Topo Athletic Review - Running Shoes, Trail Running Shoes, and Brand Thoughts

In this video I go over one of my favorite shoe brands and the models I have been using for running, trail running, hiking, and backpacking.
Overview - 0:00
Running Shoes - 1:48
Ultrafly 3 - 1:52
Fli-Lyte 4 - 3:22
Magnifly 3 - 3:14
Trail Running - 7:16
MTN Racer - 7:24
Terraventure 2 - 11:13
Closing Thoughts - 14:35

[@1stKeepFocus]

Thank you for your personal review and I totally agree, well constructed shoes. I just started running again after so many years. I didn't realize how the running shoe technology has improved so much. I stopped running many years ago because of injuries and thinking there were no shoes out there that would work with my feet. My first purchase was the Topo Phantom 2 (bought a couple of more in different colors) and the Mountain Racer 2. The wide toe box is what I bought into and I am happy with my purchases.

[@MrEsPlace]

I love the loud wild colors. Cool video. Most underrated shoe company

[@ravishpn]

Liked your review 👍🏼 Thanks

[@e2dub]

Thank you Burley Outdoors for spreading the word about Topo. I don’t normally write long KZbin comments but this company and shoe deserve it. I am not affiliated with Topo but just a very happy customer. I hope they get discovered. The MTN Racer 2 is YELLOW as you mention, but it’s now my favorite trail runner and I’ve tried many over the last 20 years. Topo makes very well designed, minimal drop shoes. A better alternative to Altra. I find the stiffness and cushion of the MTN Racer 2 to be just about ideal for a versatile trail runner that can cope with everything from sections of asphalt to tame dirt to technical, rocky trails. Very nice balance of protective, supportive sole they still had nice trail feel. Also great, grippy Vibram tread. I am running the Second version of this shoe so maybe it’s a more pliable version of the first version which you reviewed? I’m a long time Altra customer who’s becoming a Topo convert. Altra shoes just fall apart prematurely including the cushion clapping out. While I’m only at about 100 trail miles on my first pair of Topos but so far Topo durability and craftsmanship are clearly better than Altra. Did I mention I the great grippy Vibram tread design?! Keep up the good work Topo! If you are new to Topo I recommend trying on a variety of their models before buying. It’s surprising how different they can feel from model to model, even in the same category. I first discovered Topo on KZbin and was really excited about trying them out. Well their first model I tried on, the Terra Venture, felt much too pliable for what I want in a trail runner and I was a bit disappointed (thinking all their shoes would be similar, as I run rough,rocky trails). I almost gave up on them, but decided to try on the MTN Racer 2 and wow what a shoe! I almost didn’t try the MTN Racer because it’s 5mm and was looking for a zero drop shoe or nearly so. 5mm has turned out to be close enough to zero for me. I’m also excited to try out the new zero drop 28mm stack Topo trail runner called the Pursuit. One suggestion. Topo should probably include a removable rock plate insole like Altra did on some models (the Superior?) for folks who feel the need for more protection on the rockiest trails. It’s nice to have the option. I don’t find the need for a rock plate with this shoe but it could be desirable for more sensitive runners on the rockiest trails. Finally I recommend buying your shoes at REI. While REI isn’t alway the cheapest, you get what you pay for. REI offers a very nice 1 year satisfaction guarantee so if you run in these shoes many miles and decide they aren’t for you you can get your money back and try another model. Definitely worth a few extra bucks.

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

In size 10.5 too. Thanks for this video. Subscribed

[@tanyadohoney5217]

On my 5th pair of Topos. LOVE them!

[@ReasontoLiveAdventures]

An excellent video on the merits of your picks on shoes. I know you live in California now, but what are your recommendations for a cold weather boot? P.S. watching you and Joe several years ago really helped me through some dark days of radiation therapy, followed by a year of chemo. Watching you two rekindled my love of outdoor life and minimal gear camping. Cheers to ya dude.🤙

[@stevenroche9874]

Thank you for the real world reviews of different Topo Athletic shoes with significant mileage on them ! I also just discovered Topo Athletic and now own Trailventure 2 WP and the original Trailventure WP hiking boots. I love foot shaped footwear ! It is the only shape that makes sense ! I am a big KEEN owner and fan. I also have a pair of Topo Athletic Ultrafly 3 road running shoes on order from Sierra. By the way, Brooks grades their shoes in a similar way to Topo Athletic. You should wash your shoes inside and out with warm water, soap, and a sneaker brush. They will look and smell like new ! Best regards.

[@addahandle-k8d]

You sound like someone from their marketing team 😅

[@bengthammarberg4603]

I pressed thumbs up before I watched the video. So now I hope it is good.😄 A happy 2022 to You and your family including dogs and other pets!

[@ldavis4428]

Thanks for the comparisons! I'm pretty interested in this brand because of the wider toe box. Between the different shoes that you reviewed and any new versions you've purchased since your review, have you noticed any differences between the width of the toe boxes. (at toes but also met heads)? Is one particularly wider or more narrow than the other? Thanks again!

[@dersinndeslebens9780]

Good Review, thanks! yeah! Another Topo-Junkie like me! Since i discoverd Topo, i only run/hike in Topo Shoes... Perfect for me... not very easy to get in Germany, but not impossible! Only "critic"... you call the Magnifly also Flylite...:)

[@DevelopingNL]

How long is your longest foot in cm? And which size did you get?

[@jwoodphotography]

Great review! I think you said you wear 10.5 in all shoes, so the Topos you own fit true to size? I am a new runner and several people have told me I need to go half size up for running because your feet swell when you run but I am wondering if I would need to do that with this brand because of the wider toe box. Thanks!

[@BurleyOutdoors]

I find the Topos true to size. I wear a 10.5 in most brands. I have not had a problem with feet swelling while running. Longest I have done is a half marathon. I would think swelling could happen if running longer distances.

[@fransera]

​@@BurleyOutdoorsare you a regular width D in most shoes or do you have to go for 2E width?

[@mirceaandreighinea]

hello! wow, one of the best review (any product, in general) i've seen... ;-) please, regarding the width of the forefoot, can you measure the insole's forefoot width of your 10.5 size? thank you & best regards, Mircea

[@BurleyOutdoors]

4 inches at the widest part. It’s wider than most brands but not by a lot

[@mirceaandreighinea]

@@BurleyOutdoors Hmm, a touch under 102 mm... Yep, wider but not by a lot. If i would buy Topo it would be same 10.5 size as yours, since 28.5 cm what i need. Thank you & have a great 2023! ;-) Mircea

[@mirceaandreighinea]

@@BurleyOutdoors Please, if time, if possible, can you measure again in millimeters? Since me having very wide forefoot, would be good to know before buying if it's 100 or 102 or 104 mm. Thank you very much! Best regards, Mircea

[@sunbunny1236]

Hello Lyel Furlley good to see your face 👍 👁🦉👁

[@christianlangfield9303]

Topo would be an awesome brand except the toe spring is ridiculous, they're almost like elf shoes the way they curl up at the front, I'm surprised they don't put a little bell at the front lol. So they're very unnatural with the toes pointing in the air, I prefer the toes to be able to touch the ground and allow the foot to flex naturally instead of immobilising the foot and have it rock forward by the shape of the shoe, which will lead to weak feet.

[@weuek]

Talking of unnaturalness, have you seen such running shoes as the Glideride, Bondi X or Endorphin Speed/Pro?

[@armandseadon6547]

Hey Kyle, we are an emerging outdoor clothing company known for our unique fabrics and sustainable practices. We've been really enjoying your content and would love to collaborate if you are interested. Just in case, we’ve also sent you an email about it with more details. Anyways, have a nice day! -Carson, Founder@Seadon.