The BEST Hiking Shoe? Topo TRAVERSE 100 mile test and review - are they better than the MTN Racer 3?

In this follow up to my recent overview of the Topo Athletic Traverse hiking shoe, I take my pair out on the 80 mile Yorkshire Wolds Way to put them through their paces.
I've used the Topo MTN Racer 3 for about 600 miles, and loved them - so in this video I'm using them as my 'shoes to beat'.
I'd used this pair for about 25 miles before heading out on this trail, so have now completed a little over 100 miles with them, in some pretty wet and muddy conditions.

[@adge_ventures4915]

Picking up your channel fairly recently. Brilliant mate! Thanks for your efforts 😊

[@PaulandaPack]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching mate 👍

[@mattabouttrails]

Just won a pair of these shoes for ultramarathon event i did at the weekend. So excited to try them out here in New Zealand !!!

[@PaulandaPack]

Awesome, nice work! Hope you enjoy using them!

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic episode man, so nicely presented!

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks again mate

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Great effort out there. Good when you find kit you like and works.

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks mate, it was a challenge staying upright at times!

[@zachbarber]

These are my favorite shoes. I like the amount of cushioning and the fit. Good drip and nice laces.

[@PaulandaPack]

Great to hear that you're enjoying them!

[@trailsandbeers]

Great review 👍 I use the MTN-Racer 3 and the Pursuit. Both excellent trail shoes, 5 mm and zero drop respectively, plenty of toe room., great grip and well made so they last. As you mentioned, it would be nice if they could dry a bit faster!

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks mate! Seems as though Topo are doing pretty well at the moment! Looking forward to seeing what they come out with next! Happy trails mate.

[@mattallengroupatREAL]

I have a pair arriving tomorrow, fingers crossed 🤞🏼 they seem like the perfect shoe/boot alternative.

[@PaulandaPack]

Awesome! Hope they work out for you - let us know how you get on with them!

[@TelosBudo]

Great vid. The Traverses are sold-out in Canada, at the moment. I like that the shoe dries faster than the MTN Racer 3 and I like the water resistant coating. I may go with the MTN Racer 3s given you find those more comfortable. But I will be doing rocky backcountry trails with heavy bags, so I don't know lol!

[@PaulandaPack]

It's a tough one, especially if you're unable to try them first. I'm not sure if there's a 30 day trial period in Canada or if it's just the USA. On rocky trails with heavy bags, you might benefit more from the rock plate and the support the Traverse offers.

[@TelosBudo]

@PaulandaPack I went with the Pursuit 2 since they have the same quick-dry tech as the Traverse. But it's a zero drop shoe with no rock plate. We'll see!

[@peterbedford2610]

I love the Pursuit. Use the trailventure a lot as well. Topo makes a very good array of trail shoes

[@PaulandaPack]

Totally agree with you there - really enjoying different shoes from their range. Happy trails mate!

[@Burnoir]

Great review again Paul. Most anticipated shoe from Topo is the Pursuit 2. Zero drop + more cushioning + more pliable than the Traverse which I agree seems more of a transition shoe for hikers. P.S. Neat idea to roll your socks down to minimise the tan lines 🙂

[@PaulandaPack]

Hey, thanks mate! My friend just bought a pair of Pursuits, think he's quite impressed so far, I know they're a pretty popular shoe so it will be interesting to see the updated version. I'm a huge fan of the MTN Racer 3 and am currently trying to find a UK11 pair in the Mango colour - seem to be sold out everywhere 🤔 Haha yeah, the injinji liners were massive but I've now got the mini crew ones that are a much better length!

[@LoremIpsum1970]

@@PaulandaPack Hi Paul, reading that you're looking for a UK 11, do you go up 1 size or 2 from normal? Just wondering about the fit. I'm a ~44 but usually size up to ~46 (Brooks Cascadia 16s).

[@PaulandaPack]

@LoremIpsum1970 hey, my feet actually measure about a 10.5, but I go for an 11 in everything, and that usually works out. The Traverse I found to be a little tighter at the front, and I noticed that I was getting quite a lot of toe bump on downhills. I'd go for an 11.5 UK if I bought another pair of them.

[@LoremIpsum1970]

@@PaulandaPack Many thanks for getting back. I have used the online shoe sizing site for Hoka, and they state UK11 Reg / US12. so will see how they go in a day or so. I have noticed looking at each manufacturer's size tables that they can vary by +/- half an EU size against UK/US. Topo state EU44 as UK9/US10 which is so wrong. Looking at the same Mango MTN Racer 3s UK11 which are available online. I might just take a chance on those.

[@trickofthetrail]

I can't believe you didn't take trousers! A propa man right here!! 😂 I initially thought you had a bottle of Jack Daniels in your shoulder pocket. 🤪 Great review mate. I totally agree that the pain on the ball of your foot was down to lack of cushioning. I had the same when I initially moved over to the Vivobarefoots. I reckon if you stick with them, the pain will probably go away after a period. You might just end up loving them. 🤷‍♂

[@PaulandaPack]

Ha! Not sure if a bottle of Jack would have sped me up or slowed me down! Stupid thing really, but I used square water bottles for the first time and they actually worked really well in the bottle pocket and side pocket! 💡 I'll definitely keep using them, I'm just used to a bit more cushion, but as you say, I'm sure I'll get used to these.

[@craig3401]

I tried transition from hiking boots last year and I got some ultra lone peak I found them super comfy just pottering around but I wild camp mainly in the lakes and I found them 2 soft underfoot with the small stones.also going down hill I found my foot sliding forward in the shoe so could feel it rubbing.so I started looking at these for a bit more structure and hopefully not feel the stones underfoot.

[@PaulandaPack]

Hey Craig, I think you'll definitely find these more to your liking than the Lone Peaks. For one, there's more cushioning in these - the LP's are quite minimal. These also have a LOT more support than the LP's, plus they have a rock plate in the forefoot, so you'll hardly feel any of those stones! The LP's are zero drop, whereas these are 5mm, so that might make a difference for you. Good luck with whatever you choose to go for mate!

[@BullWalloper]

Hello, mate. I had a look at those when they first came out. Nearly went for it. I use the Pursuit. Best shoe ever. Better cushioning than those and dry pretty quickly. Might be the sweet spot for you.

[@PaulandaPack]

Appreciate the recommendation mate - I've heard a lot of really good things about the Pursuit. Unfortunately, after using a mix of Lone Peaks and Olympus for over a year, I found that zero drop and I really don't get on well! Great to hear that the Pursuit works for you though, it's nice to have an alternative to Altra!

[@BullWalloper]

If you stick an insole in that gives you a bit of lift in the heel it might.

[@mistersmith3986]

Good job man. I'm a Topo Athletic fan boy. Also, I do use Altra. My question of your Olympus 5 is, are they the Trail Running Version or the Hike version? The reason I ask is cause I have a pair of the GTX Hike Low and the laces wouldn't stay tied. So, I put on a pair of laces from some Reebok I used to own and they immediately laced up properly and stayed laced with no problems after. Thanx for the video my Brother 👍 ⚔️ ✝️ 🇺🇲

[@PaulandaPack]

Hello mate, thanks for the comment! My 5's were the standard trail running version. The laces were kind of 'flat' and quite slippery - they were always coming loose, I really didn't like them.

[@TheHikingChick1]

Great review from a nice trail! I've been using the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor (on my 4th pair). They are also a stiffer trail runner but the drop is a little high for hiking (9mm). I'm looking at this shoe now and based on your review it sounds good. Did the tongue stay put? I always find the tongue slides sideways on my Ultra Raptors, and it's annoying.

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks! The tongue didn't budge at all! I know exactly what you mean there, but it stayed put for the whole trail. The Ultra Raptor was a shoe that I really wanted to like, but I just found them to be too narrow for me. I'm sure if you try any Topo shoes, you'll notice a huge difference in the fit, especially around the toe box.

[@kevinstarski1598]

LaSportiva are quite narrow.

[@TheHikingChick1]

@kevinstarski1598 it's not that they are narrow, but they are a lower volume, so work for people with a lower volume, skinny foot like mine. My feet are not narrow.

[@Olan...]

Interesting to hear all these points Paul especially about the drying out and your final verdict. How come you dont bother with any type of ankle gaiter ? I notice a lot of people don't. Personally i mostly do but certain shoes are very difficult to get a sustainable cover and i have 5 different types including Montane , Alpkit, Altra,, Rab and Trekmates and the best all rounder is the Montane ones but the elastic that runs underneath needs changing every now and then. They work great on any shoe with a decent length lug but not so great on Altras and any zero drop shoes.

[@PaulandaPack]

Hello mate, I've got a pair of the lightweight 'Dirty Girl' gaiters from the USA. I had to use them on the Altra Olympus 5 as I had a problem with loads of debris entering the shoes at the heels. I was going to use them again with the Topos, but it's not been an issue - there's only been a handful of times when debris has got in.

[@Olan...]

Cheers Paul, i will check those out. I like the Altra O 5s and i also use the mids in winter when its below zero and they are really toasty but too warm to wear when its above 8 degree C I have the same issues with debris getting in too and the Altra gaiters are rubbish. Arethey durable ? @@PaulandaPack

[@PaulandaPack]

I've only used them for a few weeks on the GR10, and they worked perfectly with the Oly 5. Durability wise, they're very lightweight and a little stretchy, but as they only sit on the tops of your shoes and have no straps that go around the bottom, they don't tend to get much wear and tear. My pair still look like new.@@Olan...

[@OOG2023]

Nice job on the vid. I'm trying to decide whether to buy these or the MTN Racer 3. I've been wearing and enjoying the Altra Lone Peaks for the last few years, but the build quality seems to be going downhill. I bought a pair of the Topo Trailventure 2 boots for winter use. I really like them but they're a bit stiffer than I'm used to with the Altra. Do you think the MTN Racer are a bit more flexible than the Traverse?

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks! Having used some Lone Peaks myself, the MTN Racer 3 is much closer to them than the Traverse is. The Racer feels much more flexible, nimble, and offers much more ground feel than the Traverse. The Traverse is pretty far away from the Lone Peak - they're really quite supportive and offer little ground feel due to the rock plate in the forefoot. Hope this helps!

[@OOG2023]

@@PaulandaPack Thanks for your reply! That actually helps a lot. It looks like there will be a pair of MTN Racer 3 in my future. I'm pretty happy about that because I'm partial to the orange colourway. Thanks again for you quick reply and help.

[@PaulandaPack]

No problem! Hope that you get on with them! Totally agree, that Mango/Espresso colourway is the best!

[@KT-ml1sy]

Hi Paul, Thanks for the video, great info! I am a novice hiker, preparing to walk the Camino Frances in 5 weeks. I'm 58 F, fit, but totally new to distance walk/hiking. A week ago I bought a pair of Topo Ultraventure 3. So far I have put about 18 miles on them, i find them very comfortable climbing on a very rocky peak near me, but on the flat trail I can feel the arch (im accustomed to minimal shoe in the gym) and cushioning feels "mushy". I don't feel totally stable. Does the Traverse with less cushion have the same arch feel? I'm inclined to go down in cushion, but im afraid that 10 or so miles out I might regret it! So far 6 miles is most i walked in one day, all flat. Would the Mtn Rcr 3 be a better choice? Any advice would be appreciated. I want to stick with Topo. I tried the Lone Peak in the store and my toes were hitting the front and heel slipping out, even in the store. Thanks!

[@PaulandaPack]

Hey there, thanks for watching! There's a lot to tackle here, so sorry for the long reply! To start with, all the Topo models I've tried tend to have a good deal of arch support, I've not tried any of their zero drop models (the Pursuit in particular is extremely popular) so can't speak for them but I'm guessing they'll be similar in that regard. Are you used to wearing zero drop shoes? (same stack height at the front and the heel, so your foot is totally flat in the shoe - Altra's in particular). If so, I'd say have a look at the Topo Pursuit or Pursuit 2 if available where you are. If you're not used to wearing zero drop, (example most 'normal' trainers are higher at the heel than the front of the foot), it might not be a good idea to switch to them before such a big walk - it generally takes time for your body to get used to using them (in most cases, although some people have zero problems). I'm not hugely familiar with the Camino Frances but I'm guessing that a high percentage of it is on pavement/road/hardpack trail? If so, I'd say avoid the Traverse and the MTN Racer 3. They're both trail shoes and have the same aggressive grip with big lugs which will wear down pretty quickly on hard terrain, roads etc. The Pursuit has a rock plate which you probably won't need, and is also quite firm and supportive. The MTN Racer 3 is a high cushion model, the highest Topo offer I believe, so you may not like the feeling of that if the Ultraventure felt squishy to you. I love the MTN Racer 3, but it's tread and lugs wouldn't last very long on roads and pavements, plus it may feel a little odd with the lugs being so big. I'd say maybe have a look at the MT-5, I've not tried it myself, but it's got a less aggressive tread, smaller lugs, (still Vibram for good grip), and I believe it's designed for more of a mix of light trail and hard surface. The cushioning is similar to that of the Traverse I believe. Bear in mind that mile after mile on hard surfaces, you will probably be glad of a bit of cushioning after you've done a few days! Failing that, I'd say check out Topo's road shoe offerings, though I can't offer any advice on them as I've never used any, sorry! Hope some of that helps, and hope you have a great trip!

[@daniel.konecny]

You might like the new Altra Timps 5 with Megagrip.

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks for the recommendation mate, unfortunately zero drop is no good for me - I tried for a year with Altras and just couldn't make them work.

[@possiblewhiteguy]

Why not wear gaiters? Great channel and comparison videos though!

[@PaulandaPack]

Hi, it was kind of a test for these shoes - the Altra Olympus that I used to wear let a lot of debris in at the heel. I wanted to see if these would be any different, and they were - hardly anything got in. I had the same experience with the MTN Racer 3 over 600 miles.

[@iiiii4560]

Find any good shoes for postmen?

[@PaulandaPack]

Unfortunately not! 😆