Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Mountain Racer

I love the wide toe box that allows my feet to expand during long trail runs. Overall they feel great. The one problem I'm having is that they seem to expand within a few miles of running - they had loosened so much, I had to tighten them twice during a 14 mile run.

One pair for my indoor workout shoes at the gym, the second pair for outdoor walking. The most comfortable athletic shoes I've owned. Roomy are upfront for toes and good support all over!

This is my 2nd pair of Topo trail runners and I love how they fit. Unfortunately, the MTN Racer started falling apart only after 2 short runs and a hike. Could have been a manufacturer fluke but either way, hoping Topo takes a look into this. Better glue? Design issue? Want to keep buying this shoe but concerned about durability.

I have been an Altra fan for years, and tried out the MTN Racer because of the similar foot shape to the Lone Peak and I wanted to experiment with a little bit of toe drop. This is a truly terrific runner for rocky, technical trails. It has amazing grip on wet rocks and leaves, and the sole is stiff enough that I could barely feel the rocks the first couple of months. I felt like a mountain goat while these shoes were in their prime. But, if you put on a lot of miles, be aware that these do not have a rock plate, so depending how you use them, once the midsole breaks down, it goes completely and you will feel all the rocks.. They did not last as long as my Altras with rock plates do, (I can wear the Altras until the lugs wear down, but the sole in these broke down before the lugs wore). But while they lasted they were definitely the superior shoe and I will buy again and recommend them to anyone looking for a good choice for gnarly, technical trails.

Put them on for first time on a 7 miler. I ordered half a size bigger, but it feels like a size smaller which caused pain in the front coming even with just walking on normal grounds. Coming down was worse. Please consider designing a better protection (cushion) inside the front toes. Will return for a size bigger and come back for another review.

I am a W7 but like to run in size 7.5. These are a full size too small; I can barely make them work with a think sock, but have done short trail runs in them several times with a thin sock. I love these shoes and will order them again in a full size up. Sticky rubber, great stability, roomy toe box.

I wanted to live these shoes, the seemed like the perfect pair for my wide front foot and narrow heel, and they were great for the first month or so of wear. But, now, I can't even wear them for half a day with out getting terrible pains in my knees and feet. Thinking this pain was from something else, I continued wearing these shoes until I noticed the front part of my foot slides around ALOT as I'm walking (heels stay put). Theres just too much side to side movement and a "tall" footbed, the ball of my foot and toes are just out there with no support. I even tried adjusting the laces, no help. I went back to my old shoes, and the pain is gone. I'm a steady size 6 lengthwise, a perfect thumbs width from the end, but these are just too wide in the front, so sad :(

I typically wear a 7.5 which is what I initially ordered in this shoe. It was definitely too small and exchanged for an 8 in red. The 8 still seemed a hair short but has not caused any problems over 400mi. I like the secure fit through the mid foot which gives me more confidence in technical terrain and on the down hill. I just ordered another pair in size 8, this time in green just so I could keep track of which shoes had more miles on them. Fit is completely different, the shoe is longer and wider, higher volume. Double checked the labeling in both shoes to be sure they are the same model and size. Cosmetics/materials are the same. What's up with that? Super frustrated. This would be my "go to" shoe and would probably recommend the shoe if I knew what size to get. Afraid to order another pair.

Super comfy but dirt and gravel gets in. These need gaiters.

The shoes are too narrow in the toe box. I wish you would be more consistent in the toe box shape and size amongst your shoes.

The width is perfect! My only issue is the outside ankle part of the shoe runs on the bottom of my ankles. Not a good fit there and causes problems. Can you design them with a lower ankle like the first pair I bought a couple of years ago. I'm back wearing them.

I run and walk in my Topos. I would like a little extra cushioning in the heel as my heels are sometimes sore after. Love the roominess in the toes and my arch feels supported.

I consistently fit into a women's 11 or a men's 9-9.5 in topo shoes. The MT3 in an 11 is WAY too small. No biggie, I just order a pair of 12s. They're ginormous. Apparently the women's 12s don't suffer from the running small issue! My husband has a pair of men's MT3s in a 9.5 that are smaller than the 12s. So if you have big women's feet like me, you may want to just try three men's MT3s. The shoes seem great otherwise! I think I'd love them if there was a size that fit like a normal topo women's 11. The blue and coral color is very pretty. It's a little brighter in person than the photos, which I like.

I liked my older TOPOs better than newer. What's changed?

I like the wide toe box and narrow heel but the shallow toebox causes pressure on my toes. In my most recent 50 K I injured three toenails with the shoes. I wish the toebox was a bit deeper up at the toes.

I hike 2 to 3 miles a day and the shoe on the wider foot is taking a long time to break in. The problem is the facing of the lace area, it is very stiff and irritating. 60 miles in and it is still annoying. They are otherwise comfortable and provide secure footing. I have debated returning them, but will probably keep them. I would probably not buy again. I would recommend them for average or moderately wide feet.

I thought I'd give the Mtn Racer a try since I love the Trail Ultraventure. Not as comfortable, felt a little too narrow. I wanted to love them, but not for me.

The insole is lacking arch support, which isn't normally an issue because I always replace them with my more supportive insoles. However, the rip stop fabric doesn't breath well and the replacement insoles don't have cut outs to allow the air the pass through the air vents, making these unbearably hot to run in. I've tried hiking in these with the insoles they came with and while the shoe had much better airflow, then in did with my custom insole, my plantar fasciitis started screaming. I love my TOPO Ultrafly 3 road shoes! I wish they would make those exact shoes with a lugged trail sole. I would only recommend these shoes if you can run in shoes without switching insoles.

Well made but not an 11 fit, but a 10.5. After running a handful of miles my toe tips were sensitive and bruised and had a blue toenail. Cannot wear for running unfortunately. I recommend getting half size up in this model. Cannot exchange and stuck with a pair of shoes I cannot use. I am frustrated with the topo sizing across models. Maybe there are several different factories in China that they use.

I was trying to replace an older, wonderful Topo shoe, and this model proved to be too flexible and not supportive enough. It is probably a fine shoe, just not for my feet.

Took me awhile to figure out these were the reason for my foot pain by end of day. No heel padding like on Ultrafly 2 Bring back the 2 's so I can stock up

Not thrilled

I've had these for two months and the bottom tread is already wearing down and there are worn spots developing in the heels. They look like I've had them for a year. I wear them to walk 10-13 miles per week on a cement walking path. They are super comfy and my bunions don't hurt as much, but I would expect a shoe at this price point to last longer than 2 months!