Backside Line
Technically designed for path working, the Altra Olympus 6 is a superb climbing shoe that’s snug, sturdy, and protecting on long-distance treks. When it comes to match, it’s greatest suited to these with wider toes from heel to toe, though the lacing system may be snugged down for a safe match. Our gear analyst has hiked in Olympus fashions for years, masking a whole lot of miles over a number of generations of the shoe, and he or she continues to be impressed by their assist and resilience on difficult terrain.
General, the Olympus 6 is a superb selection for hikers searching for extra assist, construction, and sturdiness than Altra’s standard Lone Peak. It’s best suited to dry, rocky trails and people with wider toes. In case you’re searching for strong water resistance, fast drying time, or unfaltering grip on slippery terrain, it’s price testing different fashions in our lineup of the greatest ladies’s climbing sneakers.
How We Examined
We examined the Altra Olympus 6s all through the northern California State Park system, analyzing their efficiency over a number of miles on gravel, moist and dry rock, creek crossings, and singletrack trails. We studied each function of this shoe to find out its worth, together with the distinctive padded heel cup (dubbed the Achilles pillow), signature zero-drop design, pure FootShape, flared heel, and braking lugs.
On the path, we assessed consolation, sturdiness, traction, weight, and climate resistance by means of side-by-side testing with different top-performing climbing sneakers in the marketplace. We examined the sneakers in each moist and dry circumstances, even submerging them in water to gauge their moisture resistance and drying time.
Fast Specs
Ladies’s Altra Olympus 6
Greatest Mountain climbing Footwear for Lengthy-Distance Treks
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$185
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 5.9 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
0 mm
Professionals
- Broad toe field and zero-drop design lend a really pure really feel
- Wonderful safety, stability, and sturdiness
- Safe lacing system
- Good consolation out of the field
- Breathable
- Wonderful grip on dry terrain
Cons
- A bit slippery in moist circumstances
- Slender heels could slip within the shoe
- The Achilles pillow is a little bit polarizing
- Not waterproof and doesn’t drain effectively when submerged
Consolation
With a large toe field, foot-mimicking form, zero-drop design, and taller stack top, the Altra Olympus 6 presents excellent out-of-box consolation for masking lengthy distances. The midsole is stiffer than it’s plush, however this provides to the sneakers’ longevity, floor really feel, and general responsiveness. The shoe additionally comes with a novel padded heel cup referred to as an Achilles pillow. We discovered this function a bit cumbersome and awkward initially, however as soon as we hit the path, we barely observed it.
The Olympus does run a bit bigger within the heel, which might trigger our foot to slide if the lacing system isn’t snugged down correctly (together with utilizing the extra eyelets on the prime for further safety). It’s additionally a little bit clunkier than Altra’s standard Lone Peak, though you get higher stability, safety, and sturdiness. We additionally skilled much less foot fatigue in comparison with the Lone Peak.
Traction
To totally check the traction on the Olympus 6, we hiked on each moist and dry trails, together with a creek crossing the place we needed to hop throughout slick boulders. Ultimately, the sneakers impressed confidence on dry surfaces like gravel and rock, however they struggled to grip moist boulders and slippery trails. This will make rock-hopping throughout a creek a bit treacherous.
The lug sample offers nice grip on steep inclines and declines, and it sheds mud pretty effectively on the path. The Olympus 6 additionally options braking lugs on the heel to boost stability and grip when slowing down. On the forefoot, Altra makes use of multi-directional lugs to spice up grip and higher defend the metatarsals.
The flared heel design on the Olympus is geared extra in the direction of stability than traction, however it nonetheless helps enhance the quantity of floor space between the tread and the bottom. This offers further safety on rugged or off-camber terrain and steep downhills, which might cut back the probability of rolling an ankle.
Weight
At 1 pound 4.4 ounces per pair, the Olympus 6 is about common amongst our favourite climbing sneakers. Our toes didn’t really feel encumbered throughout testing, and we skilled considerably much less fatigue after lengthy days out than we did when climbing within the Altra Lone Peaks.
Although the Olympus 6 feels barely bulkier and clunkier than different sneakers in its weight class, the benefits are higher stability, elevated foot safety, and a taller stack top to scale back foot fatigue. The shoe can be made with sturdy supplies and a strong outsole design, which some light-weight opponents lack.
Sturdiness
The Altra Olympus 6 is a extremely sturdy shoe with protecting overlays, abrasion-resistant mesh, a considerable Vibram Megagrip outsole, and compression-molded foam. Our gear analyst has used earlier fashions of the Olympus for years, masking a whole lot of miles earlier than the higher and midsole started to interrupt down. The Olympus 6 seems to be on the identical monitor, with wonderful longevity all through testing. Our solely space of concern is the Achilles pillow, which can put on out over time because of the fixed friction of sliding our foot out and in of the shoe.
Climate Resistance
Climate resistance is the one space the place the Olympus 6 fell quick in our testing. Throughout our hike, we submerged the uppers of the sneakers in a creek and instantly received our socks moist. Water absorbed shortly by means of the mesh uppers with out beading off the fabric, making the Olympus 6 a poor selection for inclement circumstances or hikes with plenty of water crossings. On the intense aspect, this interprets to nice breathability for decent and sweaty days.
As soon as water enters the shoe, it doesn’t drain effectively. After by accident slipping into the creek throughout a crossing and utterly submerging a foot, we instantly felt water pooling contained in the shoe. As soon as we eliminated the shoe, we needed to bodily pour water out, and the shoe took some time to completely dry out. That mentioned, it’s vital to notice that this occurred through the winter, and the sneakers possible would have dried faster in hotter temperatures.
Ought to You Purchase the Altra Olympus 6?
The Altra Olympus 6 is a superb selection for these searching for a extra protecting, steady, and sturdy various to the Lone Peak. Each sneakers share the zero-drop form, huge toe field, pure FootShape match, and nice out-of-the-box consolation that Altra is understood for. General, it’s an excellent selection for long-distance hikes on dry terrain, offering standout consolation and higher safety and sturdiness than most path runners.
In case you spend plenty of time in moist circumstances, it’s possible price choosing a water-resistant shoe. The Olympus additionally runs huge, so these with slender toes could wish to look elsewhere, though we discovered the lacing system efficient for snugging issues down. And there are actually lighter choices obtainable, however you may count on to make sacrifices in areas like assist and sturdiness.
What Different Ladies’s Mountain climbing Footwear Ought to You Take into account?
Although the Altra Olympus 6 sneakers may go for some hikers, there are a selection of different appropriate selections to think about. We’ve included a number of choices under, and you may take a look at extra in our information to one of the best ladies’s climbing sneakers.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Overview: In case you favor a decrease stack top, a little bit extra flexibility, and barely higher water resistance than the Olympus, the Lone Peak is an effective wager. Nevertheless, the Olympus presents higher safety and sturdiness, and we discovered it higher at decreasing foot fatigue on high-mileage days.
HOKA Speedgoat 7 Overview: The Speedgoat 7 presents related assist and safety in a barely lighter and cheaper bundle. It additionally repels water higher than the Olympus and presents superior traction in moist circumstances. Nevertheless, the Altra is extra exact and fewer clunky when the going will get technical.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Overview: The Topo Ultraventure 4s are an excellent possibility if you happen to’re searching for one thing light-weight, breathable, and grippy. They’re barely extra plush than the Olympus however nonetheless really feel very pure underfoot. Ultimately, we favor the Topos for informal hikes, whereas the Olympus will get our vote for extra strenuous, long-distance treks.
