Topo Trailventure 2 Shoe Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2024
- This review is of the Trailventure 2 Mid WP, a shoe comparable to the Altra Olympus 5 Mid GTX I had been wearing most recently, and the Hoka Kaha 2.
Notably, the Topo is the least expensive of the three. The Topo currently lists for $180, compared to $220 for the Altra Olympus and $240 for the Hoka Kaha. When I bought these ten months back, they listed at $160 and I paid $126 plus tax during the regular REI 20% off sale. I never paid more than $100 for a shoe before I started hiking, but I have to say that $126 seems to be a relative bargain.
Topo Athletic was formed in 2013 by runner Tony Post. Like most successful shoe lines, he sold the company in 2022 to Designer Brands, an American Company based in Colombus, OH, that runs Designer Shoe Warehouse. Topo specializes in foot-shaped shoes for runners and hikers.
I wear Altra Olympus as my daily walkers and had been hiking in a Olympus 5 mid GTX, but that shoe was just not durable enough for long, rough hikes, (review) so the Topo is my newest try at the best shoe.
Surprisingly, although the padding on the Topo does not appear as plush at the Altra, I find it spongier, with more give on hard step-downs, something I find desirable. I find it more plush in the heel than either the Altra or Hoka.
I upsize all my hikers by ½ size, and I find the Topo also the most generously sized in the mid-foot of all three shoes.
A neat feature only found on the Topos is the metal lace lock, that let’s you easily have different tension on the lower foot than the upper, without any fancy lacing tricks. I like it and think it works well.
The tongue is generously padded and I have no issue with the knot pressuring my foot.
The traction from the vibram sole is excellent, and it appears to be much more durable than either the Altra or Hoka. I will give these a try with winter traction devices when it starts snowing and hope these shoes will endure, whereas I cannot see the Altras or Hokas holding up with a hard piece of metal on sometimes rocky terrain.
A big plus for me is that the Topos have a rock plate. At age 50, you lose 50% of the fat on the bottom of your foot, and a maximal cushioned shoe helps, but on rim to rim to rim hikes, I really start feeling the rocks intrude. The rock plate in the Topos is a big plus for me, and likely for other older hikers.
Altra mids used to have gaiter traps, but they have been discontinued, leaving Topo as the only shoe of the three that has a gaiter trap. Unfortunately, the Topo gaiter is overpriced and so awkward as to be worthless. (Show) On my next hike in these shoes I will modify them to take the Altra gaiter.
An odd aspect of the shoe I experienced is that it seems to accumulate water between the nylon shell and the inner “e-vent,” GTX like lining. That water has now mixed with dirt, creating this strange coloration on the shoe. First, I could feel the water pooling when I was crossing a river, which is odd. I am not sure how it will affect the performance of the shoe in the long run, but it is the first time I have experienced that. Second, the dirt between the layers is odd. I do not know if it will build up and add weight to the shoe. I will continue to evaluate this aspect of the shoes. This color has been discontinued, so on a darker color, I might not even notice.
Also, the uppers have very little protection against rock abrasion, unlike the Altra and Hokas, which are both a more durable leather. Plus, I am unsure how durable the uppers will be, as similar shoes crease and wear through prematurely.
So here’s my review:
The good:
● Relatively affordable price
● Rock plate
● Very comfortable cushioning
● Good traction
● Likely more durable sole than the competition
The bad:
● Gaiter is so awkward as to be useless
● Water pools between shoe layers
● Dirt accumulates between shoe layers
● Minimal protection against upper rock abrasion
● Questionable durability of uppers
The Topo Trailventure is the shoe I have chosen for my next several hikes and so far it the best match I have found in the current modestly priced shoe market. Thank you for watching.
Thanks for that review, I was not aware that the Topo had a rock plate. I agree with you, as an aging hiker I find that feature very desirable. REI is currently having a 20% off sale, I think I will order a pair of these based upon your review. Thanks so much.😮
Please let the viewers know what you think of them when you receive them.
Ditto to watch the previous poster said. Plus that color is pretty zippy, but I don't find it in their catalog anymore. Too bad. But the shoe still looks functional. 😊
I had never heard of these, thanks for the review.
They are not as well known as the Merrells or Altras, but seem to have many good features.
Nice tips, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Awesome share -great information, have a great day.
Thanks for watching!
Hi there, I appreciate your honest review on this shoe! I am considering purchasing a pair for myself. I currently own a pair of waterproof hiking boots that ended up being too small in the toe box. I tried toughing it through a couple backpacking trips in the past year with them and I finally decided that I have to accept that the narrow toe box is not for me. Since this review was posted 8 months ago, I was wondering how these Topos are holding up now. Thanks!
Thanks for asking. They have worn excessively fast on the uppers. There also has been some compaction on the sole. With that said, they are as comfortable as slippers and have worked out very well for me. The other similar shoe I go back and forth on is the Altra Olympus mid GTX. Their uppers wear well, but the sole was flawed. But the new Olympus 6 is out, which hopefully has cured the issue with the sole, so that may be a little bit better shoe, but I have not owned one, so I could not say.
Altra has free shipping, returns and a 30 day free trial, so you might want to give them a try.
I used to wear a traditional shoe and have loved the foot shape, I hope it works out for you as well.
@@GC-Hiker Good to know! I will definitely look into the Olympus 6. Thanks for your suggestions, I appreciate it :)
Thank you for explaining there are pluses and minuses to the shoe, but I think overall it is good value, and one I will consider. Thank you for the information.😊
Thanks so much for watching!
For today's prices, it seems like a fairly good deal. It looks like a competent shoe. Thank you for the review.
Yes, shoe prices are pretty sobering, but I also think they are one of the most important pieces of hiking gear.
best Topo Trailventure 2 Shoe Review
Thank you. I try my best to give an honest evaluation of the shoes. I appreciate your comment.
Thank you for the detailed review. I have enjoyed several Topo running shoes and want to try the boots. Do you find that sizing up 1/2 provides enough space for a thicker hiking sock? REI stopped carrying the boots, so looks like online ordering now, no physical store where I can try these on.
Yes, I generaly go up 1/2 size on all my hikers, as much for some sliding room as for the thicker socks. My experience is that these are true to size. Topo has a free 30 day trial, they do charge for shipping to you, but not the return, and they offer 10% off on your first order.
@@GC-Hiker Thanks, appreciate the quick response.
@@CheaperEngineer 🙂
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Thanks for watching!
I own the non-waterproof version of this boot and I’ve been very happy with it. I have a wide forefoot, arthritis in my foot, and a past foot surgery and I’ve found these to be so comfortable and lightweight especially in the forefoot. I’m sure the WP boot is a bit heavier with the rock plate but I bet it really helps in super rocky terrain. I went with the non-WP boot because it’s often hot and muggy here and I wanted the boot to be able to dry out more quickly after long hot hikes. I was considering the Topo gaiter but glad to hear your review. Any alternatives that you’ve found that work with the boot?
Thanks, I have the non-waterproof on order, so that is good to know. I have simply taken the Altra gaiter, glued the velcro stip on the back, and that works a lot better for me. With all the rocks and sand where I hike, I insist on a gaiter. The rockplate really does help me on the rim to rim hikes, but I must admit the WP gets a bit hot. Thanks for your comment.
Great video. Have these stayed waterproof? All these membranes seem to fail eventually, on my Altra's they just cracked around the crease marks and holes developed, letting water straight in.
Agreed, that is a problem. Boots used to last a lifetime. Goretex works well, but only for 4-6 hikes for me, then it fails. My current Topos are wearing through at the flex points, I have not been in water this Winter, but I would assume they would leak. The Olympus 5 GTX, with the leather uppers, seem to do a bit better, but their soles wear out prematurely. I guess there is no such thing as the perfect hiking shoe. 😥
Great review and information 😊
As always, thanks for watching! Good luck on your upcoming premiere!
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