Topo Athletic Ultraventure 5 review

The Ultraventure 5 is the cushioning pick for runners who do not want a tall, narrow shoe. Topo kept the 35 mm heel and 30 mm forefoot stack of earlier versions and retuned the ZipFoam midsole, which it describes as plush and responsive. The drop is a low 5 mm and Topo rates the cushion as high with a neutral feel. Underneath is a Vibram XS Trek outsole, which Topo built for trail, gravel and road, so it suits runners who start from the door and link paved and dirt sections. The upper has Topo's roomy toe box and a new universal gaiter system, and the shoe comes in standard and wide widths in sizes 7 to 15. The tradeoffs are grip and protection: XS Trek is not as sticky on wet rock as the Megagrip shoes here, and Topo lists no rock plate. At 10.7 oz in a men's 9 it is a little heavier than the Peregrine 16, but it costs only $5 more.

Who it is for

Runners who want plush cushioning and room for their toes on long trail, gravel and road-to-trail runs.

Price

$155 for the men's version at the Topo US store when checked.

Ultraventure 5 $155.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• 35 mm heel and 30 mm forefoot stack of ZipFoam
• 5 mm heel to toe drop
• Vibram XS Trek outsole with a lug pattern built for trail, gravel and road
• Roomy anatomical toe box and performance insoles
• Gaiter compatible, sold in standard and wide widths

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The deepest cushioning for the price on this list
• Strength: Wide sizes from 7 to 15
• Strength: Topo offers a 30 day risk-free trial
• Weakness: Vibram XS Trek is an all-terrain compound, less aggressive than Megagrip
• Weakness: No rock plate
• Weakness: 10.7 oz in a men's 9 is heavier than the Peregrine 16

Key facts

• Price: $155 (men's)
• Weight: 10.7 oz (men's 9)
• Stack height: 35 mm heel, 30 mm forefoot
• Drop: 5 mm
• Outsole: Vibram XS Trek

Where it ranks

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 5 is No. 2 in our Best Trail Running Shoes verdict.