Topo Athletic Hydroventure 2 – Lightweight Trail Running Shoes – Runner’s World
Topo Athletic Hydroventure 2 – Lightweight Trail Running Shoes Runner’s World
An eVent upper and new Vibram outsole will have you treading creeks like a water buffalo.
The RW Takeaway: The Hydroventure is a lightweight trail shoe with a brand new Vibram outsole that keeps you on your toes in wet conditions.
- The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides grip on slick surfaces.
- An eVent upper that’s waterproof and breathable.
- A moderately cushioned EVA midsole.
Price: $140
Weight: 10.8 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Type: Trail
Trail runners who have no time for running around water crossings—or can’t seem to cover enough distance hurling over them—will appreciate how well the Hydroventure 2 shields their feet from getting sloshed and soaked running through swampy areas and streams.
The eVent upper prevents your socks from getting waterlogged. Gaiter attachments on the heel give you the option for even more protection from trail debris (gaiters not included). This second iteration of the Hydroventure has a new Vibram Megagrip outsole, which translates to a stickier hold over slick rock and wet surfaces. Toothier, spaced-out lugs will help keep you upright when the beaten path gets muddy, as well.
“Whether I was running on wet rocks, ice, gravel, or mud, I did not slip at all,” said a tester. I truly put these shoes through the wringer. They excelled on every surface I ran on.”
A rock plate in the forefoot also protects your feet from getting punctured over gnarly trails. One thing to note about the shoe is that, in spite of its lightweight and sleek design, it has quite a stiff feel. Testers surmise the initial lack of stretch is due to the impenetrable waterproof upper. After a couple of runs, however, the shoe seems to acquire just enough give to stay agile when the path gets technical.
Trevor Raab
Moderate Cushioning With a Rock Plate for Protection
A conundrum many trail runners seem to have is finding a trainer with a near-perfect medium when it comes to cushioning; they want to feel the ground underfoot without risk of injury. The Hydroventure’s two-density injected EVA midsole provides that balance, where softness doesn’t nullify feeling or add extra weight.
“The cushioning on the Topos combined with the rock plate made for a much more comfortable run,” said a tester whose roster of past shoes includes the Saucony Exodus ISO and Altra Lone Peak. “I don’t like trail shoes to have a lot of cushioning, because I enjoy feeling the ground underneath me. These shoes might have a tad too much cushioning, but if it were any less, I would be feeling the pointy rocks.”
New Megagrip Vibram Outsole
Spaced-out lugs on the new Vibram Megagrip outsole proved effective over slick surfaces. Wet rocks, ice, and mud weren’t too much for the Hydroventure to handle. Pair the tractionable outsole with the waterproof upper (more on that below), and it’s obvious the shoe was meant for making a playground out of sloppy, moist conditions.
Breathable and Waterproof Upper
The waterproof upper protects your feet from getting soaked. Consequentially, this tech makes the overall shoe feel slightly stiff. We found it took a few breaking-in runs for the shoe to become more flexible.
Even though the toe box had ample room, the absence of an extra lace hole caused some sliding, resulting in blisters on runs with downhills aplenty. One tester resolved this issue with Body Glide.
Wear-Tester Feedback
Heather M., tester since 2018
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“Overall, I really liked this shoe. I am a loyal Altra customer, but I have really fallen in love with my last two pairs of Topos (this one included). I like the wide toe box and the overall feel of the Hydroventure 2. They have just the right cushioning and I really appreciated how waterproof these shoes are after the several swampy areas and water crossings I ran through at Trexler Nature Preserve.”
Kristen S., tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“This shoe is fantastic! I love splashing through puddles, but hate when my feet get wet. Not with these shoes! They also get amazing traction both in ice and snow, as well as on the trails.”