Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2

I've been looking for comfy wide toe box shoes. I need a little cushion since I work on my feet all day. Seems like most foot shaped shoes are minimalist and lack any cushion so I was excited that Topo made these. The shoes are nicely cushioned, attractive and appear to be well made. Unfortunately the toe box just isn't big enough. I sadly returned them and my search continues.

I have bought and returned at least 10 pairs of shoes to use on a backpacking trip. I have settled on either the Altra lone peak 5 or these Topos Ultraventures 2. I've been training in both. The altras are not as cushioned/shock absorbing or as stable for my ankles as these Topos. These Topos are the ONLY shoe I've been able to "road" walk with a 30 lb pack and my feet not hurt. The altras are also slippery on wet surfaces. Hoping to test the Topos in the rain soon! I think the only thing I would like to change on the Topos to make them the perfect shoe, is to have as wide of a toe box as the altras. The Topos are a wider toebox than any other shoes I tried besides the altras, but still not wide enough. My middle toe bumps the front/top of shoe and bruises the toenail after getting up in mileage. The 1/2 size bigger was too big all over. I still highly recommend these. I'm trying to work out which one of the two will make the cut.

Did a 12 mile hike with these. Nice to have the vibram soles which did a great job gripping. My feet felt a little more stuffed in the toes than the wider road/running topos. And I was surprised how much fine dirt from the trail made it into my shoes and permeated my socks. Wasn't expecting that.

Casual wear

I have 3 pairs of the original Ultraventure, and they are hands-down the best running shoes I have had in 40 years. My first pair has been retired with well over 500 miles on them. The two additional pairs have 200 & 320 miles and still look and feel almost new. I purchased a pair of Ultraventure 2 and am a little disappointed. They have less than 100 miles and the inside of the heel is already starting to rub a hole. Two friends with the same shoe (and also fans of the prior model) are seeing the same thing. Also, the toe on the new model does not have as much protection for the toes as the original, which had little rubber/plastic strips that were just enough to offer a bit more protection when catching toes on rocks or roots. The cushioning is good.

Honestly, I don't wear shoes most of the year because I live in Florida so I spend most of my time in sandals. However, I have problem feet and need a good pair of athletic shoes when we go on vacation and such and would be in need of a good, supportive shoe. My favorite athletic brand up until now starts with a "H" but they've made some changes to their most cushioned styles that don't agree with my feet anymore. I read about TOPO Athletic on a blog for people with "problem" feet. Recently, I have also been diagnosed with arthritis in my big toe so it's important for me to wear shoes with plenty of wiggle-room for my toes. So far, I really like this pair of shoes but I probably haven't had a chance to wear them long enough at this point to make a really informed recommendation.

After multiple foot surgeries and gait problems these are the best athletic shoes I have found and can rarely wear any other shoes- which is why I would love it if they made some more neutral colors to go with more outfits- please make some skin tone varieties and muted earth tones so I can pair these with ALL my outfits and not just running/athletic wear

I love the wide toe box that allows my feet to expand during long trail runs. Overall they feel great. The one problem I'm having is that they seem to expand within a few miles of running - they had loosened so much, I had to tighten them twice during a 14 mile run.

One pair for my indoor workout shoes at the gym, the second pair for outdoor walking. The most comfortable athletic shoes I've owned. Roomy are upfront for toes and good support all over!

I've used these for my weekly long trail runs in Southern Arizona. I loved them at first, but at just under 200 miles they have really begun to fall apart. The glue just doesn't seem to hold them together well around where the fabric connects to lower shoe. The rubber Vibram sole is also starting to come off at the logo. A rock punctured a hole in the bottom of one shoe. I wish they were sturdier. I did a 50k, as well as some other long runs in these and they were comfortable. I hope the newer version fixed some of the issues I have had with these... though I am disappointed that they didn't hold up for 200 miles, so I'm undecided if I'll try them again.

I'm a marathoner and ultramarathoner. I used these on all my trail runs. I wanted to love them, but ultimately had to return them. :( Pros: Foot shaped, with a big, natural toe box, this shoe helps correct my supination and strengthen my previously underutilized calf muscles. They fit beautifully. Nimble on the trail. Excellent tread for mud and even slick granite. Cons: These are marketed as being "plush," but I'm not sure in what world that could be true. Despite the higher stack height, they're quite firm. I couldn't run more than a 50k in them without serious discomfort, and that's only if there wasn't much downhill. I was hoping to run a 100 in them, but I'm afraid that'd be impossible. Topo, please make a max cushion shoe! It'd be perfect!

I run and train for ultras. I love the way Topos fit my feet. They are perfect! As a small female with high arches, I tend to supinate/out toe, and this has led to injury in the past. These foot-shaped shoes help keep me from rolling outward as much. They have excellent traction and are very nimble. HOWEVER: Despite the generous stack height, they are very firm. For me, this means they are not suitable for ultras or ultra training. I need something softer, otherwise I'm in more pain (everywhere) than necessary. My mileage was low enough with my first pair, that they were great, but with my second pair, my mileage was higher and I had to return them. I'm having luck with the Olympus, but I they are so clunky, unlike these shoes. I wish Topo would make a more cushioned shoe. It would be PERFECT!

I bought the hiking boots, and they feel great, wide enough and long enough. These felt a bit narrow, not so wide in the toe box. They also are made for over pronation. I underpronate, and need a more flexible shoe that is neutral. I'm a womens 12, and the other styles were out of stock so I thought I'd give these a try. Nothing wrong with these, just didn't work for me.

I love the fit of the previous model when I discovered Topos and thought my search for "that" shoe was over. It had the perfect cushion, support, and toe room. This version fits tighter, especially in the mid-foot for me. Sadly, I had to return them.

I love the fit and function of these!! They are stable with the perfect amount of cushion. The DRAWBACK: they shrank in the wash! Guys, don't design trail runners that you can't throw in the wash!!! After many hot and sweaty Texas-summer trail runs the dust + sweat created caked-on mud. I threw them in the wash on normal, which turns out is warm water, and they got clean, but the uppers shrank a full size. I'm so sad!!

I wanted to live these shoes, the seemed like the perfect pair for my wide front foot and narrow heel, and they were great for the first month or so of wear. But, now, I can't even wear them for half a day with out getting terrible pains in my knees and feet. Thinking this pain was from something else, I continued wearing these shoes until I noticed the front part of my foot slides around ALOT as I'm walking (heels stay put). Theres just too much side to side movement and a "tall" footbed, the ball of my foot and toes are just out there with no support. I even tried adjusting the laces, no help. I went back to my old shoes, and the pain is gone. I'm a steady size 6 lengthwise, a perfect thumbs width from the end, but these are just too wide in the front, so sad :(

I typically wear a 7.5 which is what I initially ordered in this shoe. It was definitely too small and exchanged for an 8 in red. The 8 still seemed a hair short but has not caused any problems over 400mi. I like the secure fit through the mid foot which gives me more confidence in technical terrain and on the down hill. I just ordered another pair in size 8, this time in green just so I could keep track of which shoes had more miles on them. Fit is completely different, the shoe is longer and wider, higher volume. Double checked the labeling in both shoes to be sure they are the same model and size. Cosmetics/materials are the same. What's up with that? Super frustrated. This would be my "go to" shoe and would probably recommend the shoe if I knew what size to get. Afraid to order another pair.

Super comfy but dirt and gravel gets in. These need gaiters.

The shoes are too narrow in the toe box. I wish you would be more consistent in the toe box shape and size amongst your shoes.