These boots excel in durability, comfort, and weight metrics. They are lightweight and water-resistant with lots of padding, both underfoot and around the ankle.
A few specific design features on the Topo Athletic Trailventure WP make this boot one of the more comfortable models we've tested. They're designed to be a lightweight, minimalist hiker made for long days on rough terrain. With this in mind, the boots have a thick, 5 mm ZipFoam midsole that provides a solid base and an impressive amount of cushioning underfoot. Along with this foam layer, the Trailventures have significant padding around the ankle and tongue, which add to the overall comfort. They kind of feel like your entire foot is encased in soft padding. Our lead tester has fairly wide feet and found these boots to fit a wider forefoot very well. The extra padding, wide toe box, and thick foam midsole make the Trailventure an extremely comfortable boot overall.
We were surprised by how stiff these boots were underfoot, especially when twisted laterally. The Trailventure WP are lightweight and marketed as a thru-hiker/fastpacker's dream shoe, but they actually have a fairly impressive level of stability and stiffness underfoot. Their wide toe box helps provide a stable base on flat terrain. The stability and solid foundation that their midsole provides make the Trailventures a bit less agile than some of the other boots we've tested. Their overall low weight, which comes from their design and the materials used in their construction, counters their bulky toe box and slightly thicker soles.
Like most boots with a Vibram outsole, the Topo Athletic Trailventure WP received high praise for traction. For slick rock, boulder hopping, and rocky trails, these boots were high performers. Their aggressively patterned soles and fairly substantial lugs also helped us gain traction on loose, gravelly terrain, which is easy to come by in the Utah desert where we did most of our testing. We appreciate how the soles provide stability and traction without being overly designed or aggressive. At first glance, these boots look almost like running shoes with their low-profile design and slightly rockered toe, but in reality, they provide a stable, grippy base much like a substantial hiking boot would.
The Trailventure scored decently in the water resistance metric, and its eVent lining kept our foot dry. This boot sports a 5.1-inch shaft height. While not the tallest in our test, this mid-height running shoe-inspired boot will keep your feet dry through light creek splashing and shallow puddles. However, a taller boot may serve you better if you know you'll be doing lots of creek crossings in your adventures.
Those seeking the lightest hiking gear out there, listen up. The Trailventure WP is designed to be a lightweight hiker based on a running shoe design, with a bit of ankle protection and a stiff, foam sole. Weighing in at 1.52 pounds for a pair in US size 7.5 ranks them among the lightest in our review of the top-ranked women's hiking boots. They not only weigh very little but they also feel super light.
As far as our three-month test period goes, we had no problems with the durability of the Topo Athletic Trailventure WP. The taped seams saw no signs of fraying or delaminating. We appreciated the heavy-duty laces, but are skeptical that the fabric eyelets they fit through will stand up to considerable abuse. Plastic or metal eyelets tend to last longer in the field, in our experience. Another potential point against is the toe bumper. We've experienced many small toe bumpers like this delaminating prematurely on other footwear we've tested. While there weren't any issues during testing, we see this as a potential point of weakness.
We love these boots. If you're seeking lightweight gear or simply have a wider foot, we think you'll love them too. The Trailventures are lightweight, comfortable, and fit our wide feet like a glove — with very little break-in time. Their construction is durable and strong, without being bulky and overdone. The Trailventure is a great all-around boot, perfect for anything from multi-week backpacking trips to shorter romps in the wilderness.
Another excellent option for wide feet is the Keen Targhee III Mid, an all-leather boot that is heavier (and, as a result, more durable) than the Trailventure. We also really like the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid. And for plush maximalist comfort, check out the Hoka Kaha Gore-Tex.
