Bottom Line
The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 is one of our favorite everyday hiking shoes for hikers who want a roomy forefoot, low weight, and plenty of cushion. It requires virtually no break-in, breathes well, and uses a Vibram outsole that performed confidently in mud, rain, light snow, rock, and mixed trail conditions.
The tradeoff is fit and stability. The toe box is not only wide but high-volume, and our tester’s forefoot slid side-to-side on steep terrain. The 35 mm heel stack also makes the shoe feel less planted on off-camber trail than lower-profile options.
For hikers with wider or higher-volume feet who spend most of their time on maintained trails, the Ultraventure 4 is an excellent blend of comfort, weight, traction, and value. It remains one of the more approachable trail-runner-style options in our best women’s hiking shoes lineup.
How We Tested
CleverHiker tested the Ultraventure 4 in northern California and around Nevada City in sun, rain, mud, and light snow. Our field testing included maintained trails, rocky terrain, steep slopes, and off-trail stretches to evaluate comfort, traction, durability, weight, and weather resistance.
Quick Specs
- Best for: Everyday hiking, wide or high-volume feet, maintained trails
- Waterproof: No
- Fit: Roomy anatomical toe box with high forefoot volume and a secure heel
- Outsole / lug depth: Vibram XS Trek EVO; light-to-moderate trail lug pattern, depth not published by Topo
- Rock plate: No
- Available widths: Standard and Wide
Women’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4
Best Hiking Shoes for Weight, Support & Breathability
CleverHiker Rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: $155
Weight: 1 lb. 0.4 oz. per pair, manufacturer listed; 1 lb. 2 oz. per pair, women’s size 8.5 CleverHiker measured
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5 mm
Pros
- Roomy toe box
- Very comfortable out of the box
- Lightweight
- Breathable and quick drying
- Excellent traction on maintained and moderate trails
- No break-in required
- Wide sizes available
Cons
- High-volume toe box can feel sloppy on narrow feet
- Tall stack is less stable on steep or off-camber terrain
- Not built for sustained wet weather
Comfort
The Ultraventure 4 is exceptionally comfortable on moderate trail. Topo’s ZipFoam midsole provides soft protection from rocks and roots without feeling dead, and the snug heel cup and lacing system kept the rearfoot secure.
The roomy forefoot is the defining feature. Wide-footed hikers will appreciate the space, but average-to-narrow feet may move laterally on steep terrain. We also noticed extra upper material bunching as the shoe flexed on inclines.
Comfort Score: 4.8 / 5.0
Traction
The Vibram outsole surprised us with how confidently it handled mud, wet trail, rock, and moderate slopes. The lugs are not especially deep, but the rubber compound and pattern provide reliable grip across the terrain this shoe is designed for.
We would still choose a more aggressive outsole for prolonged technical scrambling or deep mud, but traction is very good for everyday hiking.
Traction Score: 4.5 / 5.0
Weight
The Ultraventure 4 is one of the lightest shoes in our hiking lineup. Our women’s size 8.5 test shoe weighed about 9 ounces, and the low mass noticeably reduces fatigue on long or hot days.
The visual bulk of the wide toe box makes the shoe look heavier than it feels. On foot, it remains quick and efficient.
Weight Score: 4.9 / 5.0
Durability
The recycled mesh upper is woven more tightly than the previous version and reinforced in high-wear areas. It held up well when we took the shoe across boulders, brush, and tall grass off trail.
It is not as protective as a traditional leather hiker, and we would not choose it for constant bushwhacking or heavy backpacking. For its weight class, durability is respectable.
Durability Score: 4.2 / 5.0
Weather Resistance
The non-waterproof upper resists light moisture better than expected and handled wet grass, slush, and intermittent rain before eventually soaking through. Once wet, the breathable mesh dries quickly.
That balance works well for three-season hiking, but prolonged rain or cold wet conditions call for a waterproof shoe.
Weather Resistance Score: 4.0 / 5.0
Should You Buy the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4?
Yes, if you want a lightweight, cushioned, breathable shoe with a genuinely roomy toe box for everyday hiking. It is especially good for wide or high-volume feet and for long days on established trails.
Look elsewhere if you have a narrow forefoot or regularly hike on steep, off-camber, highly technical terrain where a lower and more secure platform would be preferable.
What Other Women’s Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Altra Lone Peak 9: Choose the Lone Peak 9 if you want an even more natural-feeling, zero-drop platform with excellent toe splay and lower ground feel. The Topo offers more cushion and a 5 mm drop, while the Altra feels flatter and more minimalist.
HOKA Speedgoat 7: Pick the Speedgoat 7 if you want more stability and a stickier outsole for rugged terrain. It is similarly light and cushioned but feels more secure when the trail gets technical.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Low: Consider the X Ultra 5 Low if you want a more traditional hiking shoe with better durability, protection, and precision. It is heavier than the Topo but more confidence-inspiring off trail.
