Topo Athletic - Ultraventure 1

I've been thru Topo Hydroventure, Ultraventure 1/2/3, MTN Racer 1/2/3/4. The UV3's lost the outer/lug grip plot, the MTN3's felt like running in floppy support-free canvas bags (the MTN4's are a return to form). I haven't tried the Vistas yet. What I'm concerned about with the Vistas is catching little rocks in that split heel just like Saucony Peregrines do. Did you experience this in your run test? Other than that, the lugs are the same as the MTN4's, right?

That’s my favorite shoe! The regular version is fairly wide, too, but it’s nice they offer a wide for folks like me (bad tailor’s bunion). Topo offers a few options in wide, including the Mtn Racer 4, but it’s not as wide as the wide Lone Peak.

It’s nice they offer the Mtn Racer 4 in wide. The 3 wasn’t available in wide. Unfortunately, it’s still too narrow for me. Same with the Terraventure. The Ultraventure in wide fits me, quite similar to the wide Lone Peak, but I don’t think it has enough grip. I really wish Altra offered a Lone Peak with a 30 mm stack height for a little more cushion on rocky terrain (and had it available in wide). But that’s probably an uber niche market.

Yes (that’s why my original comment said “wide”). The wide version of the Mtn Racer 4 and Terraventure are closer to the Altra LP (non-wide) than the LP wide. The Ultraventure wide is close to the LP wide but doesn’t have the grip. Just my $0.02.

I’m tried the speedgoat wide and it’s not very wide at all. The Topo Mtn Racer 4 wide is wider. (Narrowest) Speedgoat wide <<< Mtn Racer 4 wide <= Altra LP normal < Ultraventure wide <= Altra LP wide (widest) Somewhere in there is the Hierro 4E, but that is so high volume without being all that wide in the forefoot.

I like my ultraventures on road as well

Topo Ultraventure is a solid alternative. Nike Zegama also similar.

Hi, I sell shoes at a local gear shop close to the PCT. You need to give me more information about your feet, your size and width. Chances are your shoes are too small. I personally hiked with the Topo Terraventure and love them, and I’ve also hiked over 1000 miles on the Ultraventure. Mainly I like their durability compared to Altra and HOKA. But again, it’s whatever shoe works for your foot and you’ve given zero info on that.

I’ve gotten 500+ miles on several Topo models, though I hear Norda 001 last even longer.

If you as me Altra is terrible. The quality over the years has went down the drain. Topo Athletic has now passed them as the most popular shoe for thru hikers.

I prefer ultraventure. I have used both, but it comes down to personal preference. The Ultraventure have a bit more padding, but I am heavier than your average hiker and live in a rocky area. I loved Altra back around Lone Peak 3 and 4. But they ended up shrinking the toe box, and they just don't hold up well, particularly in somewhat rocky ground.

Have you looked at the Topo lineup of shoes? Same wide toe box, same 0mm drop options. I have a bunch of them. Some zero drop, some 3 and 5mm drops. The only thing I don't like about Topos is that I hate ortho-lite insoles so I swap in super feet insoles instead. But that is probably an issue in most trail shoes since they try to go lightweight.

Topo does the wide toe box. My Ultraventures have a 5mm drop, Terraventures have a 3mm drop and there is also the mtnracer model as well (haven't tried that one yet).

They are very comfortable and roomy for me with good lugs. They feel a little weird walking on pavement so mud, gravel, rocks, roots, and sand are all good but pavement is a no unless you enjoy suctioning to the pavement. If you need them to do pavement as well, look at the Terraventures which are bomb proof in durability as well. I think my husband has about 800 miles on his Terraventures with the outsole still intact. I have a lot less on mine but it should be well over 300 miles on mine and still waterproof. Terraventures come in waterproof and non-waterproof, fyi. The Ultraventure is a lot cushier than the Terraventure but both do a good job of protecting your foot from the rocks and roots. I can not speak to durability on the Ultraventures yet as I have only put 100 miles on them but so far they are still looking like new other than the inside heel. As to the inside heal, I have to use stickers in all my shoes as my heels always rub through all shoes there so that doesn't count against them in my book (Haglunds deformation is obnoxious but the stickers are a cheap fix).

Also have wide feet with low arches. I’ve never been able to get a good fit with Topo. The wide toe box is great, but I find the arch and midfoot too narrow. I also ordered the Ultraventure in a regular and wide width and the actual outsole was identical on both shoes, so I suspect their “wide” are built on the same platform as the regular width, and they just add extra material in the upper to try to accommodate a wider foot. This is cheaper for them, but not going to give a good fit if you have actual wide feet. I’m currently using Altra Experience Wild and Lone Peak 8’s. They have both been fine for me and they fit my feet much better than the Topo’s. They are both pretty minimally cushioned shoes though, so if you’re running on harder surfaces you may need a higher stack

Topo Ultraventure is where it's at!!

If you are looking at Topos, just know that the MTN racer has a narrower toebox than the ultraventure. Mtn racer didn't work for me but ultraventures do.