ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX Review: A hiking shoe with outstanding shock absorption and excellent traction, so comfortable you'll want to stomp your feet in the mountains and around town. [Hands-on Review]

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

ALTRA, popular among trail runners and hikers for its natural, comfortable walking feel and high level of performance, has released an updated version of its classic hiking shoe, the OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX, this fall

This model has the thickest sole and toughest body in Altra's hiking lineup, and it's perfect for me, who tends to go on long-distance routes over rough terrain, so it's a model I've been wanting to try for a long time. I was grateful to have the opportunity to try it out at this perfect time

So this fall, I put these shoes to the test on several occasions, from Tanzawa to Okuchichibu and along the ridges of the Yatsugatake Mountains, covering several dozen kilometers of hikes and for everyday use, and I'd like to share my impressions, including their strengths and weaknesses. In addition to the familiar charms of Altra, these hiking shoes are packed with many unique surprises, so whether you've been paying attention to them or not, be sure to check them out

table of contents

Key Features of the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX
Main specifications and evaluation
I tried walking on low mountain trails and rocky ridges with the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX
Summary: Comfortable, durable, and non-slip, these shoes give you a sense of security, like wearing tanks on your feet
Details and purchase of the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX

Key Features of the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX

The updated ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX is a durable and comfortable adventure shoe for hiking and trekking. Its durable leather upper and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining provide an unprecedented fit in a waterproof shoe. The 33mm high stack height and cushioned, responsive midsole make long hikes comfortable and effortless. The reliable Vibram Megagrip outsole provides a wide contact area for superior grip and traction on both wet and dry surfaces. The spacious toe box and zero-drop gait, which mimics a natural gait, ensure comfortable foot comfort 24/7, whether you're hiking tough routes or standing for long periods of time at work.

By the way, when comparing the specs with other adventure shoes in Altra's lineup (LONE PEAK ALL-WTHR and TIMP GTX series), although it is the heaviest, it has the most durable upper, the highest stack height, and the widest width (original foot shape)

Recommended points

Vibram Megagrip and a large contact patch provide excellent grip and traction on even the roughest terrain
GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining and a roomy last design for unmatched comfort
Luxurious cushioning for comfort and fatigue-free travel even on long journeys
Leather and thick rubber reinforcement for a robust upper that withstands strong impacts and abrasions
GORE-TEX provides stable waterproof and breathable performance

Points of interest

The shoelaces are short, round, and thick, so they come undone easily
I was concerned about the weak grip around the heel, so I recommend using a heel lock to tie the shoelaces (which is why the laces feel too short)

Main specifications and evaluation

item	ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX
official weight	473 g (Men's US10.5/28.5cm)
drop	0mm (Toe 33mm / Heel 33mm)
upper	Leather and GORE-TEX Invisible Fit
Midsole	Compression Molded EVA Foam
Outsole	Vibram® Megagrip
Foot Shape	original
Waterproof and breathable	GORE-TEX®
Outdoor Gearzine Review
Comfort	★★★★★
weight	★★★☆☆
grip	★★★★★
Cushioning	★★★★★
protection	★★★★☆
stability	★★★☆☆

I tried walking on low mountain trails and rocky ridges with the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX

Comfort and ease of walking

Those who are used to wearing Altra shoes may not be surprised, but as soon as you put your feet in, you will be amazed at how naturally comfortable they are. The spacious, streamlined design, which is almost like the shape of your foot, allows your feet to fit naturally inside the shoe, and provides a comfortable walking experience without restricting the movement of your toes when you step in. First-timers will surely fall in love at first sight with the effortless, natural fit

The OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX last uses Altra's "Original Foot Shape," the widest and roomiest of the several slightly different foot shapes they offer. This is the same shape as the company's LONE PEAK and can be considered the origin of Altra shoes. The generous width accommodates even the widest feet, providing a comfortable fit free from the annoying chafing and pressure that can cause foot problems.

GORE-TEX Invisible Fit for an even better fit

The fit was the same as I always wear with other shoes (including Altra), a size 27.0cm (US size 9), and there was no problem this time either. While I admit that there will be mixed opinions about this seemingly unusual shape, it fit my slightly wide feet perfectly, and when I tightened the laces, the plump, cushioned tongue gently wrapped around the entire instep, providing a very comfortable fit

Furthermore, with this latest update, "GORE-TEX Invisible Fit" technology has been adopted for the waterproof and breathable membrane placed inside the upper. This allows the upper fabric and membrane to adhere tightly to each other, improving the fit and preventing factors that could cause injury or discomfort, such as the fabric slipping while wearing. When you actually wear it, even though it is layered with a waterproof and breathable fabric like GORE-TEX, it has a smooth and natural fit that feels like a single piece of fabric, making it very comfortable

33mm thick sole and zero drop for a comfortable ride without fatigue

The sole is 33mm thick from heel to toe, boasting one of the thickest stack heights in the Altra Trail category, providing exceptional cushioning as you'd expect. While simply being too thick can often feel spongy and unstable, the compression-molded EVA foam used in these shoes retains a minimal amount of firmness, providing just the right amount of rigidity, so you don't feel the "thick sole" in the negative sense while walking

Furthermore, if you look at the three-dimensional structure of the sole, you will see that it has a trapezoidal shape that widens towards the bottom, which makes it less likely for force to escape to the side when landing (i.e., less likely to wobble when landing) (see photo below)

The sole of the shoe curves subtly from the toes to the heel, which, combined with its cushioning, gives the feeling that your feet are naturally moving forward when you walk, supporting light steps (photo below)

The front and back of the upper are fitted with a "GAITER TRAP" for attaching gaiters, which was not available on the 5, allowing compatible gaiters to be attached smartly

Protection and durability

One of the biggest attractions of the OLYMPUS HIKE series is its overwhelming level of protection, which makes it resistant to tough terrain

The upper features ample, thick leather on the front and sides, and a generous rubber cap at the toe for added protection, providing superior protection compared to the Olympus running model and other models in the lineup (see photo below)

This more than adequately durable upper really showed its true potential when walking on rocky ridges and through bushes. Even if I was a little careless and bumped into a rock, scraped it, or got stabbed by a tree root or pole tip, neither my shoes nor my feet were damaged, and I found there was absolutely no need to worry. The durability is higher than most lightweight hiking shoes I have worn so far, and I would recommend these as off-road shoes to anyone

However, while there is no doubt about the strength of the body, if I were to point out one thing that concerns me, it would be that the EVA foam on the sides that make up the sole is prone to scratches, and the part of the inside toe box that is somewhat exposed was prone to wear. I don't think that damage would spread significantly from this part, but you should be careful not to rely too much on it

Traction and Grip

I expected some comfort from the high cushioning and protection from the leather upper, but what really impressed me was the high level of traction and grip these shoes offer. These may be the least slippery hiking shoes I've ever worn

The rubber used for the outsole is the Vibram Megagrip outsole, which is well-known for its durability on rough terrain, from wet rocks and roads to mud. However, it's not entirely made of Megagrip, but a hybrid with a softer foam placed in the midfoot. I was a little worried about this before wearing them, but in the end, those worries were completely unnecessary

When I actually tried them on, I was amazed at the excellent grip they provided everywhere, from dry soil and gravel trails to rocks and scree, tree roots and muddy mud, wet rocks, snow and frost. The deep groove lug pattern like an off-road tire and the contact patch shaped much wider than the size of my foot seem to further boost the strength of Megagrip

During the test, I was pushing myself up some pretty steep slopes, and I was surprised at how the soles of my feet just stuck to the surface, even on terrain that would have previously made me think, "Will I slip?" I can step on any type of terrain with confidence, and the high level of traversal ability is truly impressive

Stability and Support

The OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX features Altra's widest "Original Foot Shape" platform, a moderately stiff, high stack height midsole, and a zero drop design that allows for a natural gait . It fits a wide range of foot shapes and allows for a comfortable, worry-free walk on gentle, low mountain hikes. Even I, who tend to twist my ankles, have no worries.

However, the moderate roominess and flexible fit did leave me feeling a little uneasy when dealing with heavy loads like steep slopes, high speeds, or heavy loads. When I tried to push myself hard against the strong force of gravity, I noticed that my feet tended to move around inside the shoes (although not to the point of causing any serious problems). In particular, the heel cup felt a little shallow, and when I laced the shoes in the same way as usual, I noticed that my heels tended to lift up

So I decided to tighten the shoelaces as tightly as possible, but then I noticed something else that bothered me: the round laces. Unlike other Altra shoes, these shoes use thicker, more durable round laces, but they are still difficult to tighten and tend to come loose

If you are concerned about the heel hold of these shoes like me, I recommend using a "heel lock" tying method that makes it easier to secure your heel (see photo below). However, when I did that, the shoelaces weren't long enough, which caused me trouble again. It might be better to just replace the shoelaces with ones that are long enough

*If you search for "how to tie a heel lock" you will find many explanations on how to tie a heel lock .

Once I re-tied the shoelaces securely with the heel lock, my heel was much more firmly secured, and my feet were less likely to move even under heavy loads. If you feel the same way, or if you have a slightly looser fit, I highly recommend giving it a try. The anxiety I felt at first has almost completely disappeared, and the sense of stability when landing is completely different

Summary: Comfortable, durable, and non-slip, these shoes give you a sense of security, like wearing tanks on your feet

●Campaign eligible product: Men's Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX M [ALTRA] Waterproof Hiking/Mountaineering Shoes with Platform Sole. *Free one-way size exchange

created by Rinker

¥39,600 (as of 2026/02/06 02:04:24, according to Rakuten Market - Details)

When we think of durable and sturdy shoes, we tend to think of them as being stiff and heavy, but the OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX has completely overturned that notion. They offer a comfortable fit and natural walking, and are soft yet strong, non-slip, and not heavy. They combine the best of lightweight hiking shoes and mountaineering boots, while remaining smooth and well-balanced for any route, making them extremely appealing. Whether you're hiking at a normal walking pace, on long trails with a light pack, or on a thru-hike, they'll minimize foot problems and fatigue. Another added benefit is that they're also easy to wear as everyday footwear, and I'd highly recommend them for anyone who works long hours on their feet or standing

As mentioned in the main text, the difficulty of your feet settling down under heavy loads can be alleviated by tying the laces in a clever way and getting used to walking with a zero drop, so it shouldn't be a big problem (although it depends on the shape of your feet). Incidentally, I personally replace my shoelaces with longer, less slippery ones, but I did so because the overall appeal of these shoes makes them so appealing that I want to go to all that trouble to wear them

Additionally, for those who prefer stability and protection over lightness, a "mid-cut model" available. If you choose that, you won't be disappointed.

Rediscover the joy of walking with the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX, which offers excellent protection and traction, as well as a gentle ride that you wouldn't expect from its toughness

Details and purchase of the ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE LOW GTX

Please check the official online store for information on the latest model arrivals and product details