Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Long trail miles meet peak comfort with the women's Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 trail-running shoes. They are made with high cushioning and durable Vibram® outsoles for confidence on varied terrain.
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Imported.
View all Topo Athletic Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 5 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 35 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Recycled mesh |
Lining | Textile |
Midsole | ZipFoam (EVA/TPU blend) |
Outsole | Vibram XS Trek EVO |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 0.6 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 |
UK | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 |
EU | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 |
Mondo | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11.2 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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I am truly thrilled to discover these shoes. They’re game changing for me! I had never heard of this brand before I walked into REI a few days ago. I explained to the associate that I have three things going on with my feet that are preventing me from walking or hiking. I have an overall nerve issue that’s causing tingling, numbness and pain. And I have Morton’s Neuroma & hammer toe on my left foot. These issues are in addition to the fact that I already have high arches. The sales associate listened carefully, brought me three pairs of shoes, and I knew this was my shoe the moment I put it on. Lots of room in the toe box all around. Nice tight hug in the middle of my foot to support my high arches. And lots of support and stability overall in the shoe. Since I purchased, I’ve done two moderately difficult hikes, both about 1000 feet in elevation. One was 4 miles. One was 6 miles. And my feet don’t hurt afterward! With any other good tennis shoes or hiking boots, I’ve tried over the last 1 1/2 years, I cannot make it further than 2 miles without going numb and / or intense pain and having to go home. So when I say this shoe is game changing, I truly mean it. Which is why I wanted to write this review! If you’re having any of the issues with your feet that I am, highly recommend to try. I’m so grateful I discovered these.
I was hesitant to buy a brand I'd never heard of, but wow are these shoes comfortable! I primarily bought these for walking on a variety of surfaces without my feet hurting and these work so well my husband commented yesterday how many more miles I can go with him without pain. They provide firm cushioning in the heel and the forefoot for a springy step, and the moderate tread works well on concrete, gravel, dirt, and grass. They are ideal for women who want a roomy toe box but have a narrow heel. Bonus features include attachment spots for gaiters and loops high up on the tongue for the laces that work great for keeping the tongue in place. The only drawback is they look really wide - see pic. (I added my own arch supports for an even better fit.)
Absolutely love these shoes. These shoes are great for feet that are wide at the front and with toes that are squared off rather than tapered and have a narrow heel. There’s nothing else on the market with this fit. Toes have enough room. Because the heel is narrow, downhill hiking does NOT result in feet sliding forward jamming toes at the end. The arch support and cushion in the heel and under the ball of the foot are also great. No need for Superfeet with these shoes. The vibram soles are quite grippy as well. The shoes are not water proof , so stream crossings can leave feet a little wet, but they dried quickly- even in March weather. And they’re light.
I had been a boots only hiker, sustaining blisters now and then, mostly on longer trips, thinking that’s just the way it goes sometimes. My feet would get hot, but again, I reasoned that I “needed the support”. After suffering with plantar fasciitis for months, I got a fitting and it looked like I would benefit from the higher arch and wider toe box of Topos. I purchased these a week before a one night backpacking trip recently, where we covers approximately 10-12 miles, over varied terrain/declines/inclines and boulder fields/scree. My feet were very happy with the features and comfort of these shoes and even though the high temperatures were mid-upper 50’s, I could tell that once the warmer temperatures roll around, these will be much cooler and comfortable than my boots.
I have been searching for this shoe! It fits perfectly, plenty of room without being sloppy. Unlike most shoes, the insole is great, no need to spend more on that.
I was in search of a great trail shoe to wear on the Camino. Bought these a month ago to try them out for a while to compare to my other favorites. These win!! Best shoe I’ve ever worn. I can’t believe how little foot pain I experience after miles of walking. I tried them on the recommendation of the Rei sales rep. No regrets!! I’ll definitely be taking them with me on the Camino this spring. And I’m sure it won’t be my last pair of Topos.
I love these shoes. they’re incredibly comfortable and a great fit, I’m so happy that I found them!! I hike a lot and they’re super comfy for hiking, I will get more pairs.
These shoes are amazingly comfortable. I always have difficulty buying shoes, one foot is about 1/2 size bigger than the other one which has a bunion, so I usually end up buying a larger size which results in a blister from the smaller foot rubbing in the heel area. However, these Topos have a lot of room for my toes while being narrow in the heel area with additional lacing to tighten this area if necessary. The 5mm drop is also great for occasional plantar fasciitis. There was no break in period and these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn!
For reference I’ve been a trail runner/hiker for years in the white mountains. I used to wear brooks cascadias but after learning about the importance of a wide toe box for longevity I switched to topo and I haven’t looked back. I have about 400 miles on my terraventure and after doing a single day presidential traverse 2 summers ago I wanted the grippy lugs but with more cushion- after 17 miles I could feel every lug! Bought these and man they are perfect! I usually wear a 9.5 in the terraventure and these fit the same way. For some reason the fly lytes I need a 10. Anyway, they’re the perfect balance of cushion and support with the same wide toe box we all need. I took them out for a small hikes yesterday and they anrw exactly what my feet need!
I’ve been hiking for several years and have had all the popular brands. I usually go for a boot, but tried these on at REI. I had never heard of them. I tried on several popular brands, but when I put these on, I knew instantly that these were going to be amazing! I repeated a long trail I had done the weekend before and the difference in performance and comfort was unbelievable. I’m sold on them! So much comfort and arch support along with amazing grip, lightweight, and nice toe room. I won’t be getting any toe crowding in this shoe. 1000% recommend!