Reviewed by ShaneTOP 25 REVIEWER+152
March 15, 2024
These are great trail running shoes for runners who want a grippy, zero-drop Vibram sole shoe with a wide toe box and low stack height. They are comfortable and lightweight and work well on various types of trail surfaces.
Pros
Zero drop
Vibram soles
Wide toe box
Light weight
Low stack height
Good for various terrains
Cons
Ugly bright yellow color
Shoe laces too long
I've been searching for a lightweight zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide-toe box. I've used Altra Lone Peaks in the past, but some of the recent Lone Peaks are narrower in the toe box than previous editions, so I've moved on from those. Enter Topo Athletic shoes. I've used Topo shoes for road running, and I have a pair of Topo hiking boots, and I really like both. So I knew I should look to Topo for a good pair of trail runners. I settled on the Runventure 4's because they are zero drop, lightly cushioned, and have a wide toe box. Although I'm not wild about the bright yellow color, I'm super happy with these shoes for various reasons. First of all, they fit well. The toe box is wide and the light cushion is just right for me. I don't like high-stack running shoes. I prefer lower-profile ones to keep my feet closer to the ground, thereby preventing my ankles from rolling. I've run about 100 miles on trails with these Runventure 4's, and so far, they are solid and stable. They didn't require any break in time for me. Another reason why I like these shoes is the aggressive tread and Vibram soles. Both are superb. These shoes go through mud quite well and are fine on rocks. I can feel the ground with these shoes, but they protect my feet from sharp rocks. Finally, they are breathable, which means they dry relatively quickly. My feet do not overheat in these when I wear thin polyester or thin wool socks with them. Since I've only put 100 miles on these shoes, I can't speak of the longevity of these shoes. But because they show very few signs of wear, I'm hopeful they'll last 400 or more miles. If you're looking for a low-stack height, zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide toe box and Vibram soles, check out these Runventure 4's!
Background
I'm an avid backpacker, road runner, and trail runner. I use trail running shoes for training, races, and backpacking trips. In the last three years, I have hiked and jogged over 2,000 miles.
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