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The Topo Ultraventure 4 stands out as a dependable and well-cushioned trail shoe built for endurance and comfort. Designed with long-distance adventures in mind, it features a generous 34 mm stack height, a 7 mm drop, and ample cushioning that protects without feeling overly dense or unstable. The roomy toe box promotes natural foot movement, while the supportive midfoot structure adds a sense of control on uneven terrain. Paired with a grippy Vibram outsole, this shoe offers reliable traction for moderate trail running and all-day support. For runners in search of a tough, moderate terrain-focused trail companion, the Ultraventure 4 is ready to go the distance.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Very stable
Spacious toe box
Long-wear comfort
On the affordable side
REASONS TO AVOID
Less agile feel
Heavy
Traction not suited for technical trails
Our testers also tested and thoroughly enjoyed the Ultraventure 3. The updated version feels a bit more svelte underfoot, though it is slightly heavier. If you find the third iteration available for purchase, its differences are small enough to make purchasing it worth it. Both versions ride like durable powerhouses ready to keep you moving for miles to come.
Designed for endurance and natural foot movement, this trail shoe shines on moderate terrain where its spaced-out lugs enhance control and stability
Offering exceptional traction, comfort, and versatility, this shoe combines a nimble build with rugged protection, making it ideal for trail runners of all levels
Though not the most agile, this shoe shines in comfort, traction, and all-day trail durability
With a reliable build, lightened weight, and road-shoe fit, this shoe remains a go-to for trail runners who value consistency over flashy upgrades
If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you
Rating Categories
Topo Ultraventure 4...
Hoka Mafate Speed 4...
Topo MTN Racer 3 -...
Saucony Peregrine 1...
La Sportiva Bushido...
Comfort and Fit(25%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Traction(20%)
7.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
9.0
Stability(15%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Foot Protection(15%)
7.5
7.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
Weight(15%)
6.1
6.5
6.4
6.4
3.5
Sensitivity(10%)
4.5
8.0
6.5
6.5
9.0
Specifications
Topo Ultraventure 4...
Hoka Mafate Speed 4...
Topo MTN Racer 3 -...
Saucony Peregrine 1...
La Sportiva Bushido...
Measured Heel Stack Height
34 mm
36 mm
32 mm
30 mm
28 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop
7 mm
3 mm
6 mm
4 mm
7 mm
Rock Plate
No
No
No
Yes
1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock-guard in forefoot
Measured Lug Depth
3.4 mm
5.3 mm
4.3 mm
5.6 mm
3.8 mm
Measured Weight
7.90 oz
7.96 oz
7.80 oz
7.80 oz
9.11 oz
Upper
Recycled mesh
Jacquard mesh
Mesh
Mesh
Air mesh / thermal adhesive microfiber / high frequency welded ripstop overlays
Midsole
ZipFoam
ProFly+
ZipFoam
PWRRUN foam
4 mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex
Outsole
Vibram XS Trek EVO
Vibram Megagrip with Litebase
Vibram
PWRTRAC
Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3
Sizes Available
6 - 12 US regular
5 - 11 US
6 - 12 US
5 - 12 US regular, wide, GTX
5.5 - 11 US regular, wide
Heel Tab Type
Extended heel pull
Finger loop
Extended heel pull
Finger loop
Finger loop
Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop
5 mm
4 mm
5 mm
4 mm
6 mm
Our Analysis and Test Results
Topo shoes have really put themselves on the map when it comes to foot-shaped comfort. With a wide toe box, strong midfoot lock, ample cushion, and a Vibram outsole design, this 7 mm drop shoe is an ideal daily runner built for neighborhood trails.
For long distances and mellow trails, the Ultraventure tops our short list of shoes to consider.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The comfort and fit of the updated Ultraventure is spot-on for runners who want a robust undercarriage, firm protection, and ultramarathon-worthy comfort. There isn't anything especially plush about the way the Ultraventure fits, but it contains softness where runners' feet need it most. The slight arch support pairs well with the wide toe box, creating a level of control and comfort that isn't always found in wide forefooted kicks. The tongue is thick enough to protect the upper foot, even as feet swell, while also aiding in a midfoot lock that remains trustworthy for miles. If a wide forefoot and easy, no-break-in style comfort is what you're after, the new Ultraventure is an easy recommendation.
The shape and fit of the true-to-size Topo Ultraventure make it an easy shoe to reach for when you know pace-pushing isn't in your future.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
We have to hand it to Topo here; they do not overmarket this shoe to the wrong audience. The Ultraventure is definitively designed to be worn on moderate trails, and the lug design it features is oh-so well-designed for this. The square, 3.4 mm lugs throw points in all directions, allowing wearers to take control of the trail beneath them. The spacing of the lugs is well executed for gravel fire roads or moderate single tracks. The ample underfoot cushion of this shoe, 34 mm under the heel, makes it an awesome shoe for runners who want to run from their front door to their neighborhood trail systems. The thickness of the Vibram outsole makes the Ultraventure capable of handling muddy conditions, though it is not a shoe I recommend taking on super sketchy terrain.
The Ultraventure does away with small spiky lugs and instead utilizes a Vibram base and well-spaced lugs for control on moderate terrain.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The Ultraventure 4 very quickly became my backpacking shoe du jour because of the control and comfort it offers. Even with a 7 mm drop, the overall build feels profoundly stable on the dirt. Its wide rear and secure lateral walls prevent feet from sliding around in the mid to rear of the shoe. The generous forefoot space allows your toes to splay and flex naturally as you run, helping your stabilizing muscles activate and support your body's innate sense of balance.
This shoe delivers a remarkably stable ride on the trail, thanks to its wide rear, secure lateral walls that keep the foot locked in, and a spacious forefoot that encourages natural toe splay and muscle engagement for balanced movement.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Foot Protection
The Ultraventure 4 scored well in the protection metric, thanks to its high 27 mm forefoot stack that absorbs impact without needing a rock plate. Its roomy toe box keeps toes safely away from the front, while a durable, slightly flexible rubber toecap offers solid front-end defense. The elevated build also helps keep feet dry through shallow puddles and light stream crossings. While it's not ideal for extremely wet or muddy conditions, it handles minor water and mud encounters with ease. With an included ankle gaiter trap, the Ultraventure is ready to become even more protective.
The protective elements of this shoe coalesce well to feel reliable and safe on the trail.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs 7.90 ounces, sneaking in just under the 8-ounce mark we consider “lightweight”. Is this mark arbitrary? Perhaps. But do ounces add up after you've lifted your feet over a gazillion rocks in one day? Definitely, yes. This iteration weighs a bit more than the last (which was 7.67 ounces per shoe) but offers a more streamlined take on protection that distracted me from even noticing the weight. As I've said, the Ultraventure 4 isn't likely to be an agility-seekers' new favorite race shoe, and its weight profile backs this up. Instead, runners who want reliability and protection will find that the weight of the Ultraventure feels, sigh justttt right.
The Vibram outsole and thick stack weigh this shoe down a bit, but we find the comfort elements it provides to be worth the extra ounces.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
At 34 mm off the ground in the heel, and 27 mm off the ground in the forefoot, the Ultraventure is not exactly an example of sensitivity. Since it does not contain a rock plate, all sense of trail feel isn't completely lost, but this is not the shoe for an intimate trail feel. The muted sensitivity of this shoe balanced well with its wide heel structure for stability, allowing us to recommend this shoe even without abundant sensitivity.
Not the worst, not the best. The Ultraventure provides a muted sense of what is beneath your feet without providing an intimate sense of the trail's topography.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Topo Ultaventure 4?
If you want a spacious roller of a shoe that will be with you for the next long leg of your trail-venturing journey, the Ultraventure 4 is a solid choice. It offers comfort, a Vibram base for middling terrain, and a ruggedness that many of the top trail running shoes on the market lack. If you want a running shoe with a peppy midsole and race-paced countenance, you'll find the Ultraventure to be lacking. If the features that this shoe offers sound like what you seek, its affordable price tag makes it a strong value for comfort-minded, neighborhood-rippin' trail runners.
It may not be the most technical trail shoe on the market, but it provides comfort and protection, two incredibly important features in the world of trail running shoes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Topo MTN Racer 3 is an award-winning cousin of the protective and comfortable Ultraventure. The MTN Racer is a bit lighter, with strong lugs, and an elevated fit that ultimately adds to its versatility. Runners who want a wide toe box but prefer more sensitivity should check out the updated Altra Lone Peak 9. While not a GearLab award winner this time around, the Lone Peak offers a spaciousness not found in most other trail shoes. Moreover, the traction pattern of the Lone Peak is strong and grippy. Runners who want comfort but aren't attached to the idea of a wide toe box should look no further than the affordable-yet-excellent Saucony Peregrine 15. The Peregrine is well-outfitted with cushioning and has deep, bitey lugs that sink into whatever type of trail you decide to run.
