Topo Athletic Terraventure

"A different kind of sneaker with an anatomically designed wide toe and narrow heel."

This new model of Topo Athletic Terraventure for women has an anatomical design with a wide toe and narrow heel with which every Trailrunning enthusiast "can feel more the mountain". It has 25 mm in height at the heel and 22 mm at the metatarsal level, giving a reduceddrop of 3 mm. providing sufficient cushioning and foot protection to be able to run through the mountain safely. A narrow heel ideal for the morphology of the female foot and a particular rounded toe that offers a generous space for the toes which avoids pressure at the level of the hallux or big toe making it ideal for those who so often "bunion" or hallux valgus causes them discomfort, allowing them to enjoy a comfortable foot position in each of the strides.

It has an ESS (thermoplastic) plate that provides great resistance in rocky terrain and areas of roots or rocks, protecting the foot from impacts in demanding areas. This Terraventure W is very light with only 258 grams in a 9, and is that both the anatomical last and lightness, characterize all Topo models.

The midsole is made of EVA and the outsole with a varied multi-directional 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.

Tony Post CEO of Topo Athetic recently said he was happy with the acceptance that the anatomical design of their models is having among running fans in Europe and now for sure also among Spanish fans, as www.vertical.es distributes Topo Athletic in Spain.

A couple of years ago we introduced in Runnea a new American company of running shoes "Topo Atheltic", based in Boston and directed by Tony Post (To-Po) who was CEO (Chief executive officer) of Vibram. The CEO is usually the highest position in a company. I remind you that Vibram was the pioneer of minimalism in the USA and the brand that came up with the "five fingers" concept and created the minimal trend and the controversy about minimal vs. maximum soles that is still going on, although now the bet is for more maximum soles than minimal soles. At first Topo presented its first models of the Topo collection with a clearVibram" reminiscence in which the big toe was separated from the other four. But the new models that we tested in Runnea had little to do with that controversial design and this Terraventure 2017 specific for women and for Trail, is closer to the trend towards maximalism while retaining the anatomical last identity of the brand, lightness and some other particularity learned from natural running. Among them a reduced drop of only 3 mm. but providing enough cushioning and protection of the foot to be able to run in the mountains safely, a narrow heel and a particular rounded toe cap 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.

The common values of the different models of its collection for asphalt, trail and gym are the anatomical last, very light and neutral mid-height midsoles, and a design that tries to favor the natural movement of the foot.

"The runner knows that getting better, stronger or faster is not a matter of chance, but that you have to make things happen.... According to Topo there are a number of options that allow you to be better than you were yesterday, including choosing his shoes, a smart decision that will allow you to train harder and do it again every morning."

Cushioning and midsole.

It has a lightweight eva midsole that offers good cushioning at heel level with 27 mm and very good in the forefoot with 24 mm, being the drop of only 2 mm. Around the main eva chassis in grey color and matching the upper there is a profile of the same material in purple color that serves to contain the foot and hold the upper.

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

Last and insole

The shape of this shoe is anatomical and represents the shape of the foot "like a drop of water", very wide at the front and narrow at the back. A last that adapts to the anatomy of the female foot, facilitating mobility and providing plenty of space for the toes, which can stabilize the stride and assist in propulsion without restriction. Wide at the front with 10.8 mm, narrow in the center at the level of the plantar arch with 7 mm. and narrow at the heel with only 8 mm. A last that adapts to the anatomy of the female foot and especially allowing the release of pressure to the "hallux valgus or bunion", facilitating mobility at this level and avoiding pressure. A large space available to the toes that can stabilize the tread and collaborate in the impulsion without any restriction.

It includes a 5 mm insole that also maintains the anatomical shape of the last. The ample interior space and the width of the last can perfectly accommodate any type of custom-made insole.

Upper

It has a nylon mesh upper with an exquisite finish. The round toe protects the upper and is reinforced with thin, flexible rubber that extends laterally to protect the external flex zone, which is so vulnerable in trail shoes. Covering the toes is a layer of inner lining that facilitates ventilation and a thin outer layer in the form of exaggons with ventilation grid that facilitates the evaporation of sweat. On this mesh is a heat-sealed on the big toe as four drops that reinforce the area against chafing, a detail of quality and aesthetic care.

The external and internal side is reinforced by diagonal strips in vertical arrangement that join the lace fastening system by means of loops sewn to the reinforcements with the midsole. The entire upper and the buttresses are very soft and malleable, they do not compromise the foot at all but at the same time they contain the foot little in situations where the terrain becomes compromised, limiting its performance in technical areas.

The lacing system with lace traction points at different heights and its thermosealed and reinforced stitching anchorage allow a good fit ensuring its durability.

The Tongue is relatively narrow, thin and simple and with a pleasant feel of its internal textile lining, it has a central reinforcement that protects the upper part of the instep and prevents it from turning. The collar that wraps the ankle on the inside is more padded than in previous models, improving comfort, and the external part is reinforced by a TPU finish with thermo-sealed and stitched reinforcements that provide good resistance to friction and shocks. It has a plastic heel counter and a thermo-sealed rear reinforcement that provide some resistance to chafing and bumps, but it is scarce on uneven terrain.

Outsole

The outsole has a varied black tread pattern in different sizes and orientations that allows for good grip on loose soil and adapts to areas with small stones and bites on uneven terrain. The external rear part of the heel has a recess that facilitates the entry of the heel in the flatter areas or in descents in good. Its 7 mm of resistant rubber yields well thanks to the main transverse groove at the level of the proximal phalanges that provide flexibility to the midsole. Grip on wet stones is a weak point. It has a line as a "tread guide" that goes from the inside of the heel to the midfoot, which provides some flexibility in the longitudinal direction and allows mobility to the foot.

Opportunities for improvement

• The lateral buttresses of the upper are very malleable which facilitates the natural mobility of the foot but in certain situations where the terrain is compromised, something frequent in trail running, the ankle and heel are a little unprotected.

• The thermo-sealed reinforcements are excessive on the sides of the shoe, making it difficult for the foot to breathe in these areas.

• The stitched plastic heel counter provides some resistance to rubbing and bumps, but it is of little containment of the rearfoot in technical terrain.

• The lugged outsole bites very well in loose soil, roots and rocks, but is weak in wet rock or wet stones.

Strengths

• A last that adapts to the anatomy of the female foot and in particular allows to release the pressures received by the big toe, facilitating mobility, stabilizing the tread and collaborating in the impulsion without any restriction.

• The toe cap is very flexible and reinforced by impeccable thermo-sealing in the lateral flexion areas of the upper and over the big toe.

• The midsole combines flexibility with the necessary rigidity thanks to the inclusion in strategic areas of an ESS plastic structure integrated into the midsole that protects the metatarsal.

• The lacing system with lace pull points at different heights and its thermo-sealed and reinforced stitched anchorage allow a good fit ensuring its durability.

• Its thick sole with 7 mm of resistant rubber has a transverse groove at the level of the metatarsal heads that provide flexibility to the midsole, which also collaborates with a line as a "tread guide" that goes from the inside of the heel to the midfoot that provides mobility to the foot.

Conclusion and type of user

This is a versatile shoe, ideal for beginners in trail and natural running with a low drop but with good protection for the foot. It performs well both on trails and on not very technical paths and despite its specificity for running in the mountains, it has its limitations in complicated sections as it has very malleable buttresses. Its wide interior space at the level of the toes with its particular rounded toe prevents pressure at the level of the hallux or big toe making it ideal for fans who suffer from "bunions" or hallux valgus, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable position, including the possibility of using templates to measure. With its curious aesthetics and lightweight construction, it is ideal for runners with foot problems, neutral footstep or users of medium-weight insoles, and with the necessary protection to face the initiation to trail running. This model is so comfortable for the toes that you will also want to wear them for other libre adventure activities, being ideal for hiking or Nordic walking.

Rating

• Lightweight: 9.
• Cushioning: 8.
• Flexibility: 9.
• Responsiveness: 7
• Stability: 7.
• Grip: 7