Altra Olympus is considered the best trail running and trend-changing shoes among all others in the market. Altra shoes are famous because of their zero drop and wide toe box features and Olympus are the biggest trail shoes of Altra.
Olympus 4 and 5 are both perfect shoes for technical terrains and provide all-day comfort and cushioning to your feet on every type of land. Both these models are equipped with a pack of technologies and features. But which one is better for you, Let’s discuss it but first, go through the comparison table.
Comparison Table Between Altra Olympus 4 and 5:
| Features | Altra Olympus 4 | Altra Olympus 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launched In | 2020 | 2022 |
| Stability | Less stable | More stable |
| Flexibility | Less flexible | More flexible |
| Sizing | 7-14 for men and 5-12 for women | 7-15 for men and 5.5-12 for women |
| Weight | 11.2 oz for men and 10.2 oz for women | 12.3 oz for men and 10.4 oz for women |
| Cushion | Less cushioned | More cushioned |
| Outsole | Vibram Mega Grip rubber | Vibram Mega Grip |
| Midsole | Altra EGO foam | Compression-moulded EGO Max foam and EVA |
| Upper sole | Breathable mesh | Engineered mesh |
| Retail Price | $159 | $170 |
Altra Olympus 4 Vs. 5: Good, Bad and The Worst:
Now you have an overview of both models along with their prices and launching date. It is time to discuss the factors that make a huge difference between these two models.
1) Comfort
Olympus 4 is the most comfortable and cushioned shoe because of its proper fit that is why it is perfect for long-distance trails and provides maximum shock absorption.
The wide toe box of these shoes enhances the natural foot movement and reduces the risk of discomfort while the midsole is equipped with EVA foam which provides a soft and cushioned ride.
Olympus 5 is another comfortable Altra trail running shoe which is a new version of Olympus 4 so it has a more breathable upper mesh with Max EGO foam for more cushioning and comfort.
This model also has a wide toe box which enhances natural foot movement and provides comfort to feet and absorbs shock on rugged terrains.
2) Popularity
Both Olympus 4 and 5 are popular shoes among trail runners because of some reasons.
These shoes are comfortable and versatile allowing one to use them on all types of terrains, Their wide toe box enhances natural foot movement and better traction preventing the risk of slipping and falling on any surface.
3) Running
Both Olympus 4 and 5 are designed to run on different types of trails because of their comfort and versatility which make them a superb choice for running activities.
The zero drop effect of both shoes keeps the heel and forefoot at the same distance from the surface which enhances natural foot gait.
Due to the use of EVA and Max EGO midsole, these shoes are more cushioned and energy efficient while running on all types of terrains than all other trail running shoes.
Due to the megagrip outsole, these shoes enhance traction on all surfaces which keeps the feet from injuries and issues.
Though these shoes are perfect for trail running they are not a good option for road running which means these are only designed to handle technical and rugged terrains. So for road running, you should choose another pair of shoes.
4) Walking
Similar to running, these shoes are mainly designed for trail walking because of their durable and cushioned construction which makes them imperfect for road walking. So it is better to find another pair of shoes for road walking.
5) Flat feet
Both Olympus 4 and 5 are considered the best shoes for flat feet because of their wide toe box which allows natural movement to flat feet and the zero drop features which keep heel and forefoot at the same distance and enhance natural foot gait which is also necessary for flat feet.
However, it is not necessary that these shoes are perfect for all people with flat feet. So before choosing any of these shoes for flat feet, make sure to consult the podiatrist about the right running shoes and check the comfort level and arch support of both Olympus 4 and 5.
6) Design
Olympus 4 are versatile and comfortable shoes with a breathable mesh upper that enhances the airflow during trail running and the well-padded tongue on the upper keeps your feet comfortable. For more advanced foot protection, the shoes come with an upper gaiter attachment.
The midsole of Olympus 4 is equipped with EGO foam which offers more cushioning, flexibility, and shock absorption on all types of trails and the energy efficiency of these shoes makes them perfect for a responsive ride.
The outsole is made from Vibram Megagrip technology which enhances the durability of shoes making them perfect for trail running and better grip, especially on rough trails.
Olympus 5 is the newer version of Olympus 4 but almost similar in design. The upper of these shoes is made of engineered mesh with overlays that enhance comfort and cushioning by increasing airflow throughout the feet. The tongue on the upper of these shoes doesn’t offer a plusher look but provides maximum cushioning.
The midsole is equipped with compression molded EGO max foam which means these shoes are more cushioned than the old version on Olympus 4 which gives a soft and stable feel on different terrains while running.
The outsole is made of Vibram megagrip rubber with lug patterns that provide a better grip to shoes without exposing the midsole on rocky and technical terrains.
What do customers think?
Altra has introduced two famous trail running shoes known as Olympus 4 and 5. As Olympus 5 is the newer model but doesn’t have many differences compared to Olympus 4. However, there are some things that customers like in Olympus 4 but not in 5 and vice versa. So let’s discuss customer’s thinking about these shoes:
Olympus 4: Many customers like these shoes for tough trails because of their comfort and maximum cushioning which never let them feel tired.
Some people say that they are in love with these shoes because of their wide toe box that allows free movement of the foot and the aggressive tread of these shoes provide maximum traction on all types of trails.
The zero drop of these shoes is the loving feature of many customers who want maximum control on running.
While many people said that they really hate the durability of these shoes because they are not as durable as Altra claims that is why they will never buy these shoes again for trail running.
Some customers also considered these shoes heavy and uncomfortable on long runs.
Olympus 5: The zero drop feature of these shoes is the love of many customers because of no foot injury which keeps feet comfortable during trail running.
Most customers are happy with the maximum cushioning and foot shape of Olympus 5 and recommend these shoes for all trail running.
Many people are unhappy with the fit of these shoes and they say that the older version was the best of all. They also don’t like the low arch and less wide toe box which is not perfect for foot movement.
A customer said that he had bought these shoes for hiking and after two hikes, these got damaged and became worse and worse with time.
People also don’t like the quality of these shoes which allows them to switch to another pair of shoes.
Conclusion: Which Is Better?
Altra Olympus 4 and 5 are two famous trail running shoes but these also come with some differences.
The Olympus 4 is the perfect lightweight and comfortable shoe with less price. While Olympus 5 has a more updated upper and midsole for maximum cushioning that makes it perfect for long runs on rough terrains.
Now it is your choice which shoes you prefer but keep your preferences and needs in mind while choosing any of these pair of shoes.