The Trailventure 2 is the only hiking boot made by Topo Athletic—the podiatrist-approved brand best known for its trail running shoes. Topo made this lightweight boot for fastpackers, but I've also hiked plenty of moderate to difficult trails in the three pairs I've owned since 2022. This boot fits me better than any other hiking boot on the market, so it's usually my first choice for day hiking on the rare days when I'm not testing a new hiking boot or hiking shoe for Hiking Feet. My Topo Trailventure 2 review digs into the nitty-gritty details of my personal go-to boot for most day hikes.
Testing the Topo Trailventure 2 at Acadia National Park in Maine
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Topo Trailventure 2 Review
The following Topo Trailventure 2 review is an independent review (not a sponsored post) based on more than 800 miles of personal use. Since 2022, I've owned three different pairs of this lightweight hiking boot—waterproof and non-waterproof. I've tested them extensively on some of Pennsylvania's best hiking trails, including day hiking trips on the Standing Stone Trail and Mid State Trail and a backpacking trip on the Allegheny Front Trail. I also wore them on vacation in Maine's Acadia National Park and continue to wear them near my new home in the American Southwest. The Topo Trailventure 2 was my primary hiking boot when I won the top hiker award in Backcountry's 2022 Summer Adventure Challenge. I know this boot extremely well.
Support
The Topo Trailventure 2 offers more foot and ankle support than trail running shoes but less support than the average hiking boot. It's moderately stiff through the midfoot (thanks to an ESS rock plate) with a natural flex point around the balls of your feet. That offers some foot protection and ankle stability (and plenty of mobility) in rocks and roots.
Still, the Trailventure's ankle cuffs are not very stiff and not particularly high. That makes the Trailventure 2 a better match for the fast-and-light crowd—not hikers looking for a sturdy hiking boot. It's not as sturdy as other lightweight hiking boots I recommend, such as the Salomon X Ultra 5 or Scarpa Rush Mid. Even so, I've hiked some hard trails in them.
My feet have felt fresh after 12-15 mile day hikes on unforgiving terrain. That's significant since I inherited bad feet and ankles from my father (who eventually needed reconstructed foot and ankle surgery).
Weight
Most hikers buy Topos for their weight savings, not their support. My pair (men's size 12) weighs around two pounds, making the Trailventure 2 8-12 ounces lighter than the average hiking boot. They're lighter than my other lightweight hiking boots, such as the Hoka Anacapa and Scarpa Rush Mid. If you're looking for one of the best lightweight hiking boots, the Trailventure 2 should be on your list.
I'm a fan of Topo Athletic's Zipfoam midsoles
Comfort
I consider the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 the most comfortable hiking boot I own—and I've tested something like 25 different boots for this site. That being said, comfort has a lot to do with fit, your hiking style, and your personal preferences.
For me, it's the roomy toe box that crushes the comfort factor in the Trailventure 2. Topo's wide toe box offers a roomy fit that allows my toes to splay naturally for a strong base. That's not only comfortable. I've actually had a chronic toe injury and long-term foot issues improve significantly since I started wearing them!
I also like the brand's "Zipfoam" midsole, which strikes a good balance between "float" and "feel" for a cushy ride that's still nimble on tough terrain. As I logged more than 500 miles and almost 100,000 feet of elevation gain between Memorial Day and Labor Day last year, I kept choosing the Topo Trailventure 2 on the days when comfort was my main concern.
The "Topo Fit" includes wide toe boxes
Fit
Topos feature a "natural" fit with low drop from heel-to-toe and a wide toe box that allows your toes to spread out naturally. Most people would benefit from this fit, but it may feel too wide for hikers with narrow feet. Trailventures also feature a more secure fit in the heel and mid-foot to prevent your feet from sliding inside the shoe, especially on steep descents or gnarly rock gardens. While the Altra Lone Peak felt sloppy on steep and rocky terrain, my feet don't slip around in the Topo Trailventure 2 on the same trails where Altras came up short.
Size-wise, they seem pretty standard. My Topo size is the same as my typical hiking size (which is approximately a half-size larger than my everyday shoe size). Overall, Topo Trailventures may be a better fit for average to wide feet.
Weather Protection
The Topo Trailventure 2 is available in a non-waterproof version or eVent waterproof version. eVent membranes are supposed to be more breathable than GORE-TEX waterproofing, but I haven't noticed a difference in my field tests.
Over hundreds of miles of testing, I found my boot's waterproofing pretty reliable until my first backpacking trip in the Topo Trailventure 2. With extra weight on my back, the 40 up and down miles of the Allegheny Front Trail seemed to compromise my boots' eVent membrane. After that trip, I experienced more moisture seeping through the boots on my hikes. Up until that point, however, the waterproofing and breathability seemed comparable to my GORE-TEX hiking boots. My guess is that eVent isn't as durable as GORE but may hold up okay to more typical day hiking use.
Many fast hikers opt for non-waterproof footwear since it wears cooler and dries quicker than waterproof hiking boots. I currently wear the non-waterproof Trailventure 2 for the high desert trails around my New Mexico home.
Traction
There's a lot to like about the Trailventure 2's Vibram MegaGrip outsoles. They feature a versatile tread pattern that has at least a little something for most hiking trails:
That's a nice formula for hikers (like me) who hit a range of trails. This tread has worked for me on steep and rocky trails in Maine's Acadia National Park. It's also performed well in Pennsylvania's ridge and valley region. where trails often alternate between rocky ridges, blueberry bushes, and soggy valley floors. I've biffed twice on steep and slushy trails, where deeper lugs and grooves would have been helpful. Still, my feet have felt pretty secure on steep descents on loose rocks and leaf litter, some hardpack snow and ice, and singletrack trails.
Value
The Topo Trailventure 2 has a MSRP of $160 (non-waterproof) or $180 (eVent waterproofing). Among lightweight hiking boots, that's more or less the going rate. It's average value for a "fastpacking boot" with premium waterproofing and outsoles. While other brands' prices have raised considerably the past few years, the Trailventure 2's price has stayed steady. With the outdoor industry doing poorly right now, there's a good chance you'll find this boot on sale through the links below:
Men's Topo Trailventure 2
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Women's Topo Trailventure 2
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Topo Trailventure 2: Pros vs Cons
My first pair of Topos has exceeded my expectations. The pros definitely outweigh the cons with the Topo Trailventure 2:
Should you buy the Topo Trailventure 2
The Topo Trailventure 2 is a lightweight yet serious hiking boot—not an overpriced hiking sneaker—that impressed me the more I wore it. I prefer the Trailventure's fit to other hiking boots and consider it the most comfortable hiking boot that I own. Even though they're designed for fast-and-light hikers, I'm confident hiking moderate to difficult terrain in the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots. I'm now onto my third pair for personal use and have no reservations recommending them to day hikers who want a comfy and athletic hiking boot with a wide toe box. Based on this review, I added to the Trailventure 2 to my list of the best lightweight hiking boots.
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