Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro

I run trails of gravel, rocks, mud; very few tree roots but they are sometimes there, too The 5 other Topo shoes that i own are much roomier, and much more comfortable than the Ultraventure Pro

I wanted to love this shoe, but all it brought me was pain. On paper, it seems like the perfect shoe for hiking on our super rocky New England trails. Vibram Megagrip outsole, decent stack height, rock plate, Topo foot-shaped last. The problem is the annoyingly intrusive TPU heel counter. It boggles my mind why manufacturers keep including these in their shoes. Our ankles are meant to move, so our knees don't have to. The TPU counter in this shoe is reminiscent of those used by Salomon and other companies who hate feet. It's super rigid and always dug into my outer ankle bones (malleolus). Tried different lacing patterns. Tried lacing super loosely up top. Tried different socks as well as liners + socks. Tried different insoles. Nothing helped. The TPU heel counter would dig into my ankle and cause me to change my gait, just like with the Salomon Speedcross. Topo should redesign this shoe and use a very low-profile, "neutral" heel counter and I'd immediately buy it. Save the intrusive TPU stability inserts for midheight shoes and boots, which people that have ankle problems are more likely to buy anyway. As it stands, I ended up with the Mtn Racer 3 (which I love), but wish it had slightly less foam and a rock plate to provide a firmer platform like the Ultraventure Pros had for longer days on super rocky trails in New England.

Mainly walking with a little jogging thrown in. Compared to Terraventure 3, the same size feels at least 1/2 size bigger and, cnsequently, is baggy and loose. Of course, by the time you've figured that out, they're used and unreturnable!

This shoe delivers excellent traction, speed and control in diverse terrain but don't expect it to have the same level of cushion or feel as its bigger brother the Trailventure 2. Excellent design and noticeably improved material quality compared to earlier version. Highly recommend but only gets 3 stars due to Quality Control issue. Ordered 2 pair and the right shoe in one of the pairs was noticeably warped. Yes, you read correctly, warped. I kept both pairs despite the one shoe was warped. It was still usable since the warping wasn't overly severe. It's just another example of how Topo's QC is still subpar to some of its competitors. Highly recommend and would buy again but I will most likely order serval pairs to ensure I can get a pair that does not have some production flaw/shortcoming.

I bought my first pair of these along the Pacific Crest Trail. I enjoyed them and found the were a little better than my Terraventure 3's at keeping out grit. This pair was still going strong when I got off the PCT 250 miles later. I bought a new pair to start a long section hike on the Appalachian Trail. Within 50 miles, the soles started separating from the uppers on the outside of each shoe. Within another 60 miles, both sides of each shoe had separated to the point that I had to replace them. I do not know what accounts for the difference, but could not rely on this shoe again.

While the midsole and outsole are very reminiscent of V-1, I found it very difficult to get a secure lockdown in the Ultraventure 2. I have changed the laces three times in an attempt to dial in fit. The microfiber band that goes around the midfoot is tacky but the heel area and fabric of the upper lacks the ability to keep me secure. The dual density upper is fairly thick but too stretchy and hot. Certainty not the greatest choice for hot weather running. Also, the lace loops are a paracord type(new to V-2). I do wonder if this contributes to the lack of security. The ortholite insole is super comfortable but it is a LITERAL sponge for sweat and water(also an issue in V-1). I rate this shoe as a 3 because i don't hate it...however, it needs to live up to, and/or surpass V-1 to recieve higher marks. I am hyper critical of this shoe because it has potential to be awesome. A positive feature of V-2 is it's loss of nearly 1 oz in my size 11. I will continue training in it but will not be able to race in the Ultraventure 2. Please change the upper on V-3.

I've got 32 miles on these, running on the PCT here in Tahoe. Want to love them and was bothering Topo to get my hands on a pair, but unless they do better over the next few miles they are going back. Likes, wide toe box, that is shaped like my foot. Very nice. Stable, as i have broken my ankle before, I'm always concerned. This was really nice. Dislikes. Typical slippery Topo laces. Liner appears to be odd shaped and does not go back in smooth nor flat. Topo specific gatter attachment. Come on, lets get some industry uniformity. 1st run was 6 miles. Was hoping for more comfort from new shoes. The cushion was not there, better then Altra's by far but still for the stack height, and all the talk about the new mid-sole I was hoping for more. Sure Im, 195 lbs but... What i really disliked is on the bottom of both heals, it was like I was running on rails. I'll add a photo below. Its like they put too much stability control into the show or the foot bed was made out of slightly harder places in lines. 2nd run. 6 miles. They felt better. Laces are still not great and I found myself stopping a lot. My ankles and legs felt tired. 3rd run. 20 miles with 3,500 feet gain. The hardness under the heals seemed to go away totally on my left foot. It went away for about 10 miles on the right then came back. I was surprised how tired my knees, quads and ankles got. Sure the PCT is rocky but I've run this section before with others and nothing like this. No way could I have worn them for a 50k. Feet and ankles hurt the next day. Maybe Im looking for the holy grail of shoes, and I thought this one would have it. Nice toe box for my flipper feet, combined with the structure to be a stable shoe but comfort is not there. After 32 miles, I'll try them again on a shorter run but anticipate sending them back.

I was really looking forward to this shoe coming out and had high hopes. Unfortunately this shoe does not work for me. It is a great looking shoe. Found the shoe to fit short on length and tight over the top of the foot. The width is fine, just lacks volume. The worst issue was there is something in the heel cup along the back of the heel that started causing a hot spot within 3 miles. Had the start of a raw spot at the end of my runs. Might work for some folks, just not me. Returning shoes to Topo for a refund.

Fine for walking but not a comfortable running shoe for me. Toe box is adequate, length runs a bit short

This was my first pair of Topo. I have been wearing Altra for a long time. I thought I would give Topo a try. I don't like the 5mm rise. I'm used to zero drop. Also don't like how it feels like you fall off the toe. Very stiff shoe. No forefoot cushion. Unfortunately, I am sticking with Altra. (I have the Topo Phantom)

Almost the perfect shoe. Unfortunately the new outsole design is hurting the outside of my foot. Where the softer part sist in the middle this creates a hard outer part that I'm stepping on. No point of having a wider toebox if the sole is buildt in like that. Should be the same platform overall that you step on. Also for a maximum cushioning it should be softer.

Trained in flat Florida without incident, but upon hiking PCT sobo from Canadian border, developed a serious blister on right-side at the foot's widest point. To be fair, feet are partially paralyzed by an old broken-back injury, thereby rendering blisters unfelt and probably worse than they might otherwise be if they could've been felt early? However, upon checking, there was a (cast in mold) lump in the rubber-sole, only on the right-side. Must've been exposed as the sole-insert collapsed?

2 stars is not for the way they feel on my feet but for the quality that they are made. The first pair the soles delaminated on the side where it connects with upper portion of the shoe after only a couple hikes, maybe 20 miles or so. The second pair the tread delaminate after 1 hike and had to be returned. Luckily the store here in Bend, Or. where i purchased them took them back and ordered me a new pair. I love the shoe for its comfort but i have had the same problem with the WP boots as well. Hopefully Topo can improve on the glue and fix this then i would give 5 stars.

Just over 100 miles and the uppers are already separating from the sole. Happened with my previous ultraventures, but I'd hoped the pro model would fare better. I only came back for the large footbox, but I doubt Topo can bank on that forever. I'm hoping bigger brands with better uppers will see this market since Topo is not listening with regard to whatever glue they are using. It doesn't work. Last summer I had to duct tape my Topos to finish a PCT section.

Bought these for hiking. They are uite comfortable with a true fit and wide toe box. They offer great support and traction for southeastern trails. However, the sole separated from both shoes with less tha 100 miles of use.

I bought these for the Camino Frances.but did not take them. I wanted to like them but they have a fatal flaw, poor upper support. If you compare to the Teraventure, there are no side reinforcements to cinch the foot to the shoe so instead the foot sloshes around on top of the excellent footbed. On turns, weird foot angles, my foot would seem to slide and risk turning an ankle. I emailed the Canadian distributor but got an email saying they'd notify Customer Service (in the US I assume) then never heard back. What could have been a great hiker is terrible, avoid.

Got these recently to replace Altra's which were too slippery on trail. The Ultra Venture Pros have great tread & are super comfortable but the side of the shoe by my instep is fraying and coming apart, I've only got maybe 25-30 miles on these shoes and they are beginning to fall apart.

I bought these after loving my Ultraventrues so much. That was a comfortable shoe and hard wearing. These however are a poor relative. I recognise that they are not the same design as the Ultraventrue but I still feel compelled to give a poor review. The shoe itself does not have a good, firm feel to it. After just 2 months, they feel flimsy and the rubber around the base has separated from the upper shoe. They wore out far too quickly for the price. Topo have been pretty good about it and replaced them but I won't buy these again. Please, please bring back the Ultraventures in a better colour selection!

So I have ordered 3 of these in various sizes. The ones that are my size lengthwise are too narrow where the stitching is. The wider men's ones are PERFECT in the width but are way too long. I would give anything for a men's 7 which they don't make. You have no idea how badly I want to love these shoesthe sock like feel of the upper is awesome. You guys are really close to perfection...but definitely not there yet.

The MT2 is what brought me to Topo, and was my favorite pair of running shoes that I ever had. The MT3 doesn't feel like it has the same quality to it. The soles are a lot more slippery, which was kind of a bust to me. I'd look at other models, especially if you are running dusty and rocky trails in California and New Mexico.

Ankle support is good, not breathable at all. Really no difference from the WP ones that are great. These are floppy and uncomfortable. My hope was a breathable summer version of the WP ones i love.