Topo Ultra Venture 5

Topo's Ultra Venture 5 is a max-cushioned road-to-trail running shoe. It has Topo’s signature wide toe-box, which allows you to spread your toes naturally.

The Topo Ultra Venture 5 is ideal if...

You like a wider toe-box, allowing your toes to spread naturally
You run on a mixture of road and off-road terrains.
You want an off-road shoe that's well-cushioned, to absorb impact as you run

Feature	Details
Category	Trail Running Shoes
Cushioning	Max
Weight	M 304g
Drop	5mm (M 35/30mm)
Fit	True to size
Width Options	Standard

Men's Topo Ultra Venture 5

£150

Pros

Softer and more comfortable underfoot, thanks to ZipFoam midsole
Rounded and roomier toe-box, allowing toes to spread naturally
Friendlier to the planet, as upper is made from recycled materials
Thanks to gaiter attachment system, they can be better protected from mud, stone and grit on off-road terrains

Con(siderations)

May not suit those with narrow feet

Features

Upper

Upper mesh made from recyclable materials
TPU used in certain areas of the upper to add structure and durability
Wider toe-box for extra space to spread your toes
Gaiter attachment system works well with Topo gaiters

Midsole

ZipFoam™ cushioning offers comfort and good energy-return
OrthoLite® performance insole for extra cushioning and comfort underfoot
5mm drop can make the shoe feel more natural and balanced

Outsole

Vibram® XS Trek EVO provides traction on different road and off-road surfaces
Multi-directional lug pattern gives you grip on different inclines and angles

In Testing

The first thing I noticed about the Topo Ultra Venture 5 was the shape. It isn’t just wide, it is designed around the natural shape of the foot, allowing your toes to spread out. I’ve never had issues with other shoes that don’t offer this extra room, but I do believe our feet should be given the space to spread naturally rather than being squeezed into a shoe with a more tapered shape.

I found the fit to be pretty much true to size and the shoe felt very secure too. The foot shape designed gives the shoe a slight rocker – like feel which helped me to roll trough my midfoot while running. Combined with the plush cushioning, this made the shoe feel soft and comfortable underfoot.

I usually run in the park near my house where there are plenty of uneven paths and more undulating routes. The outsole provided good grip while the multi-directional lugs helped me to feel more confident when the surfaces became more uneven.

Overall, I think this is a great shoe for longer runs as the cushioning provides plenty of comfort and helps reduce the impact on your knees and joints. I’d also happily use them for long hikes. It feels durable and comfortable to walk in and the foot-shaped toe box gives plenty of room for the toes to spread out.

Verdict

If you are looking for an off-road shoe with a roomier toe box, the Topo Ultra Venture is a shoe to try. I love it for my longer runs through the woods. It offers me comfort underfoot, and the design of the outsole gives me confidence when the paths become uneven.

Men's Topo Ultra Venture 5

£150

Topo Ultra Venture Comparison

Product	Comparison
Hoka Speedgoat	Same cushioning level. Lighter, with a more technical grip and a more stable platform. Similar drop but a higher heel stack. Less roomy toe box. Better suited to rocky, steep and challenging terrains. Similar price point.
New Balance Hierro	Similar cushioning level, but with a slightly softer underfoot sensation. Higher stack and slightly lower drop. Similar grip makes them both ideal for mixed terrains. Lighter but a bit bulkier and less speedy. Slightly lower price point.
Hoka Challenger	Same versatility on road and off-road terrains. Significantly lighter, with a higher stack and higher drop. Softer on roads and hard-packed trails, but less grippy on technical or muddy terrain. A more conventional shape – not as roomy at the toe box. Lower price point.
Saucony Peregrine	Much lighter and more agile, but with firmer cushioning. A lower stack, and a similar low drop at 4mm. More responsive on technical trails, but a closer-to-the-ground feel. Less cushioned on hard terrains and less protective over long distances. Lower price point.