Topo Athletic - MTN Racer Series

Topo Terraventures and Mtn Racers are also great trail shoes with a wide toe box. Low drop but not zero drop, so an easier transition from Brooks. And Topos last way longer than Altras in my experience. Was only getting 400 miles on Altras and I get close to 600 miles on Topos.

Not a fan of the swallow tail heel design, but definitely excited to hear that it�s fairly similar to previous models. MTN Racers have kept my feet in incredible condition for every ultra I�ve done. I just wish they�d use TPU for the *midsole* (like Triumph 20s) since, in my experience, it compresses way more gracefully than any other material. Cause my only complaint about Topos is that I can feel my footprint already smashed into the shoe after a long race with little expansion afterward.

That is awesome! I am glad it helped with your hip pain. I really liked the LP7. I went through 8 or 9 pairs before I couldn�t find them anymore. ?? it�s what started my shoe spiral. I really struggled to transition to the LP9. I ended up in Topos. I like the ultraventure for less technical stuff and the MTN racer for more technical stuff. Turns out 4-5 mm of drop was what I needed. Switched about 5 months ago and it seemingly resolved all lingering issues.

My podiatriast recommended I try Topo shoes because I have bunions and other forefoot issuss. I bought the Mountain Racer. They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. My feet haven't felt so good in years.

Yeah, you sound like a perfect candidate for topo, Mtn racer specifically. They have good lockdown around the heel and forefoot and roomier in the toe box. Also someone else mentioned the Altra experience wild (low drop, not zero drop). I have the road version of that shoe and I�m pretty happy with it

Another vote for Topo. I still like and use the Altra King Mts for more aggressive or wet conditions. The Topos are more comfortable and much more durable, but retain a lot of water in my experience.

I�ll second Topos, extremely durable trail runners. I trail run in Pursuit 2s (zero drop).

I second the Topos. I can run perfectly fine while barefoot but the second you give me padding, I need at least a small amount of drop or my Achilles acts up. I use Topos for road and trail running as well as backpacking on very rocky/rooty terrain, up to 20 miles a day. The Vibram soles are wonderfully grippy and outlast the rest of the shoe which has a solid lifespan. I use the Terraventure model for trails and backpacking. Trail runners are the standard now for most hiking as opposed to boots, and quite a lot of AT thru hikers, etc use Topos (or Altras if they can do zero drop).

You might have luck with Brooks Catamount or Cascadias! They both are fairly narrow and have a protective rock plate. I also love Topo Mtn Racers- they have a wider toe box but are narrower everywhere else, and they have vibram soles with great traction. As a general heads up, I have narrow feet too and swear by heel lock lacing- it�s been a game changer and prevents a lot of heel slipping!

Weird! I have flat feet and Topos don�t bother me at all. I�ve definitely experienced that high arch feeling in other shoes, but never Topos (and I have 6 different models of them!)

I had a couple pairs of the old lone peaks that lasted forever but never really had adequate traction, then I had the Olympus which I still have but they�re yardwork shoes after 250ish miles. They also never had the traction I was looking for. Then I went through 2 pairs of Timp 5s which had the traction but the first pair fell apart at 80 miles and the second pair at 140. I tried Topo mtn racer3s last week and they had the traction I want but they blistered my arches on all 3 of the runs I did in them. Returned them and got Lone Peak 9+ and I�m praying they last 300 miles.

One more YES for Lone Peak. Are you used to shoes with a bigger toe box? If so, they'll be great and you should be fine on rocky terrain. I find the Topo more smurf-like than the Lone Peaks. Too marshmallow-ey for my taste. I think the switch to 0 drop is minimal. I wouldn't over think it, but you'll know.

I have this exact issue with mine. Overall I love the shoe, but I get a blister on my right foot, exactly where the arch meets the ball of my foot. I�m considering custom insoles but have no idea what to get

I have no idea where you�re hearing that altra are the gold standard, they�re usually recommended only if you need one or more of 0 drop, minimal, or wide toe box bc there are few options in those spaces. Durability issues are usually listed as their main draw back. �Personally I feel theyre somewhat overblown, as I�d always get 350-400 miles out of mine before the sides blew out. �However, that still makes them worse than all other brands I use; which almost all get 500 and I�ll stop using bc of comfort or bounce, not bc the sides explode. The newer timps have much better vibram outsoles, they�re super grippy. �Or you can try the topo mountain racer 3 if you�re not stuck on 0 drop, they�re a great shoe and durable too.

Coming from Altras to Topos I have noticed that the toe box on the Topos seem narrower and there is this slight arch support. I would call it true arch support, but it's less flat than the Altras were. This is my first pair of Topos and I'm only a week in so we'll see how they perform long term.

Currently IMO: Tarkine Trail Devil 2 > Topo MNTN Racer 3 > Altra Lone Peak The Tarkines feel a lot like SpeedGoats with a wider toe box and the grip isn't as good in the wet, not bad, just not as sticky as the Vibram sole on the Hokas. I did 100km race in the Topos, and they're fine in a rotation, just prefer the Tarkines. The Altras are just a bit lifeless, but I don't get blisters in them because of the toebox, so better than a standard shoe if I run long.

I love them because they are grippy but they hold SO MUCH WATER. They are not waterproof, but they don�t drain very well. I wish they drained better. I also like the topo ultraventure for less technical terrain.

The 4s already came out! Got them during REI�s anniversary sale and they�ve been fantastic. Just wish the cushioning was a little softer for extremely long rocky trails

I wear the TOPO mountain racer - it is waterproof which I love and hate. Your feet will heat up quicker but stay dry. When I�m wearing my HOKA Speedgoats, I always wear wool socks - preferring Darn Tough these days.

I've pretty much followed the same path as you and for over 100km: Tarkine Trail Devil 2 > Topo Mtn Racer 3 > Lone Peaks Although I think the LPs have the most forgiving shape and just this week, I got a pair of **Altra Experience Wild**, which are the standard Altra shape (LP are Original shape shape) but much bigger stack height and 4mm offset. They also take the Altra gaiter system, which I really like, so these may get to the top of the list- just need to get some runs in them. So, if you kinda like the LPs but want a bit more, these might be an option for you.

My friend, it was truly excruciating on the trail - I'm so glad someone else has experienced it! Both the MTN Racer and the Terraventure gave me grief. I managed to solve it on The West Highland Way with the toe caps. I've ordered the GOATs half a size up. Did you go wide or standard?

Well, I did a short run in these on the treadmill this afternoon and they're not gonna work. The midfoot is just too narrow and uncomfortable, especially with the pronounced arch. I could feel it just pushing up into the side of my foot. It's like the side of my foot is just hanging over the narrow part of the midsole under my arch. Such a shame. I really dig the look of the shoe and was hoping it'd be the right choice for me. I do my long runs on the trails and am preparing for some 50k races next year. I need something that just disappears on my foot. I don't want to be thinking about hotspots or blisters or feeling something unnatural. That said, I did notice Topo makes the MTN Racer 4 in a Wide. I ordered that and hopefully it'll give me the width I need in the midfoot without making the toebox too big. Will post back here with an update after I get the 4's. Supposed to be here on Sunday.

I'll put another vote in for Topo

I've used both, Speedgoats for about 4000 miles, Topos (Ultraventure Pro and Mtn Racer) for over 1000. Each of them have their up and down sides. Speedgoats are a lot narrower at the front, so even a wide isn't as wide in the footbox as a Topo, and the heel is wider for the (wide) Speedgoats, so some have issues with slipping. I've given up on Topos though because of toe and arch issues. I guess my feet don't bend like the makers of Topo expect them to, so I end up in pain after 150 miles. Speedgoats roll easier and are softer where the balls of the feet are, which takes a lot of strain off my feet (though that is, unfortunately, not as pronounced anymore as is used to be with older models). Speedgoats are probably going to counteract the lifting of your toe, but you'll have to try if it really works for you, or if the footbox is still too low.

+1 for Topo, I go between the ultra adventure and mtn racer depending on tread needs for the trail.

Topo Athletic [https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail](https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail) are worth considering if you like Altra, and I've had 6 pair of Altra.

I have very wide feet and bunions and Topo MTN Racers are my go-to shoe lately. Very nice wide toe box and just generally a great fit for me overall. Plus they are light, well built, and break in nicely. I also tried the Topo Ultraventure, which has more cushion, but did not like it nearly as much.

As a former Altra fanboy, which included several pairs of LPs, I can vouch for the Mtn Racer 3. Much more durable, the sole/traction is infinitely better, wide toe box, and just an overall more secure feeling shoe. I am much more confident running/racing on the trails in my Topo�s than I was in Altra�s, and they�ve lasted much longer.

La sportiva prodigios. Spacious toe box, deep heel cup, plenty of cushion but a firm ride, and great traction like all la sportiva shoes. My holy grail. The topo mtn racers are nice too

I�m a big fan of the Topo MTN Racer 3. I haven�t tried the MTN Racer 4 yet. Just did a 20 mile trail race on similar terrain and the shoes were fantastic. They have similar drop and a similar toe box and mid foot to the Altra Experience Wild.

I went to Topo from Alta and I�m very happy.

Same- loved my old Pursuits but the MTN Racer 4 has been great lately.

If you are looking at Topos, just know that the MTN racer has a narrower toebox than the ultraventure. Mtn racer didn't work for me but ultraventures do.

The ones that fit you. The problem with shoe/pack recommendations is that everyone's fit needs are different. By all means, try the Altras and the Topos! But I suggest trying as many shoes on as you can, preferably from a retailer with a great return policy so you can wear them around your house. Of course it's pretty well impossible to mimic the conditions of actual hiking while keeping the shoes returnable, especially for several days or weeks in a row. I personally have a really hard foot to fit. I have narrow, low volume feet and I tend to get some degree of heel slippage in pretty much any type of "athletic" shoe ( I always lace with a heel-lock). So I usually have to try on several pairs and am the most annoying person at the store. I personally find European brands like La Sportiva, Salomon, or Scarpa to be the safest bet - but I rarely ever see those brands recommended compared to Altra or Topo.

I recently switched to Topos after similar issues with the newer lone peak models. They have some more bounce, which took some adjustment, but now I like them lot!

Topo Athletic. I�ve heard the Pursuits aren�t as durable but the models I�ve tried hold up really well to abuse.

New Balance Hierro comes as wide as 4E for men and 2E for women. Topo is also legit wide. I wear a women's D width and their wide shoes are TOO wide for me. That never happens with my hobbit feet ??

I�ve found the TOPO to be an amazing shoe. Also not under $100 but the HOKA Speedgoat has an amazing sole for Rocky terrain. I wish there were quality trail shoes under $100 - seems an impossible task these days.

I have giant arches so they are a beautiful fit for me. The arch support pays off especially long distance. Never had an issue with blisters in them.