Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Review

In previous shoe reviews, I’ve expressed my frustration with shoe companies that issue a “new and improved” model of a favorite trail shoe that turns out to be considerably less satisfying than the previous version. Sure, occasionally an update works out for the best, but it seems that eventually, every company must succumb to the “let’s wreck our great shoe” compulsion.

Given that, I confess hesitation when the rep from Topo Athletic let me know that the company was releasing version 3 of its Terraventure trail shoe. The Terraventure 2 has been my go-to running and hiking shoe since I found Topo (after my previous go-to company foolishly messed with the design of my previous favorite shoe).

Much to my delight, the rep was able to send a pair of the TV3 for me to test-drive at mile 369 of the Pacific Crest Trail. Even more to my delight, I am happy to report that after nearly 600 tough miles of desert and high Sierra terrain, this is now my go-to long-distance trail shoe; whether it will measure up as a running shoe, I won’t know until I finish the PCT.

As an aside, I started the PCT in another pair of Topos, and they were a disaster – through no fault of the shoe. I had already run some 400 miles in them, and for the first time ever – take note, AT hikers! – my feet really did swell up on the trail. By day 4, they were a mess of blisters. I temporarily replaced them with an acceptable alternative, knowing that the new Topos were on the way soon enough.

And thank goodness: tough, durable, and comfortable, the TV3 is an outstanding shoe for long-distance hikers. Even after nearly 600 miles – when many of my fellow hikers’ Brand X shoes had blown apart at the seams – there was only the slightest wear in the uppers, and the tread was just fine.

topo athletic terraventure 3

Brand-spankin’-new Topo Athletic Terraventure 3, at mile 369 of the Pacific Crest Trail. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 At-a-Glance

MSRP: $125
Style: Low-rise, medium-cushion trail shoe, low-drop, wide toebox
Intended purpose: Trail running, hiking
Weight: 10.2 ounces per shoe (men’s 9); 8.1 ounces (women’s 7)

Circumstances of Use

Worn for approximately 340 miles of desert/mountain terrain and 250 miles of high Sierra terrain – including significant snow – on the Pacific Crest Trail. Retired lovingly only due to compressed cushioning.

Features

  • Roomy toebox: One of Topo’s main selling points
  • Roomy heel: One competitor has inexplicably narrowed the heel on several top models, but Topo has kept its heels roomy
  • Secure midfoot and heel: Dual-density EVA midsole and external TPU heel counter provide stability and fit
  • Low-drop platform: 3 millimeters
  • Cushioning: Moderate
  • Lightweight: 10.2 ounces per shoe
  • Vibram® Megagrip outsole: Designed for wet and slippery conditions
  • Abrasion-resistant upper: Incredibly sturdy, yet comfortable
  • Ortholite® footbed: Resists compression and reduces odor-causing bacteria
  • Gaiter attachment: Compatible with Topo’s patented gaiter system
topo athletic terraventure 3

The Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 – so comfy that you can wear them apres-miles on a long-distance hike. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Fit

My feet are short (8-8.5 U.S. men’s) and wide with a high arch and instep. I wore Hokas for my Colorado Trail hike in 2015 and the first 861 miles of the Appalachian Trail the following year. But by then, my feet had spread out even more and I finished each day in serious pain from sesamoiditis due to squeezing upfront. Switching to my now-former favorite brand immediately solved the problem.

Nonetheless, I’ve never had to “size up” with shoes until encountering the heat of the southern California desert on the PCT. I was surprised that my good ol’ Topo Ultraventure Pros, size 8.5, were nowhere near big enough – and were wrecking my feet after three days. I made sure to order a size up when the rep sent me the Terraventure 3 on trail.

The TV3 toebox is probably roomy enough for most people who don’t have “square” feet like mine, though slightly less roomy than Brand X’s most popular hiking model. In a shoe with a wide toebox, there’s always the risk that it’s too slushy in the midfoot and heel. The first generation of my previous favorite was as sloppy and slippy as Vermont in June. Walking the Pinhoti Trail, it felt as if I were wearing old bunny slippers (a problem corrected by Brand X in v. 1.5, which was perfect … only to be destroyed in v. 2; sigh).

The heel in the sized-up TV3 is a great fit for me on trail, and Topo shoes have always fit well in the heel for running. It’s snug, but not tight. It’s also got a lacing system with plenty of adjustability for different foot shapes, including my high arches and instep.

topo terraventure 3

The Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 was plenty grippy for the slippery, steep snow of the high Sierra in mid-spring. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Comfort

The Terraventure 2 is honestly the most comfortable trail/backpacking shoe I’ve ever worn – surprising, given how durable (500 miles and counting on my latest pair, with no visible sign of upper wear) and supportive it is. I instantly adored the comfy Terraventure, which I took out for 40 rocky AT miles in Pennsylvania after just a few wears.

So of course, I was worried that the Terraventure 3 wouldn’t measure up. Thank goodness, it did. From the moment I put on this shoe in Wrightwood, California, it fit me perfectly. Not a single blister or even a hotspot, despite days as long as 36 miles and conditions ranging from 95 degrees across the Los Angeles Aqueduct to the frozen peaks of the Sierra.

The TV3 feels beefier than the previous version. It seems to be built for rougher, tougher trail use, and yet it’s only the teensiest bit less comfortable than version 2. Still super comfy, and there is clearly a payoff in durability (see below).

I’ve described the feel of the Terraventure 2 as “plush.” I’d say the TV3 is plenty comfortable, if just a shade below “plush.”

Durability

This. This is the most amazing thing about this shoe. I beat the $%^&! out of these shoes for nearly 600 miles, and when I decided to retire them, it was only because the cushioning up front felt pretty mashed out (no insult, that, after nearly 600 miles of super hard use). There was the tiniest abrasion on the upper of the left shoe, but the toecap was firmly in place (if Topo can get this right, why can’t other manufacturers?) and frankly, the tread looked almost as good as new. I don’t know how Topo has managed to make such a bombproof shoe without adding too much weight, but I’ll take it.

topo athletic terraventure 3

Lovingly retired after nearly 600 hard desert and high Sierra miles, the Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 is both comfortable and durable. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

Extras

Topo offers a unique gaiter system, which is both secure and easy to use. The gaiter attaches to a small metal loop at the bottom of the tongue in front, like most brands. But in back, Topo gaiters attach via metal clips to two small, holed rubber nubs on the heel of Topo shoes.

That’s a cool innovation, but the gaiters are definitely heavier than, say, Dirty Girl Gaiters. Unfortunately, if you want to use a Velcro-attached gaiter, you’ll have to do what I did and buy some Velcro at a hardware store. I understand Topo wanting to promote their own gaiter, but not every hiker will want to use it.

topo gaiter

Topo Athletic’s gaiter attachment system, which uses only Topo gaiters. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

And while I’m always skeptical than an insole can truly repel odor long-term, the Terraventure 3 miraculously effused no odor – truly, none – until it endured a couple of weeks of constant wet feet, courtesy of Sierra snow and runoff. I was genuinely surprised and pleased, though admittedly at the end, I had to put my shoes several feet from my tent; when they turned, they really turned.

I would also like to note that Topo’s laces stay tied all … day … long. Again: If Topo can, why can’t other manufacturers get this right?

Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 – The Good

The tread on my second pair of TV3s after 400 miles on the PCT. Clay Bonnyman Evans photo.

  • Excellent design for thru-hiking and trail running, wide toebox, snug heel, lacing accommodates wide range of foot shapes
  • Lightweight at 10.2 ounces per shoe
  • Very grippy outsole; very secure even in slushy, icy conditions
  • Astoundingly durable, light, comfortable upper
  • Price (a bit less than many comparable models)

Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 – The Not-So-Good

  • Accommodates only Topo gaiters

Overall

This will be my go-to hiking shoe until/unless Topo significantly changes the design or durability becomes lacking in future models. The Terraventure 3 doesn’t strike me as a running shoe – though as I say, I love trail running in the TV2. So I wonder if Topo isn’t aiming v. 3 squarely at the hardcore hiking community. If so, bravo: This shoe is tough, comfortable, more affordable than some comparable models from other manufacturers.

Shop the Men’s Topo Athletic Terraventure 3

Shop the Women’s Topo Athletic Terraventure 3

Comparable Models

Altra Olympus 4.0

Weight: 11.6 ounces each
Price: $170
Fit: Wide toebox
Drop: Zero

Hoka One One Speedgoat 4.0

Weight: 10.8 ounces each
Price: $145
Fit: Narrow; tapered toebox
Drop: 4 millimeters

Brooks Cascadia 15 GTX

Weight: 11.7 ounces each
Price: $160
Fit: Medium width; tapered toebox
Drop: 8 millimeters

The Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 was donated for purpose of review.

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Comments 15

  • MountainsAreCalling : Jul 2nd

    This sounds like a marvelous trail shoe! Very helpful review. What was your former favorite trail running shoe where the competitor switched to a narrower heel? I definitely need a narrow heel, so this great-sounding Terraventure shoe probably wouldn’t fit me well.

    Reply
    • Clay Bonnyman Evans : Jul 11th

      Hi. Thanks for the kind words.

      The other shoe I’m referring to is the Atra Timp v. 1.5. But I have the same issue with the new Altra Olympus.

      Reply
  • Rock : Jul 9th

    Where are the pics of the tread after 600 miles? I have a hard time believing it looks practically new. Everyone I know that has Topos has the tread fall apart at 100-150 miles.

    Reply
    • Clay Bonnyman Evans : Jul 11th

      Hi. Thanks for the comment and question. I wish I’d thought to include a tread photo.

      I don’t have that pair any more, but I will email you a photo of the tread on my current pair, which are at 400 miles and counting the PCT and in great shape. This Topo model, in particular, is built super tough based on 1,000 miles of PCT hiking.

      I’ll also ask my editor (since I am on the PCT) if she might be willing to include that photo with the review.

      That said, I’ve been wearing Topos for a couple of years and with the exception of a single pair, on which a two-colored sole separated after about 400 miles of hard use, the tread has always held up well.

      Feel free to email me at claybonnyman (at) gmail if you would like further details.

      Reply
  • Jay W. : Sep 9th

    Which did you like better, the blue or the green? Also, what are your thoughts on the rockplate on the TV3? The Topo’s I am coming from (OG Ultraventure) did not have that feature.

    Reply
    • Clay Bonnyman EVans : Sep 9th

      Hey, Jay. Thanks for commenting.

      Just to clarify: The TV3 does not have a rock plate. The Ultraventure Pro (not the regular UV) does, and I like that feature, but the TV3 is rock-plate free!

      Re blue vs. green — lucky me, those are my two favorite colors. I guess in the end I prefer the blue by a very slim margin. Both of them, of course, ended up looking mostly *brown* after hundreds of miles on the PCT!

      But I sure love these shoes for thru-hiking. I’m really interested to hear if others share my opinion.

      Clay

      Reply
  • Bo : Dec 29th

    Thanks Clay aka Pony, just found your review after searching for alternatives to the (sadly discontinued) Salomon Odyssey Triple Crown.

    Would you by any chance, know the main differences between the Terraventure 3 and Ultraventure 2 models? These are the only 2 models that are available at my local REI to try. What made you choose the Terraventure over some of the other models?

    Reply
    • Clay Bonnyman Evans : Dec 29th

      Hey, Bo. Thanks for reading!

      So, I’ve been using Topos for several years now, ever since Altra inexplicably decided to narrow the newer models of Timp and Olympus.

      I have used Topo:

      Terraventure 2
      Ultraventure Pro
      Ultraventure 2
      Terraventure 3

      The Ultraventure 2 has more cushioning than either TV model, and no rock plate. For some reason, pre-PCT, running in the UV2 seemed to torque one of my knees (this happened with two different pairs), so I didn’t want to go that way. (Since coming back from the PCT, I have been able to run in the UV2 without the knee issues.)

      The Pro is great, or rather, was — I don’t see it listed on the Topo website any more. I actually started in a pair of UVPro, but silly me, I’d already put 400 miles on them and though I’ve never had to size up on other trails, my usual running size was way too narrow.

      As I mentioned in the review, I was test-driving the TV3 on the PCT. I love the (no longer available) TV2 for running, but the one pair I had to use on the PCT (to bridge the gap when TV3 wasn’t yet available to the public) was not nearly as comfy as the TV3.

      In sum:

      TV3 has less cushion than UV2
      TV3 has rock plate, UV2 does not
      TV3 is much more durable than UV2
      TV3, a full size up, gave me needed room in toe and heel

      If you have further questions, feel free to email me at claybonnyman (at) gmail.

      Reply
      • Tracy W : Oct 8th

        Thank you for this post. I love Topo UV Pros for long multipeak day hikes in the Adirondacks and the NH Whites- although I switch to boots when its time to put microspikes (or snowshoes) on. Question: have you used microspikes with your Topos?

        Reply
        • Clay Bonnyman Evans : Oct 8th

          I have used microspikes extensively with Topo Terraventure 3’s and the combo was great!

          Reply

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