Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Bottom Line

If you’re on the hunt for featherlight trail shoes with best-in-class comfort and breathability, the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3s hit the sweet spot on our Best Hiking Shoes for Men list. The Ultraventures have been our go-to for an incredibly versatile range of terrain. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has used them to scramble long, technical Class 4 ridge traverses at 13,000’ in the Colorado Rockies, tackle hundreds of miles on local trails, and even run half marathons.

Their very wide toe box and extra 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. The lacing system is excellent once you’ve got it dialed in, but the shoelace eyelets are closer than other shoes, which makes adjustments a bit cumbersome and slow. And, the heel cup is fairly soft which keeps the weight down and comfort up, but might miss the mark if you prefer a more structured shoe for technical hikes or heavier loads. 

Still, the Ultraventure 3s are an excellent choice for those prioritizing comfort, traction, and plenty of room for your toes. Whether you’re heading out for a day hike or a weeks-long backpacking trip, the Ultraventures are up for the task.

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, making them a stellar choice for hot and humid days. Thanks to a cushioned foam midsole that feels both soft but springy, these things are ideal for walking the dog in the morning or multi-summit backcountry days.

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 preserving your 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.

The Ultraventure 3s’ lacing system is a bit unusual. The shoelace eyelets are set a bit closer than comparable trail runners, which means you can get an extremely dialed in fit through the midfoot, and the stretchier laces hold well once they’re tied. This is also an advantage for different lacing formats to find the right fit depending on your foot shape or needs. The downside of this design? Adjusting the laces can be tedious. We find each lace needs to be pulled to find the perfect pressure, and we find that re-tying the laces down a few miles down the trail is not uncommon.

These shoes also 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. But, our job is to nit pick these products, and these are small potatoes. The Ultraventure 3 is a serious contender if you’re looking for outstanding 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. Because the tread pattern extends to the edge of the heel and the tip of the toes, these shoes offer top-tier braking on descents and traction on steep climbs, which is exactly what we want out of a versatile trail shoe. What 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. The Ultraventure 3s 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 3 give these shoes excellent lightweight performance and are best for folks who prioritize weight savings and comfort. But these materials don’t hold a candle to more robust hiking shoes manufactured with heavier rubber outsoles 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 200-mile mark, so you may need a backup pair as a replacement to maintain a secure fit. Also, the heel is a bit soft – there’s not much internal structure besides foam – 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 very quickly, so these are a killer choice for creek crossings, puddle-filled trails, and hikes where you could get caught in afternoon summer storms. We find that in warm conditions, these shoes can dry in only 1 – 2 hours after being fully submerged, making them one of our go-tos for summer hiking.

However, we do not recommend the Ultraventure 3s for wet or especially cold conditions. The mesh uppers are breathable, but they take on water very quickly – so be prepared to hike with soaked feet if conditions are rainy or damp. In general, 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?

Check out our Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men lists to find alternatives to the Ultraventure: 

HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review: The HOKA Speedgoat 6 offers comparable durability and weight, but if you want an even more plush and comfy ride with a wide toe box, these are an excellent alternative. With their thick foam midsoles and responsive feel, the Speedgoat 6s don’t have the same ground feel as the Ultraventure 3s, but that’s exactly what we like about them. They’re a bit less weather resistant and slightly more expensive, but it might be worth it for more traction and such a plush ride.

Altra Lone Peak 8 Review: 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 much higher heel-to-toe drop of the Ultraventures, promoting a more ergonomic gait in a lightweight format. These shoes aren’t as weather resistant, but they’re a better choice for adventures where slightly better traction and a more natural step are priority.

Saucony Peregrine 14 Review: 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 varied terrain. Folks looking for a bit more structure and stability and even less weight will appreciate the Peregrines for their spry feel when covering long distances in warm weather.