Topo Athletic Hydroventure

Topo Athletic Hydroventure: A waterproof trail running shoe that on rainy days you won't want to take them off your feet.

Who this shoe is great for

This is a versatile shoe, ideal for beginners in trail and natural running with a low drop and good midfoot and forefoot protection. Despite its specificity for running in the mountains, it has a mixed character in that it defends itself well on trails and paths as well as on technical trails in good condition. Its wide interior space invites to use custom insoles and allows to easily work on the adaptation to running with a lower drop using heel cups that can be progressively reduced in height under the insole.

First impressions

I think that every runner should have a waterproof shoe in his shoe box, especially if he is a trail runner. This Topo Athletic Hydroventure model has a waterproof and breathable membrane and a flexible carbon plate that provides great resistance in rocky terrain and root or rocky areas, protecting the foot from impacts in demanding areas. It is presented with the endorsement of having received an award for best footwear for "adventures" by National Geographic Magazine last year.

The waterproof eVent DVdryLT membrane is combined with a breathable fine mesh upper and an internal lining that provides a very good feeling of flexibility and lightness not often found in waterproof models. It allows you to run through muddy areas, puddles, cross streams or run in heavy rain and have your feet stay dry and comfortable. This Hydroventure is very light with only 290 gr in a 10 wear, lightness characterizes all Topo models.

The midsole is made of EVA and the outsole with a hard and relatively spaced lugging allows it to bite well on uneven surfaces and loosen mud, but in smoother and wetter areas the grip is compromised, being its weak point the smooth rocks and wet sidewalks where they do not grip enough. It is a model with an anatomical design with a wide toe and narrow heel with which "to feel the mountain more". It has a heel height of 25 mm and 22 mm in the metatarsal with a reduced drop of 3 mm. but providing sufficient cushioning and foot protection to be able to run through the mountain safely. A narrow heel and a particular rounded toe box that offers generous toe room allows you to feel your foot position on the ground with every stride.

Tony Post CEO of Topo Athetic recently said he was pleased with the acceptance that the anatomical design of his models is having among running enthusiasts in Europe and in Spain they are distributed by www.vertical.es.

Midsole and Cushioning

The midsole is made of EVA and the outsole with a hard and relatively spaced lugging allows to bite well the irregular surface and release the mud, but in smoother and wetter areas the grip is compromised, being its weak point the smooth rocks and wet sidewalks where they do not grip enough.

It is a model with an anatomical design with a wide toe and narrow heel with which "to feel the mountain more". It has a heel height of 25 mm and 22 mm in the metatarsal with a reduced drop of 3 mm. but providing sufficient cushioning and protection of the foot to be able to run through the mountain safely, a narrow heel and a particular rounded toe that offers a generous space for the toes and allows you to feel the position of the foot on the ground in each of the strides.
It has a flexible carbon plate between the midsole and outsole that provides great strength and rigidity that is appreciated in rocky terrain and root zones protecting the foot from impacts in demanding areas. It also has greater support and stability at the level of the 1st MTF joint at the base of the big toe that provides stability in propulsion and also an external area that provides stability.

Such a reduced drop facilitates midfoot support and in certain terrain facilitates forefoot support, especially in areas of trail with positive slope, where 24 mm. of rubber protection under the metatarsals is appreciated.

Insole and last

The shape of this shoe is anatomical and represents the shape of the foot "like a drop of water", wide at the front with 11 mm, narrow in the center at the level of the plantar arch with 7 mm. and narrow at the heel with only 75 mm. A last that adapts to the anatomy of the foot, facilitating its mobility and making a large space available to the toes that can stabilize the tread and collaborate in the impulsion without any restriction.

It includes an insole that also maintains the anatomical shape of the last as a plantar footprint to adapt to the user's footprint and cushion a little more pressure, which improves comfort. The ample interior space and the width of the last allows for perfectly fitting custom-made insoles.

Upper

The most remarkable feature of this model is that it has the eVent DVdryLT membrane inside the mesh, a new membrane that in addition to preventing the external entry of water is permeable to direct ventilation air (DV) which allows for better heat dissipation and facilitates breathability of the foot.

The DVdryLT eVent manufacturing process eliminates layers to save weight, which not only increases breathability but also improves flexibility.
According to eVent's data, it ensures that its manufacture not only reduces weight but also requires 50% less material, with greater breathability than other membranes used in Trail running shoes.

The round toe protects the upper by means of an exquisite thermosealing that extends along the sides and covers the heel where a rear stitching closes and provides stability to the rearfoot.

On the mesh with eventual membrane there is an extension of the thermo-sealing at the big toe that reinforces the area against chafing, a detail of quality and aesthetic care. The thermo-sealed reinforcements are extended to reinforce the typical break points in Trail shoes in the upper flex areas at the instep level. The outer and inner sides are reinforced by a diagonal line that intersects with the reinforcements that come from the lace eyelets and provide a solid yet flexible structure without compromising the natural movements of the foot.
The entire upper and the thermo-seals maintain a soft and malleable structure, they do not compromise the foot at all and at the same time allow to contain it in situations where the terrain is complicated, finding limitations only in very technical and irregular areas where a little more solidity in its structure is missing.

The Tongue is wide, and a little thicker than in other models of the brand, has a sewn central reinforcement that joins the most distal part of the eyelet and achieves a good fit of the instep. The internal fabric used in the tongue and collar that surrounds the ankle has a pleasant feel, facilitating perspiration without excessive padding but enough to ensure good comfort during the race. It has an internal plastic buttress in the heel and a vertical reinforcement sewn back that adds strength and provides good containment on uneven terrain. Over the 3mmdrop appears.

The adjustment of the instep through the 9 eyelet-shaped straps achieves a very good upper tension and a very good overall fit of the foot.

Outsole

The outsole has different black and dark blue tread patterns depending on the areas and fulfills its function in terms of grip on dirt and mud and in terms of rigidity thanks to the inclusion in strategic areas of carbon structures integrated in the midsole that protect the heel and metatarsal. The flexible carbon plate provides great resistance and rigidity to this model, which is appreciated in stony terrain and root zones, protecting the foot from impacts. It also has greater support and stability at the level of the 1st MTF joint at the base of the big toe with a blue rubber blocking, which provides stability in propulsion and also an external area that provides stability. Traction is good on mixed dirt terrain where the flatter lugs allow it to defend well, on uneven terrain the higher forefoot and midfoot lugs respond, but it is on more technical and committed terrain where a more aggressive lugging is lacking. And the outsole is not up to the performance of the rest of the technology and does not grip enough on wet rocky terrain, turning wet smooth rock or a simple sidewalk into a skating rink.

Strengths

• The eVent DVdryLT membrane offers a very good feeling of breathability, water resistance, flexibility and lightness, something difficult to find in models with waterproof membranes from very prestigious brands.
• The shape of this shoe is anatomical and represents the shape of the foot "like a drop of water", wide at the front and narrow at the heel, a shape that adapts to the anatomy of the foot, facilitating its mobility and making a large space available to the toes that can stabilize the tread and collaborate in the impulsion without any restriction.
• Lightweight, a trail model with waterproof membrane under 290 gr
• The sole is flexible and provides the necessary rigidity to face rocky sections thanks to the inclusion of a carbon structure integrated into the midsole in strategic areas such as the heel and toe cap to protect the foot from impacts.
• The sole has a zone of greater support at the level of the 1st MTF joint at the base of the big toe, which provides stability in propulsion and also in the outer part that stabilizes the foot when running on very uneven terrain.

Opportunities for improvement

• Excessive heat sealing on the sides of the structure wrapping the upper sacrifices the breathability performance of the superb event membrane.
• A slightly wider heel last would provide more stability to the rearfoot on difficult terrain.
• A firmer and more robust structure would provide more security on technical sections.
• The sole that bites well on muddy trails does not grip well enough on wet rocky terrain, turning wet smooth rock or a simple sidewalk into a skating rink.

Conclusion and user type

When it rains or there are puddles and lots of water on the trail these shoes are ideal because they are not only waterproof but also very comfortable, flexible and lightweight. The breathability is better than that offered by Gore models, although in this aspect it influences a lot that this model is perceived lighter and more flexible and therefore the foot supports better the stress in these conditions. And I think that this model with more areas free of thermosealing would gain in breathability and would take better advantage of the performance of the good event membrane.

The flexible carbon plate between the midsole and the outsole provides a good stiffness that is appreciated in rocky terrain and root zones, protecting the foot from impacts. In addition the sole has a zone of greater support and stability at the level of the 1st MTF joint at the base of the big toe, which provides stability in propulsion and also an external zone that stabilizes the foot well when running on very uneven terrain.

One of the best models with waterproof membrane that I have tested, allows to use them for Nordic Walking, walking in the campo on rainy days or for what are the Trail running, but with the foot protected and comfortable. They perform well on roads and trails without requiring them to go through very technical areas and wet rocks where the sole is not up to the rest of the features and can play a dirty trick giving you more than one scare. With a curious aesthetic and lightweight construction but with the necessary protection for an initiation to the trail or an "adventure walk" it is ideal for runners with wide feet and neutral tread or users of medium-weight insoles. Its peculiar anatomical design allows the foot to move without restrictions and to feel and enjoy each of the strides through nature.
If you are looking for a model with which you can go into the wilderness in "bad weather" without sacrificing comfort, natural space for your feet and lightness, these Topo Hydroventure are a great choice. And they are so discreet and comfortable that you can also wear them with jeans on rainy days in the city, but be careful not to slip on wet sidewalks.

Rating:

• Lightweight 9
• Cushioning 8
• Flexibility 8
• Responsiveness 8
• Stability 8
• Grip 6