Altra VIA Olympus 2 Road Running Shoe Review
the most cushioned zero-drop road running shoe available
April 22, 2025
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Our verdict
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 is the most cushioned zero-drop road running shoe available. It has a roomy toe box to allow your feet to splay out naturally. But unlike many minimalist zero-drop shoes, the VIA Olympus offers maximum cushion—33 mm of stack height in the heel and forefoot. This provides maximum comfort underfoot for everything from long runs to shorter daily training runs, walking, or simply being on your feet all day.
What separates the VIA Olympus from other running shoes is Altra’s signature natural foot positioning: zero heel-to-toe drop and a wide toe box. Most running shoes have close to 10 mm of drop and a narrower toe box. Also, many minimalist shoes don’t have any cushion but do offer the same wide toe box and zero drop platform. The VIA Olympus is worlds apart from both of these because it has tons of cushion and a natural foot shape. There are other Altra running shoes that offer cushioning in a zero-drop platform, but this is Altra’s most cushioned shoe.
The VIA Olympus 2 has an Altra EGO MAX midsole, which is well-cushioned without feeling soft like many max-cushion shoes. And it’s pretty stable for a height-stack shoe. It has a sturdy engineered mesh upper that’s durable to withstand the rigors of daily training. The tongue, ankle, and heel are all amply padded for out-of-the-box comfort.
At 1 lb 6.8 oz for a pair of men’s shoes, the VIA Olympus 2 is not light. This won’t be the shoe you should reach for when you’re planning a fast outing. Where this shoe excels is on those slow, plodding runs, where you’re on your feet for hours at a time.
If you’re looking for the most cushion in a zero-drop platform with a wide toe box for long-distance running, walking, and marathon days on your feet, you should check out the VIA Olympus 2.
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Altra Via Olympus 2
Men's
Women's
Specs
Weight: 1 lb, 3.2 oz (men’s), 1 lb, 6.8 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 33 mm
Upper: Engineered mesh
Removable insole: Yes
Midsole: Altra EGO MAX foam
Outsole: Rubber
Suitable for vegans: Yes
FootShape fit: Yes
Comparison table
| RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra VIA Olympus 2 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 3.2 oz | 1 lb, 6.8 oz | Maximum | 0 mm | 33 mm |
| Altra Olympus 6 Trail Men's Women's |
1 lb, 8.4 oz | 1 lb, 5.9 oz | Maximum | 0 mm | 33 mm |
| Altra Torin 8 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 4.7 oz | 1 lb, 1.3 oz | Moderate | 0 mm | 30 mm |
| HOKA Bondi 9 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 5.0 oz | 1 lb, 2 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 42 - 37 mm |
| HOKA Clifton 10 Men's Women's |
1 lb, 3.6 oz | 1 lb | Plush | 8 mm | 42 - 34 mm |
Who is it for?
Those looking for a zero-drop shoe with a natural foot-shaped fit.
Runners who want maximum cushioning for long miles.
Road runners who benefit from a rocker shape for efficient toe-off.
People who don’t need the lightest and fastest shoes for training.
People who walk/run/or work on their feet all day.
How we tested
We tested the VIA Olympus 2 while running in Arizona and Utah during the winter and spring. On testing runs, we saw temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees. We ran everything from marathon distances to 5k recovery runs in these shoes. We ran long stretches of back roads, on neighborhood streets, and on paved paths through parks. We also took them on a fair amount of dirt and gravel roads because when you run far enough on pavement, that’s where you end up.
We tested the Altra VIA Olympus 2 road running shoes in everything from marathon distances to 5k recovery runs, in temperatures ranging from 30-90 degrees. Photo by Sam Schild
The VIA Olympus is a heavy shoe, and while we attempted to use them for speed workouts, those ended up being slower than usual. We also did a fair amount of walking around in these shoes—from sightseeing in town, to hikes on smooth trails and long days standing on our feet.
What we liked
Lots of cushion
Zero-drop design
Wide toe box
Comfortable
What could be better
Heavy
Thick midsole feels stiff at first
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 features zero drop, a wide toe box, and a comfortable and cushioned ride. The downsides are that it’s a heavy shoe and the midsole can feel stiff as you break the shoes in. Photo by Sam Schild
Features
Fit and comfort
The VIA Olympus 2 features Altra's signature natural FootShape toe box with the most cushioning of any zero-drop shoe. The natural footshape design is unique to Altra and features a roomier toe box than most other running shoes. This allows your toes to splay as they would naturally when barefoot, preventing your toes from scrunching together, which can cause hot spots, blisters, or other discomfort.
They have a comfortable engineered mesh upper that’s soft to the touch. The ankle, heel cup, and tongue are well-padded, which also increases comfort. Neither the engineered mesh nor the padded touchpoints around the heel and ankle are unique to the VIA Olympus, but they’re necessary for a shoe that’s designed to go long distances like this one.
The heel cup is padded for increased comfort. Photo by Sam Schile
Cushioning and midsole
As we alluded to above, the VIA Olympus 2 pairs a zero-drop design with 33 mm of midsole cushioning. The amount of cushioning in the heel is the same as in the forefoot, hence “zero-drop.” Most running shoes have at least 5 mm of heel-to-toe drop, for comparison. No other zero-drop road running shoe offers this level of stack height, making the VIA Olympus unique.
The midsole of the Altra VIA Olympus 2 is made of Altra EGO MAX foam, which is more firm than the midsoles of brands like On or HOKA. Photo by Sam Schild
The midsole is made of Altra EGO MAX foam, the same midsole foam found in other less cushioned Altras. This foam provides plenty of cushion and feels responsive as you push off. If you’re used to the maximum cushioning in shoes from other running brands, such as HOKA or On, the EGO MAX midsole will feel firmer and not as bouncy. This feels more solid when you push off while still padding your footfall as you land.
Stability and support
The VIA Olympus is a neutral support shoe, which means it doesn’t correct for overpronation (when your arch collapses and your foot rolls inward). If you overpronate, these shoes have almost no arch support, so your foot will likely roll inward more than with other neutral shoes.
Altra claims that the zero-drop design promotes a natural posture, which we find to be true. However, if you aren’t used to wearing zero-drop footwear, this won’t be an immediate change. You don’t all of a sudden correct years of standing and moving in high-drop shoes by putting on a pair of VIA Olympus or other zero-drop shoes. That being said, after wearing zero-drop shoes for nearly a decade, we think it has helped us develop a natural gait while strengthening our feet.
If you overpronate, these shoes have almost no arch support, so your foot will likely roll inward more than with other neutral shoes. Photo by Sam Schild
If you’re new to zero-drop, we recommend alternating runs between the VIA Olympus and other running shoes that have some heel-to-toe drop. This will let your body gradually adjust to the different position and footstrike feel that zero-drop shoes offer.
Outsole and ride
The VIA Olympus 2 has a durable Altra rubber outsole. This is common among road running shoes, but there is a small section of exposed midsole foam that the rubber doesn’t cover to save weight. This section of exposed midsole is on the inside of the shoe, beneath your foot’s arch, where there is less pressure on the outsole. It’s also a much smaller section of exposed foam than on many comparable road running shoes. While a full-coverage rubber outsole would be more durable, these shoes are already very heavy, so we understand the inclination to save weight.
The rubber outsole of the Altra VIA Olympus 2 is durable and effective. Photo by Sam Schild
The outsole has a curved rocker shape that encourages the shoe to roll forward as you land and helps you transition into the next stride. This is a subtle effect, but it is noticeable. In terms of ride, the VIA Olympus feels about as smooth as most max-cushion running shoes. They’re efficient enough that you can zone out and run without feeling encumbered.
Upper and breathability
The VIA Olympus 2 upper is made with a breathable engineered mesh. This allows for solid airflow when running in hot conditions. We regularly wear these shoes in the hot and dry Arizona desert, and our feet never overheat. The roomy toe box also seems to help since all your toes aren’t pressed against each other, generating more heat.
We found the engineered mesh upper of the Altra VIA Olympus 2 to be breathable, even while wearing wool socks in the Arizona heat. Photo by Sam Schild
There are some other reviews online that claim these shoes don’t have the best breathability. After we read that, we were perplexed and frankly started questioning a lot of things. So, like we usually do when nothing makes sense, we put on a thick pair of wool socks and went for a run in the late afternoon Arizona heat. Now we’re doubly sure that the VIA Olympus is breathable, though not everyone agrees, apparently.
Performance in the field
Long-distance comfort
The VIA Olympus 2 is comfortable on long runs. The midsole provides a lot of cushion so your feet don’t get tired. The rocker curve to the outsole makes each stride a little easier, and the energy return on the EGO MAX midsole offers good energy return to propel you forward. One particularly tired morning on a short, easy run, we looked at our turnaround point and kept running in the opposite direction; this midsole makes you want to keep going.
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 road running shoes are cushioned enough to be comfortable for long distance runs. Photo by Sam Schild
Daily training
The Olympus is incredibly comfortable and well-cushioned, making it a great option for daily training. But even compared to high-stack trainers from other brands, the VIA Olympus 2 is heavy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for a daily trainer, but these shoes will slow you down. So, while they’ll work for daily training, you might want to lace up another pair of shoes for speed workouts.
Walking/working on your feet
The VIA Olympus is incredibly comfortable for wearing all day. This makes them a stellar choice for walking and working on your feet. The zero-drop design with the wide toe box allows your feet to relax, which is ideal for standing around at work and then quickly walking to complete another task. And the 33 mm of cushion under your feet will keep your legs and back feeling better than they would otherwise after a long day.
The Altra Ego midsole offers enough cushion while also providing a stable, zero-drop platform for your feet. Photo by Sam Schild
We like using zero-drop shoes for being on our feet all day because they let our feet sit naturally and stretch our calves, but zero-drop isn’t for everyone. The VIA Olympus doesn’t feel as springy and bouncy as a Hoka Clifton or Bondi. Some might find the VIA Olympus’s firmer platform less comfortable for jobs like nursing or bartending. However, we think the Altra Ego midsole offers enough cushion while also providing a stable, zero-drop platform for your feet.
Altra Via Olympus 2 vs. similar shoes
Compared to other max-cushion shoes, the VIA Olympus 2 is one of the only models available with zero-drop. The most similar shoe to the VIA Olympus 2 is the Altra Olympus 6 Trail, the trail running counterpart to the VIA Olympus. These shoes have a similar platform, with zero-drop and a wide toe box, but different outsole designs.
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 is similar to its trail running counterpart, the Olympus 6 Trail, but with a different outsole design. Photo by Sam Schild
Most other max-cushion road running shoes have significantly more heel-to-toe drop than the VIA Olympus. The closest options in terms of a low-drop option are the HOKA Bondi 9 and HOKA Clifton 9, which have 42-37 mm and 40-35 mm of stack height, respectively. The Clifton and the Bondi have a lightweight midsole that feels more pillowy than the Olympus. The Olympus’s midsole feels firmer and more responsive on the push-off, but the Bondi and Clifton’s midsoles feel bouncier.
There are many other max-cushion road running shoes available, but the VIA Olympus is currently the only zero-drop option.
Should I buy the Altra VIA Olympus 2?
Buy if: You want maximum cushion with a roomy, zero-drop platform.
If you want the most cushion possible in a zero-drop shoe with a roomy toe box, the VIA Olympus is your best option. There is no other available shoe with this much cushion that comes in zero-drop.
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 has zero drop, has a roomy toe box, and plenty of cushion. Photo by Sam Schild
Skip if: You prefer low stack, high heel-to-toe drop, snug fit, or more groundfeel.
The VIA Olympus 2 is a high stack shoe with zero-drop. If you want more groundfeel and prefer your heel to be higher than your midfoot, you should go with a less cushioned running shoe from another brand. If you have narrower feet or prefer a snug fit, the VIA Olympus might not be for you. People with narrow feet may find the VIA Olympus too wide.
Where to buy the Altra VIA Olympus 2?
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 road running shoes are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Similar products
Altra Olympus 6 Trail
Weight: 1 lb, 8.4 oz (men’s), 1 lb, 5.9 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 33 mm
Cushion: Maximum
The VIA Olympus 2 is very similar to the Altra Olympus 5 Trail. These shoes both have Altra’s roomy toe box, zero-drop design, and 33 mm of stack height. The Olympus 6 Trail has a Vibram Megagrip outsole with a lug pattern designed for traction on dirt and rocky terrain. The VIA Olympus 2, on the other hand, has a smooth rubber tread that doesn’t grip as well but is better suited for pavement. The Olympus 6 Trail is also about one ounce heavier per shoe than the VIA Olympus 2 due to the burlier tread and reinforced sections of the upper.
Altra Olympus 6 Trail
Men's
Women's
Altra Torin 8
Weight: 1 lb, 4.7 oz (men’s), 1 lb, 1.3 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 30 mm
Cushion: Moderate
The Altra Torin 8 is another Altra road running shoe model with 30 mm of stack. The Torin has slightly less cushion than the VIA Olympus, which has a 33 mm stack height. Like the VIA Olympus, the Torin has a similarly wide toe box that allows your toes to splay naturally. The Torin has more rubber on the outsole, so it’s slightly more durable than the VIA Olympus. The Torin also weighs two ounces less for a pair than the VIA Olympus.
Altra Torin 8
Men's
Women's
HOKA Bondi 9
Weight: 1 lb, 5.0 oz (men’s), 1 lb, 2 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Stack height: 42 - 37 mm
Cushion: Maximum
The HOKA Bondi is another shoe similar to the VIA Olympus. The Bondi has 5 mm of drop, though, so it’s not a zero-drop shoe. The Bondi has 42-37 mm of stack height, which is a full 12 mm more stack than the Olympus in the heel and 7 mm more in the forefoot. The Bondi is also lighter than the VIA Olympus, weighing almost an ounce less per shoe. The Bondi doesn’t have as wide of a toe box as the VIA Olympus, but the Bondi does come in wide sizing if you need a wider shoe. This shoe is a good alternative if you aren’t ready to try a zero-drop style like the Altra VIA Olympus or Torin.
HOKA Bondi 9
Men's
Women's
Hoka Clifton 10
Weight: 1 lb, 3.6 oz (men’s), 1 lb (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
Stack height: 42 - 34 mm
Cushion: Plush
The HOKA Clifton 10 has 40-35 mm of stack height. So while it isn’t a zero-drop shoe like the VIA Olympus, the Clifton is a low-drop max-cushion road running shoe. A pair of Cliftons weigh five ounces less than the VIA Olympus, which you can feel when you compare these shoes. The VIA Olympus is better suited for longer, slower runs. And even though the Clifton has more cushion, it feels quicker than the VIA Olympus because it’s so much lighter. Learn more in our in-depth review of the HOKA Clifton 10.
Hoka Clifton 10
Men's
Women's
On Cloudeclipse
Weight: 1 lb, 5.7 oz (men’s), 1 lb 1.0 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 6 mm
Stack height: 37 - 31 mm
Cushion: Maximum
The On Cloudeclipse is a max-cushion road running shoe with 37-31 mm stack height and 6 mm of drop. The Cloudeclipse weighs almost two ounces less for a pair than the VIA Olympus. The Cloudeclispe has a speedboard, which stiffens the midsole area of the shoe. It’s also narrower in the toe box than the VIA Olympus.
On the whole, the Cloudeclipse feels faster and bouncier than the Altra VIA Olympus, but the VIA Olympus has a firmer midsole that feels more solid when pushing off. The Cloudeclipse is slightly better if you want a light and fast shoe for speed training that’s still very cushioned, but it’s not zero-drop. The VIA Olympus is better for long, slower days, walking, and being on your feet all day
The On Cloudeclipse was named Best Overall in our Best Women’s Road Running Shoes guide.
On Cloudeclipse
Men's
Women's
About the author / Why you should trust us
We test running shoes in real-world conditions across varied training styles and runner preferences. For this review, we tested the VIA Olympus alongside many of the top road running shoe models, running everything from shorter distances around the neighborhood to 20-mile long runs on country roads.
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He’s been a runner since he was a child when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling.
Sam regularly runs five days or more per week. He has completed countless ultra-distance, self-supported trail runs on roads and trails throughout the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Arizona Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in running shoes.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or his website.
