These fast and light shoes offer a comfortable fit right out of the box for most foot shapes. We packed them in our bags for a trip to Spain and were happy to have them on our treks thanks to their lightweight and breathable design. They are best suited for day hikes, but can handle a backpacking trip for those who prioritize weight over stability.
Our testers found the Terraventure 5 comfortable right out of the box. The roomy toe box allows enough space for your toes to spread out, while the narrow and secure heel holds your foot in place, making it a great option for those with wide or narrow feet. The recycled-engineered mesh upper is soft and flexible, while the ankle is nicely padded. We ordered a half size up from our street shoe size to ensure enough spacing for steep climbs and descents, and found the shoe true to size.
For being such a lightweight and minimal construction, the secure midfoot and rock plate help the feet feel protected while the Zipfoam provides just the right amount of cushioning. They even enough gaiter compatible hook and loop closures so as to increase comfort by keeping rocks out of your shoe on the trail. The 3mm drop offers a more natural “barefoot” feel, but the minimal design may not be the best choice for those carrying a heavy backpack. However, if you're looking for something lightweight and breathable, with a lot of space for your toes, the Terraventure 5 is a great choice.
While the Terraventure 5 provides excellent lightweight support, it's more of a trail running shoe than a burly, structured hiking shoe. There is a ton of flexion in the minimalist design, but the combination of Zipfoam midsoles and FKT insoles helps the shoe feel supportive and responsive while moving quickly on the trail. The ankle support is minimal, dipping well below the ankle itself, but the wide toe box and narrow heel make it feel like the shoe is hugging your foot for support.
The Terraventure 5 isn't the shoe for anyone seeking maximum ankle support. While it feels responsive on the trail and the lacing system does a good job securing the foot within a wider fit, it won't provide the same level of support you'd expect from a more durable and heavy leather shoe. That said, for a lightweight trail running shoe, the Terraventure provides enough support for day hikes or for those seeking a minimalist design for longer objectives.
One of the first details we noticed about the Terraventure 5 was the deep lug patterns and excellent grip as our first hike began in spring conditions. The shoe left quite a trail behind thanks to an aggressive, chevron lug pattern that provided solid grip and stability when moving through thicker mud as the snow wetted out. The Vibram Megagrip outsoles are on par with the best that we've tested and perform well on wet or dry surfaces.
The soft and flexible upper improves traction further as it provides better grip through more surface area on slabs and popular rock steps along the trail. While there are certainly more aggressive outsoles, we think the Vibram Megagrip traction of the Terraventure 5 provides great security, especially in thick mud and sand.
The Terraventure 5 is not waterproof, however, it does include a water resistant insole. Although Topo claims this will help prevent water from entering the shoe as well as dry out the shoe faster, all we can say is that the shoe gets wet immediately when submerged. It also has a low clearance since the flood level only measures 2 1/2 inches.
In some ways, we appreciate this non-waterproof construction as it's much more breathable than the GORE-TEX uppers and booties we normally test, which can be great if you plan on hiking in dry and hot climates. But if you need something waterproof, almost all of the other designs in our lineup include some type of waterproofing.
Those after a lightweight and minimal design will love the 1.1 pound (for a US women's size 8.5) Terraventure 5. The mesh upper, lack of waterproof bootie, 3 mm drop, and moderate cushion keep the weight of this shoe down, while providing great performance for day hikes or for those out on extended trips that want to forgo the extra weight and support of a traditional leather hiker.
When packing for a trip to Spain during our spring testing period, we chose the Terraventure 5 for its lightweight design as we were limited by weight in our checked bag. The moderate cushioning also keeps the design minimal and doesn't take up a ton of space. Although not the best choice for maximum support and cushioning, those who want to go fast and mission with a breathable shoe will be stoked on the Terraventure 5 design.
The Terraventure 5 isn't the most durable option. The recycled-engineered mesh upper, low-profile toe cap, and moderate cushioning aren't built to leave the trails. That said, for such a minimal design, the shoe features a top-performing Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole with deep chevron-patterned lugs, along with a rock plate to protect the feet against sharp rocks and roots encountered on the trail.
After wearing these shoes in decomposing granite and rocky terrain, as well as sharp limestone trails in Spain, the protective rand overlay held up well with only cosmetic damage; however, the minimal design doesn't inspire us to take these shoes off-trail. If you're after premium durability, check out the leather hikers in our lineup.
For those seeking a lightweight, minimalist hiking shoe design, the Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 is the perfect choice. The weighs weighs only a pound, features a 3mm drop, a wide toe box, a supportive rock plate, and excellent Vibram traction. While it lacks support and waterproof performance, this could be just what you're looking for. We love them for day hikes with a lighter pack but they could certainly work for backpacking trips if you want to forgo the weight and durability of a traditional hiking shoe.
If you like the sounds of the Terraventure 5 but want a little extra cushioning underfoot, the Hoka Speedgoat 7 provides excellent performance and even more cushion to protect your feet along the trail. But if minimalist designs aren't gonna cut for the hikes you're interested in, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is a more burly option that still features a modern, high-performing design along with some of the traction and durability that we've tested. If you're on a budget, options like the Merrell Moab 3 WP and the Columbia Crestwood will get the job done, the designs are just more traditional and heavier than the Terraventure 5.
| Awards |  Best For Minimalist Design |
|---|---|
| Price | $145 List Check Price at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This minimalist design is perfect for those looking to shed the weight and bulk of a traditional hiking shoe |
| Pros | Vibram megagrip rubber outsoles, supportive midsole, breathable, lightweight, affordable, rock plate for trail protection, gaiter compatible |
| Cons | Lack durability, flexible upper less supportive, not great for carrying a pack, not waterproof |
| Rating Categories | Topo Athletic Terrav... |
| Comfort (30%) | |
| Support (25%) | |
| Traction (20%) | |
| Durability (15%) | |
| Water Resistance (5%) | |
| Weight (5%) | |
| Specifications | Topo Athletic Terrav... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 8.5) | 1.1 lbs |
| Upper | Recycled engineered mesh |
| Lining | Textile |
| Midsole | ZipFoam™ EVA/TPU |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
| Width Options | Regular |
