What You Want To Know
- Weighs 10.2 oz. (289 g.) for a US M9 / 8.3 oz. (235 g.) for a US W7
- Prepare for extremely adventures within the Ultraventure
- Up to date ZipFoam ups the zip, for certain
- Topo is goin’ inexperienced with three recycled water bottles per pair
- Out there now for $150
EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier variations of this overview famous unhealthy laces that have been too lengthy and have become untied. Topo Athletic tell us that our overview pairs have been pre-production and that the difficulty was acknowledged and resolved earlier than closing manufacturing.
TAYLOR: New shoe, who dis? The model new Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 simply strolled up with an all-out overhaul. It shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a shock for followers of the sequence — overhauls are par for the course on this ever-evolving shoe.
The primary Ultraventure grabbed loads of followers with its top-notch match and rugged sturdiness. To today, it stays one in every of my all-time favourite footwear because of its consolation and general experience. The second Ultraventure took a deep dive into the world of max cushion with an general softer really feel. It was a great exhibiting, however it left loads of OG followers wanting extra.
Now, we now have the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3. It brings an identical however barely altered higher, an all-new formulation of ZipFoam, and a newly configured Vibram outsole. All of those adjustments quantity to a completely new expertise, however one which I feel individuals will get pleasure from.
SAM: The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 confirmed up on my porch on a wet morning in October. Every week later, with simply two runs to my title, I laced it up for the Patapsco Valley 50k simply exterior of Baltimore.
All of us have our personal standards for a race day shoe, however there’s typically some overlap. We would like consolation throughout the mileage and a shoe that makes us run (or no less than really feel) quick. For path races, a shoe has to maintain us upright — no turned ankles or misplaced grip allowed. Even with minimal miles on the Ultraventure 3, I knew it checked the containers. Now, over 31 miles later, I’m something however disenchanted.
The Good
TAYLOR: This yr’s model of the Ultraventure is worthy of a spot within the dialog with footwear just like the Hoka Mafate Pace 4, Nike Zegama, and Brooks Caldera 6. All of those high-stack footwear take distinctive roads to present stable all-around performances. One of many features that makes the entire aforementioned footwear distinctive is their midsoles. Foams are the place the magic is as of late.
Topo Athletic’s new recipe of ZipFoam is fairly spectacular for a high-stack (35 mm/30 mm for a 5mm drop) path shoe. It is going to give runners a few of every part: cushion, safety, and vitality to go a great distance. The medium-soft density foam feels ethereal underfoot, like what you’d get from a nitro-infused midsole. It feels crisp, gentle, and well-cushioned, someplace within the ballpark of the Brooks Cascadia 6, Hoka Mafate Pace 4, Altra Mont Blanc, and even Hoka Tecton X (minus some poppy pop). All have that soft-ish really feel that doesn’t fully abandon the responsiveness.
A noticeable toe spring (curved forefoot) permits for a easy transition from the preliminary foot strike by way of toe-off. Due to the anatomical toe field, the toe-off feels extra important than most path footwear, even these with full rockers. Topo discovered a manner to make sure that toe-off occurs at a major spot: proper on the massive toe, which analysis tells us is the place the facility lies. You’re feeling it with the Ultraventure 3.
The higher provides off an identical vibe of being mushy however not too relaxed. That is essentially the most acquainted facet of final yr’s Ultraventure with a planet-loving recycled mesh. It’s snug and appropriately structured across the heel and midfoot. That’s the place you’ll discover the very best lockdown factors throughout the shoe. It’s a traditional Topo transfer. Lockdown is helped by a modestly padded gusseted tongue.
Any overlays are just about chucked to the wayside. There’s one across the heel for construction, one other round eyelet chains, and one other across the toe field for cover. Easy and sensible. I’m all about it.
Again to the foot form. Topo Athletic is known for having a safe heel and midfoot and having room within the forefoot for pure splay. I really feel like this specific final, and the one which the Topo Athletic Pursuit was made on, is the cash maker. Although I’ve a median width foot, I really feel such as you get advantages of each consolation and efficiency with this form. You don’t want a large foot to understand this shoe.
One thing small, however I additionally admire the noticeable medial arch bump. It’s not one thing I significantly discover in footwear, however I’d say it feels snug fairly than obtrusive.
Although the Ultraventure 3 is marketed for easy to average trails, just like the Mafate Pace 4, it could actually deal with a bit extra due to the general match. I discovered that it may take some decently technical trails and a few velocity. Laborious activates switchbacks did include a little bit little bit of slippage.
Topo Athletic has clung to its clawed Vibram Megagrip outsole for all its price. Practically each path shoe from the model during the last 5 years had nearly the very same outsole. I’m glad they’re branching out with an entire redesign right here.
First, there’s much less rubber and extra flex. That performs into the crisp feeling whereas operating — it feels pure. The outsole can also be much less aggressive. Some will likely be upset about that, however I feel it’s a great transfer for the sequence. You don’t typically want 5mm claws to dig into the bottom. These average rectangular lugs are lighter, smoother, and easily extra versatile. The Vibram XS Trek rubber nonetheless provides a stable quantity of grip. One other factor to notice is that the Ultraventure 3 is available in because the lightest of the contenders within the excessive stack class (10.9 oz. for a US M10.5).
SAM: Taylor isn’t mistaken when he says that the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 must be thought-about among the many highest high-stack path choices available on the market. He’s achieved a fantastic job at overlaying the technical shine that appears to leak out of this shoe’s very breathable and sturdy mesh, so I’m not going to rehash all of that. As a substitute, I’m going to err towards speaking about efficiency, match, and sturdiness at distance.
Maybe the best reward I may give this shoe post-race is that I barely thought of it in any respect. Certain, I spent a few miles fixated on my left foot after plunging it totally underwater in a stream crossing in mile one. My proper foot was subjected to a string of curses after catching a rock hidden beneath leaves at mile 26, which yardsaled me down the path, however for essentially the most half, this shoe served as an extension of my legs. It gripped when and the place I wanted it to, and the chunky ZipFoam Midsole served up safety and luxury with out fail for the entire 31 miles.
The match was one in every of my greatest causes for selecting this shoe on race day. I’m a fan of the foot-shaped uppers that Topo Athletic and Altra deal with — I’ve had a couple of too many blister-producing long-mile days in slender footwear. There’s typically a fragile stability to be struck between the broad toe field and a safe lockdown. The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 suits securely within the heel and midfoot. In the event you peek contained in the shoe, there’s a low profile underlay beneath the mesh across the midfoot that attaches to the overlay that braces the lace eyelets. This leads to a stable lockdown in a paired-down package deal. Every part feels structured however not stiff. The recycled mesh is sturdy, breathable, and dries out quick when moist. Within the toebox, the shoe opens as much as depart room for toe splay. The entire higher package deal conveys simplicity with out sacrifice. That is an higher — and a shoe — with solely the stuff you want for giant miles and nothing additional.
I can’t say sufficient in regards to the mixture of ZipFoam midsole and Vibram XS Trek outsole. Underfoot there’s a little pep, a lot of safety, and grip for days. With a 35mm heel and a 30mm forefoot, this shoe has the stack of some soft day by day trainers (though it’s extra on the agency aspect), however you wouldn’t understand it from the underfoot confidence it evokes. I used to be really stunned after I noticed this shoe was really helpful for average terrain — it gave me a number of the higher technical efficiency of any shoe I’ve examined this yr. Contemplating its excessive stack and wider platform, this midsole/outsole mixture is tuned to ship these outcomes. I’m going to exit and declare this, however I feel 5mm is the perfect offset drop for a path shoe. It’s a candy spot between an excessive amount of ahead lean and a sharply strained Achilles.
As for the Vibram outsole, I agree with Taylor: the lug sample on the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 doesn’t sacrifice any grip, and the midsole rocker geometry works properly with the sparse lugs to lead to a good toe-off that helps your stride keep constant.
ALEX: I like the brand new colorways of the Ultraventure 3 — no pink or purple to be discovered on the ladies’s model. To be clear, I’ve no qualms with both of those colours, my situation is that gendered colorways exist in any respect. I digress. This shoe appears to be like candy.
For a max cushion, excessive stack top shoe, these really feel surprisingly light-weight, weighing in at just below 9 oz. for a US W8.5.
Aside from my heel collar complaints (see subsequent part), I discovered this shoe to be extraordinarily snug. They stored the design of the higher easy, with no complicated, heavy overlays or problematic flex factors. The toe bumper is extremely protecting and well-matched for the kind of terrain this one was made for. Aside from that, the fabric is mushy and breathable.
The match is safe by way of the heel and midfoot, and, mixed with a really roomy toe field, feels satisfactory for easy and extra average terrain. The Ultraventure 3 additionally feels nice mountain climbing. I used to be capable of really feel extra surefooted on technical trails when transferring slower.
The excessive stack top (greater than my beloved Hoka Speedgoat 5) and up to date foam midsole of this one made it instantly intriguing to me, and I used to be excited that they have been capable of execute it in a well-balanced package deal. The ZipFoam midsole feels plush, responsive, and tremendous snug underfoot. It additionally maintains a stunning quantity of floor really feel. The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole is supplied with 3.5mm broad, comparatively shallow lugs. The grip is satisfactory, though this outsole design wouldn’t be my first alternative on moist technical terrain.
Store Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 – Males
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The Unhealthy
TAYLOR: I’m undecided if all foot-shaped low-drop shoe corporations supply their shoelaces from the identical place, however, like most Altra footwear, these laces are manner too lengthy. There’s sufficient lace to tie your footwear and your neighbor’s. With no lace storage of any type, they grew to become fairly cumbersome to stuff again by way of. In the event you don’t, you’d be on the threat of lassoing your different foot with each stride.
One factor that will likely be attention-grabbing to see is how lengthy this shoe stands up. The XS Trek is much less gritty than Vibram’s Megagrip compound. The lighter midsole hasn’t given me any hints that it’s beginning to break down but, however we’ve discovered that many more recent ethereal midsoles do are inclined to lose their pop sooner. Time will inform. Hopefully, we may give you a 50 or 100-mile replace.
SAM: I beforehand complained in regards to the laces, however I’ve been advised the manufacturing fashions don’t use these and the problems have been mounted. So in any other case I’ve no complaints.
ALEX: Just like another Topo fashions I’ve examined prior to now, the heel design isn’t my favourite. The peak of it’s comparatively brief, and it curves in. Pricey each shoe firm, please cease making curved heel collars.
The toebox on this one may be very roomy, and I discovered my foot sliding round fairly a bit on steep descents and when transferring shortly throughout technical terrain. I really feel like they tried to counter this with the heel lock, which, though uncomfortable, is safe. It simply doesn’t come collectively for me.
Store Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 – Males
Store Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 – Girls
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Conclusion
TAYLOR: As for the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3, it’s reclaiming a high spot in my e-book. It’s possible one I’d select for these lengthy (50 to 100-mile) ultras or on a regular basis miles. It feels trendy and performs to the usual that Topo Athletic claims after which some. This shoe could possibly be for anybody in search of a stable performer over any extremely distance, a easy experience on most terrain, or just a coaching various to the Hoka’s of the world. This will likely be on par with or exceed expectations if that is your first time in a Topo Athletic shoe.
The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is well one of many high high-stack path footwear of 2022. That’s saying loads as a result of this has been essentially the most aggressive class this yr.
SAM: I like to consider myself as a easy particular person. Give me a stupendous path stretched out earlier than me and a shoe that simply works, and I’m glad. The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is that shoe. With 50 miles on it, I can confidently say that is in all probability top-of-the-line high-stack path footwear you should buy proper now. I’ve little or no midsole degradation and even much less outsole put on (Taylor, there’s your 50-mile overview). It is a shoe that can take you thru any distance, from large miles to day by day path put on, and it ought to final. It served me very properly as a race day shoe and can keep in my rotation for day by day miles. Due to its excessive stack, sturdiness, and low weight, this might even be a wonderful possibility for thru-hikers tackling long-distance trails just like the AT or PCT.
ALEX: The Ultraventure 3 has earned its spot in my future lineup. The excessive stack top, roomy but safe match, and sturdy safety make this one a fantastic alternative for lengthy days out on average terrain. Just like most of the Altra footwear, it feels nice for days and races involving a mixture of mountain climbing and operating, making it versatile for lengthy path or blended floor adventures.
You possibly can choose up the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 for $150 at Topo’s web site by utilizing the store hyperlink under.
Store Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 – Males
Store Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 – Girls
Taylor Bodin is a path and ultrarunner residing in Estes Park, CO, together with his spouse and daughter. He and his spouse each love operating the paths in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. When not operating, Taylor is a Kindergarten/1st grade instructor, operating coach, and youth chief for his church.
