Topo Ultraventure 3 review

We think the Ultraventure 3 is the ideal trail shoe for:

• Runners who find Altra's zero-drop design too extreme but still want a super-roomy, foot-shaped toebox for the trails.
• Those with wide and high-volume feet that want a cushioned trail shoe—this one offers unmatched space.
• Topo fans who enjoy their road models, as this model retains a similar feel while adding a fantastic Vibram trail-ready outsole.

In our view, the Ultraventure 3 isn't the best option for heel strikers. If you tend to land heel-first, we believe the ASICS Trabuco Max 3 is a far superior choice—it offers a more supportive platform and retains a wide toebox.

Additionally, we found that runners with narrow or low-volume feet may struggle with the Ultraventure 3’s excessively spacious fit. Its ultra-roomy forefoot leaves too much empty space for those needing a snugger feel. Instead, we think the Hoka Challenger 7 is a much better alternative—it provides excellent road-to-trail versatility and a sleeker toebox that accommodates a narrower foot shape.

Few shoes in our lab exceed their advertised stack height, but the Topo Ultraventure 3 defied expectations—measuring 37.2 mm against Topo's claimed 35 mm.  

That extra-thick cushioning makes it a solid choice for those seeking highly-protective, shock-absorbing support while hiking or tackling rugged trails. However, remember that more foam doesn’t necessarily mean a softer ride, as firmness depends on the midsole’s formulation.

The forefoot stack exceeds 30 mm, cementing this as a true maximalist trail shoe.

In our view, Topo Athletic made a smart choice by skipping a rock plate—the foam offers ample protection, and avoiding extra layers keeps the ride lightweight and flexible.

Topo is so committed to the 5-mm drop that they always showcase it somewhere on the shoe.

However, in our lab, we measured 6.3 mm—still a moderate offset that feels virtually the same and remains ideal for midfoot and forefoot strikers. And if you're wondering about those weird heel holes, they’re gaiter attachments for Topo’s custom fastening system.

This shoe is the trail-ready counterpart of the Topo Atmos, so we weren’t surprised to find the same ZipFoam midsole.

It's an EVA-based compound that delivers a good mix of durability, performance, and comfort—though runners expecting a super-soft or ultra-bouncy feel will need to look elsewhere. Instead, it provides a reliable, stable ride that aligns well with its price point.

In terms of softness, our durometer measured 18.5 HA—just a touch softer than average. In our view, this makes it a solid choice for those seeking a cushioned-yet-stable experience.

We discovered that this EVA-based foam performed really well in cold conditions, firming up by just 16% after 20 minutes in the freezer. That’s a standout result, especially for a midsole likely to face chilly adventures.

Topo teamed up with Ortholite to deliver a higher-quality insole than usual, though its 4.5 mm thickness remains in the average range.

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 has a moderate toe spring that stays unobtrusive while walking or running, offering just enough curvature to balance its towering stack height.

A signature feature of Topo shoes is their ultra-roomy, foot-shaped toebox, and after creating a precise gel mold, we guarantee that the Ultraventure 3 stays true to this design.

Our measurement at the widest part of the toebox came in at a spacious 99.9 mm—well above average.

But it’s our second measurement that truly matters for those focused on toe splay, as we take it in the toe area. Here, we recorded an impressive 81.6 mm—exceptionally wide and a clear sign that this shoe respects natural foot anatomy.

This ultra-spacious design makes it an outstanding choice for runners who prioritize unrestricted toe movement, though it may feel excessively roomy for those with narrow feet.

If the first two measurements caught your attention, this one is just as remarkable.

We measured a generous 31.3 mm of toebox height, and in our view, this makes it an outstanding option for runners with high-volume feet, providing superior space for upward movement.

During our runs with the Topo Ultraventure 3, stability felt quite good in the midfoot and forefoot, thanks to its generously-wide landing platform. The heel, however, is slightly less stable due to its dimensions and lack of sidewalls, though for neutral runners, it’s hardly a concern.

Like most trail shoes, the Ultraventure 3 has a high torsional rigidity of 4/5. This didn’t surprise us in the lab, as trail models typically feature more rubber for enhanced traction and protection compared to road running shoes.

The heel counter offers a moderately flexible feel at 3 out of 5, similar to most running shoes, balancing stability and comfort effectively. We wouldn’t change a thing, though extreme heel strikers might have preferred a slightly stiffer design for added support.

In our experience, the Ultraventure's broad forefoot is the key to its stability in the front section of the shoe. We measured 117.3 mm with our calipers—a generous base that supports steady landings, even when picking up the pace, though speed isn’t the strongest of this shoe.

The heel feels less stable at 88.2 mm, as we noted earlier in our lab review, but we can’t fault Topo. This shoe is designed for midfoot or forefoot strikers, featuring a moderate drop that complements its intended running style.

One of this shoe’s unique strengths is its impressive flexibility despite its ultra-cushioned, maximalist build. In our 90-degree bend test, we measured just 21.2N—a low result, making it a top pick for those seeking a natural-feeling yet highly-cushioned running or hiking experience.

Another impressive and unexpected result from the Ultraventure 3 comes here. 

Most trail shoes easily surpass the 10 oz mark, yet Topo Athletic kept this one at just 9.75 oz (276g), an outstanding achievement for a shoe exceeding 30 mm in both heel and forefoot.

Upon unboxing the Ultraventure 3, we immediately noticed its ventilation holes and a material that felt strikingly similar to those of road shoes. However, after testing it with our smoke machine, we found that while airflow was decent, it wasn’t exceptional—likely due to the reinforced overlays and multi-layer construction.

Unlike most shoes, which emphasize airflow primarily in the toebox, the Ultraventure 3 provides similar breathability in both the forefoot and midfoot. This is a rare design choice, and in our experience, it’s great news for runners who struggle with arch blisters or hotspots.

Under the microscope, we discovered a straightforward two-layer engineered mesh without any unusual elements. The material is what we typically see in daily trainers—designed to balance durability and breathability rather than maximize airflow.

We rated its breathability at 3/5, which aligns with most trail-focused models. The lack of excessive padding helps prevent overheating, but the reinforced upper does limit airflow compared to more minimal designs.  

Overall, while the upper is well-built and free from glue marks or imperfections, it isn’t a standout feature of this shoe. It delivers reliable performance, but those seeking maximum ventilation for trail running may want to explore alternatives that scored 4 or 5 in our test.

The strategically placed ventilation holes somewhat enhance airflow, but in our experience here in the lab, they also make the upper more susceptible to wear. To gauge its resilience, we put the Ultraventure 3 through our usual Dremel test.

We discovered that while the upper held up reasonably well with a respectable 3/5 rating—fair for a trail shoe!

On the flip side, the heel counter fell short, scoring just 2/5. This could be a concern for runners who frequently experience wear in this area due to friction from the Achilles tendon.

The outsole stands out as one of the most intriguing elements of the Topo Ultraventure 3. To kick things off, we must highlight that Topo teamed up with Vibram—widely regarded as the gold standard for trail shoes—that's good news for everyone.

We pressed our Shore C durometer against the XS Trek Evo rubber and recorded 86.5 HC. This reading is on the firmer side, which we found surprising given the strong traction it delivered on various surfaces. Now, let’s put its durability to the test.

We put the outsole to the test with our high-speed Dremel. After 18 seconds, we discovered that it only produced a minimal 0.5-mm indentation in the Vibram rubber—an impressive outcome that easily surpasses the durability of the average trail shoe.

Topo opted for an average outsole thickness, measuring 2.2 mm—nothing unusual here.

The rectangular, non-aggressive lugs are relatively shallow at 3.2 mm, and when combined with the extensive exposed midsole, they strongly suggest that Topo designed this shoe for easy terrain. 

In our view, it fits the bill as a door-to-trail option—essentially a wide-foot-friendly alternative to the Nike Pegasus Trail 5.

We think the Ultraventure 3 is fairly priced, offering a decent foam, a world-class Vibram outsole, and solid build quality.

One area where Topo could enhance the Ultraventure 4 is by adding reflective elements for better visibility in low-light conditions.

The tongue boasts 5.8 mm of padding—an excellent balance between weight and comfort, perfectly aligning with this shoe main strength. And we never felt a lack of comfort!

The laces, however, could use a more rugged design to match the trail aesthetic, as they're just those of a standard road running shoe. That said, they function well, and swapping them is always an option.

We were surprised to find the tongue securely fixed to the sides, unlike Topo’s road models like the Phantom 3, which features a non-gusseted design. However, for a trail shoe, this is almost essential, preventing debris entry—and we’re happy to report that Topo ticked this box.

Most trail shoes include a finger-loop heel tab for both aesthetics and practicality, but it looks like Topo’s designers had a different approach!

If you plan to swap in custom orthotics, there’s no issue, but they might feel a bit loose due to the Ultraventure 3’s generously spacious toebox. And you'll miss the enhanced energy return of the included Ortholite footbed.