Women’s Altra Olympus 6 Review

Bottom Line

Technically designed for trail running, the Altra Olympus 6 is an excellent hiking shoe that’s comfortable, durable, and protective on long-distance treks. In terms of fit, it’s best suited for those with wider feet from heel to toe, although the lacing system can be snugged down for a secure fit. Our gear analyst has hiked in Olympus models for years, covering hundreds of miles over several generations of the shoe, and she continues to be impressed by their support and resilience on challenging terrain.

Overall, the Olympus 6 is an excellent choice for hikers looking for more support, structure, and durability than Altra’s popular Lone Peak. It is best suited for dry, rocky trails and those with wider feet. If you’re looking for solid water resistance, quick drying time, or unfaltering grip on slippery terrain, it’s worth checking out other models in our lineup of the best women’s hiking shoes.

How We Tested

We tested the Altra Olympus 6s throughout the northern California State Park system, analyzing their performance over several miles on gravel, wet and dry rock, creek crossings, and singletrack trails. We studied every feature of this shoe to determine its value, including the unique padded heel cup (dubbed the Achilles pillow), signature zero-drop design, natural FootShape, flared heel, and braking lugs. 

On the trail, we assessed comfort, durability, traction, weight, and weather resistance through side-by-side testing with other top-performing hiking shoes on the market. We tested the shoes in both wet and dry conditions, even submerging them in water to gauge their moisture resistance and drying time.

Comfort

With a wide toe box, foot-mimicking shape, zero-drop design, and taller stack height, the Altra Olympus 6 offers outstanding out-of-box comfort for covering long distances. The midsole is stiffer than it is plush, but this adds to the shoes’ longevity, ground feel, and overall responsiveness. The shoe also comes with a unique padded heel cup called an Achilles pillow. We found this feature a bit bulky and awkward initially, but once we hit the trail, we barely noticed it.

The Olympus does run a bit larger in the heel, which can cause our foot to slip if the lacing system isn’t snugged down properly (including using the additional eyelets at the top for extra security). It’s also a little clunkier than Altra’s popular Lone Peak, although you get better stability, protection, and durability. We also experienced less foot fatigue compared to the Lone Peak.

Traction

To thoroughly test the traction on the Olympus 6, we hiked on both wet and dry trails, including a creek crossing where we had to hop across slick boulders. In the end, the shoes inspired confidence on dry surfaces like gravel and rock, but they struggled to grip wet boulders and slippery trails. This can make rock-hopping across a creek a bit treacherous.

The lug pattern provides great grip on steep inclines and declines, and it sheds mud fairly well on the trail. The Olympus 6 also features braking lugs on the heel to enhance stability and grip when slowing down. At the forefoot, Altra uses multi-directional lugs to boost grip and better protect the metatarsals.

The flared heel design on the Olympus is geared more towards stability than traction, but it still helps increase the amount of surface area between the tread and the ground. This provides extra security on rugged or off-camber terrain and steep downhills, which can reduce the likelihood of rolling an ankle. 

Weight

At 1 pound 4.4 ounces per pair, the Olympus 6 is about average among our favorite hiking shoes. Our feet did not feel weighted down during testing, and we experienced significantly less fatigue after long days out than we did when hiking in the Altra Lone Peaks. 

Though the Olympus 6 feels slightly bulkier and clunkier than other shoes in its weight class, the advantages are better stability, increased foot protection, and a taller stack height to reduce foot fatigue. The shoe is also made with durable materials and a robust outsole design, which some lightweight competitors lack.

Durability

The Altra Olympus 6 is a highly durable shoe with protective overlays, abrasion-resistant mesh, a substantial Vibram Megagrip outsole, and compression-molded foam. Our gear analyst has used previous models of the Olympus for years, covering hundreds of miles before the upper and midsole began to break down. The Olympus 6 appears to be on the same track, with excellent longevity throughout testing. Our only area of concern is the Achilles pillow, which may wear out over time due to the constant friction of sliding our foot in and out of the shoe.

Weather Resistance

Weather resistance is the one area where the Olympus 6 fell short in our testing. During our hike, we submerged the uppers of the shoes in a creek and immediately got our socks wet. Water absorbed quickly through the mesh uppers without beading off the material, making the Olympus 6 a poor choice for inclement conditions or hikes with a lot of water crossings. On the bright side, this translates to great breathability for hot and sweaty days. 

Once water enters the shoe, it doesn’t drain well. After accidentally slipping into the creek during a crossing and completely submerging a foot, we immediately felt water pooling inside the shoe. Once we removed the shoe, we had to physically pour water out, and the shoe took a while to fully dry out. That said, it’s important to note that this happened during the winter, and the shoes likely would have dried quicker in warmer temperatures.

Should You Buy the Altra Olympus 6?

The Altra Olympus 6 is an excellent choice for those looking for a more protective, stable, and durable alternative to the Lone Peak. Both shoes share the zero-drop shape, wide toe box, natural FootShape fit, and great out-of-the-box comfort that Altra is known for. Overall, it’s a great choice for long-distance hikes on dry terrain, providing standout comfort and better protection and durability than most trail runners.

If you spend a lot of time in wet conditions, it’s likely worth opting for a waterproof shoe. The Olympus also runs wide, so those with narrow feet may want to look elsewhere, although we found the lacing system effective for snugging things down. And there are certainly lighter options available, but you can expect to make sacrifices in areas like support and durability.

What Other Women’s Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

Though the Altra Olympus 6 shoes may work for some hikers, there are a variety of other suitable choices to consider. We’ve included a few options below, and you can check out more in our guide to the best women’s hiking shoes.

Altra Lone Peak 9 Review: If you prefer a lower stack height, a little more flexibility, and slightly better water resistance than the Olympus, the Lone Peak is a good bet. However, the Olympus offers better protection and durability, and we found it better at reducing foot fatigue on high-mileage days. 

HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review: The Speedgoat 7 offers similar support and protection in a slightly lighter and cheaper package. It also repels water better than the Olympus and offers superior traction in wet conditions. However, the Altra is more precise and less clunky when the going gets technical.

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Review: The Topo Ultraventure 4s are a great option if you’re looking for something lightweight, breathable, and grippy. They are slightly more plush than the Olympus but still feel very natural underfoot. In the end, we prefer the Topos for casual hikes, while the Olympus gets our vote for more strenuous, long-distance treks.