventures with lots of ankle rolling risks, but for 90% of trails, runners are too comfortable and light to not wear.

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.

I’ve switched almost entirely to trail runners including on a lot,of rugged terrain. I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. I like the padding, but have found lower drop shoes to be better for this. Altras are good, but I destroy them in about 300 miles. Trying Topos right now. Not as padded, but low drop with a wide toe box and they seem to be holding up better.

Trail runner will be fine. I was talking to a guy recently that said the AT requires real boots. But even by his argument, trail runners will be fine. The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka. Altras and Topos have less to zero drop and they don’t have this occur for me. Though Altras kind of suck for durability (expect 300 miles unless they fixed things). And Topos have less padding and are not as comfortable.

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.

I did Paintbrush Divide last July, and this was my exact experience. I wore my Altra trail runners, and they held up well for most of my hike. There was a lot of rain on Day 1, and my shoes were so wet that I they were still damp when I started on Day 2. I continued up to Holly Lake and conditions were MUCH better for that hike...until about 8000', when I started to hit packed snow on the trail. My shoes thankfully dried out and were never a problem again. Our goal on Day 3 was to go up and over the Divide and continue back through Cascade Canyon, and most of our hike that day had crampons to deal with snow/ice on the trail. Unfortunately, we had to turn back just a few hundred yards from the summit because we didn't have ice tools and just didn't want to risk it. The ranger on the trail laughed at us and said basically, "That's what you get for coming in July. See you in mid-August next year."

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.

Topo is the correct answer. Go with Altras if you dont mind your achilles blowing up

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.

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.

Everything you listed is a valid choice. People have different preferences. I have a few options depending on trail in the mood My default are Merrill Moab 3. I like how cool they keep me, they obviously excel in water (canyoneering, rafting, or just crossing), and I don’t usually feel the need for additional support/padding. I have even boot packed snow for six hours in them. I had wool socks on so plenty warm, even though my feet were soaked. I also have more traditional hiking boots. Columbia Newton Ridge mid WP for cold weather, if my ankles are sore, and just to mix up the pressure points on a multi day trip. Last, I have Altra trail runners. These are incredibly comfortable and I will use them if I’m on pavement, decomposed granite, or bare dry rock.

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.

Altra makes trail runners with a wide toe box. They’re my favorite right now. La sportive has been so so but durable in the past with narrower toe box than altra

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

For overnight hiking trips I've switched to Altra trail runners and love them, used to use hiking boots and then hiking shoes but these are so much better. I usually am barefoot in a canoe, switch to a keen style sandal for portaging to protect my toes. I always bring crocs (from giant tiger) for camp shoes.