30 Something Mother Runner is an Altra Running Ambassador.
ALTRA OLYMPUS 2.0
For the last few months, I have been wearing the Altra Olympus 2.0s on the road and on the trails. While I love the Altra Torin 2.0 too, the extra traction and Vibram® sole of the Olympus 2.0 has moved them to the top of my list! Here’s why I am loving the second generation of this shoe:
OVERVIEW
The Altra Olympus 2.0 is a highly cushioned trail shoe that holds its own out in the woods. The AWESOME traction provided by the Vibram® soles gives you an extra boost of confidence when you’re stepping on rocks and slippery surfaces, and the max cushioning protects your feet from uneven trail surfaces.
The result is a super comfy shoe that will keep you covered whether on the trails or on the roads.
IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE OLYMPUS 2.0
The Vibram® sole for the Olympus 2.0 was revamped, as was the shoe upper– it was softened and made more flexible for added comfort. The outsole also underwent a makeover to help with traction during changes in elevation, all without sacrificing the extra cushioning!
As a result of the above improvements, the overall weight of the shoe is slightly lower. Less weight will hopefully save you some time on your next race!
OLYMPUS 2.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The overall stack height for the Olympus 2.0 is 36mm. There is no change in height from the heel to toe, making it zero drop (like all Altra running shoes). The inclusion of an A-bound bottom layer gives more spring to your step and the EVA top layer helps shield your feet from punishing trail terrain.
Similar to the other Altra shoe models, the Olympus 2.0 has a FootShape™ toe box to allow your toes to splay normally while landing. If you haven’t tried Altra shoes before, this was a HUGE selling point for me. No more ridiculous blisters on my toes from being cramped into a narrow toe box!
Both the men’s and women’s versions come in 3 different color combinations. I have the Orchid/Grey combination— love the color!
WHO SHOULD WEAR THE OLYMPUS 2.0?
The Altra Olympus 2.0 is designed as a trail shoe, but it works equally as well on the road. It’s best for runners that enjoy a neutral shoe and max cushioning.
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Altra Women’s Olympus 2 Trail Running Shoe, Silver/Green, 7.5 M US
Altra Men’s Olympus 2 Trail Running Shoe, Pewter/Racing Red, 10.5 M US
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MY IMPRESSION OF THE OLYMPUS 2.0
As I mentioned above, one of my favorite features with this shoe is the Vibram® soles. I found that even when I was running on the roads, the soles gave me extra traction–especially in slippery conditions.
I am still getting used to the extra cushioning, and I have caught myself a few times rolling my foot after landing on an uneven surface. It’s something I’m working on, since I do really like the extra cushioning.
All in all, these are great shoes for trails and for the road, especially if you like a lot of cushioning for longer distances or uneven terrain.
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