Do not even try to twist this into a larger metaphor of who would crush the other in a monster street brawl, and definitely do not make this a political matchup… it’s a shoe review, dangit! Taylor Bodin is a trail and ultrarunner living in Estes Park, CO, with his wife and daughter. Running in the shoe, I felt quick-footed and experienced a rebound that had me trying to go neck-and-neck with passing mountain bikers. The heel felt pretty secure, but my midfoot and forefoot skated around inside the shoe on any switchback or semi-technical footing. I tested this Altra on the road, treadmill, trail, and rocky terrain. So, if you have been in the Altra cult since the beginning, listen up. It could go low and slow comfortably over technical terrain and it was also responsive to handle fast miles on hard-packed dirt and rail trails.”. I like a wide toe box as much as anyone, but the midfoot needs to be secure, otherwise, you’re just asking to bust your ass running on anything even remotely technical. It’s equipped with features that make them a unique option. TAYLOR: There are just a couple of things that I do not like about this shoe. Note: 4/5 . The Superior doesn’t provide the kind of underfoot protection I prefer on rockier trails or on days when I’m carrying a pack, but it still sits in my shoe rotation when I want to wear something fast and comfortable. ERIN: This is, I think, the third iteration of the Olympus that I’ve reviewed (maybe it’s the second?) I was hesitant initially, as some previous trail shoes caused shin pain for me. Unfortunately, unique doesn’t mean the Provision is going to be the best trainer for everyone. I’m excited to run in them in the snow to see how they do.”, Doris G., Tester since 2017Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel“Of all the trail shoes I have tested in the past, including another Altra, this was the most comfortable trail shoe to date. https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a33563601/altra-olympus-4-review It is very trail-ready though! Also, $170? The combination of such a wide base, tons of cushion underneath, and the Altra foot-shaped principle do not make for the best combo for having a locked-in fit. This feels natural and– as I said before– very balanced. The grooves also help drop weight on the Olympus (.3 oz from the previous model). Though the wide, squarish toe looked almost clownish and felt clunky at first to some testers, a secure lacing system and new gusseted tongue prevented any foot sliding, ensuring a comfortable and stable ride. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. However, it retains the qualities that have made it so successful. That said, it is one of the few models that retains some of its classic technology. When I’m not testing shoes, I stick to the road for the majority of my running. At first, I had struggles finding the right fit … To begin, its all-new look features a redesigned upper that is meant to improve breathability and durability. Olympus 4.0 equips the most recent, so-called "Vibra Mega" grip technology of Altra. All in all, I’ve found the Olympus 4.0 to be quite comfortable to wear while running. Altra Olympus 3.5 ($150) Introduction. At $110, the Superior 4.0 is very high value pick that is sure to make a lot of fe… King MT 2.0 (Men's - Women's) 10/16. While the Olympus 4.0 isn’t my first choice for running super technical terrain or at faster paces, I have found myself reaching for it for a wide variety of runs. Enter the Altra Olympus 4, a shoe that’s as hulking as it sounds and ready to handle the fire of the gods. T hese are only approximate values … Another layer of protection and trail security is added with a Vibram MegaGrip outsole. Number one: ouchy on my bank account! When not running, Taylor is a Kindergarten/1st grade teacher, running coach, and youth leader for his church. TAYLOR: The Olympus 4 received a few performance and cosmetic updates that are all welcomed. Really performance oriented pick. And as a maximally cushioned shoe, it will keep your feet safe and … While the Olympus 4 looks sleeker than prior Olympuses (not a difficult task to achieve), the fit is really not great. If you run, we don’t have to tell you who (but yeah we’re talking about HOKA). Lot of inherent stability $ 170Type: TrailDrop: ZeroWeight: 11.6 oz ( m,. To begin, its all-new look features a redesigned upper that is meant to improve breathability and.! Fit and another comfortable touch 11.6 oz ( m ), the and... The balanced cushioning in a monster truck package, ” one tester said a more and. 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