The Topo Ultraventure 4. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Topo Ultraventure 4 ($150) is the newest rendition of Topo’s best-selling path shoe. Designed with ample cushion and a bit extra stack — 35-millimeter heel and 30-millmeter forefoot — than Topo’s conventional low-drop philosophy choices, the Ultraventure 4 caters to runners preferring lengthy distance assist and a luxurious underfoot really feel. With Topo’s signature roomy toebox, fairly light-weight building — a U.S. males’s 9 has an precise weight of 10.1 ounces (285 grams) — and trail-ready Vibram traction, the Ultraventure 4 is bound to be a crowd pleaser.
Regardless of a longstanding envy of their notably spacious toebox, my historical past with Topo has been regretfully nonexistent. The Ultraventure 4 landed on my doorstep after working in footwear that proved too pinchy within the forefoot, and my toes have presumably by no means felt higher accommodated than they’ve since transitioning to the Topos.
As highlighted in iRunFar’s evaluate of the Topo Ultraventure 3, Topo has obtained a stamp of approval by podiatrists within the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation. This “seal of acceptance” basically helps customers who’re involved with foot well being to make an informed shoe buy. When you’ve ever seen my sadly bunioned ft, you’d presume I’d be extra intimately acquainted with this group of medical professionals. Alas, though I used to be unaware that such endorsements existed, Topo’s efforts to create footwear that enhances the pure biomechanics of the foot are obvious after working on this mannequin.
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Topo Ultraventure 4 Higher
A lateral view of the Topo Ultraventure 4.
The recycled mesh higher on the Topo Ultraventure 4 has a no-nonsense attraction. Total, the shoe seems similar to its predecessor. One replace, nonetheless, is the polyurethane print that has been deliberately aligned alongside abrasion-prone facets of the higher in an effort to each preserve construction and protect sturdiness. The mesh has reportedly been woven a bit tighter in an effort to maintain dust/particles out of the shoe, whereas preserving breathability.
Whereas I’ve solely ran on this shoe throughout our temperate-to-cooler months right here in Oregon, I can vouch for the shoe feeling neither too perforated nor stifling. I examined the purple/darkish teal colorway, which seems good as new after 100 miles.
Two refined anchors exist on the again of the heel and one on the base of the laces to accommodate Topo’s Efficiency Gaiter. The totally gusseted tongue and laces are easy, practical and never over-engineered. The laces could be threaded by two small loops on the prime of the tongue, which retains the tongue centered and may help in making certain a safe lockdown. I examined my go-to working shoe dimension (ladies’s 9) and have been happy to search out the Ultraventure 4 completely true to dimension.
Topo Ultraventure 4 Midsole
A medial view of the Topo Ultraventure 4.
The midsole of the Topo Ultraventure 4 has been designed for runners in search of extremely cushioned, long-distance assist. A barely softer, bouncier model of Topo’s ZipFoam brings a bit extra life to the fourth era of this mannequin. Whether or not or not my ft really feel drained and achy by the top of a full day on the path has been a little bit of a litmus check for me relating to this nook of my shoe assortment. At the moment within the wake of my highest mileage months, I haven’t had purpose to run round within the Ultraventure 4 for greater than three hours at a time, however have been completely pleased with the consolation they supply over reasonable distances. When you’re acquainted with the Hoka Challenger or Brooks Caldera 7, Topo would promote this mannequin as offering an analogous stage of cushion and luxury.
The Ortholite insole of the Ultraventure 4 is designed to be comfy and resilient, whereas additionally offering antimicrobial properties. In comparison with the common insole, it seems thicker and feels extra plush. I’ve run the vast majority of my miles in these footwear as is, however there may be satisfactory room within the shoe to swap out the offered insole with a customized orthotic if you happen to use one.
The Topo Ultraventure 3 got here with important midsole adjustments that elevated the general stack of the mannequin. The 35-millimeter heel and 30-millmeter forefoot stack peak, and ensuing 5-millimeter drop, stays constant into the Ultraventure 4.
For Topo Ultraventure 2 fans, the Ultraventure 3 obtained some critique for lack of floor really feel with the elevated stack. When you wore and liked the Ultraventure 3, you’ll greater than seemingly benefit from the Ultraventure 4. If, like myself, you’re historically a not-so-minimal runner and are coming into the Topo model with a propensity to decide on footwear with a bit extra cushion and stack at baseline, I’m guessing you received’t really feel any extra disconnected from the bottom than you do sporting the rest in your quiver.
If you’re somebody who favors footwear with little or no stack and minimal drop, Topo undoubtedly has one thing for you, however it might not be the newest renditions of this mannequin.
Topo Ultraventure 4 Outsole
The outsole of the Topo Ultraventure 4.
The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole of the Topo Ultraventure 4 is geared for multi-surface traction and sturdiness. Broad and shallow multi-directional lugs supply satisfactory traction on mild-to-moderate path and are appropriate on and off paved highway. My yard dust is usually jeep highway and the paths I drive to are primarily well-manicured, making this shoe an excellent alternative for my space the vast majority of the 12 months. The outsole doesn’t home a rock plate, which is actually not a deal breaker for me given the surfaces I run the vast majority of my miles on.
Nonetheless, if you happen to spend a fair proportion of time working in snow, mud, rocky or in any other case technical terrain, you might favor a extra aggressive outsole or a bit extra safety within the type of a rock plate. I like having a workhorse shoe round, one that’s dependable for accumulating lots of mileage however might not be notably area of interest. I’d regard the Ultraventure 4 as a workhorse, reliably and comfortably overlaying lots of miles below comparatively managed situations.
Total Impressions
A prime view of the Topo Ultraventure 4.
The Topo Ultraventure 4 is a superb gateway shoe into the world of Topo, for these of us who’ve traditionally deemed this model a bit too drastic a leap towards minimalism, from our extra generously cushioned consolation zone. New to the model, the standout function for me has hands-down been the toebox. My bunioned forefoot has grown weary of being pinched and the repercussions of such. Topo strikes a terrific stability between offering a spacious toebox that enables pure foot splay, and a safe match that minimizes extra motion.
Consolation and stability on mild-to-moderate terrain are dependable qualities that you just’ll get pleasure from whereas working far within the Ultraventure 4.
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