Here's a little background for this review: I have been running and hiking in zero/low drop trail runners for around 3 years now. There was minimal transition to these Ultraventure shoes partly because of that. For this review, I ran and hiked about 20 miles with around 2500 feet of elevation gain. This was dry, California single track and fire roads, and at Yosemite. My foot shape is, in my opinion, pretty average.
I bought a pair and they felt really good on my feet and I liked the large toe box. I wore them out of the store as I was headed straight to the trails and noticed my heels began to roll in just as I was walking out the door. I tried them anyway knowing REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. After just 7 miles my feet were killing me! way too much food movement in this shoe for really rocky trails because there just isn’t any support anywhere. Blisters were starting to form from all the friction. There is ZERO arch support as well.
My first handful of uses with these shoes were rough, I took them running on the street, to the gym, and most importantly, trail running. Running on the hard compact dirt trails familiar to the central CA coast, I found these shoes to be lacking the necessary support for my feet. I felt as if my ankles were rolling inwards much more than any other shoe I've had thanks to the lack of sole support. Additionally, I felt like the vibram sole of this shoe to be too thin and flexible for trail running, especially on hard dirt. I did not have the opportunity to test these shoes on softer, more wooded trails where I feel as if they would perform better but on the hard, rocky trails that I ran on, there are better options out there. One last thing I noticed with these shoes is the tongue of the shoe always seem to become uncomfortable. I'm not sure if this issue was specific to my pair or it is the design but it was one thing to note. Lastly, these shoes did provide a comfortable and ample toe box which helped my toes spread out while running.
First impressions - the shoe is not much to look at. Personally, I love colorful running shoes and felt like these could use some pop.
Lightweight but sturdily constructed. Good on pavement and non-technical trails. Lots of cushion, and they seem to add a spring to my step. I like the understated styling because I can also wear them for casual situations and not look like a clown.
I used and liked the Terraventures but was looking for something with more cushion. I switched to the new Altra Lone Peak 4's (great shoe, but huge durability issues), and then back to Topo when this was released.
Used these on the PCT. Really comfy, no discomfort issues, lasted for around 400 miles each (used two pairs)
I really enjoyed my experience in the Topo Ultraventure. The wide toe box is always a plus. It gives my toes plenty of room to spread out. I felt like they were a tad through the middle of the shoe narrow, but I was able to lace them differently to give myself more room, and the problem was fixed. The shoe is adequately cushioned for pounding the trail. I had the most success on my shorter runs (3-6 miles). I took them on one long run (14 miles), but I don't think they will be my long distance trail running shoe.
I’ve had this for 2 months and about 100 miles so far. The cushioning has been good and the upper solid. I’ve played with the lacing some to better hold my foot in place on the harder downhills. Initially I had some slippage but that’s in check now. The wider toe box has been nice. The outsole has been very grippy in all conditions. They have drained water well and dried quickly. This is my first pair of Topos and I have been very pleased.
The Topo Ultraventure is my new go-to shoe for trail running. During my first run with the shoe, I was surprised at how quickly the shoe felt familiar and broken in, considering that I'd only worn them for an hour strength training session beforehand. For how light the shoes are, they also provided fantastic protection from rocks and tree stumps. I never really felt the rocks that I ran over (sometimes on purpose), and my toes didn't notice the tree stump they accidentally collided with. The size of the toe box was perfect, especially when running downhill. In my usual size, the shoe fit great: I never noticed it moving around and causing blisters.
I came to the Topo Athletic Running Shoe from a prior long line of La Sportiva and Inov8 running shoes. I have a very narrow foot, A width, and high arches, which colors my opinion. In many ways I was very impressed with the Topo. I love the 5mm drop, which feels perfect to me, and the excellent traction. The shoes easily gripped slick rock, rough rock, snow and loose dirt like a champ. While the shoe has no rock plate, I had no issues with feeling the rocks under foot. Admittedly, the very minimal Inov8 shoes I’ve worn before have toughened my feet up! What really shone for me was the great heel and lace system. My heel felt locked in at all times and the thicker laces were easy to cinch down and stayed put throughout long runs.
Using them for travel in Europe, some off road and some city walking ... super comfortable! Went into Pamplona Spain for Running of the Bulls day one I wore them, great shoe! No complaints.
Really wanted to keep these cause I've tried several trail shoes and none of them worked for me. Although they were perfect in the front, they seem to be made for fat ankles. But that seems to be a recurring issue with athletic shoes... shoe companies think if you have wide feet, you must have huge ankles. Back these go and the search goes on
The treads on the soles on my Topo's started to come off after a single 45 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. Luckily, REI gave me a full refund. Do not buy these shoes for off road use.
I have wide feet and I have been wearing Altra Lone Peaks for the past two years, exclusively for the wide footbed. This aspect is great, but my feet don’t like the flexibility and lack of protection that I experience with the Altra. I know the Altra is a great trail runner, but my tender feet just needed more protection from rocks and stumps. After trying every trail runner, boot, insert and strange lacing system, I read about the Topo on a Facebook post and looked into them. I am digging the Topo! They have the same relaxed footbed, but they also have a bit more rigidity in the sole, plus the sole is made of Vibram, so they grip really well. They were true to size for me, and are only a bit heavier than my Lone Peaks. My only concern is they may take a bit longer to dry after full saturation. I have hiked only a couple of hundred miles in them, and have yet to have any super wet days. If wide feet and few choices are your problem, you may want to give em a try.
Nothing but good things to say, excellent grip, wore these whole of seirra section, after 680 miles there was still life left in them, cushioning remained throughout, similar in many ways to Altra, not quite as wide a toe box, but far superior quality.
Nice cush, stable, narrow heel, and wide toe box....plus a 5mm drop.....gotta luv these. The perfect combination of Altra and Hoka shoes.
I love these shoes! Just bought my 3rd pair. Not cushioned enough for hiking on rocks,but fabulous for streets and trails.
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