TOPO MTN RACER REVIEW (With Topo MT3 & Topo Phantom) | The Ginger Runner

[@Bertie..]

Former Altra user, switched to Topo and love them. I use a Altra rock plate in my Ultraventures. I run very rocky trails in Virginia . Looking forward to getting the Mtn racer.

[@giovanbattistafichera8439]

from the Superior, right? I was thinking of doing the same

[@sigi7314]

Late to the game ;-) I've been running in them for about 6 months now. Initially they gave me a blood nail on one of my toes, which is why I used them for hiking only for a while. I gave them another chance however and I love them! They are a speedy trail shoe and super-comfy at the same time. It's really fun to go for speed on technical trails in them. The one problem I have is that they don't work well in wet conditions: the sole picks up a lot of dirt. Suddenly you find yourself with a couple of extra inches of unwanted cushioning :-)

[@andyrowland5294]

I wear the new topo terraventure 2’s I highly rate that as an all day long trail shoe. Plenty cushion, keen to try the mtn racer for shorter 10-15km trail efforts. Also wear the fli-Lyte 3’s for the road and I’ve never worn a better road shoe myself. Fits good, responsive I like it. Keen to see the new new shoe coming out soon from them!

[@giovanbattistafichera8439]

I have the Ultraventure (v1) and the only two gripes I have is that the laces are short and my foot tends to slide to the front in steep descents, which makes going fast downhill not exactly pleasant. The grip on wet rocks and mud is also not excellent but if you're running ultras on level terrain, not too technical these shoes are awesome.

[@soerenjordan]

I really like the new Topo Terraventure a lot, the fit is perfect for me, had much more problems with fit in Altra Lonepeaks and Timp 1.5. than with any Topo I've tried. To me, more of a problem was durability of the outsole of the first version of the Hydroventure, so now with that vibram outsole, these problems are solved, best trailrunning shoe I've used so far.

[@Stevo71]

I've used several different versions of Topo shoes; the MT-2, Terraventure, Ultrafly, Ultrafly 2, Runventure 2, and the ST-2. The only one of the bunch that I didn't really care for was the ST-2 (although I've put it into use as a casual shoe and love it for that... just not running). I've had WAY more luck with the Topo brand than any other brand I've run with in the past. They just work for my feet.

[@thesii213]

Same. Wanted to love the ST-2 but it feels clunky in a way a minimal shoe has never felt to me before.

[@QuickQuips]

Yep. I have the Mt2 and two with the BOA securing system. Their midsoles are more durable than my Altras outside of the King MT. Personally I like the firmness as it consistently wears down and makes me have a light gait.

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

st-2 is horrible. i bought it for running faster paces but the insoles are slippery and the laces kept getting loose even if i do double knot. they are now for casual use

[@jamesneale6609]

I have run in Ultraventures for a couple years and love them. Just got MT3's - they are great on established/high traffic trails that are not too technical but they don't seem to do as well as my ultraventures in looser soil or mud. Will have to really test them when quarantine is lifted!

[@AnarkexReload]

I used to run in Altra's but a couple of days ago I found a pair of Topo Terradventure 2 in a store here in Chile. The only thing that I may say is goodbye Altra hello Topo. I ran 10 miles today in forest and soft trails and they felt great. Soft, good grip and comfortable.

[@AmberNixon]

I too found the MT-3 kind of sloppy. It was uncomfortable on gravel trails and stiff without much plush on road runs. Thanks for the review about the Phantom. I've been going back and forth on this shoe. Topo mentioned there is a new design being released this fall similar to the Phantom with less weight. Guess we'll see how the dice roll. :D

[@wildgingerruns]

I really like the fit of these but totally agree with you about the lack of cushioning and protection on rocky trails, after 10 miles I was finding it hard! I wish they would do one with a slightly more padded midsole for those who would like more protection :) Thanks for the great review!

[@Ryantcross88]

Glad to see topo putting out a show that doesn’t look like a brick! This looks amazing! Getting tired of my altras falling apart before 200 miles.

[@kevinhirt2097]

My Altra 2's side split at 88 miles! Got a refund and have moved on to the Topo MTN Racer in hopes for better quality

[@arleenm7367]

I have the Topo Ultraventure Trail (women's) and I really like them. I beat them up doing a muddy 100K and they are still good. They seem to me to be a cross between Altra Lone Peaks (with more cushion) and Hoka Bondi (the latest version 6 is too narrow). I also have the Topo Phantom, but I am also a bit disappointed in them. Not bad, just not cushioned as I hoped. I was hoping they might replace the Bondis which Hoka ruined in their latest "update". I use the Phantoms primarily on the treadmill now. I'm hoping what you say about the Mountain Racer is true - I'll have to try them. I like the way they look but if they are less cushioned than the "Ultraventure Trails " I may have to stick with those. Just FYI for shoe companies - I have old wide feet and bunions. Need good cushioning, protection from trail rocks, and a wide toebox.

[@techs_not_day_trading4746]

The MT3 is my first Topo shoe I’ve had and I have enjoyed it so far. I use them to run firebreak roads and I also use them when Mountain Biking. For a cheaper shoe they are great.

[@TheGingerRunner]

The new Topo MTN Racer is my new favorite Topo shoe. With it's wide toe box, lower stack and drop, vibram outsole lugs and grip and crazy durability, it's a hit! But, the MTN Racer is not without its issues. Also, the problematic Topo MT3 and Topo Phantom get some mention in this review as I'm super curious as to your thoughts on these new Topo offerings? Lemme know in the comments below!

[@thesii213]

Really solid review as always. Have you tried on the Terraventure 2? It looks to be the "trail-ier" version of the MT3 with a Megagrip sole and rock plate. Also a cool Tangerine colorway. Which, you know, is like ginger but... flashier? Edit: Not Megagrip but XS Trek per Tony below.

[@benviolot8116]

Cool review! Topo does tailor to more responsive styles, and the Runventure 2, and MT2 do that really well in mountains running with built in rock plates. We've been going crazy for their rock plate models in my community. I'm packing a Runventure 2 for TDS.

[@amandadossett5088]

Dude, everything is going to feel more responsive when compared to a speed goat, timp and/or torin. String bean runners that have a fast cadence and weight a buck 30 need the responsiveness, cause everything else feels like a pair of bricks, and that just sucks. The mt-3 lock down isn't the best, but the rocker, effective zero offset and the midsole make for a fast shoe that will handle techy stuff just fine.

[@TheGingerRunner]

@@amandadossett5088 I'm not sure what you're getting at here, but my comments re: responsiveness are in regards to Topos continued use of a midsole that ONLY tailors to responsiveness when some of their shoes claim to be softer brethren (phantom). In regards to the MT3, I talk about its purpose in the Topo lineup here but also feel the MTN Racer does a better job of it. The MT3 might handle techy stuff fine, but you throw some liquid or sediment on top and they suck. I had way more fun and felt far more comfortable on ACTUAL technical trails in the MTN Racer. But hey, if the MT3 works for you, more power to your running!

[@mistatopo8337]

Hi Ethan, Tony Post here from Topo. We always appreciate your feedback and reviews - not just Topo, all of them. You inform and entertain as well as anyone out there! I’m really happy to hear the MTN Racer is your favorite new Topo -- so far ;-). Also enjoy reading the comments below from viewers. Thanks to all for their feedback and thoughts, and thanks to Ethan for providing such a great platform for folks to comment/interact. We really take your feedback quite seriously; it has genuinely helped us to make better products every season. We also realize that no shoe will cover all foot shapes, running styles, terrain, and climate conditions, etc. It’s why many brands build so many different feature sets into their products, just trying to give everyone the best individual experience possible - believe me, if we could find a way to make one product that made everyone happy, life would be a lot less complicated! All that said, rather than lurking behind the scenes, I thought I would comment openly and honestly here to help provide a little more information for you and your viewers/subscribers. 1) MTN Racer was developed as the more technical competition version of the Ultraventure. Ultraventure launched last November as a more cushioned, ‘softer’, performance trail runner. MTN Racer - with Vibram MegaGrip, a tighter ripstop mesh to hold the foot more securely in place, and a slightly firmer midsole spec, is designed for more technical terrain. The two shoes should complement each other depending on terrain, conditions, and one’s personal preference - in fact that’s how some of our athletes use the shoes. Both shoes are further complemented by our most popular trail shoe, Terraventure 2, which features a 3mm drop, ESS midsole rock plate, Vibram XS Trek outsole, Ortholite footbed, and air mesh upper. I don’t think there’s one shoe that serves everyone or every purpose, but we tried to cover a wide range possibilities with these 3: MTN Racer, Ultraventure, Terraventure 2. 2) It’s always been a big part of Topo’s mission is to craft a specific fit, candidly, that idea goes back to my early days in the shoe industry at Rockport and Vibram. Any additional feedback you or your viewers care to provide about ways the shoe fit could be improved would be very welcome. In fact, I didn’t want to post a on your video right away so people would comment more candidly. But in the case of MTN Racer, we intentionally used a mesh with very little stretch (a risk when running long distances on trails as feet may swell) because we wanted the upper to stay snug in the midfoot and heel, so you could feel more nimble - especially during steep descents. I was sorry to hear you had a hard time getting the fit dialed in, it’s possible we just might not have the right shape for your foot, but we welcome any more feedback you wish to share. Like most things in life, lots of trade-offs and hard to get it perfect for everyone, but all feedback is appreciated. 3) Was a little bummed to find you felt let down by the midsole foam in the Phantom - that’s a new foam, not standard injected EVA. It’s actually more TPU than EVA with a few other ingredients to enhance cushion, rebound, and resist packing over time. Like all Topo Athletic footwear, it’s designed to deliver a more natural running experience, but this time with a bit more protection and support. A little foreshadowing… we have a new shoe coming in November, the Zephyr, that will use ZipFoam in a considerably lighter construction and faster upper (more of a tempo shoe). Like Ultraventure and MTN Racer, Phantom and Zephyr should complement each other depending on the workout and personal preference. And by the way - we agree with you on that grey/blue dadbois, while some folks really like it, we think we can do better. We do have a great Navy/Orangecolor available today,and other new colors coming in Spring 2020. 4) Lastly, and just to clarify, the MT3 is an entry level trail running shoe ($110) more than a hybrid. Sure, it can be used for road or trail, but it was designed as an entry level trail shoe with a 3mm drop, our Terraventure 1 trail running platform, and an Ortholite footbed. Sorry we didn’t get you that information on product positioning in advance, but I thought the clarification might be helpful. All that said, we really appreciate the review, the constructive feedback, and being a part of this community. Never stop challenging us to make something better and we’ll never stop trying! Thanks again!

[@christopherbustard8721]

I love this shoe (MTN Racer), it will probably be my shoe for the VT 100 this coming weekend, and then likely my choice for Tor Des Geants in September.

[@stephenlaney_bjj]

Thank you as usual for your in depth reviews. I started running in Topo's 3 months ago and have to say my feet love them. Coming from Hoka for the past 2.5 years. Was looking forward to getting my feet in a pair of these. Currently run in Fly-lite 3 and ultrafly.

[@Frip36]

Great review. Very articulate and no wasted time.

[@robertbausa1]

I have the MT-3 and bought as an all around shoe, road-to-trail runs, hike, bike, casual. For road-to-trail they are ok on the sandy, soft trails in my area- rocky trail no way as you feel a lot. Like them for hiking and casual. I have more of a square foot shape and outside toes do get uncomfortable running downhill or with more dynamic foot work even though I do have full thumb width at the big toe. Good shoe so far, but will move on to another brand next time mainly because of outside toe discomfort mentioned.

[@cookinginpawleys]

I am pretty rough on shoes, and I tried a MT-2 while pretty overweight. The acclaimed durability was no match for my girth, and though I was disappointed with the premature wear and tear, I fell in love with the fit--still wide in the forefoot, but not sloppy like an Altra (I have a narrow heel with a true single-E width forefoot). I currently ride in Superfly 2s for my road trainer and TerraVenture 2s for trail. The Superflys are great and even as I've slimmed down, they feel like a faster shoe than the specs would have you believe. The stabilizing wedge/post is not noticeable at all for this neutral/midfoot runner. The TerraVenture 2 for me is a fantastic day-hiker, and it can handle some sloppy conditions, but I also bought the Saucony Peregrine ISO at the same time. Despite the aggressive sole of the TV2, it just doesn't compare to the P-ISO. The Peregrine outsole is the best out there for an "all-trails" shoe. The TV2 is so incredibly comfortable in casual mode that it unfortunately has become a daily grocery getter prematurely. I still run in it occasionally, but the technical trails in my locale demand a tighter, more sure-footed fit. I love them as a shoe. I still pretty much like them as a trail runner. They shine when I slow down to a hike with the family and conditions get sloppy. PS. Many of us witnessed you wearing a pair of Peregrine ISOs in a snowy winter run. I would love to see a review. I commend you for taking them out in those conditions, but I hope that using the regular Peregrines instead of the P-ICE or GTX wasn't the deal killer for you and why we haven't seen a review.

[@gudboyngdisyerto]

can you wear the peregrine iso to run from road to trail? i need to run about 3km on road before reaching the trail

[@aaronsorensen5322]

Problem with Topo is you think you are getting a 30mm heel, but they include the insert, so you are getting a 25/20 in reality. That’s why you are feeling everything. It’s basically a Torin with better grip.

[@Frip36]

Thanks.

[@toddwiggins5955]

Happy to see you reviewing Topo again I’ve been training for Squamish 50 in the Ultraventure. I wanted a wider toe box and wasn’t ready for a zero-drop Altra. It’s done well for my long runs but it does not breathe well. It’s so hot and humid here in Tennessee this summer and my Topos are filling with sweat. That is my only complaint. It does also take some work to get them to lock down tight. I also tried the Fly-Lite road shoe but it was neither responsive or soft. It just felt dead under my foot so I sent them back returning to my favorite road shoe, the HOKA Hupana. Again, great stuff. See you in Squamish!

[@veritymathis]

I wanted to love the Phantoms, I really did. I am looking for a cushier road shoe for a road ultra I'm doing next year and I've really enjoyed the other Topos I've run in (namely the MT-2 and the Ultraventure. I had mixed results with the Ultrafly, which just don't work as a long run shoe for me but are comfortable for hiking and shorter distance runs). The Phantoms seemed like the jackpot (cushy road shoe, wide toe box, low drop). And I enjoyed the Phantoms until I went over 3.5 miles...then both my pinky toes got blisters. Tried it on 3 different runs of 4-6 miles each with different socks and nothing worked. Trying out the Fli-Lyte 3 right now, which so far, so good but might be too minimal for super long road runs. Time will tell! Back to the drawing board for a cushy long-distance road shoe with a wide toe box and moderate to low stack height (I love Altras but persistent Achilles problems has me thinking zero drop is not the best thing for me so I'm trying to branch out).

[@HillVentures]

Since release I've had these bad boys. My oh my they are so good. I've been running in the terraventure 2's for about a year now and yup these MTN racers are dope.

[@lkjohansson]

I love this shoe, great midfoot and heel fit, awesome grip and and nice toebox. Ran 50 miles on wet, muddy technical trails last week - didn't think about the shoe once the whole time. Foot stayed locked in and zero blisters. Next race is 130 km and alot of rocks in the moutains so will test the altra rockplates in them. The midsole is quite firm which suits me but for a softer more cushy feeling ride the ultraventure has that. If I wished for any change at all in this shoe it would be to lower the drop.

[@mreme1591]

Looking at this shoe for my two upcoming ultras this fall (50k and 100 mile) as my secondary shoe to switch into I currently have about 55 miles on my speed-goat 4s Thanks for the review! Really excited to pick these up

[@df540148]

I've tried on a couple Topos (Ultraventure, Terraventure) and fully agree on that midsole. I absolutely love my Sense Rides and find they race/run really well at the 50k mark, but anything beyond that, I just want more cushioning. I found the Ultraventure to just seem like a stiff, thick midsole of density. All their shoes seemed so stiff and I don't have the patience to break them in so haven't given them the time. Fit is certainly better than Altra though!

[@megathumos]

I’ve loved Topo’s mt-2, terriventure 2, and magnifly 2. Each of them are perfect if you want wide toe box, responsive, and exceptionally durable shoes. They are my workhorses for everyday training. I’ve been worried that topo moving into the maximal market would be a big mistake and this review seems to suggest as much.

[@nhrrsn]

But the MTN Racer isn't a maximal shoe?

[@megathumos]

Ian Harrison I was referring to the phantom

[@mistatopo8337]

Thanks for your past support. We try to balance introductions to include cushioned (like Ultraventure), moderately cushioned (Terraventure 2), and more minimal (Runventure 2) footwear in road and trail. To be perfectly candid, the cushioned shoes are a more recent introduction and have sold well, but we have no plans to stop making new moderately cushioned and more minimal styles. The goal is to provide a more natural fit and running experience within each level of cushioning -- I test every platform in development, and while I personally prefer moderately cushioned or more minimal responsive shoes, I realize many folks have asked for our unique fit in a more cushioned shoe for both road and trail. Hope that helps explain our strategy.

[@wbfjkerr]

@@mistatopo8337 I just really wish I could get a terraventure 2 with megagrip (or a mtn racer with a rock plate). I bought the mtn racers, just tried them on this morning, and they really don't feel as cushioned as advertised. I bought them because my tv2s had finally worn down enough (after a solid year in my rotation) that I was getting stone bruises on my favorite trails. They still are my favorite trail shoe ever. But I'm hesitant to even take the Mtn Racers out this week. I bypassed the rock plate for the advertised stack height, but this feels thin. I was just so excited about the megagrip that I went with the newer shoe. I definitely don't want to run once and have to sit out again, though. I'm seriously considering just shipping these back and waiting for another pair of tv2s.

[@mistatopo8337]

@@wbfjkerr thanks for the feedback, always appreciated. We will be launching a new shoe in November that might interest you, we haven't even unveiled to retailers yet so I'm jumping the gun telling you about it -- Ultraventure Pro, 30/25 (same as MTN Racer) with a forefoot rock plate and MegaGrip. That might be more what suits your tastes/needs. We just got the fit trials this week so we're still fine-tuning. I like the MTN Racer because I can still feel the ground. I try to run light (not always easy on downhills when you are getting tired), but I'm not putting in the miles that many of you folks are, maybe that's why you feel the need for a rock plate. Again, thanks for the feedback and for your past support, we'll take your message to heart and work to get better.

[@jk-ml7dv]

I’ve not tried the three shoes in the review, however I have been a fan of the Topo Terraventure for years, and I think the new version is stellar. I prefer a more responsive feel in shoes (lots of cushion seems to give me problems) and find that my foot has become stronger the more I wear shoes that allow me to have more ground feel. The new Terraventure also comes with a rock plate, so it does provide better protection than the mountain racer. I do agree with your assessment that Topos require a long break in period (around 100 miles) but the trade off in my opinion, is that the shoe lasts forever. I put 600 miles on my last pair of Terraventures before I retired them from running, but I still wear them in daily life! I also agree that the heel fit can be a bit tricky but I also feel that the issue resolved itself after that initial breaking in period. I do wish Topo would stick to 3mm or zero drops in their shoes though. Great review as always!!

[@bettersteps]

Have a pair of the Mtn Racer's on the way. My first hiking shoes. Not going to use them for running. Going to use them as my shoes when I walk my hikes. Should be OK on the flat/paved surfaces and for when I feel like exploring off the trail. Almost every review is positive for this shoe. I hope I like them.

[@spotlight761]

Can you make make a review of the version 2?

[@Frip36]

I felt a real quality difference between my Altra Lone Peak 4.5 and the Topo Ultraventure. Topo feel and support was a level above.

[@maxthebored2614]

I honestly like this shoe, I got it for 100$ at my local hiking store.

[@Jim-fs8lr]

How does the cushion compare to the Ultraventures? As someone with a quite wide foot I haven’t had any issues with the fit on my terraventures or ultraventures but they are both definitely more at the “responsive” end of the range.

[@ThatFlowState]

I'm quite interested in this shoe. My current lineup for trails are the Timp 1.5 and Speedgoat 2. While I like the fit of the former (except the lack of extra eyelets for heel lock) I just don't trust the outsole when it gets technical and wet. The SG2 have that covered but could use a bit more room up front. This might make for a good addition, unfortunately Topos are way more expensive in Europe. Will have to see or just wait for next year's wider SG4.

[@IchDuForeverExplorering]

my only shoe experience after all my skate shoes were Vivobaefoot Primus Trail FG and Primus Lite, than Altra One 3 and finally Topo Athletics Terraventure 2 witch i love the most now, i put the Altras on for the street often tough

[@johannespersson3359]

Please review the Ultraventure! :)

[@michellevalenzuela9135]

Not an expert here, but I love my Ultraventures. I use mine to hike in the mountains and really am happy with them.

[@jameskerrnz]

are you going to review the Salomon Ultra Pro? I know you said you were having problems with them?

[@arp12tube]

I'm enjoying my pair of Topo Runventure 2's. They're more protective and have better fit (no more toes sliding into the front and sides) than the Altra Superior 4's I ran in before, but the feel is more skateboard than pogo stick. I miss the springiness of the Altras, but overall I prefer the Topos.

[@brettfliesser]

Hey Ethan, got a question about your MTN racers. I had a pair that I took out 2 times, a 7 mile and 10 mile run. At the end, I noticed that the tongue had basically split in half, where the 2 layers were heat sealed (I'm guessing). Have you experienced this issue? I reached out to Topo, sent pics, and they exchanged my shoes for me. They also never seen/heard of this. Wanted to hear your thoughts. BTW, I absolutely love these shoes. I agree with all your pros. I like theses much better than the terraventures I once tried on. While I see where you're coming from with the cons, sometimes I don't mind the lack of protection, lets me know I have to pay attention to what and where I step. I definitely plan on keeping these as probably my number 1 or maybe 2 (trying out some Hokas soon) trail shoe.

[@lkjohansson]

My first Topos was the Magnifly 2 which I ran my first 100 miler in an my feet were in near perfect condition at the finish. I previously ran in Altras but find Topos has a better fit over mid foot and heel so got both Terraventure and Ultraventure. I find the ultraventure a bit too soft so looking forward to these.

[@IchDuForeverExplorering]

what about the slipping on wet ground? (wet stone, even wet concrete) i heard all vibram soles are slippery on wet stone, i have the Topo Terraventure 2 i love them, except the slipping on wet ground

[@joshroberts7093]

Ich Du Vibram Megagrip is very good on wet rocks.

[@jpascaltaipei]

I have the exact feeling about the Terraventure 2. Excellent shoes except on wet slab and stones. I am very tempted by the MTN because of the Megagrip outsole. Hoka Speedgoats have this Megagrip outsole, and they are so impressively grippy on wet stones!

[@RRENH]

I wanted to like the Topo Phantoms. They reminded me of my two favorite shoes: Altra Ones and the original Hoka Clifton. I actually liked the look of them as well (I bought the Navy blue/orange). Ultimately, the shoes were not a good match for me. My feet constantly went numb after just 5 miles. I re- did the laces multiple times to find a better it. Nothing worked for me. The tongue is so oversized that I often felt like a 5th grader again rocking my Reebok pumps. I ordered the Hoka Clifton 6 in hopes that they are better. For now, my Topo Phantoms have been relegated to yard work.

[@DOdermdoc]

dad bois! 😁 Thanks again for a great review!

[@wonderbucket23]

I have the Topo ultraventure and the fli-lytes (Women’s). I tried on Salomon, Hoka, Saucony, but they all didn’t fit right. I need a wide toe box and arch placement further back, but can’t quite do the zero drop Altras, so have had a terrible time finding shoes to fit. These Topos fit great! One is my road/treadmill shoe, and the UV is my trail shoe. I would love to hear what Kim thinks of these - I miss her shoe reviews because she seems to have similar feet to mine. Ethan seems to have more“generic” feet that fit a lot of shoes that mine will not. I appreciate all the reviews, I just know that I have to ignore the fit aspect because my experience is totally different.

[@zacharysmith5293]

Hi Ethan, do you have plans to review the Saucony Ride ISO series? The new version being the Ride 2. Thanks for all the great reviews!

[@tro9490]

Interested for a review on the Pegasus 36 Trail. (Know you can only test so many shoes at a time) Looking forward to it, the 10mm drop keeps me 2nd guessing the purchase, like to hear your thoughts.

[@Howtowithpaulaandjohn]

I wish they had other colors. Thanks for the reviews.

[@bsutton530]

Good call on Phantom looking like a dad's mall walker.

[@Frip36]

They offer a Phantom in red with yellow hits. It looks like the one he reviewed. You're letting the gray example he showed fool you because you're not so bright.

[@ericbraun7874]

As soon as I saw that Phantom, all I could think was DadBois. Hah. Great review, I've been wondering what the deal was with Topos, they seem right on the edge of getting more runners. But I never hear much about the pros or elites running in them (maybe they don't spend a lot of sponsored runners.)

[@elli003]

So what is your Go-To shoe for moderate hikes (5-10 miles medium grade) on Slick Rock (wet and dry) ?

[@elijahmodnar1]

Two pairs of phantoms Great for long walks an mid runs I have loads of altras but they wear out pretty fast compared to the four topo shoes I have (magnifly/ultrafly) And then I have zoomfly3 and peg turbo2 for faster runs

[@travischapman6763]

Absolutely what I found. The terravemture was fine and even worked for my narrow foot (not much out there for minimal drop for an A width man), but could not be used for even slightly technical trails. Rock plate was useless and if you heel hit a rock, holy cow! Plus no grip. The mt3 has the the same disappointing outsole as the recent terraventur had.

[@michaeleverest3487]

Try and get a pair of the La Sportiva Jackal for review! Looking for a new ultra shoe, Akasha are too heavy and not the best for technical terrain

[@lkjohansson]

michael everest I’ve been testing Jakal for a couple of weeks now and the outer sole has minimal lugs and are good in dry conditions but pretty useless with anything soft under foot.

[@archstanton9703]

Anyone know how these compare to the Altra Timp 2.0? Thinking of switching due to durability issues with the Tip 2.0.

[@michaelpietrzak2067]

I returned my Phantoms as well and picked up the new Clifton

[@NewJersey_Filmmaker]

I actually ran my fastest marathon in a pair of Topos but felt horrible in the old feetsies by about mile 20. Just not a comfortable shoe in general. Durable for sure though. So overall, fast, not comfy.

[@amirulnizamkahar8301]

Hi Ethan, i have a question. Does the MTN Racer have a high arch bump ? Im planning to get this shoe and asking because i have flat feet/arch. :D

[@wbfjkerr]

I just got mine in the mail yesterday. It doesn't feel super high, but I definitely feel the arch. The arch lands just slightly back of center to me.

[@shiner0724]

Just ordered the terraventure hopefully didn't make a mistake but will give topo a shot

[@matthewjochmann3650]

I just purchased the terraventure 2. So far I’ve run around 20 miles in them. I am really liking them a lot. Hope they work for you too.

[@Matticus1701]

Can you review the Saucony switchback iso?

[@maxwellmceachern1844]

Matt I second that

[@McGarf]

YES PLEASE

[@hikerJohn]

What type of foot do you have? All reviews should be based on foot type so we can evaluate a review by someone with a particular foot type.

[@dolomiteagle]

Softer midsole feel than Salomon Sense Ride? Denser than Topo Ultrafly road shoe?

[@barrick4807]

Would you say the speedgoat is more cushioned?

[@dinkthinks3958]

Topo is doing themselves a disservice by claiming the insole as part of their stack height. I think if they were properly labeled they would be a contender at lower stacks. Instead everyone is comparing them to higher stacked shoes (rightly so) which is leading to disappointment. With that said, I have the Ultraventure and am happy with them. I agree they don’t feel as protected as a Hoka or higher stacked Altra. Not sure I’d trust them for a 100 miler.

[@plain-bagel]

I had the Ultraventure 2 and that thing packed down so quickly I’m very hesitant to try another high cushioned Topo :/

[@sofusrothman]

You really need to try the Inov-8 terraultra 260...

[@thesii213]

Agreed.

[@nicolette3436]

Anyone know how the MT3 compares to the Altra Torin 4s?

[@tomylee]

Have you ever tried Vibram Fivefingers?

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Why no rock plate?

[@runningwithmarc]

I heard Ginger, I clicked ginger, are those shoes Ginger!!! I wish your subscribe button could be Ginger :)

[@Gianmarco77]

Great review

[@Ka_Go]

Are Topos zero drop?

[@gregshukin1553]

I found they are very comfy but not for a casual trail run. Built for a fast run. For me they rolled inwards too much.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Got em love em

[@mikehall6433]

Have you tried the ultraventure its the MTN racer's fat brother.

[@stucameron3993]

How does the mtn racer feel compared to the Ultraventure? I run in the Ultraventure now but have the same issues that Ethan brought up. So I don’t see much difference.

[@mikehall6433]

Same here, was thinking of giving the MTN racer a try but I recon its an even harder ride. I do like the Ultraventure but its not as soft as I would of liked.

[@TheGingerRunner]

The Ultraventure is a lot like this, just as you mentioned, but fatter, heavier, thicker and not necessarily as nimble. I'd still grab the MTN racer.

[@mistatopo8337]

@@stucameron3993 Hi Stu, despite having the same stack height, there are lots of differences between the shoes -- the MTN Racer is made for more rigorous alpine conditions, the ripstop upper has less stretch and sheds mud and water better, the midsole is tuned about 10% firmer, uses MegaGrip on the outsole, collar foams are a bit firmer and the tongue uses a performance design -- overall, MTN Racer is almost 2 ounces lighter. Good luck and thanks for your past support.

[@stucameron3993]

Tony, I like the ultraventure but ‘for me’ it doesn’t seem to protect my feet enough. They always ache the next morning after long runs (30-80km). They fit and feel great at the time (apart from the odd sharp rock). With the midsole being firmer on the mtn racer, would that translate into more protection underfoot or just a harder/more responsive ride?

[@roustabout4fun]

Ed Sullivan had the Best Topo!

[@Frip36]

That was terrible. Are you 80?

[@d.v.2688]

LoL!

[@urbanfrit]

Buy a grey shoe then complain it looks "dad"

[@alexwyler4570]

i do not think you should comment on colors. we can see the colors and can make our own minds. When you do, it devalues everything you said about the feel of the shoe when you run. Which is why i watch the video, i can not afford to buy all the shoes out there and try them on. please delete my comment after you read it. it was meant as feedback since i will not subscribe because of that. Thanks.

[@rschreck876]

Man Topo needs to hire a better designer. Their colorways are terrible.