Price: $120
Weight: 10.9 oz (M), 8.8 oz (W)
Type: Trail
The right shoe for: Tackling muddy or slushy trails
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The Terraventure has undergone quite a few changes with its second edition. We liked the original for its versatility on and off the trail, its flat lugs provided sticky traction and a smooth transition onto paved surfaces. A strong debut is hard to follow and can make fans wary of changes. However, we found the two biggest updates in the Terraventure 2 strengthened its place on our shelf—or pile, to be honest—of trail shoes. One, the shoe has a Vibram outsole, which means even stickier grip and better durability, and two, a more pronounced lug pattern translates to better grip in sloppy conditions.
The Terraventure 2 is also slightly heavier and firmer than its predecessor. The trainer still feels lightweight, however, we couldn’t help wishing for just a little more cushioning on our runs. The shoe has an accommodating fit for wide feet and ample room in the toe box. Women may find the low heel collar to have a slightly loose fit, which may require extra lacing. Runners will also want to take note that the shoe has a low heel lift, which could take some time to get used to if you typically run in shoes with a taller heel.
For a confident run over muddy, dicey terrain, the Terraventure 2 bites into the path, creating stable footing. Wear testers remarked they’re quite comfy, too.
Slightly Firmer Midsole
When we reviewed the first Terraventure, we described it as Topo Athletic’s most cushioned trail shoe. Testers remarked how it had just enough cushioning for protection on technical trails despite its firmness—our local trails are littered with sole-bruising rocks. In our tests at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab, we found the Terraventure 2 is slightly less cushioned than its predecessor. This change didn’t go unnoticed by our testers, who stated even though the shoe had a rock plate in the forefoot, there was still some sensitivity on gnarly terrain.
Toothier Lugs
One of the standout features of the Terraventure 2 is the new Vibram outsole, which provides more grip and durability. Testers had raved about the former Terraventure’s traction, stating the shoe was even stable on black ice. That Terraventure’s lug pattern was flat and not as spaced out as the toothier, more pronounced tread on the second iteration. This update performed well in sloppy conditions; runs were steady over slush, snow, and mud. Another bonus having spread out lugs: they’re easier to clean.
New Drainage Ports
The Terraventure 2 has new drainage ports in the upper for faster drying and water release. That's a welcome change for runners who wished the previous Terraventure had better drainage. While testers still complained about water protection, they did find the shoe to dry more quickly and drain better than the Ultraventure.
The shoe also has an anatomical toe box which allows your feet to splay, and a snug fit around the foot. Said one tester, “The Terraventure is great for climbing and descending hills; the tighter ‘mid’ kept the shoe in place while the larger toe box kept my toes from mashing against the front of the shoe.”
What Wear Testers Say
Dave S., tester since 2017
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The traction is awesome. I was able to ascend and descend hills that typically would have slowed me down because the grip provided me with that much confidence. As for the durability, I have 80 miles on them in some pretty rough conditions. Every time I clean them they look as good as new with no visible signs of wear or breakdown.
Pros
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- Accommodating fit
Cons
- Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
All the Stats You Need!
Men’s
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- Heel Height: Very Low | 26.2 mm
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Very Low | 2.7 mm
- Forefoot Height: High | 23.6 mm
- Shoes & Gear
- Dave S., tester since 2017
- Flexibility: Very Stiff
- Energy Return: Moderate
Women’s
- Weight: Heavy | 8.8 oz
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Very Low | 2.7 mm
- Heel Height: Very Low | 24.4 mm
- Stability Features: Some
- Demo Run First Impression: On Cloudrunner 2
- Shoes & Gear
- Dave S., tester since 2017
- Flexibility: Very Stiff
- Energy Return: Moderate
We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective—and exclusive—data. In addition to a shoe’s weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
