REASONS TO BUY
Protective
Durable
Comfortable
Spacious
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly heavier
Stack height might be too much for some runners
Topo Ultraventure 3 - Women's Review
When you want to dig deep and tackle a trail, this protective and comfortable shoe will be with you for the long haul
There are so many things to love about the rugged and protective Ultraventure 3.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Topo Ultraventure 3 is a rugged trail running shoe that is easy to appreciate. We loved its supreme protection, strong support, and grippy Vibram sole. With a thick 34mm stack height, a 6mm drop, and plenty of cushion, this is a perfect shoe for long-distance efforts. The toe box is wide, which balances well with its structurally strong midfoot. The Ultraventure 3 is stuffed to the gills with cushion, but this shoe never felt mushy or overly soft. If you want a strong workhorse that can carry you through gritty trail runs, this is a great option.
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 This Product
Topo Ultraventure 3 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $150 List $150.00 at REI | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $59.98 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $139.89 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List $99.64 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This rugged trail shoe provides plenty of comfort and protection for lengthy backcountry excursions | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | Trail runners looking for a zero-drop shoe with ultimate comfort and trail prowess should look no further | This is the shoe you want if you need something rugged to tackle slippery, muddy, and otherwise messy trails | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is perfect for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain |
| Rating Categories | Topo Ultraventure 3... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 7 -... | Salomon Speedcross... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Topo Ultraventure 3... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 7 -... | Salomon Speedcross... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Measured Weight (per shoe, size 6.5) | 7.67 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.14 oz | 8.54 oz | 7.82 oz |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.5 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm | 3 mm |
| Sizes Available | 6 - 12 US | 5 - 11 US | 5.5 - 12 US | 5 - 11 US | 5 - 12 US |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 13 mm | 8 mm |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 34 mm | 26 mm | 23 mm | 34 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Forefoot Stack Height | 28 mm | 21 mm | 23 mm | 21 mm | 21 mm |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| Claimed Heel Stack Height | 35 mm | Not stated | 25 mm | 32 mm | Not stated |
| Claimed Forefoot Stack Height | 30 mm | Not stated | 25 mm | 22 mm | Not stated |
| Measured Outsole Length | 10.38 in | 10.25 in | 10.25 in | 10.63 in | 10.13 in |
| Measured Outsole Width | 4.18 in | 4.11 in | 3.94 in | 3.72 in | 4.10 in |
| Upper | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Textile/synthetic | Mesh |
| Midsole | ZipFoam | EVA | Altra EGO Foam | Energy Cell+ | DNA Loft |
| Outsole | Vibram XS Trek EVO | Rubber | MaxTrac rubber | Rubber | TrailTack rubber |
| Measured Outsole Hardness | 35 HA at arch, 63 HA rest of the shoe | 63 HA | 66 HA | 68 HA | 66 HA |
| Rock Plate | No | No | Yes | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | Finger loop | None | None |
| Wide Version Available | No | No | No | No | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
With a measured 34mm stack height at its highest and a 28mm stack in the forefoot, the Ultraventure 3 is the shoe we recommend to runners who want to run in ultimate comfort. The toe box is wide enough for toes to splay while running, and the midfoot is sturdy enough to provide great support.
Performance Comparison
This comfortable and protective shoe earned high marks in most metrics.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The Ultraventure 3 eked out a near-perfect score in this metric because of how impressively protective it is. It does not have a rock plate, but its high stack provides plenty of protection on its own. The 28mm stack in the forefoot offers a comfortable landing pad, and the ample space in the toe box prevents your toes from riding too close to the front of the shoe, which is a great first line of defense. The toecap is made of strong yet slightly pliable rubber and extends a bit higher than many others, offering excellent toe protection
The rugged toe cap creeps up a bit higher on this shoe than on some other contenders, adding to its overall toe protection.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The upper mesh is fairly porous, however, and easily allows water to travel into the shoe. That said, the Ultraventure dries out a bit more quickly than other contenders because of how breathable this upper mesh is. Since this trail runner sits significantly higher off the ground, we didn't feel any water infiltrate as we crossed small puddles and trickling streams. This isn't our first choice for sloppy and wet terrain, but if a few small water crossings are in your future, the Ultraventure won't hold you back.
The fact that this shoe sits incredibly high off of the ground gives you a distinct advantage for mild water crossings.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The Ultraventure 3 boasts way better traction than what it is allegedly made for. The Topo Athletic website states that this shoe is best for mild to moderate terrain, and we are here to disagree with that statement. We have tested a lot of running shoes, and we intentionally try to skid out and slip in all of them. The Ultraventure features evenly spaced and square-ish lugs on a Vibram outsole. Not only is the mud shed top-notch, but the slight variance in the lugs across the outsole provides excellent traction. This grippy shoe is on par with some of our high scorers in terms of traction and stands out among the shoes designed for mild to moderate trails. The thick stack, sticky outside, and intentional lug pattern inspire confidence on challenging terrain.
The lug placement and Vibram outsole make the Ultraventure incredibly grippy on loose terrain.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
Not surprisingly, the Ultraventure 3 is not the most sensitive trail shoe out there — far from it. However, some people might be looking for a stable shoe that doesn't offer as much sensitivity. When it comes to this metric, to each their own, so don't let this shoe's lower score fool you. The Ultraventure provides enough trail feel so you'll know what is going on, but it rides like protection is its priority. If you want a strong, protective shoe that is going to be with you for the long haul and aren't super concerned by sensitivity, this is a shoe that we recommend.
The fat stack height of this trail runner decreases its sensitivity by a lot. It performs well enough in this metric, though not when placed in direct competition with some of the most sensitive trail runners on the market.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
Because of how thick and beefy the Ultraventure 3 is, it feels like it encases your feet in a protective shield. It has a 6mm drop, which balances nicely with its tall stack height. The heel cup is thick enough to secure the heel, so we never felt any unnecessary lateral movements as we ran. This shoe has a bit more meat in terms of arch support, adding to the sensation of securing your foot. Additionally, the toe box space allows your forefoot to spread out and engage as needed, which encourages greater muscular stability.
The Ultraventure is one of the thickest, beefiest, and most stable trail running shoes that we've tested.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
We love the balance that the cushioning of this shoe provides. It has plenty of padding where trail runners want it most, but the cushioning is hard-packed and compressed. This comfortable design increases this shoe's durability because it doesn't pack out as quickly as shoes with fluffier cushioning.
The wide toe box and intelligent cushion make the Ultraventure a super comfortable shoe.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The toe box space of the Ultraventure 3 is extra-large without feeling clown-like, and we love it. The contoured heel cup fits snugly, so we never had any issues with slippage. The arch support comfortably provides some stability, so we never had to rely on the lateral structures of the shoe for this. The lace bed is plush with soft laces and never felt restrictive, even when fully tightened. Overall, if a secure and stable workhorse is what you want, the Ultraventure has a ton of attributes that make it just that.
We love a wide landing platform - this feature usually increases a shoe's comfort tenfold.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Each women's size 6.4 US Ultraventure 3 weighs 7.67 ounces, which is on par with shoes of a similar structure. It isn't the lightest weight shoe, but the sheer amount of protection makes the weight worth carrying. The weight distribution feels good as you run, too. We initially felt a little bit like the forefoot of the shoe was heavier when compared to other shoes, but we grew accustomed to this sensation after a few short runs.
Though on the heavier side, the protection of the Ultraventure makes every ounce worth it.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Topo Ultraventure 3?
The Ultraventure 3 is a semi-niche shoe, so we can't flat-out recommend it to everyone. For example, if you want a sensitive trail runner that'll encourage you to speed down mountain faces, this probably isn't it for you. But this is a fantastic shoe if you love long trail slogs and don't mind a bit of structure surrounding your foot. We grew to love the rugged protection and wide base of support and think you will too — provided you want a shoe with cushion, a spacious toe box, and burly protection.
When our long training days call for a rugged trail companion, we reach for the Ultraventure 3.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The obvious antithesis to the Ultraventure is the La Sportiva Bushido II. The Bushido is one of our top recommendations for runners who want to feel every bit of undulation and information from the trail below. Conversely, if you like the sound of the Ultraventure but might like a shoe that is a bit softer, the Altra Lone Peak 7 is the way to go. The differences are noticeable, but these shoes are of the same ilk. If you want to up the ante and climb wet, sloppy terrain, we heartily recommend the Salomon Speedcross 6 because of its crampon-inspired traction.
—
Ally Arcuri
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