Topo Athletic Runventure-2: ten days and 180 Km later...
These shoes really rock me.
After a quite long break-in/acquaintance, walking and running stretches of 6 to 12 Km, yesterday I did a hike of 29 Km on the Alps, below the snow level.
I chose a trail with the largest variety of ground as possible: mud, dry and wet rocks, gravel, grass, steep and mild front and side slopes...
The result is totally positive. The sole of the
Runventure-2 is not thick, so I can feel very well the nature of the ground and my balance and motion reflexes are very well triggered by that feeling.
Their grip is superb, even on wet rocks, nearly at level of the best
Vibram rubber.
My wide feet fit really well in them and after that walk of about 7 hours I did not feel the urgency of taking them off. Good sign.
Another important test that I performed is the "soaking test"
I walked a stretch of 12 Km (about 2 hours) under heavy rain with the shoes totally soaked. And another day I ran for 8 Km in the same weather condition (it rains a lot, these days, in Piedmont!). The outcome is very positive. Beside the always good grip on the ground, the feet are well kept in the shoe upper, no chafing at all.
And the the next morning the shoes were dry and ready to use again. I just delicately rinsed them in cold water and left inside house with some newsprint clad inside them.
My opinion
I would say that walking/running with the
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 is like driving a stable, powerful, restful Porsche Cayenne, while the
Topo Runventure-2 are like a nippy, agile and still very comfortable Alfa Romeo roadster.
So... depending on my mood, I will go out with one or the other, with the maximum pleasure and satisfaction every time.
