Olympus 6 vs Hierro 9

The Altra Olympus 6 is a maximum cushioned trail running shoe built for going long and staying comfortable when the miles pile up. It pairs a deep, plush platform with Altra's signature zero drop geometry, so your heel and forefoot sit at the same height and your foot spreads naturally over rough ground. At 345g it is a substantial shoe, and you notice the weight on faster efforts, but that heft buys you real protection underfoot on rocky, root strewn trails. This is an ultra shoe first and foremost. It is happiest on all day adventures, long training loops and technical terrain where a wide, grippy outsole and a stack of soft foam keep your legs fresher for longer. If you want a lighter, nimbler trail tool the Altra Lone Peak 9 or the Hoka Speedgoat 7 make more sense. For runners who prize comfort and a natural foot position over speed, we rate the Olympus 6 highly.

The New Balance Hierro 9 is a cushioned, protective trail running shoe built for long days on mixed ground rather than chasing podiums. It sits in the max-cushion, door-to-trail camp: soft enough to soak up road sections and rocky descents, planted enough that you can switch off and enjoy the miles. At 301g with a low 4mm drop it is not light, and it is not trying to be. What you get instead is a stable, forgiving ride that keeps your legs fresher deep into a long run or ultra. Grip is confident across dirt, gravel and damp rock without the deep lugs that make aggressive mud shoes feel awkward on hardpack. If you want a faster, grippier racer for steep technical terrain the Hoka Speedgoat 7 is the sharper tool. But as a comfortable daily trail trainer that shrugs off distance, the Hierro 9 is an easy shoe to live in.