Topo Athletic Traverse - Hiking Shoe Overview

This is a quick look at the features of the Topo Athletic Traverse shoe - a shoe specifically designed with the Thru-Hiker in mind.
In the video, I go over some of the features of the shoe, and compare it to the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 which really impressed me with it's performance, comfort and grip.

[@leeanderson5955]

You helped convince me so I ordered a pair of Traverse, they came today, fit good. Immediately took a two-mile walk in my neighborhood. Very comfortable, looking forward to a good hiking season in the PNW coming up. Thanks for the good review.

[@PaulandaPack]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy them and they do well for you out on those (rainy) PNW trails!

[@trickofthetrail]

Look forward to seeing how you get on with these mate. I've still got my eye on the Topo Pursuit for my summer hiking. P.s. I'm glad you added that disclaimer at the start. 😆

[@PaulandaPack]

Lol, thanks mate! Yeah, I couldn't quite afford the £150 for these at Christmas, so one of Santa's lackeys sorted me out!

[@e2dub]

Topo Traverse is the best hiking shoe I’ve ever used. Very well designed. Great grip. Durable. Just the right amount of cushion and support. After two months of Arizona hiking and backpacking, they are a better shoe than the MTN Racer, the latter of which I have two pair. I highly recommend the Traverse and if you don’t like em you can return via Topo’s 30 day money back guarantee if you buy from Topo

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks for sharing mate, I'd forgotten about the 30 day guarantee for those people in the USA.

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic upload bud 👏👏

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks mate!

[@michaelharrison9445]

Just got a pair of these for the Cape Wrath Trail in late April. I’ve transitioned from boots initially to my old running shoe, Brooks Cascadia 11’s however the grip was woeful and not wide enough, then got a pair of Topo Terraventure 4’s. I used them for 50 miles but there was not enough cushioning, I’ve got metatarsalgia so my feet were a bit sore, not as bad as my boots though! I gave them a thorough try in the shop and was pleased with them so this week they’ll be put through their paces round the 3 peaks area.

[@PaulandaPack]

Good luck on the CW trail mate. I hope the Traverse work out for you, there's definitely a great amount of boot-like support with them. Let me know how you get on with them!

[@Gerz970]

I had the same problem with the Terraventures, I would love to hear how different the Traverse feels compared to the Terraventure

[@michaelharrison9445]

The first is the same however the cushioning underneath is far more comfortable. I’ve walked nearly a 100 miles in them so far on mostly gravel tracks with little or no underfoot soreness. They dry quickly and the insole dries quickly too. I got half a size up to my normal size which is essential when carrying a large pack each day.

[@TelosBudo]

In Topo's KZbin Video introducing the Traverse, they note that the waterproof non-absorbent sole is firmer, but helps the shoe dry more quickly. The added firmer section under the medial arch is likely also contributing to the firmness.

[@PaulandaPack]

Yeah, I did buy some of the FKT insoles from the USA, and use them in the MTN Racer 3, they do perform better than the standard insoles.

[@TelosBudo]

@PaulandaPack Oh that's something I didn't think of. I was sold on the MTN Racers 3 except for the poor drying factor, which is the main reason I am switching from traditional water-proof hikers

[@stewartgregson8479]

Good review, will be interesting to hear your long term review. I’m looking to get the pursuit as I want a zero drop shoe, just a bit nervous that the stack height is too much and will be a bit clunky - as with the altra Olympus.

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks mate, I hope the Pursuit works out for you!

[@davidplotkin5173]

Great review thanks! I'm trying to decide on Traverse vs Pursuit 2. Do you have thoughts on that?

[@PaulandaPack]

Hey, thanks for watching. I can't comment on the Pursuit 2 as I haven't used them because they're zero drop, and that doesn't work for me. The Traverse is quite different, very rigid and supportive, with 5mm of drop from heel to toe, and it also has a rock plate. Sorry I can't be of much help!

[@TelosBudo]

The new Pursuit 2 has the non-absorbent sole but is softer with tighter fabric that's supposed to dry more quickly. Maybe the Pursuit 2 is the new in-between for MTN Racer 3 and Traverse

[@PaulandaPack]

It's possible, although the Pursuit is zero drop, whereas the other two have a 5mm drop. I think that's the main difference.

[@TheHikingChick1]

Been looking at this shoe. May have to give it a try.

[@PaulandaPack]

Be interested to hear your thoughts if you manage to get a pair!

[@TheHikingChick1]

@@PaulandaPack I'll make a video if I do!

[@kalimccrady3748]

I have some fussy foot issues, but this shoe might be the right answer. Will this shoe take a medical orthotic insert?

[@PaulandaPack]

Hi, sorry I've got no experience with them, so I can't say 100% sure they will, but if they're cut/trimmed to the correct size, I really can't see why they wouldn't fit in.

[@申舒雍]

你好，我有一个问题，请问racer 3 和travelse和terraventure各有什么特点？该如何选择？正在纠结中…

[@PaulandaPack]

Hi, I haven't used the Terraventure so can't help with that one, sorry. The Traverse is quite rigid and supportive, it has a rock plate in the forefoot. It's designed as a long distance hiking shoe, with medium cushioning. The MTN Racer 3 is designed as a trail running shoe. It is a little lighter than the Traverse, has no rock plate (you feel the ground more) is more flexible than the Traverse, and it has more cushioning than the Traverse. I hope this helps!

[@stephenwharrior5835]

Would you go up a half size in these Paul

[@PaulandaPack]

Hi mate, yes, I personally would now that I've had some time with a pair that is my usual size.

[@もとのゆき-d7n]

間違いな最新鋭で現代で最も素晴らしい機能をもつトラベルを安全に楽しむ最高の相棒の靴でしょう。それは良いとこどりした完璧なアップグレードがなされているからです。

[@PaulandaPack]

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@trueborn7323]

Is the shoe wide or narrow?

[@PaulandaPack]

Hi, the Traverse has the 'Topo Fit' as they call it, where the toebox is wide, then the shoe narrows up slightly through the midfoot and heel. I usually take a size UK 11, and with the Topo MTN Racer 3, that's a perfect fit for me. If I were to buy another pair of Traverse, I'd go up half a size as I found them to be a tiny bit tighter.

[@trueborn7323]

@@PaulandaPack ok thank you!

[@SteffenThomsen]

I think that Topo sells the soles separately.

[@PaulandaPack]

Hey, I just checked the UK site and can't seem to find the insoles on there, BUT, they're available on the USA site! Thanks, that's good to know they can be bought separately.