Olympus 6 vs Pegasus Trail 5

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 Pegasus Trail 5 is Nike's door-to-trail running shoe: a cushioned, do-everything trail shoe built to carry you from the pavement onto gravel, light singletrack and mixed paths without missing a beat. It is not a technical mountain racer and it does not pretend to be. With a soft, forgiving ride and a 9.5mm drop, it feels close to a road trainer with extra grip and protection, which is exactly the point. If your local running mixes a road warm-up with woodland trail and the odd muddy patch, this is one of the most versatile options out there. At 300g it is on the heavier side, so it will not win you a fast trail race, and the moderate lugs give up traction in deep mud and on greasy rock. But as a comfortable, durable trail running shoe for everyday miles, the Pegasus Trail 5 nails the brief. We rate it as a buy-it-and-forget-it daily trail shoe rather than a specialist.