By: Adam Broderick

Topo recently released the Vista, and after a few test runs I can say this is their most ambitious ultra-distance shoe yet. If the Ultraventure is your daily trainer with a plush ride, the Vista is its rowdier cousin—ready for granite scrambles, slick roots, and mixed trail conditions. I’d been hesitant at first since higher-stack shoes usually feel clumsy under me, but the Vista is surprisingly agile for a max-cushion option. 

Putting the Vista to the Test on the PCT

I recently took them on a 67-mile weekend along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Donner Pass to the north and Echo Lake to the south. The second day, Desolation Wilderness, is a granite kingdom and I was quite pleased with how well the Vista handled the rocks. Especially during a two-hour talus scramble along the west shore of Lake Aloha.

Outsole: Confidence on Rock and Dirt

The Vista features a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which instantly sets them apart from the Ultraventure model’s XS Trek EVO. The Megagrip rubber is sticky and confidence-inspiring, especially over wet rock or loose dirt. The 4-mm lug pattern is deep enough for mountain terrain but not overly aggressive, so it still feels smooth on hardpack and granite.

I’ve always felt traction and outsole durability were the weak point of some cushioned trail shoes, but the Vista delivers in spades here. 

Upper: Breathable and Protective with a Snug Midfoot:

The upper fits snug in the midfoot with Topo’s signature roomy toe box, giving space for swelling on long runs. The mesh breathes well while offering solid protection against trail debris and the stump that I kicked at mile 29. Reinforcement around the toe and sides of toebox add a little protection and resilience to ripping without making the shoe feel stiff. 

One important note: the Vista feels a tad less roomy compared to the Ultraventure 4. They were awesome for about four hours before I noticed the difference in the forefoot fit. For runners without a wide, high-volume foot like mine, this probably won’t be an issue.

From Topo, when I asked about this:
“All of our shoes are built on the same anatomical last, so the toe box shape and overall design are consistent across models. That said, the Ultraventure 4 does have the most overall volume in our trail lineup, which can make it feel roomier compared to other models like the Vista.”

Midsole: Cushion Without the Mush

The Vista packs 38 x 33 mm of stack (5 mm of drop), with the ZipFoam midsole delivering a balance of cushioning and responsiveness. It doesn’t feel marshmallow-soft, but it absorbs pounding miles with ease while keeping transitions smooth. The platform feels stable, with just enough ground feel to stay connected. 

I was prepared to be more thrown off by the shoe’s stack-height, but never did I feel like I was going to trip over too much material. Topo seems to have found a good balance between thick cushion and technical agility. Any taller and I might have felt more awkward moving over loose rock. 

Final Verdict: Topo’s Most Capable Ultra Shoe: 

The Vista is Topo’s most capable ultra shoe yet, with balanced cushion, response, and traction. It is designed for more rocks and speed than the Ultraventure, and for more cushion and all-day comfort than the Terraventure and Mtn Racer. If you’re eyeing full days on mountain trails, this is the Topo for the longest endeavors on mixed terrain.