The Topo Ultraventure 4. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The Topo Ultraventure 4 ($150) is the most recent 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 certain 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 probably by no means felt higher accommodated than they’ve since transitioning to the Topos.

As highlighted in iRunFar’s overview of the Topo Ultraventure 3, Topo has obtained a stamp of approval by podiatrists within the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation. This “seal of acceptance” primarily helps shoppers who’re involved with foot well being to make an informed shoe buy. For those who’ve ever seen my sadly bunioned ft, you’d presume I’d be extra intimately aware of 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 enchantment. General, the shoe seems similar to its predecessor. One replace, nonetheless, is the polyurethane print that has been deliberately aligned alongside abrasion-prone elements 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 grime/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 delicate 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, useful and never over-engineered. The laces might be threaded by way of two small loops on the prime of the tongue, which retains the tongue centered and can also help in guaranteeing a safe lockdown. I examined my go-to working shoe measurement (girls’s 9) and have been happy to search out the Ultraventure 4 completely true to measurement.

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 little bit extra life to the fourth technology 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 in the case of 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. For those who’re aware of the Hoka Challenger or Brooks Caldera 7, Topo would promote this mannequin as offering an identical 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 typical insole, it seems thicker and feels extra plush. I’ve run nearly all of my miles in these footwear as is, however there may be enough room within the shoe to swap out the offered insole with a customized orthotic in the event you use one.

The Topo Ultraventure 3 got here with vital midsole adjustments that elevated the general stack of the mannequin. The 35-millimeter heel and 30-millmeter forefoot stack top, and ensuing 5-millimeter drop, stays constant into the Ultraventure 4.

For Topo Ultraventure 2 lovers, the Ultraventure 3 obtained some critique for lack of floor really feel with the elevated stack. For those who wore and beloved the Ultraventure 3, you’ll greater than probably 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 gained’t really feel any extra disconnected from the bottom than you do carrying 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, but it surely is probably not the most recent 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 enough traction on mild-to-moderate path and are appropriate on and off paved street. My yard grime is generally jeep street and the paths I drive to are primarily well-manicured, making this shoe a really perfect alternative for my space nearly all 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 nearly all of my miles on.

Nonetheless, in the event you spend a justifiable share of time working in snow, mud, rocky or in any other case technical terrain, it’s possible you’ll desire 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 is probably not notably area of interest. I’d regard the Ultraventure 4 as a workhorse, reliably and comfortably protecting lots of miles below comparatively managed situations.

General Impressions

A prime view of the Topo Ultraventure 4.

The Topo Ultraventure 4 is a good 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 characteristic for me has hands-down been the toebox. My bunioned forefoot has grown weary of being pinched and the repercussions of such. Topo strikes an important steadiness between offering a spacious toebox that permits pure foot splay, and a safe match that minimizes extra motion.

Consolation and stability on mild-to-moderate terrain are dependable qualities that you simply’ll get pleasure from whereas working far within the Ultraventure 4.

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