Topo Trailventure 2 WP Shoes

Gear: Topo Trailventure 2 WP Shoes / Boots

With trips planned for Washington and Alaska, I needed something that was lightweight and comfortable for traveling but waterproof and sturdy for backcountry adventures. I had been using Topo Athletic shoes for hiking and backing for some years now and decided to give the Topo Trailvenutre 2 WP boots a shot. The boots performed well with the travel portion of taking them off and on at the airports and long hours of wearing them. The best performance from the boots was when I did get to hit the trails. The boots were comfortable and kept my feet dry from the rain, mud, and snow for many miles. The eVent® waterproof inner-bootie did help keep my feet warm, a little too warm during the travel portion. It did help with the cold weather of Alaska but my feet did get cold a little in Alaska thicker socks would help with that. The Vibram® Megagrip soles performed well hiking on glaciers but had a little trouble shedding mud on the trail.

Category: Backpacking / Hiking Shoes

Weight: 16 oz

Price Range: $175 - $180.00

Pros: lightweight and rugged waterproof hiking boots featuring our signature roomy toe box, built to take on any trail in any weather. A full eVent® waterproof inner-bootie construction locks water out to keep feet dry and comfortable in wet conditions. The cushioned 33 x 28 mm platform features an external TPU heel counter and a ZipFoam™ midsole for a stable and comfortable ride. The Vibram® Megagrip outsole delivers the ultimate grip on all surfaces, including wet terrain. A full-length ESS rock plate offers total protection from rocks and roots on technical trails. These waterproof boots feature antimicrobial OrthoLite® performance insole for additional comfort underfoot with odor resistance. The Trailventure 2 WP has added attachment points on the heel of the shoe for use with the Topo Gaiters.

Cons: Don't get me wrong, these are comfortable lightweight waterproof hiking boots, but they could be constructed a little better. The tread on the shoes seems to be the first thing to go along with the integrity around the front of the shoe where the shoes naturally crease. Cracks form in the protective rubber near the soles after 150 or so miles of use.

Note: For Trail Running or Hiking shoes be sure to buy a size larger than your regular shoes for more comfort. Your feet do swell and the extra space in the front helps with descending making for more miles in comfort. If waterproof shoes/boots do get wet on the inside or are exposed to moisture for long periods, be sure to place them in a warm well-ventilated area to completely dry out or you will have mildew/odor issues.