“First impressions are that this is a very good shoe.
Pros:
- Roomy toebox: this was why I bought this shoe, and it delivers as promised, with plenty of space for my toes without feeling like I've put on a pair of flippers.
- Cushioning: haven't yet worn them for any long runs, but they're very comfortable so far on short efforts.
- Ventilation: the mesh gives good ventilation without letting in too much dust/moisture.
- Grip: my previous trail shoes were Salomon XA Elevate, which were great but had two flaws - tight toebox and poor grip on wet surfaces. Early impressions are that the Ultraventure solves the latter as well as the former.
- Customer service: not about the shoe, but the customer service from Northern Runner was excellent. Took advice over the phone and ordered online, and everything was spot on.
Cons:
- Heel hold: could be I just haven't got the lacing right yet, but there's a bit of slipping within the shoe when I run over uneven terrain and plant my foot on steep/angled surfaces.
- Look: I'm not crazy about the blue/black colour scheme and the design looks a bit dated. That said, it's an old model and I think Topo have caught up a bit on this front recently.
Overall:
Really good shoe - feels very comfortable and I think it'll be equally durable. Couple of minor gripes, but if I could give it 4.5 stars I would. Would definitely recommend.”
“I’m a woman. Reviewing a man’s shoe. The curse of having UK size 9 feet that sometimes do and sometimes don’t fit into women’s fit sport shoes.
But we’re all good. These size 9s fit my feet a treat. Chosen for their foot shaped profile, cushioning and trail style. I try not to be wowed by merchandising claims but my trail runs with these shoes have been as if I was running on firm ground. No worries about stones and odds and ends of debris. My feet have recovered more quickly from long runs (no blisters or concerns) than I anticipated too. Thank you for enhancing my shoe wardrobe.”
“Bought these shoes for backpacking trips after experiencing intense foot / toe pain on the last few trips and a podiatrist diagnosed too-narrow footwear.
So far these shoes have been superb, a couple of 20+ mile days carrying 9kg and no pain. As a bonus they are very light and dry quickly.”
“Love Too shoes. This is my third pair and I wouldn't go back to Altra shoes. They fit well and the front toe box is much more sturdy than the Altras.”
“Good ratio of cushion/drop. Perfect for my wide feet and (as always) excellent Vibram grip.
Thanks to Charlie from Northern Runner and his in-depth suggestions and help along the way!”
