Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Mountain Racer

Superb traction on hard pack, mud, ROCK, and WET rock. Work better than my approach shoes for climbing except for edging and I can compensate most of those by smearing.

I received the MTN Racer as part of the Runner's World Magazine shoe test program. Let me disclose that I'm a fan of Topo first, before I say that I've worn almost every pair of shoes that they have produced and while I'm a fan, I'm not a fan of every shoe. The MTN Racer ticks a lot of boxes for me. It's fast, flexible and comfortable across rocky and technical trails while it also excels on the climb. The tread is secure on gravel, mud and anything else you can throw at is and it disappears under foot in tough circumstances. I wore it for my fastest 50K in the rain/wet and it did great so I find it hard to find any faults in 200+ miles of testing but I'm still waiting for the obvious durability mark to bite me. I've rarely gotten more than 300 miles out of a pair of Topos. Nevertheless, these are a favorite of mine and combined with the new Topo Gaiters they are even more awesome. No rocks in my socks, less mud on my ankles and a fast and speedy ride under my feet.

I received the MTN Racer as part of the Runner's World Magazine shoe test program. Let me disclose that I'm a fan of Topo first, before I say that I've worn almost every pair of shoes that they have produced and while I'm a fan, I'm not a fan of every shoe. The MTN Racer ticks a lot of boxes for me. It's fast, flexible and comfortable across rocky and technical trails while it also excels on the climb. The tread is secure on gravel, mud and anything else you can throw at is and it disappears under foot in tough circumstances. I wore it for my fastest 50K in the rain/wet and it did great so I find it hard to find any faults in 200+ miles of testing but I'm still waiting for the obvious durability mark to bite me. I've rarely gotten more than 300 miles out of a pair of Topos. Nevertheless, these are a favorite of mine and combined with the new Topo Gaiters they are even more awesome. No rocks in my socks, less mud on my ankles and a fast and speedy ride under my feet.

I've tried all types of shoes from Hokas to Altras to Salomons. This guy is hands down the best trail shoe I've worn. I took them out to North Georgia for a trail run on the DRT yesterday. The weather was awful so the trails were a hot mess. This shoe performed better than I had ever expected. It took on mud, slick rock, and roots perfectly. There were a couple of places going down Coosa that I thought I would lose my footing...never happened. The toe box is perfect and the shoe feels secure on technical terrain. The only thing, in my opinion, would be to add just a bit more cushion. Other than that, I'll be buying a couple of more of these in case they get discontinued! Way to go Topo! Nice Job!

The Topo fit with the wide toe box yet snug fit through the heal is perfect for me, so when I needed new shoes for a Spartan race I decided to pick up a pair of MTN Racers. Because of the rip stop upper, they did not initially feel as flexible or comfortable as other shoes and after wearing then around the house and on the treadmill a few times, I seriously considered exchanging them for something else. Ultimately, I decided to keep them and they were rockstars during my race. After only one short training run to break them in I ran a 13 mile obstacle course race and I could not be happier. Very solid on the steep terrain, great traction in the mud, outstanding grip on obstacles, and very quick drying. And my initial concern about fit was completely unfounded. They are extremely comfortable, and the lack of flexibility that I felt in the upper actually made for a much more secure feeling fit over uneven terrain. With Topo's 30-day risk free trial, these are a no-brainer.

The Topo fit with the wide toe box yet snug fit through the heal is perfect for me, so when I needed new shoes for a Spartan race I decided to pick up a pair of MTN Racers. Because of the rip stop upper, they did not initially feel as flexible or comfortable as other shoes and after wearing then around the house and on the treadmill a few times, I seriously considered exchanging them for something else. Ultimately, I decided to keep them and they were rockstars during my race. After only one short training run to break them in I ran a 13 mile obstacle course race and I could not be happier. Very solid on the steep terrain, great traction in the mud, outstanding grip on obstacles, and very quick drying. And my initial concern about fit was completely unfounded. They are extremely comfortable, and the lack of flexibility that I felt in the upper actually made for a much more secure feeling fit over uneven terrain. With Topo's 30-day risk free trial, these are a no-brainer.

Topo shoes were recommended to me by a great running coach. I figured I'd give them a shot and I'm so happy I did! My foot tends to swim around a bit in Altras so I was looking for something else with a wide toe box. The mtn racer fits me perfectly! Just wide enough in the fore-foot combined with solid ankle support. I'm not quite ready for a zero drop shoe so the 5mm is perfect for long runs too. Used these right out of the box for the Rainier Ragnar in late August, followed by the Rut 50k the following weekend.

Topo shoes were recommended to me by a great running coach. I figured I'd give them a shot and I'm so happy I did! My foot tends to swim around a bit in Altras so I was looking for something else with a wide toe box. The mtn racer fits me perfectly! Just wide enough in the fore-foot combined with solid ankle support. I'm not quite ready for a zero drop shoe so the 5mm is perfect for long runs too. Used these right out of the box for the Rainier Ragnar in late August, followed by the Rut 50k the following weekend.

Over the past couple of running seasons I've had a lot of trouble finding a comfortable shoe that can hold up to the ruggedness of the Long Trail and the Adirondacks. The recent Lone Peak versions from Altra totally fall apart on these types of terrain, I had two pairs that didn't even last 100 miles! Salomons hold up, but definitely lack comfort when putting in 20-30 mile runs in the mountains. But behold, the MTN RACER! The best of both worlds. Excellent fit, lightweight, great traction, comfortable and - most importantly - durable! I've put 120 miles on them so far and there's absolutely no sign of wear and tear, they still look brand new but feel even better. It's nice to finally be able to break in a pair of shoes without actually breaking the shoes. Ran the great range traverse in the Adirondacks last week in these, and they performed like a dream. My only gripe (and it's a minor one): not a fan of the flashy red and orange, I wish there were other color choices.

Over the past couple of running seasons I've had a lot of trouble finding a comfortable shoe that can hold up to the ruggedness of the Long Trail and the Adirondacks. The recent Lone Peak versions from Altra totally fall apart on these types of terrain, I had two pairs that didn't even last 100 miles! Salomons hold up, but definitely lack comfort when putting in 20-30 mile runs in the mountains. But behold, the MTN RACER! The best of both worlds. Excellent fit, lightweight, great traction, comfortable and - most importantly - durable! I've put 120 miles on them so far and there's absolutely no sign of wear and tear, they still look brand new but feel even better. It's nice to finally be able to break in a pair of shoes without actually breaking the shoes. Ran the great range traverse in the Adirondacks last week in these, and they performed like a dream. My only gripe (and it's a minor one): not a fan of the flashy red and orange, I wish there were other color choices.

This shoe has made my training so much easier. Before these I had a pair of SpeedCross3 and I had to ice me feet after every run. Now with my MTN runners my feet feel as amazing as they are going to after hard runs. I am a little disappointed that I listen to the lady at the store and went a size up. They are a size to big and my foot slides on up and down hills which makes them a little unsteady. I will have to get the right size next time. Other than that this shoe is awesome.

I think Topo has just about nailed it with the MTN racer. It's well cushioned, roomy in the toe box, secure everywhere else, grippy, light, and fast. It covers the bases, and covers them well. I could nearly replace all my trail shoes with the MTN racer. Sizing was spot on for me ie same size for these shoes as with other Topos. I have done trail runs ranging from 10 to 30 miles, and felt good, on these shoes and am overall very happy. The roomy toe and secure mid and heel ensures smooth going even over technical terrain with uneven footing. It didn't feel sloppy at all. The lugs and Megagrip made for great traction on mud and rocks. The stiffer cushioning provided good underfoot protection. That all said, if the MTN racer could improve, at least for me, I would want stiffer, or different cushioning, for even more underfoot protection.

I think Topo has just about nailed it with the MTN racer. It's well cushioned, roomy in the toe box, secure everywhere else, grippy, light, and fast. It covers the bases, and covers them well. I could nearly replace all my trail shoes with the MTN racer. Sizing was spot on for me ie same size for these shoes as with other Topos. I have done trail runs ranging from 10 to 30 miles, and felt good, on these shoes and am overall very happy. The roomy toe and secure mid and heel ensures smooth going even over technical terrain with uneven footing. It didn't feel sloppy at all. The lugs and Megagrip made for great traction on mud and rocks. The stiffer cushioning provided good underfoot protection. That all said, if the MTN racer could improve, at least for me, I would want stiffer, or different cushioning, for even more underfoot protection.

The name of this shoe is fitting for how it performs on the trail. Today I ran a 5.3 miles loop run in these shoes straight from the box. The area I run in is rocky, sandy with steep ups and downs over rough terrain. I regularly run these trails in my Ultraventure and Terraventure trail shoes. The Mtn Racer borrows the best from both of these shoes. It has the cushioning of the Ultra and the firmness of the Terra. That makes this a fast and efficient runner. The cushioning and firmness of this shoe eliminates the need for a rock plate. The fit of this shoe is a little different than the Ultra and Terra. The heel locks down very well and greatly adds to stability when running steep sections. The fit is a little tighter and feels a little shorter that the Ultra and Terra. I am hoping as I put more miles in the shoes it will stretch out a little. Overall, I'm not sure if there is a better trail runner on the market.

Love everything about this shoe, best Topo model I've tried and I've run road and trail models. Downside is the laces. Across the board they don't hold well, slowly loosen. Need a lace with a higher coefficient of friction.

I'm really enjoying these shoes. Before this I was in the cyclone and I prefer the front upper from that shoe but it doesn't lock your heel in as well as these do. I love having the extra support from the plastic plate. Would love to see one with a carbon plate.

I bought these in October 2020 for day hikes and overnights on medium to rough trails, under loads from minimalist to 30 lbs. Longest day hike 12 miles. 75-ish total trail miles so far. I am very satisfied with the fit, stability, and traction. I have wide feet with narrow heels. They fit so well I added daily wear, now nearing 100 miles in town. The soles are wearing well, but the heel collars have worn through to the foam. Disappointing for 8 months. Expecting at least 18 mo. Qualified "buy".

Great shoes so far. Have been a HOKA guy for years but these are definitely itself a nice addition to my running shoe problem. Will definitely buy TOPOs again!

I have ran in a few Topos over the years. I needed to return to a 5mm drop after a few seasons on 0mm (knees starting telling me so). Decided to give these a try since they also offered a stiffer ride. That is a fact. Took a good week to get used to that but now my gait and wheels are in sync. Now I can feel that extra bounce the tension plate gives out. The tongue is a bit stiff and long cutting into my ankle above the no show sock line. Glad to see bright FUN colors... after all running is supposed to be happy. Topo needs to do better with its colors and schemes across all RUNNING shoes - come on guys - live a little! The standard Black, awful White, typical Blue, Green or Gray are boring. I do like the colors and design of the new MTN Racer 2 that is more like it - creative and eye catching. Anyway, I am positive these will allow the 300+ miles Topo usually gives me especially since it is firmer. Overall it is a solid runner and delivers what it advertises.

I have been backpacking in these shoes for nearly 150 miles so far, and actually look forward to putting them on to hit the trails! The trails around here are rocky and "rooty", but the sole plate and the tread lugs make it safe and enjoyable. My backpack weight is around 25 lbs with full food and water, but I still have good support from the shoes. I have had only one wear area show up and that is right at the Achilles area padding on both shoes. It could probably have a thicker material there to prevent breakdown. Overall, I am super pleased to have finally found not only a comfortable shoe, but also a very functional one!

Got the 1/2 size smaller... Fit would be perfect if it wasn't for the crazy firm toe protection piece... If you like a good snug fit on the length, you may not like the toe protection. It gets in the way in a painful way with my pinky toe. Might have to suffer with a slightly too big shoe because the size that fits my foot size perfect is ruined by the toe cap/guard... With all that said, if you can find the perfect fit and not be bothered by the toe cap, I highly recommend these shoes.

needs more cushion, plus they are just a little narrow for my bunion

I prefer zero drop shoes for running. I have many Altra shoes and I decide to try the Topo because of zero drop and big toe box. Magnifly 3 is a perfect shoes for my regular training because of comfortable cushion without the big stack height. It is a little heavier than my Altra but not by much.

I primarily bought these for work, as I do a fair amount of walking outside, but also wanted something for some actual hiking. I have a "bad" right knee so I had to give up backpacking and bigger mountain hikes, but still wanted something to help me enjoy the great outdoors. These seemed to alleviate a lot of knee pain, and that is just coming off from a 30 day trial on the Hoka Challenger Mid with Gore-Tex! I like the way these fit width wise, like Keen [also Sketcher Extra-Wide] boots. Because these have that same WIDE look, that are better for those of us with wider toe boxes, like EEE. I have tried almost every brand with wide sizes under $200, and these just simply feel better for my foot, but they should still offer a wide option...PLEASE! Not a lot of interior height either, so going to try some lacing techniques to try and free up some room for my higher volume feet, plus to be able to run thicker or cushioned socks, and also to hopefully eliminate heel lifting(getting a little better). But I am not too hopeful, because there is no leather to stretch or even break-in. Length is like Danner and Sketchers for me, in that they are a half to a full size bigger than I wear in every other boot. I am normally a 10w-10.5w, but had to go down to a 9.5 on these. I have had these for a couple of weeks now and appreciate the waterproof [and breathable] booties, because I also work in the rain, and walk across dew covered drenched lawns in the mornings. However we will see how long they stay waterproof, as I don't have much luck with waterproof/breathable membranes, besides Gore-Tex, and that only last a year for me. Most others brand versions start leaking on me within two weeks to about 3-4 months. My better half says I should be a boot tester for all the brands of boots I have owned and failed. They still do make my feet sweat, even with eVent, especially compared to the apparently very breathable Hoka boots I just tried. I also prefer leather, so this will be the first full nylon boot I have ever tried, and so far I don't mind them. One less boot to Sno-Seal. However, just like the waterproofness, we will see how the outside holds up long term. Likes: wider toe box and squared off toe design(like Keen), stable transition through the gate cycle, Vibram outsole :), speed lacing with a 'lace-lock' feature, isolation from rocks and roots from the full-length ESS rock plate, waterproof [so far]. Annoyances: Slightly heavier than the Hoka boot I just had, sweaty despite the eVent DVdryLT one-piece upper that is supposed to be breathable, stiff sole(so unfortunately lots of heel lift) probably due to that full-length ESS rock plate, no wide sizes(even though they are wider than most other boots "wide" sizes), low volume(so need to wear thin socks), and thin/too flexible removable insole which make insertion after drying difficult.

I hope they last, I run about eight hours a week mostly trails, the Vibram sole was the reason I bought these shoes. They feel less comfortable comparing to Nike, or other brands I've tried but I don't want to buy shows every three month.