Altra Olympus 5 Hike Mid GTX - follow up.

[FRM]

This review is much later than intended. I started from Pamplona in March as planned, with hopes to walk the Inverno over Easter. However, life got complicated and I only got as far as Castrojeriz before needing to head home for family medical issues. All is good now. The post Camino review follows.

My initial post (see https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ympus-5-hike-mid-gtx-first-impressions.78866/ ) was written shortly after purchasing the Altra Olympus. I was attracted by the more substantial padding on the soles of the boots. After walking the Portuguese in Lone Peaks I vowed to find a boot with more “stuff” between my foot and the ground. The Olympus definitely meets this need. The thicker sole makes a world of difference.

As I noted in my earlier review the sole is about 30% thicker than the Lone Peak (33mm vs. 25mm). While thicker, it still allows for a feel of the terrain. I really didn’t notice the extra weight of the shoe, but it does feel more substantial in general.

While I’d walked about 50 miles at home before starting in Pamplona, it took 4-5 Camino days for the boots to completely break in. Another area where the upper part of the tongue is sewn in required a bit of trimming to relieve a pressure sore. After that they were nearly as comfortable as any Lone Peak I’ve worn. Since I walk in March I’m not really bothered by hot feet. This could very well be an issue in the summer for some. The low tops without the waterproof membrane would be my choice for warmer weather.

Also noteworthy was how well the treads of the boots wore. I think you would have a good deal of tread left over after after a full Camino.

In short I really like the Altra Olympus and they are my new go to footwear for Spain.

 

[Pathfinder89]

I also wore Altra Olympus 4 last year (14 days of walking Pamplona to Fromista) and Olympus 5 this year (19 days from Porto to Santiago to Finisterre). I loved both pairs and found them definitely more comfortable and lighter than Merrell Moab I used in the past.

 

[Rickcrna]

I wore the Altra Lone Peak 7 shoes for the Camino Portuguese Coastal last month from Porto to Santiago and appreciate your review of the Olympus. I loved the extra wide toe box of the LP but found I wanted more padding on the soles esp when walking on cobblestones, lots of asphalt and some of the rocky trail. I plan to investigate further the Olympus prior to doing the Camino Francés next Spring. What a fantastic way to travel!

 

[curlylottie]

'

This review is much later than intended. I started from Pamplona in March as planned, with hopes to walk the Inverno over Easter. However, life got complicated and I only got as far as Castrojeriz before needing to head home for family medical issues. All is good now. The post Camino review follows.

My initial post (see https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ympus-5-hike-mid-gtx-first-impressions.78866/ ) was written shortly after purchasing the Altra Olympus. I was attracted by the more substantial padding on the soles of the boots. After walking the Portuguese in Lone Peaks I vowed to find a boot with more “stuff” between my foot and the ground. The Olympus definitely meets this need. The thicker sole makes a world of difference.

As I noted in my earlier review the sole is about 30% thicker than the Lone Peak (33mm vs. 25mm). While thicker, it still allows for a feel of the terrain. I really didn’t notice the extra weight of the shoe, but it does feel more substantial in general.

While I’d walked about 50 miles at home before starting in Pamplona, it took 4-5 Camino days for the boots to completely break in. Another area where the upper part of the tongue is sewn in required a bit of trimming to relieve a pressure sore. After that they were nearly as comfortable as any Lone Peak I’ve worn. Since I walk in March I’m not really bothered by hot feet. This could very well be an issue in the summer for some. The low tops without the waterproof membrane would be my choice for warmer weather.

Also noteworthy was how well the treads of the boots wore. I think you would have a good deal of tread left over after after a full Camino.

In short I really like the Altra Olympus and they are my new go to footwear for Spain.

Were you carrying a pack? Curious as my experience tells me that adds to the necessity of shoe padding…

 

[Rickcrna]

Yes…carried 20 lb pack the whole Camino. No doubt extra sole padding would be helpful beyond using good supportive insoles (which I did).

Rick

 

[CarrieJL]

Do understand that the Olympus model has vibram soles, very key difference here is that this higher quality sole last far longer than other Ultra shoes. My husband wore them last year and the vibram soles are still intact whereas my Timp 4 were basically well worn end of the Frances. Not sure why Ultra doesn't use vibram on all their shoe models.

 

[FRM]

'

Were you carrying a pack? Curious as my experience tells me that adds to the necessity of shoe padding…

I was carrying about 12 pounds, not counting water.

 

[FRM]

)

Do understand that the Olympus model has vibram soles, very key difference here is that this higher quality sole last far longer than other Ultra shoes. My husband wore them last year and the vibram soles are still intact whereas my Timp 4 were basically well worn end of the Frances. Not sure why Ultra doesn't use vibram on all their shoe models.

They have an interesting sole design. There are Vibram “strips” in the area of the toes, along the outer edges, and in the heel (orange and green areas). The blue portion appears to be a rugged closed cell foam. It is much more softer and flexible than the Vibram. I’m guessing this blue foam make the sole much more flexible and lighter, and more comfortable, than if it were all Vibram. There have been some reports of the strips under the toes peeling off though I didn’t have an issue.

 

[ian&linda]

I recently bought a pair of Olympus 5 which felt fantastic to wear. After trying LPs and Brooks Cascadias I had finally found my Camino shoes!
Disappointingly, after several hill and mountain walks in Ireland and England, probably no more than 40 miles in total, the tread in the centre of one shoes started to come unstuck. After looking at some reviews it seems this is not an isolated problem and it did not inspire any confidence to attempt to walk 500 miles in them.
I have since bought a pair of Altra Olympus Via running shoes and a pair of Olympus 4. I am considering that the sole on the running shoes is harder and therefore likely to last longer.

 

[LouLou]

I wore Olympus 5 Lisbon to Valença then Ferrol to SDC in April/May. I was very appreciative of the extra cushioning on the cobblestone and asphalt through Portugal. I’ve worn Loan Peak on various Francés and Portuguese Costal x2 and Timps on the Via De la Plata. Olympus has my vote. I have a very wide foot and I still found them comfortable enough, standard practice on my last 4 caminos is to wrap little and big toe… not worth the risk in any shoe with my gammy feet. The sole wore well this last trip, my issue is with the inside of the heel wearing away… now I put tape or one of Rebecca Rushton’s products to buffer the wear. It’s my only gripe when you spend top $ on a shoe. Having said that I’m still wearing them back in Brisbane…walking..dreaming of my next camino…

 

[Jagdev D.]

This review is much later than intended. I started from Pamplona in March as planned, with hopes to walk the Inverno over Easter. However, life got complicated and I only got as far as Castrojeriz before needing to head home for family medical issues. All is good now. The post Camino review follows.

My initial post (see https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ympus-5-hike-mid-gtx-first-impressions.78866/ ) was written shortly after purchasing the Altra Olympus. I was attracted by the more substantial padding on the soles of the boots. After walking the Portuguese in Lone Peaks I vowed to find a boot with more “stuff” between my foot and the ground. The Olympus definitely meets this need. The thicker sole makes a world of difference.

As I noted in my earlier review the sole is about 30% thicker than the Lone Peak (33mm vs. 25mm). While thicker, it still allows for a feel of the terrain. I really didn’t notice the extra weight of the shoe, but it does feel more substantial in general.

While I’d walked about 50 miles at home before starting in Pamplona, it took 4-5 Camino days for the boots to completely break in. Another area where the upper part of the tongue is sewn in required a bit of trimming to relieve a pressure sore. After that they were nearly as comfortable as any Lone Peak I’ve worn. Since I walk in March I’m not really bothered by hot feet. This could very well be an issue in the summer for some. The low tops without the waterproof membrane would be my choice for warmer weather.

Also noteworthy was how well the treads of the boots wore. I think you would have a good deal of tread left over after after a full Camino.

In short I really like the Altra Olympus and they are my new go to footwear for Spain.

I walked in one pair of Olympus 4 from SJPP to Santiago de Compostela in May/June 2022 in
I wore Altra Olympus 4, and loved it ,
I`m Still using Olympus 4 for walk at home , its still, in reasonably good condition , so far at least over 2000 kms on them.
Cheers and Buen Camino to all !

 

[Fr Scott]

I started walking with a new pair of Altra Olympus June 3 from Madrid. They stated falling apart after days. I am now on my 22 day heading down Camino Frances. The inside lining on the heel is now worn through. I think I just bought a bad pair.

 

[Copper Image]

I walked the CF last year in the Olympus 4s. They were great, held up really well. Got home, bought the Olympus 5s, still fit really well but the inside of the heel is shredded already just from normal use. I tried scouring the market for the 4s but couldn’t find my size.