Altra Olympus 275 Review

The Altra Olympus 275 ($195) is a maximally cushioned, zero-drop path shoe constructed for lengthy days, technical terrain, and situations the place confidence and safety matter. It matches simply into a daily rotation of footwear as a result of it handles virtually something. The cushioning is smooth and protecting, the traction is excellent in moist and muddy environments, and the Matryx higher gives one of the crucial safe and sturdy matches Altra has supplied in years. The shoe has a excessive 33-millimeter stack, but it stays surprisingly steady. It has an precise weight of 11.1 ounces (314 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9, and its mixture of consolation, drainage, and grip makes it a reliable selection for lengthy runs, blended terrain, and unpredictable mountain climate.

I attain for the Olympus 275 on days once I want a locked-in higher, dependable traction, and cushioning that saves my legs with out dropping all floor really feel. It has develop into a go-to for West Virginia spring and summer time situations when warmth, humidity, and excessive stream crossings are the norm. It drains nicely and performs constantly whether or not the path is dry, technical, or slick with mud. I discovered that the shoe didn’t want a break-in interval and was snug proper out of the field.

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Altra Olympus 275 Higher

A lateral view of the Altra Olympus 275.

The Altra Olympus 275 higher is a standout function. It matches true to measurement, and has the model’s FootShape toebox, which is wider than the typical shoe and gives loads of house for the toes. The match is superb for runners with wider ft or those that need their toes to splay naturally. The Matryx higher does a exceptional job of forming to the foot with out feeling unfastened or sloppy. Even on lengthy runs the place different uppers start to stretch or lose construction, this one holds agency. I can lace the footwear as soon as and head out for hours while not having to regulate something.

Whereas not a full-on gaiter, the shoe has what the model calls a scree sleeve, which is an additional piece of stretchy materials across the ankle collar. It gives a tighter match and does an impressive job preserving particles out. Not like increased built-in gaiters, this one doesn’t make it more durable to get the shoe on and off, and it’s not unfastened or dishevelled like another built-in gaiters will be. It wraps the ankle securely and provides to the locked-in really feel with out creating stress factors, and it isn’t visually jarring.

The Matryx materials breathes nicely, and the higher performs nicely in scorching and humid situations. I discovered that it dries shortly after stream crossings or operating on rain-soaked trails. Over a number of lengthy runs via unmaintained West Virginia trails, together with these with rocks, roots, and heavy underbrush, the higher has held up with no indicators of tearing or untimely put on after greater than 100 miles. I’ve skilled no hotspots, no heel slip, and no stress factors, and I feel this is without doubt one of the most snug and dependable uppers Altra has created.

Altra Olympus 275 Midsole

A medial view of the Altra Olympus 275.

The Altra Olympus 275 midsole is smooth, protecting, and extra responsive than anticipated for a shoe with a 33-millimeter stack peak. The EVA foam feels plush with out muting the path utterly, and it transitions easily between simpler and extra up-tempo paces. The large platform retains the shoe steady, regardless of the peak, and I by no means felt prefer it was tippy, even on off-camber or rocky terrain. Straight underfoot, the TPEE sockliner provides a bit of additional cushion and luxury.

The Olympus 275 offers again what you place in. For cruising efforts or restoration runs, it settles right into a easy, straightforward rhythm. For average up-tempo operating, it stays responsive, and I by no means felt slowed down by its cushion or weight. I haven’t taken it via a real interval session, however I might really feel snug making an attempt it — uncommon for a shoe with this a lot cushion.

The principle consideration with this shoe is the zero-drop platform, which isn’t for everybody. Whereas the cushioning and geometry make operating snug, zero-drop footwear can place extra load on the calves and Achilles tendons, particularly on uphills. After multi-hour runs, I felt some next-day soreness in my calves, particularly early on. The shoe feels pure as soon as you agree into it, however runners new to zero-drop could wish to transition slowly into them and preserve one other shoe with some drop within the rotation.

General, the midsole strikes a superb stability between safety, responsiveness, and long-run consolation.

Altra Olympus 275 Outsole

The outsole of the Altra Olympus 275.

The Altra Olympus 275 outsole is manufactured from Vibram Megagrip rubber, and it’s one of many shoe’s largest strengths. Megagrip is used on many path footwear, because it delivers dependable traction throughout just about each floor, together with dry dust, slick mud, moist rock, roots, and unfastened gravel. The Vibram rubber covers about 50% of the underside of the shoe, leaving the midsole uncovered all through the midfoot. This serves to extend the flexibleness of the shoe and save weight. Grooves within the outsole alongside the forefoot permit for elevated lateral flexibility as nicely.

I’ve not slipped on this shoe, even on steep climbs and descents in moist situations. For races or lengthy coaching runs the place rain or mud are forecasted, the Olympus 275 is a best choice and will simply function a main shoe.

Sturdiness has additionally been glorious. The lugs present minimal put on after greater than 100 miles of operating, and the outsole continues to really feel safe and predictable throughout altering terrain. That is the kind of shoe I might belief on runs that contain blended situations and technical trails the place footing issues.

Altra Olympus 275 General Impressions

A prime view of the Altra Olympus 275.

The Altra Olympus 275 is a flexible and protecting path shoe that excels in moist situations, technical terrain, and lengthy distances. The Matryx higher gives one of the crucial safe matches in the marketplace, the cushioning is smooth however not sluggish, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole affords confidence on all the pieces from clear singletrack to muddy climbs. It’s a shoe that works for practically any run besides the quickest race efforts or interval days, and even then, it stays succesful.

Whereas the zero-drop geometry could require an adjustment interval, particularly on steep uphills, the general package deal is snug, sturdy, and extremely useful. For runners who get pleasure from zero-drop footwear or these seeking to transition to the shoe style progressively, the Olympus 275 is without doubt one of the most reliable choices accessible. It handles something that you may throw at it and is a dependable addition to any path rotation.

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