Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2 - Women's Review

The Ultraventure 2 stands out for its wide toe box and 5mm drop with lots of underfoot cushioning. It's designed for longer distances as a protective trail shoe that will bite down on any surface. It is best for those seeking protective comfort with the freedom to spread their toes in a voluminous toe box. The extra cushion in the heel offers a little additional support for heel and forefoot strikers. These shoes are just begging you to put on your running shorts, sports bra, lace-up, and head out.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

Loaded with underfoot cushioning that is responsive and compact, this shoe will protect you from underfoot hazards. The thick midsole is pronounced, with 25mm at the forefoot and 30mm at the heel. It does not have a rock plate, but we didn't notice any performance differences when running on technical terrain compared to those that do. The lack of a rock plate makes it a bit more flexible than those that have one.

The upper mesh is multilayered, offering protection from fine particulates like sand, making it a good shoe for running in desert environments. The newest iteration comes with a gaiter eyelet, allowing you to use a gaiter for sandy or dusty conditions. The mesh is quick to dry, and after tromping through a few streams, it managed to dry out in about 20 minutes in temperatures around 60 degrees. It doesn't have a dedicated drainage system at the toe, but the mesh does a fine job releasing water. Overall, this is a protective shoe that we would trust on rugged, rocky terrain where your foot might need a little extra armor.

Traction

The outsole on this shoe is absolutely bomber. The Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber is sticky yet durable. The lugs are 6mm in depth with nice spacing. It excels on traditional trails and paths, sticking well to slickrock and other surfaces. The lug tops are flat and smooth, which offer a nice ride, even on hard pavement and roads. You can say this is a versatile shoe because of the outsole construction. It earns a middle-of-the-road score because it still slips on some surfaces and tends to collect sticky mud.

When heading down the Old Horsethief trail in Ouray (a training route), we noticed the shoe slipping out on kitty litter over dirt. On the same path, we encountered snow when kicking in steps. While we trusted this shoe to hold during these tests, we weren't as confident in it as other contenders with longer, more tapered lugs that act like teeth to hold tight to such slippery surfaces. While the rubber is sticky, it's not as soft as other contenders, so when it rains outside, slippery rocks are a bit of a hazard (as is true for most trail runners).

Sensitivity

While Ultraventure 2 has thicker cushioning, it lacks a rock plate, which helps with sensitivity. We could still sense trail undulations underfoot, but the stack of 3-piece injected EVA foam is dense. The translation to the foot is a smooth ride, even on uneven terrain. While this is a huge plus for some, those looking for an intimate experience should look at a shoe with a little less cushioning.

Stability

While the stack height feels a little taller than most, the stable construction and broader toe box offer more balance and, thus, confidence on the trail. The new upper uses a microfiber belt that connects the midfoot to the heel, wrapping it together for a better fitting heel. The TPU overlays also add a little structure, keeping the shoe flexible but structured.

We tested the Ultraventure 2 on several runs in Colorado's San Juan mountains, right when the snow was melting. The spring season means muddy, rocky, and uneven transitions. The platform always felt flat upon each landing, offering just enough sensitivity to adjust the body as needed. The height is high, but the wider landing pad in the forefoot and heel makes it a stable ride. That said, the tipping point on this shoe is more pronounced. The outsole is about the same width as the upper, meaning that if you do go over, it will be a hard turn on the ankle since the wall height is high and steep. However, our main tester is a chronic ankle roller and didn't roll her ankle in this shoe after 60+ miles of use. After all these miles on uneven terrain, she likes the stability and trusts it on uneven surfaces.

Comfort and Fit

We can't boast enough about the excellent comfort and enhanced fit on the newest iteration of this shoe. With a load of underfoot cushioning that is responsive and protective, our foot continued to stay fresh on the trail. The wider toe box allows a bit of splay, while the redesigned upper is more flexible and quick to dry.

This shoe is neutral with a 5mm drop from heel to toe, offering a little extra cushion. It is an excellent alternative for those who have tried zero-drop shoes like Altra but couldn't do them because of the lack of support in the heel. Zero-drop shoes favor midfoot strikers, but the added cushioning in the heel for the Ultraventure will also accommodate a heel striker. The toe box is similar but tapers more to the front of the toes, so your foot feels a little more squished than in Altra shoes, which have a wide forefoot to the end of the toe. As a result, you still have width and room to wiggle, but it's a little tighter. The lacing system is also redesigned, so there is more space between the width of the eyelets, allowing you to cinch it down for a precise fit.

On the trails, our feet stayed in place. The heel cup enveloped our foot, and there was a secure wrap around the midfoot. We experienced toe bang at the top of the shoe on steeper trails when going downhill, but this was easily fixed by tightening the laces. The underfoot cushioning is more rigid than an Altra model, so it doesn't feel as plush. Still, it's more responsive and energetic, making it a comfortable choice for both short and long distances, providing you have the right socks to match.

Weight

We weighed one size 9 shoe at just 9.4 oz, which is lightweight for the level of protection and comfort the Ultraventure 2 offers. We would feel confident wearing it during training runs and races, especially for distances into the ultras.

Should You Buy the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2?

The Topo Ultraventure 2 is best for folks seeking a wide forefoot with extra underfoot cushioning in the heel. The Vibram outsole is moderately aggressive, with the ability to go anywhere. This versatile shoe presents a great value and is a wonderful alternative to the Altra brand. It has more protection cushion and is more durable overall. The previous version we tested is still going strong after 400+ miles and has turned into the shoe we wear for chores because of its excellent comfort and durability. After 60+ miles on the new pair, it still looks new, with just a tiny bit of wear on the collar, because of our main testers' cadence. It is a good choice for heel and forefoot strikers ready to log the miles in comfort.

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