Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Multi Tester Review with 4 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Beck and Renee Krusemark

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 ($150, obtainable now)

Jeff: The Ultraventure 3 was an enormous step ahead from the earlier model, with the next and wider stack of recent midsole materials making the largest shift to create a really nice non-technical path cruiser. Two years later, the Ultraventure 4 remains to be an important non-technical path cruiser, with seemingly solely a minor change to the higher, retaining the midsole and outsole unchanged. Have the years been type to Topo’s largest path shoe? Please learn on.

Professionals and Cons

Professionals:

Foot-shaped toe bins are all the time appreciated: Jeff

Didn’t change what wasn’t damaged whereas bettering the higher: Jeff

Nonetheless snug and versatile for non-technical trails: Jeff/Renee

Cons:

Higher has modified, however not objectively improved.

No different modifications.

3-4 most comparable sneakers

Ultraventure 3

Brooks Caldera 7

New Stability Hierro 8

Scarpa Golden Gate ATR2

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Spec Weight: males’s 10.4 oz / 295g US9

Prior Model Weight: males’s 10.9oz / 309g US 10.5

Pattern Weight: males’s 10.83oz / 307g US10.5

ladies’s 8.34oz / 236g US7.5

Stack Top: males’s 35mm heel / 30mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec)

Platform Width:91mm heel / 87mm midfoot / 120mm forefoot

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Jeff: The Ultraventure 4 is unmistakably a Topo path shoe, sporting a comparatively low 5mm drop and an anatomically formed toebox. And whereas the UV3 was a giant step up from the two, the change to the 4 is rather more refined. And I do imply change, as a result of the one factor that’s modified is the higher, the midsole and outsole are similar to the earlier mannequin.

The higher is now product of a recycled engineered mesh with a polyurethane bolstered toe bumper and eyelet reinforcement. Much like the earlier mannequin, there isn’t a lot in the best way of overlays giving additional help, however contemplating the shoe’s objective, that’s not a giant subject. The mesh is a a lot tighter weave within the UV4, creating a really barely tighter match, but it surely’s nonetheless a reasonably relaxed match with loads of forefoot and midfoot room.

The heel counter is stiff, however versatile, and like so many different Topo path sneakers has anchor factors for gaiters (together with an anchor level on the backside of the laces), which is a pleasant contact.

The gusseted tongue isn’t going anyplace, and is in that “thick sufficient” vary that stops lace chunk however isn’t tremendous cushioned and heavy. Breathability is ok, I discovered no points operating in heat or cool situations.

Match is true-to-size for size and width. One colorway is on the market in large, and contemplating the marginally extra dialed in match of the higher, I’d think about runners with really large toes would need to make the most of that sizing.

Renee: Jeff has the main points. I agree that large footed runners would possibly want the large model. The shoe will not be slim by any means, somewhat it’s safe as most Topo sneakers are across the heel and midfoot. I don’t all the time like a broad toe field form, and maybe due to the toe bumper, the UV4 feels extra dialed in on my low quantity toes as in comparison with different Topos (Pursuit or MTN Racer).

Midsole & Platform

Jeff: And that is the place the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” actually comes into play. The Ultraventure 4 sports activities 30mm/35mm of ZipFoam, which is a PEBA/EVA mixture foam. It’s a gentle touchdown materials with an honest quantity of bounce to it whereas remaining a really secure platform for off-center landings. As a result of it’s a Topo, it is received a large forefoot and midfoot, and continues to have an honest quantity of toespring.

The shoe doesn’t have a rock plate, however there’s sufficient midsole foam and outsole to adequately shield the foot from harsh landings for even gradual fats guys like myself, extra svelte runners will probably discover the rock safety even higher. The platform is thick sufficient that there’s a bit little bit of flexibility, however not a lot, 30-35mm of forefoot stack doesn’t have a lot give to it.

Similar as within the final mannequin, it’s an important midsole, particularly for runners preferring an anatomical form, and favor consolation and stability over outright efficiency.

Renee: Once more, what Jeff wrote. The midsole has an excellent quantity of responsiveness and luxury. The low drop and comparatively low stack provide a nimble sufficient experience. The shoe is able to a mixture of paces. At longer distances, I believe the terrain could be an element. For runnable terrain, I’d elect for extra consolation underfoot at an extremely distance, however at a mixture of terrain (strolling or energy climbing paces for us common runners), the UV4 may be an all day shoe.

Outsole

Jeff: One other holdover from the earlier shoe, the outsole is a segmented Vibram rubber with some uncovered midsole parts. The lugs aren’t very aggressive, with loads of area in between lugs which helps shed collected mud. This tread sample implies that it’s additionally a really strong highway shoe, or road-to-trail shoe for runners who wish to run to the trailhead. The flipside of that’s the lugs aren’t perfect for technical terrain, however the excessive stack and relaxed match higher aren’t designed for that form of operating both.

Renee: I loved the small lugs as in comparison with the Pursuit or MTNRacer. Like Jeff wrote, the lugs aren’t sufficient for severe traction though that does make the underfoot experience extra snug on mellow surfaces.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

Jeff: Many sneakers get retooled each iteration, making runners consistently guess if their favourite shoe simply received higher or worse. On this case, nearly nothing modified, however what did, was a pleasant enchancment. The higher of the earlier mannequin was wonderful, however the Ultraventure 4’s higher tightens issues up, giving a bit extra platform safety than the earlier iteration.

In any other case, an important shoe stays nice. The match and form is among the most accommodating within the Topo line, the midsole is firmly within the Goldilocks zone of “gentle, however not too gentle, responsive, however nonetheless secure” that makes for an important lengthy distance, straightforward terrain path shoe. The outsole isn’t overbuilt, neither is the higher, making for an important shoe that virtually any runner might put on for hours on mild-to-moderate technicality trails – and even on the highway.

Finally, it’s an extremely refined replace to a shoe that didn’t get a lot improper. And whereas that may look like a backhanded praise, it isn’t supposed to be – I’d a lot somewhat shoe iterations repair points somewhat than introduce change for change. And there’s a straightforward reply to the query of “ought to I give the Ultraventure 4 a shot?” Did you just like the UV3? There’s not going to be many runners who change their thoughts from the three to the 4. In the event you didn’t attempt the three and would really like an all day path cruiser, this is among the greatest choices round.

Rating: 9.15/10

Journey (30%): 9 Match (30%): 10 Worth (10%): 10 Fashion (5%): 9 Traction (15%): 8 Rock Safety (10%): 8

Renee: The UV4 is a can-do-most-terrain shoe. For simple paces, it has sufficient consolation and for quicker efforts, the midsole has sufficient pop. Regardless of the small lugs, its low stack and comparatively nimble experience make it manageable for uneven terrain. Clearly, the outsole will not be meant for surfaces needing severe traction, however that’s not a fault. The shoe feels nice on gravel roads for that motive. In the event you like Topo however discovered the MTNRacer to be an excessive amount of of a shoe, or if you would like a lighter shoe than the Pursuit (and may’t do zero drop), the UV4 is an effective choose. For its objective, the shoe has no negatives. For its stack top and lug measurement, I want the shoe was a bit lighter in weight. For hybrid or highway to path sneakers, a comparability can all the time be to a highway shoe, which are sometimes lighter in weight and quicker underfoot.

Renee’s Rating: 9.1/10

(-0.90 may very well be a extra thrilling experience)

😊😊😊

4 Comparisons

Topo Ultraventure 3 (RTR Assessment)

Renee: Quite a few comparisons above, however they’re almost similar sneakers. Slight higher revision within the 4 provides it a barely extra dialed in match. In any other case, it’s the identical midsole and outsole, with the burden just about unchanged.

Brooks Caldera 7 (RTR Assessment)

Renee: Brooks DNA Loft v3 outfitted straightforward path shoe has the next stack and bouncier experience than the Topo, together with a extra aggressive outsole sample. The Topo has a wider toebox and extra secure platform. Caldera is healthier for quicker path runs, Ultraventure is healthier for longer and simpler runs.

New Stability Hierro v8 (RTR Assessment)

Renee: New Stability’s effectively cushioned (however not max cushioned) path shoe slots in very equally to the Ultraventure with regard to stack top and intention. The Recent Foam X midsole is softer, however not almost as rock resistant as Topo” ZipFoam, and whereas the New Stability additionally has a Vibram rubber outsole, it doesn’t have as a lot dust traction. I’d favor the Topo for the higher match and lockdown, in addition to the higher path and highway efficiency.

Scarpa Golden Gate ATR2 (RTR Assessment)

Renee: Each sneakers have an outsole greatest for mellow terrain. The higher of the ATR2 is extra efficiency whereas the UV4 has extra consolation (slight variations). The ATR2 midsole has a extra efficiency focus and it’s loads of enjoyable. The UV4 has extra consolation. Sizing is comparable with the Topo having extra room within the toe field (stating the apparent, however the ATR2 toe field has a slant).

Index to all RTR critiques: HERE

Purchasing at our companions for the Ultraventure 4 is way appreciated and helps help RoadTrailRun

Tester Profiles

Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of operating and writing began. She isn’t that superior of a runner, however she tries actually onerous. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles happen on rural nation roads in Nebraska, that means mud, gravel, dust, hills, and the occasional subject. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and three:26:45 for the marathon.

Jeff Beck is the token gradual runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and equipment can differ from those that routinely end marathons in three hours or much less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails round Denver, CO (and generally on the treadmill when the climate will get an excessive amount of for a Phoenix native). Jeff solely received into operating in his 30s, consequently his profession PR’s are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has completed a number of extremely marathons, from 50K as much as 50 miles, and remains to be debating if he desires to go down that highway once more.

Samples have been supplied at no cost for evaluate functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.

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