Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

This week, we review the latest well-cushioned training shoe designed for hard packed tracks and trails from Topo Athletic, in our Ultraventure 3 review. As well as harder packed trail, it’s also suitable for some road running sections where it remains smooth-feeling and comfortable.

As with all Topo shoes the Ultraventure 3 has a broad rounded toe box. As you would expect in a shoe designed for ultramarathon distance, the toe box has slightly more volume than the shoes designed for shorter distances. This is so that there is still enough volume in the toe box to allow your feet to function even after they have expanded a bit after hours of running.

The heel and midfoot fits snuggly to reduce movement when running on uneven trails and to reduce the chance of moving forward in the shoe while descending. The upper contains underlays that go from the eyelets to the base of the shoe and pull the upper in around your foot. These aren’t visible from the outside of the shoe. There is no plastic heel cup which means that the heel can mold to the shape of your heel and is easily pulled in by the laces to give a bespoke like fit. There is an extra lace hole so you can use the Butterfly loop or simply put the laces through the extra hole to pull the heel and cuff of the shoe in tighter if you wish. I didn’t have any issues with slippage at the heel and found the Ultraventure 3 a good fitting shoe at the heel and through the midfoot. The shoe then opens out into a roomy toe box. I have run in shoes with a more rounded toe box for a few years and prefer this shape of shoe as it reduces any rubbing and allows my feet to spread and function inside the shoes. If you are used to a narrower more pointed toe box then these will feel roomy. The big toe line is straight to allow you to push of strongly from the end of your big toe. Because the big toe is allowed to sit straight in the toe box it isn’t under any tension like it would be in a shoe with a more pointed toe box that pushes the big toe inwards slightly. This means that the other toes aren’t under tension and are therefore free to wiggle. This freedom that your toes have makes the toe box feel roomier than it is. I would associate the fit with that of a comfortable pair of slippers.

The advantage of having a shoe that allows your feet to function is that they can spread on impact to absorb shock, stabilie you and spring you into your next step. Which spreads the forces associated with running more evenly within your body. Shoes that don’t allow foot function increase the impact forces on the knees and hips as the feet and ankles aren’t able to work within the shoes. Another advantage of this type of shoe for longer distances is that your feet swell much less because they are functioning and pumping the blood and lymph around your body.

The heel cup and tongue are well padded as you would expect in a shoe designed to be on your feet for a long time. The upper is made from a polyester that is 30% recycled and very soft for a snag resistant trail shoe upper. It offers a good level of breathability. The only issue I have had with the upper is that it doesn’t dry quickly. However, to be fair it feels like it has rained heavily for the last month none stop here which is the time I have been running in these shoes. They don’t absorb water and get heavy when I am running in them. So, that’s not an issue it’s just that they stay damp for longer than other shoes.

The Ultraventure 3 midsole is 35mm thick in the heel and 30 mm thick in the forefoot. The 5mm heel to forefoot difference is designed to help promote a more midfoot landing. In stead of landing on the bone of your heel if you land on your midfoot your foot is loaded correctly and spreads to absorb shock, stabilise you and spring you into your next stride. The 5mm drop is in the midfoot of the shoes. This slight slope in the shoes puts a bit of pressure on the foot behind the toe joints. Most runners don’t notice this and just think that the shoes are nice and springy. When it is your feet being encouraged to spread that gives you some of the spring. This makes it far easier to easily land on your midfoot in Topo shoes than in other shoes with a low drop. Especially if you are used to a higher heel to forefoot drop running shoe and tend you land further back on your foot than your midfoot.

If you are used to shoes with a higher heel to forefoot drop and a more pointed toe box then it would be a good idea to gradually increase the time you spend in a lower drop shoe alternating with your current shoes. This way your feet, ankles and lower legs get used to functioning more without getting over loaded.

In trail shoes there is a trade off between cushioning/underfoot protection and ground feel. Shoes designed to be used on more broken and softer ground tend to have more ground feel. Whereas shoes designed for hard packed tracks and trails tend to have more underfoot protection from rockplates and more cushioning which takes away the feeling for the floor. If you have less feeling for the floor then you aren’t able to be as nimble and you tend to be heavier on your feet. The Ultraventure has always had a good level of cushioning supplied by a thick midsole. The Ultraventure and Ultraventure 2 both have a midsole thickness of 30mm in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot. The midsole is made from injection molded EVA which allows a greater feel for the floor. Especially after they have broken in a bit and become a bit more flexible. The Ultraventure 3 midsole is 5mm thicker and the midsole is made from Zip foam which gives the runner less feel for the floor. This does give a more cushioned ride with more underfoot protection but removes any ground feel. This isn’t an issue on firmer tracks and trails but, does make the Ultraventure less versatile than the previous versions.

The other big change from the Ultraventure 2 to the Ultraventure 3 is the outsole. The Ultraventure 3 has a new outsole made from Vibram XS Trek Evo. This gives a good level of traction on firm surfaces in the wet and dry as well as a good level of durability. The outsole pattern has been designed to ride smoothly on firm surfaces and for that reason the lugs are larger and have less depth. The edges of the lugs are also quite smooth. So, they don’t bite into the ground. This does make the Ultraventure 3 feel a lot smoother and firm tracks and trails and even gives a smooth ride on tarmac but it does take away the versatility as you get very little traction on softer ground. So, you can’t happily nip across a wet farmers field to connect two bridleways without slipping and sliding a bit.

The Ultraventure 3 has an increase in stack height of 5mm compared to the two previous versions, yet the shoe is lighter. The men’s UK 8 weighs 289g and the women’s UK5 235g.

The midsole of the Ultraventure 3 is made from two pieces of Zip Foam. A firm outer with a new softer zip foam in the middle. Initially this made the Ultraventure 3’s feel a bit too soft and cushioned for a trail shoe in my opinion. However, after a couple of runs the cushioning bedded in a bit and became a little firmer. The forefoot also became more flexible. The forefoot does curve up a little bit to give a bit of a rocker effect but this isn’t very noticeable and doesn’t detract from the natural ride of the shoes. On my first few runs I felt like the Ultraventure 3 was best reserved for easy morning runs and the longer plods. After about 50 miles of use when the cushioning had bedded in they became a bit more responsive and suddenly felt less bulky. Which has meant that I have used them more and more. The spacious toe box makes them feel very comfortable so for this reason they are often the shoe I grab when I’m rushing out for a run. I find the cushioning is so plush and smooth that I have used them on road runs as well as tracks and trails. In a few hundred miles of use the wear on the outsole isn’t really noticeable. I’m quite light on my feet so other runners might experience more wear but, I would still say that the Ultraventure 3 is versatile enough for some tarmac use as well as firm tracks and trails.

The Ultraventure 3 is compatible with Topo’s gaiters. There is a ring in front of the laces at the toe and the plastic attachment around the heel counter.

In summary the Ultraventure 3 has made the Ultraventure a shoe for firmer tracks and trails and some tarmac use. The cushioning is plusher and the ride smoother on these firmer surfaces. If you want to take on a mix of trail including softer ground, you might be better considering the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3, which has the same outsole pattern as the previous versions of the Ultraventure combined with a versatile Zip Foam midsole.

Alternatives to the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 (for firmer tracks & trails)

Scarpa Spin Planet: A much firmer ride but, still cushioned enough for firmer tracks and trails. Deeper lugs makes them versatile enough for some softer ground. Lack the smooth plush cushioning and although they have a straight big toe line they don’t feel as slipper like as the Ultraventure. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-spin-planet-review/

La Sportiva Jackal BOA: A much faster feeling shoe with a narrower fit. Not as plush or smooth on hard surfaces but a versatile enough traction for some softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-jackal-ii-boa-review/

Hoka Mafate Speed 4: A narrower fit and more pointed toe box. Much softer cushioning with little feel for the ground. A 6mm lug does give some traction on softer terrain. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mafate-speed-4-review/

Brooks Caldera 6: A narrower fit and softer cushioning. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-caldera-6-review/

Icebug Arcus: Straight big toe line and exceptional traction on wet surfaces. Deeper luging offers better traction in soft ground. Not as smooth and a bit clumpy in comparison to the Ultraventure. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/icebug-arcus-rb9x-gtx-review/

Kargu Ikoni Trail: Straight big toe line and slightly softer cushioning. Versatile enough for a variety of terrain including some softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-trail-review/

Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 280: A bouncy midsole takes away the feel for the ground and gives these a road shoe type feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov8-trailfly-ultra-g-280-review/

New Balance Hierro v7: Available in three width Men’s and two width Women’s. The feel is like a road shoe. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-hierro-v7-review/

Altra Olympus 5: A broad rounded toe box but not as roomy as the Ultraventure 3. A much stiffer shoe. Not as smooth. Better at slower paces over the longest distances. Traction is better than the Ultraventure 3 on soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-olympus-5-review/