I started my thru-hiking profession (Colorado Path, 2015) in Hoka’s Mafate Pace, which was further comfortable, extremely powerful and astonishingly light-weight.
Alas, some 861 miles into my 2016 Appalachian Path thru-hike, my already vast, quick, high-arched toes had unfold out even additional and the Hokas triggered a painful case of sesamoiditis. They have been simply too slim.
I completed the AT sporting two fashions from an organization recognized for its wide-toebox path sneakers. The sneakers weren’t very sturdy, however a minimum of they have been vast sufficient. Think about my shock when the corporate inexplicably narrowed each toebox and heel in subsequent fashions.
That’s after I found Topo Athletic, whose sneakers provide a large toebox and minimal drop, and that’s all I’ve worn since.
I wore Topo’s Terraventure 3 for all the Pacific Crest Path in 2021 and adored them; they have been comfy however extremely sturdy. However the firm gave the impression to be pushing its considerably cushier Ultraventure 2 mannequin that yr, and that shoe was significantly much less sturdy.
Nonetheless, I purchased a pair of UV3 after they got here out and liked the additional cushion. What’s extra, the brand new mannequin was significantly harder than earlier variations.
I jumped on the likelihood to overview the most recent iteration, the Topo Ultraventure 4. However I confess I went into this overview cautious of previous experiences with “updates” to glorious fashions.
However having given them a tryout, I’m happy to report that the UV4 surpasses the superb UV3.
Topo Ultraventure 4 path shoe. Picture by Clay Bonnyman Evans
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 At-a-Look
MSRP: $150
Model: Twin-density, vast toebox, zero-drop, medium-cushion path shoe with ZipFoam midsole and Vibram SX Trek EVO outsole
Meant objective: Path working, mountain climbing
Weight: 10.4 ounces per shoe (males’s 9)
Ladies’s model right here.
Circumstances of Use
Worn for about 250 miles working on the Virginia Appalachian Path, plus seashores and trails in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Additionally used for one 30K path race.
Options
- Roomy toebox: Considered one of Topo’s high promoting factors
- Roomy heel: Topo has stored its heels roomy
- Safe midfoot and heel: OrthoLite Efficiency insole and ZipFoam midsole
- Zero-drop platform
- Cushioning: Excessive and cozy
- Light-weight: 0.2 ounces heavier than UV3
- Vibram SX Trek EVO outsole: Robust, grippy and slightly extra versatile than earlier UV fashions
- Abrasion-resistant higher: In essentially the most important change from the UV3, the uppers are even harder/extra sturdy
- Gaiter attachment: Appropriate with Topo’s patented gaiter system
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4. Courtesy Topo Athletic.
Match
With quick, very-wide toes that includes a excessive arch and instep, I’ve run and hiked completely in Topo sneakers for 5 years. I put on a full dimension as much as give myself much more room. Topo has tightened up a minimum of one mannequin to the purpose that I don’t put on it anymore. However the UV4 is loads vast, even because it retains my toes snugly in place with correct lacing.
The UV4 has a barely larger profile within the Achilles space.
Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 4 (left) has a barely larger heel profile than the earlier UV3. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Consolation
The Ultraventure fashions have all the time been the cushiest in Topo’s trail-shoe steady, and the UV4 isn’t any totally different. It feels about the identical because the UV3, offering a really nice trip even in powerful terrain.
The UV4 is barely extra versatile than its predecessor, whereas sustaining loads of assist and efficiency.
Traction
I believe Topo’s normal Vibram soles are an actual promoting level. There’s a motive the most effective mountain climbing boots use Vibram.
The SX Trek Evo is unchanged from the UV3. I sometimes get round 700 miles per pair of Topos, and by no means lower than about 650, and solely as soon as skilled notably deterioration of the only. The Ultraventure 4 was as much as the problem of rain-slicked rocks on the Virginia AT.
Topo Athletic’s Ultraventure 4 sports activities Vibram soles, as do the corporate’s different fashions. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph.
Sturdiness
That is the largest change within the UV4: the uppers are clearly sturdier than the earlier fashions. The most important criticism amongst UV2 customers on the PCT was simply shredded uppers, however that was corrected with the UV3, and it’s simple to see and really feel that the UV4 is one other step up, with solely the slightest improve in weight (0.2 ounces per shoe).
I enjoy my filthy path toes. However if you happen to don’t, the UV4 gives a sturdier barrier towards mud and dust intrusion.
Extras
Topo provides a novel gaiter system. The gaiter attaches to a small steel loop on the backside of the tongue in entrance, like most manufacturers. In again, Topo gaiters connect by way of steel clips to 2 small rubber nubs on the heel of Topo sneakers.
It’s a cool innovation, however I didn’t notably like Topo’s gaiters. They take extra effort to connect than, say, a pair of hiker-favorite Soiled Woman Gaiters. I assume I wanted a bigger dimension, as a result of the gaiters I attempted out barely reached throughout my arches.
I don’t put on gaiters anymore. However if you wish to use a Velcro-based gaiter with Topos, you’ll do it your self with self-sticking Velcro out there at any ironmongery store. I strongly advise super-gluing your Velcro if you happen to go this route.
As all the time, I’m grateful that Topo sneakers dry out rapidly, and the UV4 isn’t any exception.
I stay impressed that Topo’s laces keep tied by means of thick and skinny and the corporate’s toecaps largely keep put. Hey, different producers: If Topo can pull this stuff off, why can’t you?
For simply 0.2 ounces per shoe, Topo has toughened the uppers in its Ultraventure 4 mannequin (proper) in comparison with the UV3. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Execs
- Wonderful design for thru-hiking and path working, vast toebox, wide-but-secure heel, lacing accommodates big selection of foot shapes
- Very comfy, a lot of cushion
- Light-weight at 10.4 ounces per shoe
- Extraordinarily sturdy
Topo Ultraventure 4 Cons
- Accommodates solely Topo gaiters
- A little bit dearer than the corporate’s different long-distance mountain climbing sneakers
Total
I discovered the UV3 to be comfy, sturdy and lightweight. The Topo Ultraventure 4 is way the identical, with barely extra flexibility and nonetheless extra sturdiness. It’s turning into one among my go-tos, particularly since one among my earlier favourite Topo fashions is now not the most effective match.
Topo continues to do issues proper; right here’s hoping that continues!
Store the Males’s Topo Ultraventure 4
Store the Ladies’s Topo Ultraventure 4
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4. Clay Bonnyman Evans photograph
Comparable Fashions
Altra Olympus 6
Weight: 12.2 ounces every
Worth: $175
Match: Extensive
Drop: zero
Hoka One One Speedgoat 6
Weight: 9.8 ounces every
Worth: $155
Match: Slim; tapered toebox
Drop: 4 millimeters
Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX
Weight: 11.6 ounces every
Worth: $170
Match: Medium width; tapered toebox
Drop: 8 millimeters
The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 was donated for the aim of overview.
Featured picture: Topo Athletic
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