Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Bottom Line

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 shines as a featherlight trail shoe with best-in-class comfort and breathability. The Ultraventures have been our go-to for an incredibly versatile range of terrain. We’ve used them to scramble long Class 4 ridge traverses at 13,000’ in the Colorado Rockies, hike hundreds of miles on local trails, and even tackle half marathons.

Their wide toe box and plush cushioning offer a natural feel akin to other top models. The breathable mesh uppers guarantee comfort in hot conditions, and the stable, slightly rockered outsole provides reliable traction and prevents fatigue.

However, durability is an issue due to the thin textile uppers and soft foam heels that show wear and tear faster than more rugged shoes. Still, the Ultraventure 3s excel for those prioritizing comfort, traction, and plenty of room for your toes, making them an excellent choice from day hikes to longer treks.

Comfort

Out of all the hiking shoes we’ve tested, the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3s are near the front of the pack for comfort. This pair is incredibly breathable thanks to thin, airy mesh uppers that effectively dump heat and sweat and dry quickly. They provide more than enough support throughout the heel and midsole, making them ideal for everything from walking the dog in the morning to weeks of tough backpacking.

And if you’re looking for a shoe with a large toe box, the Ultraventures are your golden ticket. They have one of the widest and most flexible forefoot designs in the game. That means your toes can splay naturally and your forefoot can flex unrestricted, leading to less fatigue and discomfort over time and a natural gait on uneven surfaces. Combined with a gently rockered sole and cushy foam, the Ultraventures expertly walk the middle ground between cushioning and ground feel to maintain stability and top performance on steep, complex, and rugged routes.

We’re also big fans of the lacing system, which is a bit closer to the ankle and higher up on the foot compared to other trail runners. This design makes the laces easy to reconfigure into different formats depending on your foot shape or needs, making for a super comfortable and customizable fit.

The downside is that the Ultraventure 3s have a softer heel that lacks structural support, which can lead to discomfort in the long run – especially on uneven terrain. And while it offers excellent cushioning and a roomy toe box, this design may not give sufficient stability or the snug fit some hikers prefer, especially in demanding hiking conditions. Regardless, the Ultraventure 3 is a strong contender if the most important things to you are comfort and flexibility.

Traction

Despite its generous cushioning, the Ultraventure 3 feels stable on most terrain. The slightly rockered outsole promotes a natural gait and a secure, medium ground feel that offers cushioning from obstacles but sensitivity to edges and corners when you need it most. The wide, rectangular lugs offer plenty of traction when you need it – from trail to rock. For example, Lead Gear Analyst Ian Krammer scrambled the class 3+ ridge between Colorado mountains Babcock Peak and Spiller Peak in the Ultraventure 3s and found they performed just as well on sharp edges, slick surfaces, and scree as they did on uneven grassy tundra, packed trails, and gravel.

The lugs are a bit shallow compared to other shoes on this list, so they aren’t as reliable on steep ascents and descents and fall a bit short on wet roots, rocks, and muddy surfaces. But don’t let that stop you from considering the Ultraventure 3s. Where they lack in tread depth they make up for with a sticky, tacky, effective rubber composite that thrives in most environments – and will make you feel fast, light, and confident.

Weight

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3s are some of the lightest hiking shoes out there, weighing in at about 10 ounces per shoe. The mesh uppers and lightweight foam construction contribute to their airy feel, making them incredibly fast-drying and moisture-wicking without compromising performance. TPU overlays add a bit of protection and durability at the toe, heel, and sides of the shoe without increasing the weight by much. 

However, the lightweight materials do come with a trade-off in durability. We find they are in rough shape around 300 miles, and will likely need replacement more frequently than burlier shoes, especially if you’re racking up big mileage in a season.

Durability

The all-mesh uppers and soft foam soles of the Ultraventure give these shoes excellent lightweight performance and are best for folks who prioritize weight savings and comfort. However, these materials are less durable than more robust hiking shoes with heavier materials and textile or leather uppers. This is particularly obvious in the shoe’s performance on rugged terrain, where its materials wear down faster.

Durability issues also extend to the laces and heel structure of the Ultraventure 3. The laces tend to wear down around the 300-mile mark, so you may need a backup pair as a replacement to maintain a secure fit. Also, the heel is a bit soft, leading to potential folding and squishing during repeated use. This degradation can compromise the shoe’s fit and comfort over time. However, if your top priority is a fast, comfy, and agile shoe for long miles in summer conditions, this trade-off won’t matter, since you’ll notice less fatigue and more overall comfort in those first 300 miles.

Weather Resistance

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 thrives in warm weather conditions – the mesh uppers are a dream for keeping your feet cool with ample airflow and wicking away moisture during hot weather hikes. The other advantage of this mesh design is the shoes dry quickly, so these are a great choice for creek crossings, puddle-filled trails, and hikes where you could get caught in afternoon summer storms. However, the Ultraventure 3 falls short in wet and cold conditions. The mesh uppers, while breathable, take on water quickly – so be prepared to hike with soaked feet if conditions are rainy or damp. In general, we wouldn’t recommend these shoes for anything other than dry, warm summer weather. That said, the Ultraventure 3’s excellent ventilation and quick-drying properties are a major advantage for hot and dry weather hikes.

Should You Buy the Topo Ultraventure 3?

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is perfect for runners, hikers, and backpackers who want lightweight footwear with a ton of toe space. If you’re looking for one of our top recommendations when it comes to cushioning and breathability, the Ultraventures are a home run. These shoes dominate in warm conditions with their breathable mesh uppers and quick-drying properties, and they offer nearly unrivaled stability, a dialed-in lacing system, and a natural ground-feel experience.

However, if you’re looking for the most durable footwear to tackle rugged, extended routes, these are not the shoes for you. Hikers headed into rocky, challenging, and complex terrain may find their all-mesh construction and softer heel less suitable. Despite these limitations, the Ultraventure 3 is perfect for day hikes and thru-hikes where cushy comfort and a roomy fit are crucial.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

Altra Lone Peak 8: The Altra Lone Peak 8 is the only other shoe we recommend with a huge, roomy toe box, making it a great choice for natural foot movement. However, they offer a zero-drop platform instead of the higher heel-to-toe drop of the Ultraventures, promoting a more ergonomic gait in a lightweight format.

HOKA Speedgoat 5: The HOKA Speedgoat 5 offers a comparable blend of cushioning and trail performance, making it an excellent alternative. With its thick foam midsole and responsive feel, the Speedgoat 5 excels on technical trails and rugged terrain, offering a more responsive and springy ride than the Ultraventure 3s.

Saucony Peregrine 14: The Saucony Peregrine 14 is another compelling choice when it comes to versatility and comfort. The Peregrines are also super lightweight and breathable, but stand out with a more aggressive lug pattern for better traction on different terrain and in unpredictable trail conditions.