Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Review

One cool feature we appreciate about the Topo Ultraventure 4 is how its natural-shaped toe box doesn't go overboard. It's roomy but not too roomy. In addition, some “natural foot shape” shoes are made with flat, zero-drop soles. The Ultraventure 4 has a 5mm drop from heel to toe, which is more common in typical shoes. If you're interested in a natural toe box but don't want a flat midsole, these might be the right balance for ultimate comfort on the trail.

Comfort

For non-Topo customers, the most obvious claim to fame in the Ultraventure 4 is its roomy toe box. If you're used to shoes that taper toward your toes, if not outright pinch them, this shoe could be a revelation. Even our narrow-footed testers appreciated the extra roomy toe box. The key benefit of comfort is that your toes simply have more room to move and breathe.

What keeps the forefoot from being too large is the truly excellent midfoot and heel lockdown. The Ultraventure 4 gave our forefeet extra space but never felt too large or loose. The medium 5mm drop helps make these feel like shoes most hikers are used to. Finally, the ZipFoam midsole is lightweight and cushy. It sucks up small bumps and absorbs shock on rock yet never feels too squishy. These shoes make hiking hard-packed trails feel like a stroll through a park.

Support

Because the Ultraventure 4 upper fits so well, it feels stable while hiking or jogging on maintained trails. The sole is fairly flexible and the upper is very flexbile, so the stability degrades on steeper ground or when we started navigating through heavily rooted trails in the Pacific Northwest.

The upper is thin and super flexible, letting our toes and forefoot move around inside the shoe on steep ground. Because our heel stayed in the heel pocket, this never felt alarming. However, the softer midsole and super flexible forefoot in the upper just isn't stiff or supportive enough to make navigating steep side hills easy. On these off-camber slopes, our forefeet wanted to creep off the footbed into the sides of the interior. This shoe isn't marketed for aggressive off-trail exploring, but we tested it anyway and confirmed that it's best used on maintained trails.

Traction

The Topo Ultraventure 4 Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole gives a nice blend of stickiness and durability. It easily clung to dry stone, found purchase on the bark of fallen logs we probably shouldn't have been walking on, and rolled right over typical dirt trails.

Compared to most purpose-built hiking shoes, the tread pattern is sparse. The 5mm lugs are technically tall enough, but they have rounded edges that lack bite in difficult terrain. They are definitely below average in overall performance compared to most hiking shoes we test, but Topo markets them appropriately, saying the lug pattern is “optimally designed for light to moderate trails and for easy trail-to-road transitions.”

Water Resistance

The Topo Ultraventure 4 is not waterproof. The meshy upper starts to gush water when we stepped into any shallow stream deeper than 1.5 inches. In addition, dewey morning hikes through wet grasses hanging over the trail were a similar no-go, soaking our socks. That said, they tend to dry quickly, so if you're on a long hike and get a foot wet, you may not have to squish squish your way through more than a couple of miles before it dries enough to tolerate.

On the flip side to waterproofing is breathability. We loved the warm-weather breathability of these shoes. After a full 10-hour day, our socks remained dry and our feet stayed cool and happy.

Weight

The Ultraventure 4 isn't the lightest trail running shoe out there, but compared to most hiking shoes, they're super light. For guys used to picking up and putting down hiking shoes that weigh a typical 2-plus pounds per pair, these are a refreshing delight.

Weighing in at a light 1.68 pounds in our large size 14 test pair, the weight savings really start to pay off on long, grueling climbs or after big mileage. Some of our GearLab testers have even taken this shoe up stony mountain peak trails at elevations topping 13,000 feet. By the end of the day, they appreciate the low effort it takes to lift these shoes as they hike back to the trailhead.

Durability

The Ultraventure 4 uppers are made from a recycled mesh that seems durable compared to most running shoes. Compared to most hiking shoes, it's thin and might not be able to hold up in densely forested areas where a lot of sticks and brush can repeatedly poke and abrade the fabric. On the other hand, some of the testers have put down hundreds of miles in these shoes on maintained trails with little wear and tear.

Overall build quality is excellent. The PU toe cap and perimeter reinforcement along the laces should improve longevity. Lifespan should be good on open trails, but these would not be our first choice for hiking through brushy areas off trails.

The PU toe cap is thin and light, but it did well protecting our toes from random roots in the trail and the occasional misstep as we looked up at a squirrel, deer, or funky looking cloud.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

The perimeter PU should help prevent premature wear along the laces and collar.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

Fit and finish is excellent throughout.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

The treads aren't the deepest, but GearLab testers are getting mileage that's on par with many hiking shoes.   Credit: Chris Maxcer

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Should You Buy the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4?

If you're looking for a lightweight, well-cushioned shoe that's capable of navigating long stretches of maintained trails, the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 is an outstanding option. If you're a fan of naturally shaped toe boxes, the roomy forefoot does not disappoint. Plus, if you're planning on hiking in mostly dry, hot weather environments, the excellent breathability will keep your feet happy.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

For those whose toes never talk back while wearing shoes, the Hoka Speedgoat 7 is lighter and offers a cushy ride that delivers a bit of springiness. If you need a lightweight waterproof option that also has a roomy toe box and is fantastic for those with wide feet, consider the zero-drop Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof. For a comfortable option that's more adept at off-trail exploring, the Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX impressed us with its blend of cushion, stability, and durability.