After my earlier favourite path shoe model was bought to a voracious, monumental outdoor-business conglomerate, nothing was fairly proper anymore. I seen measurement tinkering and a marked decline in high quality and sturdiness. Unhappy because it was, I knew I wanted to modify.
Once I went searching for a alternative, I found American-owned, Massachusetts-based Topo Athletic, whose footwear provide a large toebox and minimal drop. Since discovering them, I’ve hiked and run solely in Topo’s for greater than three years. So sure, you may name me a “homer.” However it seems that I’m not the one one. Final summer time on the Continental Divide Path, Topos had been neck-and-neck with my earlier favourite model when it comes to reputation. So clearly, the corporate is catching on.
Good Sneakers, Delicate Variations
I’ve been impressed and greater than a bit shocked at Topo’s rising catalog of assorted fashions, although I confess that the variations between them can typically be… delicate. And I’m certain that I’m not alone. The names sound related and the footwear look the identical to the uninitiated. Nonetheless, the variations are notable and straightforward to know when you get into the nitty-gritty, which is what we’ll do right here.
On this mixed evaluation, I check out the most recent iterations of two well-liked fashions, the Ultraventure 3 (a extra sustainable model, Eco) and Terraventure 4 (together with a water-resistant model), and a brand new one, the Traverse.
Left to proper: Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 3 Evo, Traverse, Terraventure 4 WP, Terraventure 4. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Eco (Girls’s | Males’s) At-a-Look
Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 3 Evo. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
MSRP: $150
Fashion: Excessive-cushion, broad toebox, Vibram sole
Stack top: 35/30mm
Drop: 5mm
Meant function: Path operating, mountain climbing
Weight: 10.2 ounces per shoe (males’s 9)
Circumstances of Use
I wore the limited-edition Ultraventure 3 (UV3) Eco for greater than 600 miles on the CDT in Montana final summer time. The Eco has the identical specs because the common Ultraventure 3 however was made with no dyes and extra recycled supplies.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Eco Options
- Roomy toebox: One in every of Topo’s high promoting factors
- Roomy heel: Whereas one well-known “broad toebox” shoe producer has inexplicably narrowed the heel on a number of high fashions, Topo has stored its heels roomy
- Safe midfoot and heel: OrthoLite Efficiency insole and ZipFoam midsole
- Cushioning: Topo’s cushiest path shoe
- Light-weight
- Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole: Designed for moist and slippery situations
- Gaiter attachment: Suitable with Topo’s patented gaiter system
How’d They Do?
Match
My ft are quick and really broad with a excessive arch and instep. Topo footwear match me very nicely, however I routinely bump a full measurement up for extra roominess. The roomy heel and toebox are what convey me again, again and again, to a number of Topo fashions, and the Eco isn’t any totally different.
Consolation
The Ultraventure 3 is an especially cozy experience for a stable and sturdy path shoe. I keep in mind considering, “It’s like I’m carrying clouds on my ft.” The stack top is 35 mm on the heel and 30 mm within the forefoot, however I by no means felt like I used to be teetering atop an excessive amount of basis. This shoe appears like the opposite model’s most cushioned path shoe, however with a wider match.
Traction
Topo’s customary Vibram soles are an actual promoting level for his or her path footwear. One knock towards utilizing path runners on a long-distance hike is the shortage of sturdiness, and many of the finest mountain climbing boots use Vibram soles for a motive.
The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole is versatile and light-weight. Regardless of having fewer beefy lugs than a few of Topo’s different fashions, I discovered the only a lot grippy.
Sturdiness
In all honesty, whereas I used to be thrilled with the Topo Terraventure 3 on my 2021 Pacific Crest Path thru-hike, I noticed a good variety of Ultraventure 2s that merely didn’t maintain up.
So, once I determined to move south from the Canadian border within the UV3 Eco, I instructed myself to not anticipate a lot when it comes to sturdiness. And my common rule of thumb is, the extra comfy the shoe, the much less sturdy it’s more likely to be.
However Topo has performed some work on the uppers for the brand new model. My once-bright-white, by-then-mud-brown Ecos had been nonetheless in nice form once I traded them out (for Topo’s wonderful Pursuit) after nicely over 600 miles. They may have gone additional, however I didn’t get caught quick in the midst of nowhere.
Regardless of its extremely soft experience, Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 3 Evo proved to be remarkably endurable on the Continental Divide Path. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
And I used them exhausting. Per week-long low-pressure system over northern Wyoming meant numerous miles of muddy path, typically rocky, usually combined with poop from passing mule- and horse-packing trains. The northern CDT is a lot tough in locations and includes plenty of steep climbing on granite-toothed peaks, in addition to gritty desert crossings. The Evo held its personal by means of all of that. I used to be greater than impressed.
The lugs on Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 3 Evo after 600-plus miles on the Continental Divide Path. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Worth
That is Topo’s costliest common path shoe (not counting these with ankle-high uppers), which isn’t any shock, given the cushioning. However it’s nonetheless $20 lower than the best-known wide-toebox model’s cushiest shoe.
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 (Girls’s | Males’s) At-a-Look
MSRP: $135
Fashion: Reasonable cushion, broad toebox, Vibram sole
Stack top: 25/22mm
Drop: 3mm
Meant function: Path operating, mountain climbing
Weight: 10.1 ounces per shoe (males’s 9)
Circumstances of Use
I’ve worn the Terraventure 4 (TV4) for roughly 200 miles of simple path and seaside operating.
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 Options
- Roomy toebox
- Roomy heel
- Safe midfoot and heel: OrthoLite Efficiency insole and ZipFoam midsole
- Rock plate
- Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Gaiter attachment: Suitable with Topo’s patented gaiter system
How’d They Do?
Match
The TV3 stays one in every of my favourite path footwear of all time — they match me like a glove. The TV4 is, I’m shocked to say, a bit narrower in each the toe and heel, even once I measurement as much as measurement 9.5M. I’m undecided what the reasoning is there, on condition that the corporate promotes the broader match.
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Consolation
The TV4 is a sturdy shoe with a rock plate, which inevitably (in my view) means it’s much less “cloudlike” than the UV3. It feels harder and general stiffer, but it surely’s nonetheless a lot comfy. Once more, the narrower profile makes it only a bit much less comfy for my ft.
Traction
Topo’s go-to Vibram Megagrip outsole is luggy and hard, designed for stable traction even in moist and slippery situations. Whereas I didn’t problem this mannequin on the numerous terrain of an extended path, the TV4 has loads of grip in moist situations.
Sturdiness
At simply 200 miles of use, I can’t say for sure how sturdy the TV4 will likely be. However the uppers really really feel extra sturdy than these of my previous favourite, the TV3. And on condition that the UV3 Eco held up so nicely, I’m assured that hikers ought to be capable to get 600-700 miles per pair, if no more.
Worth
At $135, the TV4 may be very inexpensive for such a stable shoe.
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 Waterproof (Girls’s | Males’s)
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP (waterproof), eVent® bootie building. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
I’ve additionally put about 200 miles on the cool-looking black Terraventure 4 Waterproof (TV4WP), and all of the foregoing applies.
So far as the waterproofing goes, nicely, yeah, they’re actually waterproof … so long as no water comes above your ankles. I’m not a giant fan of waterproof footwear, recognizing that if they’re waterproof from the skin, identical goes for the within — which implies that as soon as in, the water is there to remain till you may totally dry out the footwear (not all the time attainable on lengthy trails).
The TV4WP’s eVent bootie building is sort of cool, and positively retains out the morning dew, if that’s all you’re going to be coping with.
Topo Athletic Traverse (Girls’s | Males’s) At-a-Look
Topo Athletic Traverse. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph.
MSRP: $150
Fashion: Reasonable cushion, broad toebox, gentle stability and agency, Vibram sole
Stack top: 30/25mm
Drop: 5mm
Meant function: Path operating, mountain climbing
Weight: 10.6 ounces per shoe (males’s 9)
Circumstances of Use
I’ve worn the Traverse for roughly 250 miles of simple path and seaside operating.
Topo Athletic Traverse Options
- Roomy toebox
- Roomy heel
- FKT Insole: closed-celled building to maintain water out and permit footwear to empty rapidly in moist situations
- Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Gaiter attachment: Suitable with Topo’s patented gaiter system
How’d They Do?
Match
The Traverse has the basic Topo broad toebox and heel, feeling roomier than the TV4, and never fairly as roomy because the UV3.
Consolation
Topo describes its latest path mannequin as a “hiker/technical path runner hybrid … constructed to overcome even the hardest of trails with ease.” It actually feels robust, and it’s acquired extra assist and fewer flexibility than every other Topo mannequin I’ve tried besides the Ultraventure Professional. And but, I’ve discovered it a lot comfy for operating; extra comfy, in reality, than the TV4, because of the roomier match. I do surprise how my ft may reply to a stiffer shoe on the finish of a 30-mile day, nevertheless.
I actually like the brand new FKT insole, which doesn’t absorb water and is frivolously pebbled for consolation.
FKT insole, Topo Athletic Traverse path shoe. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Traction
Vibram Megagrip outsole. Please see the outline of the identical outsole within the Terravenutre 4 part above.
Sturdiness
You possibly can by no means make certain with out really placing the miles in, however I strongly suspect that the Traverse will maintain up for my now-expected 600-700 miles for different Topo fashions, and probably extra. It’s one robust shoe, construction-wise.
Worth
At $150, very inexpensive for such a stable shoe.
Last Ideas
All of Topo Athletic’s path footwear function Vibram soles. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph.
Ultraventure 3
- Comfortable clouds in your ft that may take a beating. I’m undoubtedly impressed!
- Not simply light-weight, however gentle feeling in your ft.
- No downsides, for this reviewer.
Store the Girls’s Ultraventure 3
Store the Males’s Ultraventure 3
Terraventure 4
- A considerably narrower match than the excellent Terraventure 3.
- Seems extra sturdy than the TV3, which is extraordinarily robust.
- Waterproof building is neat, however as soon as the water will get in, it’s in.
- A step down from the TV3, on this reviewer’s opinion, due to the narrower match, however nonetheless an excellent shoe. Shoe match is private, so strive ’em out.
Store the Girls’s Terraventure 4
Store the Males’s Terraventure 4
Traverse
- Tremendous robust uppers more likely to imply good sturdiness.
- Stiffer than my three favourite Topo path footwear, the Pursuit, the TV3, and UV3.
- For such assist, nonetheless feels comfy, however could also be tougher on ft on lengthy days.
- In some methods, it appears a lot the identical because the Ultraventure Professional — stiffer, much less cushioned building, robust uppers, rock plate — however I discover it to be extra comfy than the Ultraventure Professional.
- I discover myself selecting these footwear usually, because of good, broad match and super-solid basis.
Store the Girls’s Traverse
Store the Males’s Traverse
Comparable Path Runners
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3
Altra Olympus 5 (Girls’s | Males’s)
MSRP: $170
Weight: 12.3 ounces every
Drop: 0mm
Hoka One One Speedgoat 5 (Girls’s | Males’s)
MSRP: $155
Weight: 11.5 ounces every
Match: Slim; tapered toebox
Drop: 4mm
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4
Altra Timp 4 (Girls’s | Males’s)
MSRP: $160
Weight: 10.9 ounces every
Drop: 0mm
Topo Athletic Traverse
Altra Lone Peak 7 (Girls’s | Males’s)
MSRP: $150
Weight: 9 ounces every
Drop: 0mm
The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Eco, Traverse, Terraventure 4, and Terraventure 4 WP had been donated for the aim of evaluation.
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