It’s a lot to ask for, but Topo’s Ultraventure style is satisfying. Another attractive feature is that the American Academy of Podiatric Medicine recently awarded Topo the Seal of Acceptance to "provide podiatrists and consumers with the right information so they can make informed decisions about foot health." ” as the goal. When the fundamentals of the body—foot health and function—dominate the running shoe decision, Topo is often the first choice.
Topo Ultraventure 3 brings some structural and aesthetic updates and improvements to the market, some are appreciated, some are less popular, but we have a good understanding of what the designers were trying to do. The Ultraventure 3 will continue to be a solid pair of shoes, both for me and others, but the Ultraventure 2 will be the faster and more nimble running shoe of choice.
The new version does provide more cushioning for a softer run, but the increased sole height from 30mm to 35mm reduces the feeling of contact with the ground. The 5 mm drop remains unchanged. The change in sole height affects the stride, making one crave less shoe and midsole foam. The goal of the Topo Ultraventure 3 is to add "more protection and comfort," thereby increasing the shoe's reactivity (energy) and reducing its overall weight. They made good use of the former because so many trail runners want that feature. However, for a certain type of runner, they may prefer to be closer to the ground to better communicate with the road.
Interestingly, the weight remains the same—a men's size 9 shoe actually weighs 10.4 ounces (296 grams), even though Topo claims the Ultraventure 3 is lighter. Regardless, it still feels impressively lightweight and suitable for long-lasting use on gentle to moderately difficult trails. Finally, the Vibram XS Trek EVO sole has been redesigned for more softness, durability and midfoot control, an upgrade worth noting, especially when running on descents and in bad weather.
Topo Ultraventure 3 Upper
The upper of Topo Ultraventure 3 is more streamlined, softer and consistent in style than its predecessor. The upper material is an ingeniously designed anti-snatch mesh fabric with a thin thickness and two-layer design. Overall breathability is hard to say, but in the winter my feet stayed comfortable, warm, and dry while running through snow and in the rain. The upper's sturdiness is provided by a carefully sewn hidden insole rather than an outer patch. One of the main insoles is connected to the lace holes to structurally support the midfoot and ensure stability when running. If you don't pay attention, you won't notice its existence. Overall, I never worry about Topo shoes falling apart or getting damaged due to wear and tear. In addition, Topo has added recycling technology to the upper materials. Three recycled plastic bottles were used to make a pair of Ultraventure 3 shoes.The tongue part has light and soft padding, and part of it has a ribbon design. It does an excellent job of keeping trail debris and other debris from getting inside the shoe. Similar to the Ultraventure 2, the Ultraventure 3 is equipped with a patented gaiter setting at the back of the shoe and at the base of the tongue. However, I have not tested this additional feature.
The toe protection design is relatively simple and has limited protection for more rocky and rugged terrain. However, since this shoe is mainly used for moderately difficult trails and public forest roads, you shouldn’t expect too much in this regard. This helps reduce weight. Ultraventure 3 reduces upper weight by simplifying the heel support and reducing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. Despite these changes, the heel remains firm and stable. The symmetrical design of the heel cover makes it more secure and holds the foot in place effectively and comfortably. Once again, this design is clean and Topo does a great job in this regard.
Topo Ultraventure 3 Midsole
The midsole of Topo Ultraventure 3 has undergone considerable upgrades. In addition to increased cushioning, ZipFoam has been redesigned to increase softness and lightness to improve energy return. Reactivity sometimes conflicts with more buffering. It's a delicate balance to maintain extra cushioning without absorbing the compression of your foot without enough rebound. On the first few runs, there was a feeling of cushioning, but the rebound wasn't as good as expected. However, as the number of runs increased, more and more reactivity was felt, leading one to believe that there was actually a break-in period. However, ZipFoam offers many benefits to runners, including protection, comfort, cushioning, and what another company claims is a cloud-like feel. Additionally, increased and improved foam, combined with a larger chassis and curved rocker geometry, help improve stability and overall certainty.
Topo Ultraventure 3 sole
When I started using the Topo Ultraventure 3 , I was surprised to see and test a new sole design on Topo’s trail running shoe. I'm used to their standard truffle pattern, depth, and grip of the Vibram XS Trek EVO. Although the Truffle is wider and shallower, I was pleased to feel that the shoe held up well in slippery and slightly technical terrain conditions, despite its relatively weak grip. I feel this especially when climbing. I generally prefer shoes that provide good grip on any type of climb and tackle it with confidence. The new sole design adds more points of flexibility in key arch locations, especially in the arch, for multi-directional support. As mentioned in the previous section, the flexed design in the forefoot and truffle position facilitates a more efficient stride, especially since the loose midfoot portion of the sole helps support midfoot gait. Beyond this review, I will continue to test the stability of the sole, hopefully further in the spring on the more technical terrain here in Oregon as winter begins to wind down.
Topo Ultraventure 3 Overall Impression
When runners started using the Topo Ultraventure 3 , they were surprised by and testing a new outsole design from a Topo trail running shoe. They're used to the standard tread, depth and grip of the Vibram XS Trek EVO. Despite the wider and shallower tread on the outsole, the shoe performed well in wet and lightly technical conditions, albeit less aggressively. Runners especially feel this when climbing, and they tend to prefer shoes that provide grip and confident stability on any type of climb.
The new outsole design features more flex points in key midfoot locations, especially under the arch, for multi-directional support. As mentioned before, the forefoot is curved and patterned to aid in a more efficient strikeout, especially since the wide pattern in the midfoot helps support the midfoot gait mechanism.
Original website: Topo Ultraventure 3 Review I Molly Schmelzle
https://www.irunfar.com/topo-ultraventure-3-review