The new VIA Olympus 2 features a softer Altra EGO MAX midsole foam, with the same generous stack height but light, luxurious (and squishier) cushion. A plush footbed for an improved underfoot feel. Step into that "ahh" feeling as you lace up and let it follow you with every step. Rocker shape geometry encourages an efficient toe-off and a refined molded heel collar ensures a comfortable, secure fit. Room for your toes and zero drop create Altra's natural fit, so you can move the way you were designed to. It's a shoe made to go big on comfort, so you can go big on miles.
The new VIA Olympus 2 features a softer Altra EGO MAX midsole foam, with the same generous stack height but light, luxurious (and squishier) cushion. A plush footbed for an improved underfoot feel. Step into that "ahh" feeling as you lace up and let it follow you with every step. Rocker shape geometry encourages an efficient toe-off and a refined molded heel collar ensures a comfortable, secure fit. Room for your toes and zero drop create Altra's natural fit, so you can move the way you were designed to. It's a shoe made to go big on comfort, so you can go big on miles.
There are no live offers for Altra Via Olympus 2 - Black - 8.5 right now. The all-time low we recorded was $175.54 on 12 Mar 2026. Set a price alert to hear when it's back in stock.
Prices last updated 21 Mar 2026.
Altra Via Olympus 2 - Black - 8.5
The new VIA Olympus 2 features a softer Altra EGO MAX midsole foam, with the same generous stack height but light, luxurious (and squishier) cushion. A plush footbed for an improved underfoot feel. Step into that "ahh" feeling as you lace up and let it follow you with every step. Rocker shape geometry encourages an efficient toe-off and a refined molded heel collar ensures a comfortable, secure fit. Room for your toes and zero drop create Altra's natural fit, so you can move the way you were designed to. It's a shoe made to go big on comfort, so you can go big on miles.
The new VIA Olympus 2 features a softer Altra EGO MAX midsole foam, with the same generous stack height but light, luxurious (and squishier) cushion. A plush footbed for an improved underfoot feel. Step into that "ahh" feeling as you lace up and let it follow you with every step. Rocker shape geometry encourages an efficient toe-off and a refined molded heel collar ensures a comfortable, secure fit. Room for your toes and zero drop create Altra's natural fit, so you can move the way you were designed to. It's a shoe made to go big on comfort, so you can go big on miles.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 14:59:40
ALTRA Men's Via Olympus 2 Trainers
Free delivery
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Mens Altra Via Olympus 2 Black / US 8.5
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
originally posted on altrarunning.com
I'm a 8.5 in the Escalante racers and got these in the same size however def run a half size too small. My toes hit the front but I decided to keep them. I've put 350+ miles on these shoes and their cushion and support are finally feeling flat now. I got plantar fasciitis almost a year ago because I went from 100% trail to 100% road. In two weeks with the racers I got PF in my right heel. These shoes allowed me to keep running, increase my mileage from 20, to 30's for weeks on end and peaked at 40 mpw. (I'm a newer runner). Truly an amazing shoe in terms of extreme comfort to help you stack up miles if dealing with an injury such as PF or any other foot tendonitis from impact. I truly don't have any complaints outside of my toes hitting the front, so I'd recommend a ... MoreI'm a 8.5 in the Escalante racers and got these in the same size however def run a half size too small. My toes hit the front but I decided to keep them. I've put 350+ miles on these shoes and their cushion and support are finally feeling flat now. I got plantar fasciitis almost a year ago because I went from 100% trail to 100% road. In two weeks with the racers I got PF in my right heel. These shoes allowed me to keep running, increase my mileage from 20, to 30's for weeks on end and peaked at 40 mpw. (I'm a newer runner). Truly an amazing shoe in terms of extreme comfort to help you stack up miles if dealing with an injury such as PF or any other foot tendonitis from impact. I truly don't have any complaints outside of my toes hitting the front, so I'd recommend a half size bigger. I would certainly buy these again. Altra, can we restock the 9's in white please?
originally posted on altrarunning.com
These feel better than the first version. I usually get around 500-600 miles across different brands so time will tell durability wise. The first 50 miles feel super nice though. I enjoy the 0 drop. As long as the durability is there I'll purchase again because the comfort has been improved as well as the overall feel. These are just a really nice pair of sneakers. I do wish the toe box was a bit bigger but they will "break in" a bit I think as the last pair did. I like an unusually wide toe box but these work, I was first convinced by a shoe store to give them a chance and it worked out.
originally posted on REI
Beware of a short-lived shoe; I got about 150 miles out of my Via Olympus 2 shoes. With just six weeks of walking paved neighborhood streets, up to four miles a day--by a 66 year-old who weighs 145 pounds--the shoes had holes. A hole in the top above my toe, a hole in the center behind my heel, and a hole on the side of the heel box. All beginning after just 150 miles or so of gentle dog walking. I contacted Altra customer service, and after providing all the information they requested they denied my warranty claim. I've worn high quality running shoes for over 40 years. I don't wearout shoes quickly usually get 350-500 miles from a pair. None have disintegrated so spectacularly or so quickly as these Altras. I suspect any other brand of running shoe from REI will ... MoreBeware of a short-lived shoe; I got about 150 miles out of my Via Olympus 2 shoes. With just six weeks of walking paved neighborhood streets, up to four miles a day--by a 66 year-old who weighs 145 pounds--the shoes had holes. A hole in the top above my toe, a hole in the center behind my heel, and a hole on the side of the heel box. All beginning after just 150 miles or so of gentle dog walking. I contacted Altra customer service, and after providing all the information they requested they denied my warranty claim. I've worn high quality running shoes for over 40 years. I don't wearout shoes quickly usually get 350-500 miles from a pair. None have disintegrated so spectacularly or so quickly as these Altras. I suspect any other brand of running shoe from REI will be better than these, don't bother with Altra.
| Variant | |
| size | 8.5 USM |
ALTRA Men's Via Olympus 2 Trainers
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Mens Altra Via Olympus 2 Black / US 8.5
Free delivery between 26 Mar – 3 Apr
I'm a 8.5 in the Escalante racers and got these in the same size however def run a half size too small. My toes hit the front but I decided to keep them. I've put 350+ miles on these shoes and their cushion and support are finally feeling flat now. I got plantar fasciitis almost a year ago because I went from 100% trail to 100% road. In two weeks with the racers I got PF in my right heel. These shoes allowed me to keep running, increase my mileage from 20, to 30's for weeks on end and peaked at 40 mpw. (I'm a newer runner). Truly an amazing shoe in terms of extreme comfort to help you stack up miles if dealing with an injury such as PF or any other foot tendonitis from impact. I truly don't have any complaints outside of my toes hitting the front, so I'd recommend a ... MoreI'm a 8.5 in the Escalante racers and got these in the same size however def run a half size too small. My toes hit the front but I decided to keep them. I've put 350+ miles on these shoes and their cushion and support are finally feeling flat now. I got plantar fasciitis almost a year ago because I went from 100% trail to 100% road. In two weeks with the racers I got PF in my right heel. These shoes allowed me to keep running, increase my mileage from 20, to 30's for weeks on end and peaked at 40 mpw. (I'm a newer runner). Truly an amazing shoe in terms of extreme comfort to help you stack up miles if dealing with an injury such as PF or any other foot tendonitis from impact. I truly don't have any complaints outside of my toes hitting the front, so I'd recommend a half size bigger. I would certainly buy these again. Altra, can we restock the 9's in white please?
These feel better than the first version. I usually get around 500-600 miles across different brands so time will tell durability wise. The first 50 miles feel super nice though. I enjoy the 0 drop. As long as the durability is there I'll purchase again because the comfort has been improved as well as the overall feel. These are just a really nice pair of sneakers. I do wish the toe box was a bit bigger but they will "break in" a bit I think as the last pair did. I like an unusually wide toe box but these work, I was first convinced by a shoe store to give them a chance and it worked out.
Beware of a short-lived shoe; I got about 150 miles out of my Via Olympus 2 shoes. With just six weeks of walking paved neighborhood streets, up to four miles a day--by a 66 year-old who weighs 145 pounds--the shoes had holes. A hole in the top above my toe, a hole in the center behind my heel, and a hole on the side of the heel box. All beginning after just 150 miles or so of gentle dog walking. I contacted Altra customer service, and after providing all the information they requested they denied my warranty claim. I've worn high quality running shoes for over 40 years. I don't wearout shoes quickly usually get 350-500 miles from a pair. None have disintegrated so spectacularly or so quickly as these Altras. I suspect any other brand of running shoe from REI will ... MoreBeware of a short-lived shoe; I got about 150 miles out of my Via Olympus 2 shoes. With just six weeks of walking paved neighborhood streets, up to four miles a day--by a 66 year-old who weighs 145 pounds--the shoes had holes. A hole in the top above my toe, a hole in the center behind my heel, and a hole on the side of the heel box. All beginning after just 150 miles or so of gentle dog walking. I contacted Altra customer service, and after providing all the information they requested they denied my warranty claim. I've worn high quality running shoes for over 40 years. I don't wearout shoes quickly usually get 350-500 miles from a pair. None have disintegrated so spectacularly or so quickly as these Altras. I suspect any other brand of running shoe from REI will be better than these, don't bother with Altra.
Whenever Altra makes a change, it's hit or miss. I bought a pair of the original Via Olympus shoes in 2023, and went from barely running a mile to training for my first marathon. Early in 2024, I figured I should get another pair so I'd have newer shoes going into the marathon. This is when Altra switched and came out with the Via Olympus 2. Right off the bat I noticed something was off. The left shoe seemed to cause my ankle to pronate, but not the right. I went ahead and tried to use them for a few weeks, and it completely trashed my marathon training. Thankfully I still have a few hundred miles of life left in my first pair until Altra figures out how they screwed these shoes up so bad. Thankfully I bought these through REI and I can return them.
After more than 250 street miles there are a couple of issues that keep me from calling it a really great show. The heel fit is not good enough, at least for my feet. For the right size, the heel slips, requiring tighter and more frequent lacing. Also the midsole foam, that felt very comfortable and had some bounciness in the early miles, has gone mostly flat after 200 miles. Clearly the foam needs significant improvement compared to the competition. I would still recommend it but barely so.
I have been wearing Altra's for 5+ years. This one has the most bounce and comfort by far! The paradigm used to be my favorite Altra. However, the last 2 have been terrible. The via is not noticeably heavy because the energy return makes up for that. It's comfortable at most paces! I have even taken it out on an 18 mile long run where some of the miles were in the 5:20-5:50 range. Due to the wide base of the shoe, it has some stability features! I will be getting another pair as soon as possible. The one criticism I have is making the upper a tad more plush.
A shoe sales person recommended the original Altras because of my foot shape. These are wonderful shoes! They have a great toe box and max cushion. I have put 50 road miles on these so far. A few recommendations. The first one is to make the tongue fixed. The tongue moves around. The next is to the option to have a carbon fiber plate in an original Altra. I feel this model would be the perfect one to do so in. Lastly, please add some better colors or allow people to design their own.
First time Altra customer, wanted a very cushy shoe to recover from plantar fac issues. I use these for just being on feet and walking, not running. Wide spread toe box new and helpful, seems a quality build (so far?). I actually do put in a support arched orthotic. I would be hesitant to do that if I was running in them, but on their own, I don't find a ton of arch support in these Altra's (which I definitely need especially right now with my plantar issues). After wearing, my soles and heels don't feel pain or inflamed, so I believe my recovery is going in the right direction. FYI: I've also been regularly (but moderately) rolling, stretching and icing my feet as part of my recovery. So these shoes seem to be one helpful piece of the puzzle I'm solving.
I have worn many versions of the Timp model by Altra and was happy when they decided to expand their options to multiple widths. This is the first time I'm trying on the Via Olympus model. It fits very similar to the Timp model. I wear an 11 1/2 wide US and the length is spot on. When completing the survey, I stated that I wore wide width but was shipped a medium so they're a bit snug in the width for me but overall I believe they run true to width. The shape of the toe box is very comfortable and ergonomic. The only issue I've noticed is that the height of the toe box is in the low side but there's still just enough room for my big toe not to touch the top of the shoe. As for the drop of the sole, it is the normal low drop that Altra is known for. Personally, I ... MoreI have worn many versions of the Timp model by Altra and was happy when they decided to expand their options to multiple widths. This is the first time I'm trying on the Via Olympus model. It fits very similar to the Timp model. I wear an 11 1/2 wide US and the length is spot on. When completing the survey, I stated that I wore wide width but was shipped a medium so they're a bit snug in the width for me but overall I believe they run true to width. The shape of the toe box is very comfortable and ergonomic. The only issue I've noticed is that the height of the toe box is in the low side but there's still just enough room for my big toe not to touch the top of the shoe. As for the drop of the sole, it is the normal low drop that Altra is known for. Personally, I have to get used to wearing these as I'm normally wearing work boots with a 3/4" heel on a daily basis. The cushioning of the sole is on the extreme side yet is a neutral sole. I over pronate on both feet and require orthotics to correct unless I'm wearing an extremely supportive shoe like the Brooks Beast. I've added a photo showing with and without orthotics. Overall, this is a great running shoe with a low drop, neutral sole and extreme cushioning that runs true to size.
These Altra Via Olympus 2 are amazingly comfortable shoes. I didn't know how much I needed these shoes until I actually put them on my feet. The Altra Footshape is a vast contrast to many other running sneakers that I have worn for years, because this wide and roomy toe box allows my toes to have the room they need to spread and disperse. Another unique feature with this shoe is the zero toe drop which keeps my foot in a natural positions from heel to toe within the shoe. This takes some time to get used to because I feel its strengthening my Achilles and foot as a whole. Visually I noticed right out of the box the shoe size and cushioning. There is a lot of Altra EGO MAX midsole on this shoe that gives me a very high stack height, but when I'm running it all ... MoreThese Altra Via Olympus 2 are amazingly comfortable shoes. I didn't know how much I needed these shoes until I actually put them on my feet. The Altra Footshape is a vast contrast to many other running sneakers that I have worn for years, because this wide and roomy toe box allows my toes to have the room they need to spread and disperse. Another unique feature with this shoe is the zero toe drop which keeps my foot in a natural positions from heel to toe within the shoe. This takes some time to get used to because I feel its strengthening my Achilles and foot as a whole. Visually I noticed right out of the box the shoe size and cushioning. There is a lot of Altra EGO MAX midsole on this shoe that gives me a very high stack height, but when I'm running it all absorbs my body weight very well. The bounce it provides is fantastic and the shoes don't feel heavy. It's a maximum cushion sneaker and it feels great on my feet for walking and running needs. The style of the sneaker is modern and casual at the same time. Easy to wear this sneaker for many different scenarios. Looking forward to using these shoes for many more miles on my runs. In the runs I have completed so far, my legs feel less fatigued afterwards. The shoes truly absorb quite a bit of impact which helps to keep my joints happy.
| Variant | |
| size | 8.5 USM |
