Check out the all-new Topo Athletic Ultraventure; a cushioned trail shoe featuring a 3 piece, multi-density EVA midsole offering light stability through the gait cycle.
Specs:
- Weight – 10.4 oz (Men’s 9), 8 oz (Women’s 7)
- Total Stack Height – 30mm/25mm (5mm drop)
Features:
- Aggressive Vibram® XS Trek outsole
- 3 piece, multi-density EVA midsole
- 5mm drop
- Roomy toe box
- Lightweight breathable materials
- Orthalite footbed
- Fully gusseted tongue
- Abrasion-resistant engineered mesh upper
- Unique fitted gaiter attachment
MSRP:
- $130.00
With a 30mm/25mm stack height, the Ultraventure is the most cushioned trail shoe in the Topo Athletic lineup, currently made up of the zero drop Runventure 2, and the 3mm drop Terraventure and MT-2. Fit is the traditional Topo fit – snug in the heel, streamlined through the waist, with a nice roomy toe box that allows your toes to spread naturally. The abrasion-resistant upper includes several synthetic overlays, but the mesh is open enough to provide plenty of breathability in warm conditions. A substantial toe bumper at the front and sides of the shoe provides great resistance to rock and root kicking. Innovative “gills” on either side of the metatarsal heads allow water to drain quickly from inside the shoe.
The 3 piece midsole offers a plush, cushioned ride with plenty of protection, although if you’re looking for a dedicated rock plate you’ll need to invest in the highly acclaimed Terraventure 2 instead. As mentioned above, the Ultraventure has the highest stack height in the Topo line of trail shoes – 30mm up front/25mm in the rear. Runners who are used to zero drop or even 2 and 3mm drop shoes may take a while to get used to the 5mm drop of the Ultraventure, although the extra drop is a non-issue for me.
One of the best features of the Ultraventure is the Vibram XS Trek outsole. The rubber compound has excellent grip and traction on most surfaces, and the aggressive 4mm lugs hold firm on gravel tracks, wet grass and muddy trails. To date, I haven’t logged a ton of miles in the Ultraventure, but the outsole rubber appears to be very durable and I’m sure will last in excess of 500 miles.
The Ultraventure also features Topo’s unique fitted gaiter attachment, making it fully compatible with their stretch-nylon gaiter currently selling for $20. The lycra gaiters help keep out dirt and debris and stay secure on the shoe thanks to a unique 3-point, S-hook fastening system. Weighing just 0.6oz (16g), the gaiters are lightweight and dry extremely quickly.
One final thing worth mentioning – I absolutely love the Ortholite footbed that Topo include with many of their shoes. I find them to be far more comfortable than traditional insoles, they keep shape much longer thanks to their anti-compression set, and if you’re unlucky enough to suffer from smelly-shoe-syndrome, the anti-microbial properties definitely keep odors at bay.
Here’s what Topo Athletic CEO, Tony Post, has to say about the Ultraventure:
So far I’ve only logged about 20 training miles in the Ultraventure, but this past Saturday I raced the local Seashore Nature Trail 50K in them. With overnight rain and showers during the race, trail conditions were pretty sloppy, but aside from a few hairy moments on several slick, wooden bridges, the Ultraventure performed flawlessly. In fact, they were so good, I’m planning on wearing them during February’s Rocky Raccoon 100 that takes place in Huntsville State Park, Texas.
Pros
- Plush, cushioned ride thanks to the 3 piece midsole
- Excellent traction thanks to the aggressive Vibram outsole
- Ortholite footbed included as standard
Cons
- Weight (would love to see them dip under 10 oz)
- Slightly less responsive than other Topo trail shoes
Disclaimer: The Ultraventure were provided to me for free as a member of the Topo Athletic Ambassador Team.