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Altra Olympus 4: Trail Running with Ultra Cushion & Style
- The Average Joe Runner
- Nov 9, 2021
- 4 min read
The redesigned Olympus 4.0 is Altra’s most max-cushioned trail running shoe, created for runners looking for more support under their foot or going the distance on their next ultra marathon.
SPECS
Weight: 11.6 oz / 329 g
Stack Height: 33 mm
Heel to Toe Drop: 0mm
Colors: 5 Men & 4 Women Options (Men: Black/White/Red, Black/Steel Blue, Red/Black, Blue/Yellow, Green/Orange.) (Women: Navy/Light Blue/Mint Green, Navy/Coral, Black/White/Red, Black/Light Blue/Grey)
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
This shoe is solidly built, great traction and comfortable. It is built more for going the distance than for extremely rugged terrain.
Prior to this version of the Altra Olympus 4.0, I never even considered a max cushioned trail running shoe. I like to feel the ground under my feet, with just the right balance of cushion. Not to mention that fact that most max cushioned shoes (trail and road) look plain stupid, haha!
So, imagine my surprise when the white, black and red version of this shoe caught my attention. Personally, I think this particular color scheme of the Olympus 4.0 is Altra’s best looking trail running shoe to date, with several other good color choices.
A bit shallow, I know, but when you spend so much money on a shoe, you want them to look as good as they feel and last even longer. Not to mention the fact that the updated look finally made me want to test a shoe that I previously refused to even try on--and they have not disappointed!
FIT & FEEL
The Olympus 4.0 is everything that you would expect from a max-cushioned shoe--comfortable. You glide over rocks and rough terrain without much worry or thought. At the time of this review, I put 100 miles on the shoe and have not experienced any rubbing or annoyances. They also felt great right out of the box.
The shoe fits true to size and the wide toe box gives your foot plenty of room, but doesn’t feel sloppy. There was no need to go a half-size up, as is often recommended for trail shoes, to give your feet room so they don’t rub the toes when running downhill.
As someone who is used to trail running shoes with much less cushion, the only funny thing I noticed was that I needed to lift my knees just a bit higher than what I am sub-consciously used to, and I needed to pay a bit more attention to not rolling my ankle, due to the higher stack on the sole. Not a deal breaker, but definitely something to keep in mind.
Since this shoe has such a thick stack height, Altra did not include a rock plate, which is fairly common for max cushioned shoes. This allows the shoe to be more responsive to feel the ground a bit better when the sole is so thick. A rock plate combined with a thick sole can cause the shoe to be too stiff.
However, the traction on this shoe only provides foam under the arch of the foot. This is the only part of my foot where I DO NOT want to feel the ground. So, it makes me hesitant to come down hard on a rock when I am jumping and trying to go a bit more hard-core, parkour on downhill trail runs.
I have definitely felt large rocks hit the arch of my foot on more aggressive terrain, but nothing on moderate to light terrain, and nothing painful. I personally wouldn’t mind a rock plate or rubber on the outsole just under the arch of the foot.
BUILD
The upper has a durable mesh that breathes well. The front of the shoe has a nice firm material that protects your toes from stubbing on rocks, roots and other obstacles on the trail, but with little drains for water. It also has great heel-lock and the laces cinch tight. The tongue is shaped to the groves of your leg, which is a nice touch to prevent rubbing.
As is the case with all Altra trail running shoes, the Olympus 4.0 has a hook-loop to attached gaiters in the front and Velcro in the back. The Olympus does not have the side loops for gaiters to hook in to like the Altra Lone Peaks.
TRACTION
The outsole of these shoes use the Vibram® MegaGrip™, which has great traction in loose dirt, wet rocks and in the mud. The lugs underneath are mid-sized. Not too aggressive and not too light.
The Vibram rubber lugs are primarily located on the forefoot of the shoe, along the sides and in the back. I love the way the lugs stick out the back a bit for the extra confidence and grip going downhill.
Under the middle of the outsole the lugs are only foam, starting from the arch of the foot to the back in a small area. So far, I have not seen an issue with traction, but the foam already seems to be wearing down, while the rubber portions still seem like-new. So, I wonder about the long-term durability and traction on the foam portion of the outsole.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Comfortable
True to size & great fit
Durable build & practical design
Awesome aesthetic design
Cons
Only foam under the arch of the foot
Neutral
Max cushioned
Moderate sized outsole lugs
No rock plate
WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT THE AVERAGE JOE RUNNER
Well, his real name is actually Dave...but "The Average Joe Runner" seemed like a catchy name for a blog. Born a sprinter, but converted to distance running in adulthood, Dave has run for more than 25 years. He is the father of four awesome kids and the husband to one amazingly talented, smart and fast-running wife.
The Average Joe Runner blog and website was born after Dave continued to get questions from friends and family alike for running tips and gear advice. However, this blog is also meant to hear from other Average Joe and Jane Runners out there. You can contribute to the blog by clicking Submit or Request. Follow The Average Joe Runner on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @TheAvgJoeRun. Read More.
One detail that often gets overlooked with highly cushioned trail shoes is how running technique changes over longer distances. A higher stack can reduce fatigue, but it may also require a bit more attention to foot placement on uneven ground until the stride adapts. That balance between comfort and stability is something many runners only notice after several outings rather than during the first test run. The same principle of gradually building confidence through practical experience also applies in professional training, whether on the trails or in an advanced diploma in construction management, where consistent practice often matters more than first impressions.
Great review! The Altra Olympus 4 really does strike that perfect balance between plush comfort and rugged performance—the ultra-cushion midsole makes even the longest miles feel smooth, and the Vibram outsole gives you total confidence on loose terrain. It’s rare to find a shoe that delivers this much underfoot protection without feeling clunky. The style is a nice bonus too—finally, a trail shoe that looks as good as it performs. Almost makes me wish I could cover my home gym floor with the same level of durable, cushioned comfort—kind of like how Luxury Vinyl Flooring UK transforms a space with resilience and aesthetic appeal. Whether on the trails or at home, it’s all about that perfect mix of function and…
"After countless miles on technical terrain, the Altra Olympus 4 has completely won me over—the ultra-cushion absorbs every rock and root like a dream, while the wide toe box and zero-drop design keep my feet happy even on marathon-distance days, and I love that the sleek, modern colorways bring serious style to the trail without looking overly bulky. Whether I'm charging down steep descents or cruising through muddy single-track, the Vibram outsole gives me unwavering confidence in every step. And honestly, the only thing that could make my post-run routine better is ordering some fluffy pineapple buns and egg tarts from an online oriental bakery to refuel with a little sweetness after all that sweat—because great runs and great treats…
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