Olympus 6 vs Sense Ride 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 Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the trail running shoe you reach for when you do not want to think too hard. It is a do-everything door-to-trail shoe with a moderate 8mm drop and enough cushioning to soak up long days without turning your foot into a marshmallow. At 286g it sits in the middle of the weight range, so it is not a light and racy trail shoe, but it is not a heavy tank either. What you get is balance. The grip handles wet grass, packed dirt and light rock without complaint, and it rolls happily onto tarmac for the road sections between trails. It is neutral, so it suits runners with a fairly stable gait rather than heavy overpronators. If you want one shoe for mixed UK trails, muddy commons and the occasional path run, this is a smart, honest pick. Chasing a fast time on technical mountain terrain? Look at something more aggressive like the Saucony Peregrine 16.