I used the ultraventure 2 last year on my PCT thru hike and the Bigfoot 200. For Bigfoot, one pair lasted the whole race for me. I made the switch from Altras and was very happy with the improved durability. It was a great shoe and it became my go-to. I also really enjoyed hiking and running in the MTN racer. They are both great fitting, grippy, and durable shoes. I'm a fully satisfied Topo owner 🙂
Pretty sure they're using this to fill the new "gravel shoe"/door to trail category. It's not designed to be super grippy on all terrain. Their Pursuit model sort of took the role of the previous Ultraventure as the technical, ultra distance shoe. Please review the Pursuit!
The pursuit is fantastic - picked up a set on REI’s sale recently. Same price as the lone peak, with the wide toe-box, more 0-drop cushion, megagrip, and likely…greater longevity🤞.
I love the Pursuit. Grippiness for days. I just bought the Flylite 4 for mostly indoor running in the winter months and I'm looking forward to that great toe box.
Just did the Camino del Norte in this shoe, over 500 miles, many many rainy days, some days I was walking underwater. They were always dry the next day. They're also still in remarkably good condition.
Have about 60 miles in these so far and I love them. Haven't had any grip concerns so far and I find the zipfoam to be nice underfoot. Of course the wide toe box and snug midfoot and heel are the real headliners. 5mm drop for all you that like Altras and don't like zero drop.
The original version of the Ultraventure was my go to for a few years. The Ultraventure 2 and Pro version never felt right or comfortable so I switched to Norda's and they've been great but missing that Topo toe box. Might have to give the Ultraventure 3 a try whenever they actually become available in Canada. Thanks for the review!
Love these trail shoes ( S 1) Have used them every weekend for about a year. Snow, mud, rain, all weather, tramping, trail running. Best shoe ever. Slid over today for the 1st time. Hope series 2 is just as good. It's pain when a companies try to make an already good shoe better and it doesn't alway work. Roll on the new shoe. Thank God they are on special. Anything over $250 is to expensive.
I just got a pair before seeing this review. I got them as I have some arch pain due to high arches and these shoes have excellent cushioning. Soon as I put them on I knew they would feel great and they do.
I went to Topo from Pearl Izumi. The first iteration of the UltraVenture is still my favorite, but the UV3 is a close second. I still prefer the Mtn Racer for more technical trails.
Great review! The mtn racer 2 has been my ultra shoe of choice. I have used them for 50 milers to 100 milers. It has more response than the Ultraventure, but I think the zipfoam needs to be updated or moved on from their lineup. Their uppers tend to hold water. Would love to see that updated!
Bought the Topo Pursuit couple of weeks ago - the grip is definitely solid (Vibram Megagrip with 6mm lugs) on every terrain - very comfortable shoe with an amazing roomy toe box. However, yes, the midsole is protective but lacks of "life" just a bit more bounce and cushion (even less than the Ultraventure) would have been sooo much appreciated.
I just bought a pair of these. I have been an Altra man for at least five years. I go from pavent to trail and like the vibram soles on the topo shoes. Sadly, Altra has gone too stacky, and with old knees, thats just too much wiggle. These Topo, although not zero drop, still feel stable. I do love the toe box and the narrowed waise and heel. I'll see how these do over the next few months. Great review.
I totally just sent two pair of these back to Topo. For some reason I felt an intrusion into my arches. Totally threw me off. Sad they didn't work out!
After many Altras I'm considering giving Topo a try, not happy with Altra's durability but I also add a heel cushion to all of them as I'm not crazy abut zero drop. The non-drainage you mention is not good though. I'm torn (just like all of my Altras!).
I'm splitting the difference right now. Doing my trail running in Altra Olympus 4s, which have been awesome. Doing my road (or road to trail) runs in Topo Flylite 4s and absolutely loving them. I ditched my Altra Rivera 2s for road running right around 100 miles. The midsole broke down really fast (I'm on the heavier side at 208-210 lbs) and there was just no lockdown on my heel. The Flylites have been a delightful upgrade. Great fit in all the places Ethan mentions here.
@@simonpollock2799 Thanks, maybe trying some Topos for road would be a good way to try them out. My current road shoes are an older pair of Olympus 3s! Treads are a bit worn and the rips are glued shut... I don't do as many roads as I used to so I haven't invested in shoes for it in awhile. This might work though.
I'm getting these in the all forest green. I've been using Altra Lone Peaks for a while, but the Lone Peak 6's I have wore out very fast and went as comfortable as they used to be. I also had to change the insoles because they were way too flat with no arch support. Time to give these Topos a try
I loved the Mtn Racer 2, but Zip Foam just can’t compete with the other foams out there. Needs to be revamped or replaced before Topo falls further behind. With a few tweaks, Topo could be in the conversation for best trail shoes out there. But they have to start from the ground up.
Good review, funny I am looking at that tree root you just ran over, I had a fall on one just like that, snapped joint in my shoulder, three months off running 😢.
Thanks GR! Enjoyed the Ultraventure 2, but beware, "foot shaped" isn't true for every foot! I've had some great runs in mine, but I have long second toes, and that means I'm getting bashed up whenever there is a lot of technical downhill. Switched to the more traditional Peregrine 12 midway through my last 50k, and it was much better.
I would love to try Topo shoes (have heard they are the closest to my beloved Altras). But it is almost impossible to find any model in a size 7. They must only make a few pairs and they sell out quickly. So ToPo if you are listening make some more shoes in the smaller sizes.
The curse of Topo - lure you in with luxurious fit, and then crush your dreams with the most underwhelming midsoles in running. Done wasting my money on them - I need midsoles that go longer than 150 miles 😬
@@88happytrails interesting. I feel like Topos last far longer and get more comfy as they age. Altras turn to bricks within 50 miles for me (though the VIA Olympus seems to be a bit better about this).
I have about 100 miles in my Topo Ultraventure 3's. I like them, but they have their issues. The outsole is really lacking in loose leaves, pine needles, mud, or any other loose or sloppy conditions. If you're climbing a steep grade up pine needles, the outsole will do nothing to help you. I personally have found the upper and lacing hard to get locked down without getting them so tight they become uncomfortable. There's no give to the upper and laces, so they don't flex with your foot when you tighten them up. A little give in the upper and laces would go a long way. Lastly, they feel a bit unstable over technical terrain. I haven't turned an ankle in them yet, but running over rooty, rocky, terrain with limited visibility it feels like they're a real risk. All of that said, I've used them for several 15-20 mile long runs and have finished the runs with happy feet, and that says a lot. I have also found them to get more comfortable as I've put a few miles on them. Overall, solid long distance trainer with a mediocre outsole and challenging upper.
This is not me shitting on peoples opinions about TOPOs midsoles, but I question why people who enjoy the firm ride of Salomon then say these are not okay. That seems weird for me.
Nice shoe, but I used them on TMB and after 250km the tread is almost gone 😐 They start with less tread depth than other Topo trail shoes so just have to accept they only last 300km if you use them...
I love the Topo lineup EXCEPT their gaiter attachment system. Unlike Altra, they use these little hooks that are almost impossible to connect in low light conditions
I’m on my second pair of Ultraventure 2s. I’m a hiker, not a runner, so I’m wondering how different this version is from the 2. I’m not sure I need more cushion than the 2 provides. Any thoughts?
Question… I tried the Topo Specter and my one complaint on it is that the ankle collar came up so high. It was literally at the middle of my ankle and that drove me bonkers… how high does the ankle collar come up on this one? I just want it below my ankle bone like a normal shoe.
I'm like the toebox , but how are they when hot outside breathability, I know you said they stay wet to long does that mean they don't breathe; im waiting for mine to come ; the reason I ordered them is the toebox and they have some drop and I like 5 to 8 in drop , 0 drop dont work for me , im older and can't get used to that, thank you
New to this shoe game. Why doesn’t a guy like this just wear his favorite shoes all the time. Why would you wear tons of different shoes for trial running
Until Tony ditches his horrible 'Zipfoam' midsole, Topo is not back. I don't know why their EVA is so much worse than other brands, but it is. They'll feel incredible out of the box and within 100 miles in the mountains, they'll feel 'flat' and slow, which GR sort of touched on. For $150, they could easily put a TPU or even Pebax midsole on that shoe and still make A LOT of money. Oh and that proprietary gaiter attachment is garbo. A simple velcro attachment à la Altra/Dirty Girl style should just be the industry standard at this point.
