by Lionel Brahim Brodie III
In the midst of the November Storm that is the New York City Marathon, Philly United, Philadelphia Marathon, National Running Safety Month, Thanksgiving, and the “official” beginning of the Holiday Season, Altra released one of the most anticipated models of the year: the VIA Olympus 2. Featuring a softer Altra EGO™ MAX foam, plush upper, and rocker shape geometry for capital 'B' Big miles, this shoe was built for both comfort and performance.
I am just going to put myself out there for a minute: I have flat, FAT feet. Furthermore, I have self-diagnosed myself as high maintenance. I'm typically looking for a stability shoe with roominess (without having to order a wide shoe), MAX cushioning, and oh yeah.....I need the shoes to come in an ill colorway. After all, I have a reputation to uphold on the fashion front. Bam! The VIA Olympus 2 gives me a wider toe box and zero to low drop. So it's not "technically" a stability shoe, but the wider base contributes to the support that I need when I'm walking, jogging, and running. I haven't raced in a while.....but 2024 is right around the corner.
Speaking of racing, Altra's rocker shape gives the propulsion feeling in a very organic, natural way. So I’m talking a v fast shoe with a v springy bounce. Nice, right? Wait…..I should also mention that I kinda cheated here. I took Altra's Shoe Finder "quiz" to figure out which model would work best for me as I continue to add race after race to my '24 schedule. Life hack: you don't need to do that. Any one of our Philadelphia Runner experts at any of our 4 locations can get you properly sorted.
We haven't nicknamed a shoe in a while. There's a lot of great colorways of the VIA Olympus 2, but the pair with my name and miles on it are the "One Hundred Euro Notes" or "The Hundos"! See you on the roads…..
The Tech Talk:
NATURAL FIT - Our shoes have a roomy toe box and zero to low drop, built to keep you comfortable and keep you running. Move the way you were designed to.
ALTRA EGO™ MAX - Our Altra EGO™ Max midsole foam gives you all the light and luxurious performance with a little extra bounce and added durability.
ROCKER SHAPE - Our rocker shape is designed to give the feeling of being propelled forward with each step and provides an efficient toe-off without taking away from your natural stride.
The Specs:
Weight – 11.4oz (men’s), 9.6oz (women’s)
Heel–To–Toe Drop – 0mm
The Key Features:
- Updated midsole compound for a softer underfoot feel
- Plush Ortholite X55 footbed for improved step-in feel
- Refined molded heel collar for a comfortable, secure fit
The Finish Line:
The Altra VIA Olympus 2 is available NOW! Our staff of experts can answer any questions you have about this shoe, Altra, and any other product in our 4 locations (Center City, University City, Manayunk, or Glen Mills). Stop in to say hello, schedule a gait analysis, or order a pair from our online shop today!