Topo Ultraventure 4 review: a roomy, cushioned shoe for long trail days

The Topo Ultraventure 4 is a cushioned, low-drop trail shoe for long, easy-going days on gravel, fire roads and mixed road-to-trail loops. It's for runners and hikers who care more about happy feet at kilometre 30 than about pace, and who want room for their toes to spread. Here at Foveō Running in Courtenay, BC, it's one of the few shoes on our wall that seems to suit almost everyone who tries it.

What is the Topo Ultraventure 4?

The Topo Ultraventure 4 is a max-cushioned trail shoe built for long runs, ultras and hiking on groomed trail, gravel and road. Topo kept what made earlier Ultraventures popular, plenty of cushion and a roomy foot shape, and wrapped it in a sturdier upper.

Key specs:

• Stack: 35 mm heel / 30 mm forefoot (5 mm drop)
• Weight: 295 g (10.4 oz) men's US 9; 235 g (8.3 oz) women's US 7
• Midsole: ZipFoam, an EVA/TPU blend with a soft feel
• Outsole: Vibram XS Trek EVO with 3.2 mm lugs, designed for easy trail-to-road transitions
• Upper: recycled mesh with a printed PU overlay for structure and durability
• Plate: none
• Waterproof: no

In short, the Ultraventure 4 is a lifted but lively trail shoe: stacked high enough for real comfort, yet light and flexible enough to stay nimble.

How does the Topo Ultraventure 4 feel on Comox Valley trails?

Cushy without being mushy. The Topo Ultraventure 4 gives a soft, forgiving ride that keeps your legs fresher on long outings, and the modest 5 mm drop keeps it feeling balanced and natural.

Comfort for big days. The generous cushioning and wide toe box make it a go-to for long runs, hikes and multi-hour outings. Feet stay happy, even after a lot of kilometres.

Wiggle room up front, locked in at the back. Toes have space to spread while the heel stays snug, so you get comfort without a sloppy fit.

Valley-to-ridge versatility. Want to mix forest road, a gravel descent and a mellow forest loop in one run? Or run from your door to the trailhead? The Vibram outsole grips on moderate trails and off-road terrain and stays unobtrusive on hard-packed gravel and pavement, so you don't need to swap shoes between segments.

One shoe, many roles. Trail runs, hikes, travel and mixed-surface runs: it's versatile enough to be a daily driver for most of your non-technical kilometres.

Who is the Topo Ultraventure 4 best for, and who should skip it?

The Topo Ultraventure 4 is best for runners and hikers doing long to very long outings on mild to moderate terrain who put comfort ahead of speed.

• Good fit: trail runners, hikers and gravel-road runners going long; "trail commuters" who mix pavement, gravel and forest track in one outing; one-shoe-quiver runners covering most of their non-technical kilometres; and medium to wide, higher-volume feet that want space up front.
• Skip it if: you want an aggressive, racy trail shoe or a tight, precise fit. The ride is more relaxed endurance than speed.
• Skip it if: you mostly run deep mud, steep or technical ground. The outsole and lug depth suit mild to moderate terrain, and like many high-stack shoes it can feel a bit tippy on uneven rock where you need precise foot placement. For rockier, steeper trails, look at the Topo MTN Racer 4.

Topo Ultraventure 4 vs Ultraventure 5: which should you choose?

Choose the Topo Ultraventure 4 if you have higher-volume feet and want the roomier midfoot; choose the Ultraventure 5 if you want the newest version, a more durable upper and a slightly snugger midfoot. The Ultraventure 4 has been discontinued by Topo, so we're down to remaining sizes, while the Ultraventure 5 is on our wall now.

Specs from Topo Athletic. The Ultraventure 5 also comes in men's Wide and women's Wide.

How does the Topo Ultraventure 4 fit?

True to size, with an extra-roomy toe box and a narrower heel. That combination is a big part of why the Topo Ultraventure 4 works for so many feet: toes get space to splay while the heel stays put. If you're between the 4 and the 5, try both on; the difference is mostly in the midfoot.

Topo Ultraventure 4: quick questions

Is the Topo Ultraventure 4 waterproof?
No. It has a breathable recycled mesh upper with no waterproof membrane.

Is the Ultraventure 4 good for technical trails?
It's happiest on groomed trail, gravel and road. Topo designed the outsole for easy trail-to-road transitions rather than mud or steep technical ground.

Is the Ultraventure 4 good for hiking?
Yes. It's built for hiking as well as long runs and ultras, and the cushion and roomy toe box make it comfortable for long days on your feet.

Does the Ultraventure 4 have a plate?
No. The cushioning comes from the ZipFoam midsole alone.

Drop by the shop to try it on, or shop the Ultraventure 4 online in men's and women's, or the newer Ultraventure 5 in men's and women's.