Published August 4, 2026 06:24PM
What makes a good trail runner for hikers who plan on going long? It needs to be light enough that it won’t weigh your feet down, yet padded and supportive enough that the miles won’t wear them down either. The Topo Ultraventure 4 succeeds on both counts. At 10.4 ounces for a men’s model and 8.2 ounces for a women’s, it’s lighter than many other shoes in its category. Yet when it comes to padding, the Ultraventure doesn’t skimp. In testing on Peru’s Inca Trail and local hikes around California’s Central Coast, the EVA/TPU-blend midsole provided a smooth ride without being so squishy that it collapsed with every step. (That happy medium is one reason why its become one of the most popular models of shoe on the Appalachian Trail.) Multidirectional Vibram XS Trek EVO lugs gripped well on a variety of trail surfaces, with only the sloppiest of surfaces giving our testers trouble.
