Are you looking for a wide-toe box that provides cushion and a low-heel drop for use on the road and trails? The Ultraventure 4 combines all of that into a comfortable trail shoe.
The lightly updated shoe kept everything I loved about the leap it made from version 2 to 3 and then improved on the details. You never know if the next generation of shoes will be worth it, and I was pumped to see they kept the foundations the same and tweaked a few things that needed adjusting.
I tested the Ultraventure 4 on roads, snow-packed trails, and even the treadmill. While they are not ideal for a treadmill, the less aggressive lugs make it doable in a pinch. But I loved that the shoe could perform well on various terrains.
Who’s It Good For?
Who is the Ultraventure 4 good for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Yes! The wide-toe box is perfect for wide feet!
- Technical Trails: Probably not our first pick.
- Long Runs: Absolutely! The cushion in this shoe is made for longer adventures.
- Front of the Pack: Daily trainer, long runs, mixed terrain adventures, not so much a race day shoe.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Overview
The Topo Ultraventure 4 is especially great for runners with medium to wide feet who want a comfy, secure fit without compromising on cushioning. The shoe offers a smooth, plush ride for long miles while still providing enough responsiveness when you need to pick up the pace.
The Ultraventure 4 is more of a subtle update to the Ultraventure 3 than a complete overhaul.
Topo kept what worked from the previous iteration, so while the changes aren’t drastic, they do refine an already solid shoe. The most significant update is the upper, which now features a more tightly woven recycled mesh with a new overlay design that improves foot security and keeps debris out. They also slightly updated its ZipFoam™ cushion in the midsole, making it a little more bouncy.
The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole that I loved in the Ultraventure 3 remains the same. However, if you need more aggressive traction or are regularly tackling technical, muddy trails, you might want to look elsewhere.
Like the previous version, the Ultraventure 4 can hold onto water after stream crossings or rain. It can get a bit heavy until it dries out, so if you’re regularly running in wet conditions, you might want to look at a more water-resistant option.
The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 refines an already solid design with updates to the upper and midsole, improving comfort and performance. It’s a versatile, cushioned shoe that handles both road and trail well, making it a great option for long runs or mixed-terrain adventures.
Ultraventure 4 Specs
- Heel-toe drop: 5 mm
- Weight: 8.2 oz women’s, 10.04 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 35 mm
- Usage: Road-to-trail running, mixed-terrain adventures, gravel road running
- Not available in wide
- Available in three colors
- Available at Zappos.com $150
Ultraventure 4 Fit
When Topo was first introduced to me, it was described “as if Hoka and Altra had a baby.”
You have the cushion of a Hoka and the roomy comfort of an Altra bundled in a low-drop shoe. The Ultraventure 4 really personifies that description: roomy in the toe box but secure in the midfoot and heel. The updated upper provides a snugger, more stable feel.
The fully gusseted tongue keeps it in place, and the two tongue stays keep it on the center of the foot. This shoe is great if you have triangle-shaped feet, wide feet, or just like a little extra space in the toes.
However, these are not best for those who have narrow feet; the toes may have too much room for them.
On the outside of the heels is an attachment point for Topo’s Performance Gaitor. Topos pair best with their own gaitor system. I’ve tried using Velcro to create my own, but it didn’t work nearly as well. For $30, it is worth having a pair that works seamlessly.
Similar Shoes
We’ve got a whole line up of road to trail shoes, but specifically similar to these we’d suggest:
- Brooks Caldera – (more responsive ride but a firmer feel and a more aggressive outsole)
- Hoka Speedgoat – (Has more aggressive grip for technical trails)
- Altra Olympus – (Has a zero-drop platform and an even wider fit in the forefoot)
Ultraventure 4 vs 2
I ran in the Ultraventure 2 when I first started my longer-distance running journey. I tried Altras, but they were too roomy for my toes, and I couldn’t balance the spatial awareness (aka I kept tripping on rocks!).
Enter the Ultraventure 2. They were wide but didn’t feel messy, and they kept my heel and midsole snug and locked down. I was pumped!
The jump Topo made from the 2 to 3 was a pretty big one compared to the minimal updates from the 3 to the current 4. They added more foam, bumping up the stack height from 30mm to 35mm, and it seemed like I lost the feel of the ground. But after 20 miles, my feet appreciated the additional cushion. The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole was improved upon and made slightly more aggressive for the trail.
Some minimalist runners may not have kept up with the updates after the 2 with the additional 5mm of stack height.
I considered it a worthy tradeoff—losing some ground feel for more cushion on my longer runs. But my biggest consistent gripe with all variations of the Ultraventures is the lace length. I primarily do a heel lock when lacing up, and these laces barely have enough to spare.
All right, there’s our Topo Ultraventure 4 review!
Have more questions, let us know.
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