REVIEW: Altra Via Olympus

The Via Olympus is Altra’s entry into the world of high-stack road training shoes. With a generous stack and thick cushioning in the upper, it could be an excellent addition to your arsenal this season, and will serve you well for all your easy runs and long runs. First, the stats:

Category: Neutral cushioning
Men’s: 312 g (11.0 oz.)
Women’s: 255 g (8.9 oz.)
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 33 mm
$210

Zero-drop promotes a “natural” stride

Note that all of Altra’s shoes for road and trail are zero-drop, meaning there is no heel-to-toe offset; your heel will be at the same level as your toes when you wear the shoe. This promotes a more natural stride, similar to how you would run without any shoes at all, though if you’ve never tried a zero-drop shoe or you’re a habitual heel-striker, you’ll want to ease into it gradually (starting with some very short runs of 5K or less) to avoid straining your calves and Achilles’ tendons–the higher the drop you’re accustomed to, the more gradual your acclimation period should be.

Of course, habitual forefoot or midfoot strikers and those who already run in zero-drop shoes will have no adjustment period whatsoever, and will be able to enjoy the Via Olympus’s many benefits straight out of the box.

The upper

The shoe has a well-made, substantial upper that can withstand a lot of miles; it’s also decently breathable, and there’s a lot of comfy padding in the collar and tongue (though we do wonder if this partly what makes the shoe objectively heavier than many in this category). It’s made with the brand’s Original Footshape Fit, which is the widest available style, giving your feet plenty of room to accommodat any swelling that may happen after a couple of hours or more on the marathon or half-marathon course. There’s some reinforcement of the upper in strategic locations along the sides and at the back of the heel, so you will not feel unstable in the shoe, even though it’s quite high. It has a traditional lacing system with extra eyelets for customizing the lockdown.

The midsole

The Via Olympus’s midsole stack consists of a generous slab of the brand’s proprietary EGO MAX foam (a softer, slightly less bouncy version of Altra EGO and Altra EGO PRO, which are believed to be thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, perfect for long, easy miles on the road). In practice, the midsole feels firmer than you might expect, so if you’re suspicious of high-stack, cushy trainers, you might actually really like this shoe. For those who were expecting a softer ride, the shoe’s slight toe rocker enables streamlined transitions onto your toes as you move through the gait cycle. 

The outsole

The outsole has durable rubber where you need it, in the forefoot and lateral heel, with exposed midsole material in the midfoot (a common practice that saves weight). It has longitudinal grooves designed to keep you aligned in a forward direction and provides good traction in wet or dry conditions.

The verdict

For casual runners training for a spring marathon or half-marathon, the Altra Via Olympus is a comfortable and durable shoe for their long runs and easy runs; it will appeal most to fans of the zero-drop concept in running shoes and those who like a firm midsole. If you’re looking for squishiness, look elsewhere.