Topo Ultraventure 5 - Same Cush, More Pop

By: Adam Broderick

An energetic evolution of Topo’s daily trail shoe, the Ultraventure 5 adds a more secure upper and livelier ride while maintaining its comfort as a distance runner.

A Familiar Favorite, Refined

The Topo Ultraventure has been my daily trail shoe for a couple years now, and the most recent iteration doesn’t mess with the formula too much. That’s a good thing. It’s still a cushioned, comfortable trail runner that works particularly well for dirt, gravel, and the kind of moderate terrain where you want to put in a lot of miles without thinking too much about what’s under your feet.

A More Secure Fit

The biggest changes from last year’s Ultraventure 4 are in the upper and midsole. Topo tightened up the construction of the upper, which gives the Ultraventure 5 a noticeably more secure fit around the foot. The 4 could feel a little loosey-goosey for runners who prefer a snugger, sock-like fit, and so the 5 addresses that without giving up Topo’s trademark roomy toe box. If you liked the comfort of the 4 but wanted a little more connection to the shoe, this is a welcome update.

A Little More Life Underfoot

The other major change is the ZipFoam midsole. The 5 uses a softer durometer that gives the shoe a little more bounce aka life underfoot. That extra cushion is something I appreciate when the miles start adding up. It’s still very much a cushioned trail shoe, but the ride feels slightly more energetic than the 4.

Where the Ultraventure 5 Works Best

The outsole remains (Vibram XS Trek EVO), and this is the one area where I’d be selective about where I take them–not counting vertical rock climbs, of course, due to their high stack-height. It’s a great outsole for Reno’s dirt trails and what some call “California Carpet”—the packed-dirt trails around the Sierra foothills. But it wasn’t really made for the endless slabs and sharp granite you’ll find in the High Sierra, or Desolation Wilderness on the southwest side of Lake Tahoe. That doesn’t mean I don’t wear them there. I just beat them up a little more on those days.

The Takeaway

Overall, the Ultraventure 5 is a solid evolution of a proven daily trail runner: more secure up top, softer and livelier underfoot, and still plenty comfortable for long days.

Tahoe Mountain Sports will be stocking the Grey/Blue colorway for Men and the Navy/Light Blue colorway for Women, but this orange or any other available color is always available for special order.