This Topo Trailventure 2 review digs into the 2022 update to Topo Athletic's award-winning Trailventure. The original Trailventure won REI's Editor's Choice Award, so I was stoked to score the new Trailventure 2 before it was released to the public. Much to my surprise, this lightweight hiking boot has become my go-to for day hikes. Why? My Topo Trailventure 2 review has the scoop on this light and comfortable hiker that's packed with premium features.
Meet the Topo Trailventure 2
Topo Athletic may be a young brand, but it's generated a buzz among the Backcountry "Gearheads" who work with me. Topo is similar to Altra in the sense that its wide toe boxes and "low drop" from heel to toe encourage a "natural" running style. At the same time, Topos offer a more support and a more secure fit than Altra's "zero drop" shoes. The American Podiatric Medical Association has awarded Topo Athletic its Seal of Approval for shoes that promote healthy feet.
When my co-workers at Backcountry kept recommending Topos for their wide toe boxes, I reached out to Topo Athletic to request a demo pair to review at Hiking Feet. They recommended the new Topo Trailventure 2.
The Trailventure 2 is a lightweight hiking boot or "fastpacking" boot. It's not much heavier than a trail running shoe, but it's made for hiking, not running. The Trailventure 2 targets fast hikers with light packs. However, it's performed well for me on moderate to difficult trails and may be a light and comfortable option for casual hikers, too. It's available in waterproof and non-waterproof styles for both men and women:
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Topo Trailventure 2 Review
The following Topo Trailventure 2 review is an independent review (not a sponsored post) based on approximately 500 miles of wear. Topo Athletic supplied me with one waterproof and one non-waterproof pair of Trailventures for this review without influencing my content in any way. I've tested both 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. It was my hiking boot of choice when I won the top hiker award in Backcountry's 2022 Summer Adventure Challenge.
Support
LIGHT
The 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). 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 need reconstructed foot and ankle surgery).
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. Even so, I've hiked some hard trails in them. Happily.
Weight
LIGHTWEIGHT
Most hikers buy Topos for their weight savings, not their support. My pair (men's size 12) only weighs 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, and even lighter than my low-cut Salomon X Ultra 4 hiking shoes. If you're looking for one of the best lightweight hiking boots, the Trailventure 2 should be on your list.
Comfort
EXCELLENT
Comfort has a lot to do with fit and personal preferences. That being said, I consider the Topo Trailventure 2 the most comfortable hiking boot or shoe I own—and I currently own about 25 pairs!
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 technical terrain. As I logged more than 500 miles and almost 100,000 feet of elevation gain between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I kept choosing the Topo Trailventure 2 on the days when comfort was my main concern. It's now my go-to day hiking boot (when I'm not reviewing other boots and shoes for this website).
Fit
WIDE TOE BOX
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
PREMIUM WATERPROOFING + BREATHABILITY
The Topo Trailventure 2 is available in a non-waterproof version or eVent waterproof version According to industry tests, eVent membranes rival GORE-TEX (still the industry standard) in waterproofing. In fact, eVent wears slightly cooler than GORE-TEX because it is not only breathable, but also air permeable. That is, it allows both moisture vapor and air to pass through its membrane while remaining waterproof in moderately wet conditions. That's a potential plus, especially for fast hikers and long distance hikers (whose feet run hotter than the average hiker's). I've worn this boot comfortably in snow and in hot, summer weather.
So far, my experience with this membrane has been positive with my feet staying reasonably comfortable and dry while sloshing through some sloppy trails. Like all waterproof hiking boots, its membrane will let in moisture after splashing through many miles of puddles or wet vegetation—which happened to me backpacking the Allegheny Front Trail in sustained rain. But it's waterproofing was solid under more typical hiking conditions with moderate moisture and occasional stream crossings.
Many fast hikers opt for non waterproof hiking shoes since they wear cooler and dry quicker than waterproof hiking boots. That will also save you $20 compared to the eVent version.
Traction
VERSATILE
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. Those Vibram outsoles dig into forest floors and stick to rock slabs. A good balance. My feet have felt pretty secure on steep descents on loose rocks and leaf litter, some hardpack snow and ice, and technical singletrack trails. I've biffed twice on steep and slushy trails, but no tread really works well in those conditions.
Value
AVERAGE
As of early 2023, the Topo Trailventure 2 has a MSRP of $160 (non-waterproof) or $180 (eVent waterproofing). Among lightweight hiking boots, that's more than the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid, similar to the Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX and Hoka Trail Code Mid GTX, and $20 less than the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX. That's average value for a "fastpacking boot" with premium waterproofing and outsoles.
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:
Overall Review: Topo Trailventure 2
I didn't know what to expect from Topo Athletic. However, the Topo Trailventure 2 is a 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 plan on purchasing more of these in the future and have no reservations recommending them to day hikers who want a lightweight hiking boot with a wide toe box. After this review, I added to the Trailventure 2 to my list of the best lightweight hiking boots.
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[…] felt better over the last month as I’ve alternated hiking in the Topo Ultraventure Pros and Topo Trailventure hiking shoes (which I consider the more comfortable of the two). I can see why some thru-hikers find the […]