Altra

Via Olympus Running Shoe - Women's

No bunion pain!

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

6.5

My physical therapist recommended this brand for my bunion pain. They are wide and comfortable.

I want more of this!

I recently had foot surgery and wanted bigger toe box in running and walking shoes. I fell in love with these! Just the right amount of support and cushion, the toe box is perfect IMO. I dislike the trend toward super cushioned shoes- I gave away 2 pair of a well known company's running shoes because they were too soft and threw off my running gait, causing all sorts of issues. After 35 years of running, i know not to mess with form! Very disappointed to learn that the via 2 has "more" cushioning as that is NOT what I want or need! I have never understood why running shoe designers are constantly changing shoes that meet the needs of so many. I will try to find more colors of the first Olympus so I can continue to have this comfort.I also have the Rivera 3 and Escalante 4. Both are great and useful for different activities but the best fit is the Via olympus for walking for me.

I would love to be able to find the right fit of an Altra.

I purchased a size 9.5 and 10. The 10 was too big.... the heel part of the shoe did not fit. I keep the 9.5 and thought they felt good. I have worn them about 6 times trying to break them in, but they are just not comfortable. I have heard so many good things about Altra shoes and I want so bad to love them. The shoes are tight around the middle of my foot and becomes uncomfortable after about a couple of hours of wear. I just hate I am unable to be comfortable in them and have spent a lot of money for a shoe I can't wear.

Womens' Via Olympus is just right

I use this Altra shoe for walking. I have bad knees and this shoe has the cushion to allow me to walk without pain. It's extremely comfortable and has just the right amount of give. Perfect fit.

Disappointing

I bought these for work after my Torin 6's bit the dust. I hoped they would be even cushier than the Torins, instead they feel stiffer and the toe box is narrower. Altra please make your toe boxes wide again. You're making me sad.

Love this shoe - WHITE PLEASE

I love the comfort and function of the Via Olympus, but I beg you please make an all white one. Or white with gold or tan. Many reviewers have made the same request! We will buy more when WHITE with no obnoxious colors is available. Thank you!

Love the wide toe box, but...

I bought these for the original wide foot bed in a 7. My toes were at the end so I got a size 7.5. My toes are still almost at the end, but I'm afraid of getting a bigger size. The other weird thing about these shoes is the sole. It feels like there are golf balls squeezing in at the front of both sides of the bottom of my heel. I wore them around the house for about 30 mins and my feet were pretty sore just from standing around in them. I was eager to take them off. I haven't run in them yet because of that. I'm on the verge of sending them back. Wish the sole in the back wasn't so uncomfortable. I need a wide shoe but the options are so limited, especially for women!

Too stiff

I'm trying to find a replacement for the Torin 6 after destroyed that shoe and released the Torin 7. Unfortunately this wasn't it. They were too stiff and hard.

Foot pain :(

I have only worn Altras, for about 7 years. I wanted max cushion and an OG toe box. Sadly these shoes hurt my feet so, so bad. The shoe is so firm, and feels so stiff and narrow. Had to replace :(

One of the few Original Footbeds.

I loved wearing the Torin until they changed it to a narrow footbed. After wearing for a bit, they pinch the sides of my feet as they are much narrower. So wanting the original footbed and a cushiony shoe for lots of walking I purchased the Olympus. They are clunkier, chunkier and higher and look like they would be more cushiony but they are not. They feel hard underfoot, so much so that I put gel liners in to add some padding. I love that all Altra's have a great toe box that aligns with your feet but WISH they would bring back more styles in the original footbed!