Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 Review
An excellent all-around trail workhorse
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September 27, 2024
Our verdict
The Topo Terraventure 4 is a great all-around trail workhorse. Whether you’re tackling rooty singletrack, rain-slick rocks, or muddy trail, they perform admirably. While not as nimble as some trail runners, they more than make up for it with their outstanding durability, grip, and adjustable fit.
Combining a secure midfoot and heel with a roomy toe box, they’ll accommodate nearly any foot shape. The moderate cushion and neutral support will also appeal to a wide range of wearers.
Over the summer, I took these shoes throughout the North Cascades and to Alaska on a wide variety of trail and off trail adventures.
As a devoted fan of the Terraventure 3, I was pleased that the tweaks to the 4 are truly just that and that the overall fit and performance are unchanged. This will continue to be my go-to trail shoe.
Men's
Women's
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Specs
Cushion: medium, balanced
Stability: neutral
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Midsole: Zipfoam
Upper: recycled mesh
Weight: 10.1 oz (men's 9); 8.6 oz (women's 7)
Stack height: 25 mm heel; 22 mm toe
Heel-to-toe drop: 3 mm
Rock plate: yes
Gaiter compatible: yes
Comparison table of similar models
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 Men's Women's |
10.1 oz | 8.6 oz | Moderate | 3 mm | 22 - 25 mm |
| Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP Men's Women's |
12.0 oz | 10.1 oz | Moderate | 3 mm | 22 - 25 mm |
| Hoka Speedgoat 6 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 35 - 40 mm |
| Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Men's Women's |
10.2 oz | 8.3 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 30 - 35 mm |
| Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 Men's Women's |
10.1 oz | 8.3 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 28 - 33 mm |
Best for
Trail running
Hiking
People who like a roomier toe box
People who like a minimal heel-to-toe drop
What we liked
Durability is the primary selling point for me with the Topo shoes I’ve worn. This model is no exception.
I like the way it fits the midfoot and heel securely while still allowing for proper toe spread.
The laces stay tied. Such a simple thing, but so important.
Accommodates my generic orthotic inserts without smooshing my feet. This may mean those with lower-volume feet may find these to be too spacious for them.
What could be better
The upper would benefit from a bit more breathability.
Performance
Fit
Like other shoes with wide toe boxes, the Terraventure 4 accommodates a wider forefoot. However, it does so without getting sloppy. I found the midfoot and heel to fit comfortably and securely. I did not feel like my foot was sliding around in the shoe or slipping off the base when doing steep off-trail side-hilling.
Midsole and cushioning
If you’re used to a shoe with softer foam, like an Altra, the Terraventure 4 will feel firmer underfoot. The cushioning is adequate, but you will retain ground feel.
Comfort
I can wear these shoes all day without any issues. After a 25-hour push during an off-trail peak bagging trip, I started to notice a few hot spots, but those were more likely due to having wet feet and grit in the socks than any comfort or fit issues with the shoes themselves.
Stability and support
Overall, the wide base provides good stability without being over-corrective.
Outsole, grip, and traction
While not as sticky as a Salomon or Scarpa, the outsole on the Terraventure 4 is plenty grippy on a wide range of rock surfaces as well as muddy trails due to their Vibram outsoles. I’ve worn them on scramble peaks where grip is essential and never felt insecure. Even with 300 miles on them, the traction is still going strong.
Versatility
Running, scrambling, off-trail, hiking…you name it, I did it, and these shoes were stars in all situations.
Break-in time
These shoes were perfect right out of the box.
Upper and breathability
The only thing I didn’t like about these shoes was that they didn’t seem very breathable and made my feet fairly hot, more so than the Terraventure 3. However, it definitely wasn’t a deal breaker, and not so hot that my feet became swampy or blister-prone.
Durability and longevity
Like the Terraventure 3, the 4’s seem to be exceptionally durable. While I’ve only put about 300 miles on them so far, they aren’t showing any signs of midsole breakdown. The uppers are completely intact, and the tread is not heavily worn. Even after a nasty all-night bushwhack through alder, these shoes didn’t show any new signs of wear and tear.
Price and value
At $135 they’re a fairly average price for mainstream trail running shoes these days. However, given that I get double or even triple the mileage from one pair vs other brands, they are well worth the cost. For reference, our Best Affordable Trail Running Shoes picks in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guides cost $140, so this is a good deal.
Features
Roomy toe box
The Terraventure 4 leaves plenty of room for natural toe splay during movement.
Weight
Definitely not the lightest option, they trade weight for durability. Some will find them a little clunky, especially for faster running.
Heel-to-toe drop
At 3 mm, the drop is low enough for those who prefer a neutral running platform but raised just enough to avoid many of the issues people experience with a true zero-drop shoe.
Stack height
The 22-25mm stack height is just enough cushion to make them comfortable on trail without feeling too high.
Gaiter compatible
The Terraventures are compatible with the Topo Athletic Performance gaiters.
Vibram Megagrip outsole
Grippy on most surfaces, the Vibram outsole will give you confidence anywhere you adventure.
Upper
Extremely durable upper dries quickly after fording creeks and retains its shape when wet without stretching.
Double tongue stays
I love this little feature which keeps the tongue from sliding around.
Style and design
For those that care about color, the men’s models come in two subdued colorways (gray and olive). Women’s models are brighter with cranberry and teal options.
Long-term testing notes
I’ve been wearing versions of the Topo Terraventure since 2022. I backpacked over 700 miles around Scotland in my first pair and then ran an additional 300 miles on them. My second pair traveled the entire 800 miles of the Arizona Trail. The third pair, the Terraventure 4, has been my go-to shoe all summer long. I anticipate it will last me the rest of the winter as well. Overall, I did not notice significant differences between the 3 and 4 and was pleased to find that the fit and longevity seem to have remained the same in the updated version.
How we tested
I’ve taken the Terraventure 4 on several trail runs in Washington’s North Cascades. I’ve also worn them to scramble multiple 3rd class peaks, strapped micro-spikes on them to cross glaciers, and worn them on intense off-trail peak bagging and bushwhacking adventures throughout Washington. They were also my shoe of choice for a weeklong trip to Alaska where I climbed an off-trail peak in boggy, stormy conditions as well as hiked dry singletrack in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks.
What's new with the Terraventure 4
Lighter weight
More volume in the toe box
Improved breathability
Improved drainage
Other versions available
Topo Terraventure 4 WP
Cushion: medium, balanced
Stability: neutral
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Midsole: Zipfoam
Upper: recycled mesh
Weight: 12.0 oz (men's 9); 10.1 oz (women's 7)
Stack height: 25 mm heel; 22 mm toe
Heel-to-toe drop: 3 mm
Rock plate: yes
Gaiter compatible: yes
Waterproof: yes
Topo took the Terraventure 4 and added an eVent bootie to make a waterproof version. The specs are nearly identical between the two, although the eVent bootie adds nearly 1.5 – 2 ounces to the shoe.
Topo Terraventure 4 WP
Men's
Women's
Other trail running shoes to consider
There are a lot of trail running shoes out there to choose from (we have a guide for that!). In fact, we have two stories for the best trail running shoes (for women and for men). But here are some similar shoes to consider:
Topo Ultraventure 3
Cushion: high
Stability: neutral
Outsole: Vibram XS Trek EVO
Midsole: ZipFoam
Upper: engineered mesh
Weight: 10.2 oz (men's 9); 8.3 oz (women's 7)
Stack height: 35 mm heel; 30 mm toe
Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Terrain: mild to moderate
If you're looking for a shoe with more cushion, the Ultraventure 3 is Topo's highest-cushioned trail runner. With a slightly higher heel-to-toe drop and a much higher stack height than the Terraventures, the Ultraventures are built for moderate terrain and road-to-trail runs.
Topo Ultraventure 3
Men's
Women's
Topo MTN Racer 3
Cushion: high
Stability: neutral
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Midsole: ZipFoam
Weight: 10.1 oz (men's 9); 8.3 oz (women's 7)
Stack height: 33 mm heel; 28 mm toe
Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Terrain: technical
Another trail runner from Topo, the MTN Racer 3 is made for running fast over rocky, technical terrain. They're nimble and agile with a secure fit – especially in the midfoot. With a 33 mm heel stack height, they're highly cushioned but still incredibly lightweight.
Topo MTN Racer 3
Men's
Women's
Hoka Speedgoat 6
Cushion: max
Stability: neutral
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Midsole: CMEVA
Upper: double-layer jacquard mesh
Weight: 9.8 oz (men's); 8.2 oz (women's)
Stack height: 38 mm heel; 33 mm toe
Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Terrain: technical
A highly cushioned trail runner, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is also a very responsive shoe. However, our testers have been critical of the Speegoat's outsole longevity due to the exposed section of midsole. You can read our full review of the Speedgoat 6 here.
Hoka Speedgoat 6
Men's
Women's
Why you should trust us / about the author
National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Heather Anderson is the first woman to complete the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails each three times. This includes her historic Calendar Year Triple Crown hike in 2018 when she hiked all three of those trails in one March-November season, making her the first female to do so.
She holds self-supported Fastest Known Times (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail (2013) and Appalachian Trail (2015). She has logged over 47,000 foot-miles since 2003, including over 16 thru-hikes. She is also an avid mountaineer.
As a professional speaker, Heather speaks regularly about her adventures and the lessons learned on trail. She is the author of Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home (2019), chronicling her Pacific Crest Trail record, and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail (2021) about her 2015 AT record. She also co-authored a guide to long-distance hiking preparation with Katie Gerber called Adventure Ready: A Hiker’s Guide to Training, Planning, and Resiliency (2022). You can find her online at Words From the Wild or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
