GEAR REVIEW: Topo Athletic Ultraventure Trail Shoe

By Will Rietveld

Topo Athletic is a relatively new shoe company that makes several trail models of interest to lightweight backpackers and trail runners. Features that appeal are light weight, synthetic materials, stitchless (welded) construction), a wide toebox, and snug heelcup. I have previously tested two Topo models – the Terraventure and Hydoventure – and loved both of them.

A new model in Topo lineup is the Ultraventure. This review will focus on how it’s a bit different from the two models I have previously tested, and how it compares with the popular Altra Lone Peak shoe, now in version 4. (Topo Athletic photo.)

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Topo Athletic (www.topoathletic.com)
Model	Ultraventure
Materials	All synthetic: nylon mesh upper, EVA midsole, rubber outsole
Stack Height	30mm heel/25mm forefoot, 5mm heel to toe drop
Weight	Size men’s 12 tested: 11.9 oz/shoe; mfr specification 10.4 oz/shoe for men’s size 9; 8 oz/shoe for women’s size 7
Features	Durable breathable mesh upper with TPU overlay pattern, 3-piece multi-density midsole, drainage gills for water release, Vibram XS Trek outsole, built-in attachments for Topo gaiter.
MSRP	$130

Description

Most Topo shoe models have no or low heel to toe drop. The Terraventure and Hydroventure shoes I previously reviewed have 3 millimeters of drop; the Ultraventure has 5 a millimeter drop. Also, compared to those shoes, the Ultraventure has significantly more cushioning and support.

The upper is a soft nylon mesh with generous TPU overlays optimized for breathability and durability.

The outsole is Vibram XS Trek rubber with an aggressive lug pattern for traction and ample spacing between the lugs to shed mud and snow. (Topo Athletic photo.)

The Ultraventure has “gills” on both sides of the toebox to speed drainage and drying time.

Field Testing

I tested the Ultraventure in fall, winter, and spring in a wide range of conditions while day hiking, trail running, and backpacking; 33 trips in all. Because of the timing, my testing was mostly on trails, but I got in a good bit of off-trail use as well.

The first thing I noticed (and liked) about the Ultraventure is its extra cushioning. On long day hikes and backpacking days, I was able to hike 10 hours in them without foot fatigue, and I never had a blister.

A second feature I really like is their welded construction, meaning no stitched seams to come apart. And there is a very durable TPU rand around the toebox, a very vulnerable area for abrasion from off-trail bushwhacking.

Thirdly, I really like their wide toebox. That’s expecially important for me because I have wide feet (E width), but most thru-hikers and fastpackers like that feature because their feet swell during a long day on the trail.

Their stability on trails is excellent. However, when hiking off-trail (which is not necessarily this shoe’s intended purpose) I needed to tighten the laces tight over my instep to avoid rollover, especially crossing steep sidehills.

The breathability of the upper is very good. When a manufacturer chooses a fabric for the upper of a shoe, breathability needs to be balanced with keeping sand and dust out. I have tested shoes with a coarse mesh upper that were extremely breathable, but they allowed lots of trail dust and sand (when hiking in the desert) to go through, which is an obvious disadvantage. Topo has chosen well on the Ultraventrue.

Since the shoe is made with a breathable mesh, they are not water-resistant at all. They get wet inside easily, and I found they do not dry out quickly. I did not notice any benefit from the “gills” on both sides of the toebox. The gills function well to pump free water out of the shoes, but don’t seem to make much difference in removing absorbed water.

The Ultraventure has an aggressive traction outsole, which performs exceptionally well in dry and muddy conditions, but it tended to slip sideways on inclined snowbanks.

As you can see in the photo the Ultraventure came out of my testing with a lot of life left in it, which is a good testament to its durability.

However, I am not a fan of the Topo gaiter. It attaches with a typical lace hook at the front and two inverted “C” hooks at the heel. I found the lace hook comes loose sometimes, debris enters from the sides (which barely cover the shoe’s ankle cutout), and the rear hooks occasionally come loose. All of these issues occurred when I used the shoes for bushwhacking off-trail, which is not their intended use. The heel hooks are difficult to attach with the shoes on, so I typically leave the gaiters attached to the shoes and enter the shoe through the attached gaiter, which is a bit cumbersome but easily mastered. I prefer a tighter fit and a hook and loop attachment low on the heel.

Assessment

I can say with confidence that the Ultraventure is my favorite Topo trail shoe so far. I really love the wide toebox, extra cushioning, extra support, traction, and durable materials and construction.

For runners and hikers who prefer a shoe with a wide toebox, the main choices are Topo Athletic and Altra shoes. Altra shoes are always zero drop, and Topo trail shoes have some heel rise (3mm or 5 mm). I have tested both brands in several models or versions and find that zero drop or low drop (for me) does not make any consequential difference. My feet readily adapt to the small differences in drop, and I don’t notice any difference in performance; both brands perform well for my purpose.

I like the lighter weight of the Topo shoes compared to the Altra Lone Peak, which is a beefier shoe, and I also like the Topo welded construction compared to the Altra stitched construction.

Toebox width of the Topo Ultraventure (left) compared to the Altra Lone Peak 4 (right). I overlaid the toebox of the Ultraventure with the Altra Lone Peak 4 and found the outside width to be nearly identical (the Topo shoe was about 2 millimeters wider), so no significant difference. Note that the inside width is not easily measured.

I am not impressed with the “mesh” upper of the Altra Lone Peak 4; it’s a bit stiff and doesn’t seem to be very breathable. I like the upper on version 3.5 more. I much prefer the upper on the Ultraventure, meaning the combination of soft breathable mesh, TPU overlays in the right places, and welded construction.

However, I will take the Altra Trail Gaiter any day compared to the Topo Gaiter. It stays attached and keeps debris out. I have not tried the Altra Four-Point Gaiter.

Which shoe do I like better? Well, it’s like loving your children; you love each one for different reasons, and they’re both exceptional. Both deserve a close look by trail runners and lightweight backpackers.