Customer Reviews Topo Athletic MTN Racer

First test run on groomed trail with some pine duff. Had a stick come through the sole into footbed. Hope your mountains don't have sticks. Provided feedback and got a blown off by the CS guy with an email stating that I chose the wrong shoe and that I should buy a different one. I know these don't have a rockplate but is it too much to ask for the sole to stop a stick? Tried to submit a review (x2) with a screen shot of the customer service response but was rejected because it contained Personal info (my name) which seems to be silly way to avoid me posting a really poorly structured CS response email. Really disappointing CS experience and the shoes are not safe for use on any forested trails IMHO

Typically run twice per week on dirt roads or single track trails in these shoes and have been very pleased. I wear a size 10 and they do feel a half size big but this could be do to the wide toe box. I will note the benefit of this later. The shoe fits well around the heel and gives me the support i need. I have stepped in water while crossing a river a few times and the drainage is quick and they dry fast. I did recently run the TRT 100 and had zero issues. The extra size actually helped with swelling of the foot. I had an extra pair i was going to change into but no need as the first pair lasted the entire race. It was comfortable and still had room at the end of the race. If i had to pick it apart the tongue would be the only issue. Its a small tongue and the laces run up to the top and almost seem to slide off the tongue and slip underneath. To take care of this a small loop near the top of the tongue that the laces go through could take care of this. I absolutely would recommend these shoes to other trail runners. After i got back from Tahoe i did buy a pair of Phantom 2 and the MTN Racer 2.

3.5 stars really but could give halves, it's closer to a 4 than a 3. The MTN Racer got me through a 50k and 100k 3 weeks apart on rocky, limestone terrain, it was a solid test of any shoe Positives... 1. Very nice and roomy toe box but as you would expect from Topo 2. Incredible grip on the sole and doesn't pick up mud. I also have a pair of Nike Terra Kigers and the difference is night and day. The Kigers pick up a lot of mud, and have terrible traction on wet rock. The Topo's performed amazingly well. Negatives.... 1. Color - The Full red and yellow contrast is horrendous. They look darker in the product pictures than in reality, where they look like Ronald McDonald shoes. particularly with the wide toe box, the color scheme isn't well thought out. The yellow laces should be replaced with black and the amount of red on the upper should be reduced. Possibly replaced with black as well to reduce the Pop and make them look more stealthly. 2. The mid sole is a bit too soft, a lot of sharp rocks got through. This is a trickier problem to solve as adding too much bulk here can deaden the feel of a shoe. Hoka have done it well though with the Torrent which is a super fast and wide shoe (but not natural wide like Topo) and isn't as stacked as traditional Hokas. Perhaps Topo could take the learnings from the Torrent and add them to the MTN Racer? 3. Feels a bit dead underfoot. Probably due to the awesome sole. compromises always have to be made somewhere. Summary - Please work on the color scheme. Look at the Hoka Torrent for midsole ideas. I'd probably buy them again for comfort in the toe box over distance, but would never wear another shoe again if Topo took some learnings from the Hoka Torrent (and changed the color).

This shoe is about a full size (1.5 cm) too small. The heel padding is greater than on the Ultraventure, which surely adds to this, but then the shoe should be a bit longer in the front. Topo doesn't offer a 12.5 in the green, never has the 12.5 in the red. The quality of the shoe is also questionable with two pairs having very poor adhesive between outer and upper in the midfoot area, even when new. Received a partial refund from Running Warehouse, but Topo won't acknowledge the issue. Also, Topo refuses to set up an international shipping option and their shoes are not available in many places.

I have Topo MT-3's and Ultraventures in size 9.5 and they fit fine. My right foot is a 9.5 and my left is a 9.0, so the Topo 9.5's fit. The 9.5 MTN racers fit my right foot, my larger foot, but were way too tight on my left foot, my smaller foot. They were so tight on the ball of my foot and the toes that my foot went to sleep just trying them on walking around the house. I have many other brands of shoes like Altra and many other types of shoes like hiking boots and dress shoes. All fit my larger right foot tighter than my smaller left foot. I can only decide that the MTN racers have poor quality control and for some reason the left shoe fits one to two sizes smaller than the right shoe. Since I bought them on a "friends and family" deal, I cannot return them. My lesson learned is don't expect different pairs of the same model Topo shoes to fit the same or the two shoes of the same pair to be the same size. *Topo Note: Thanks for the feedback, Larry! This pair was found to be overstuffed in the heel on the left shoe, likely causing a one-off sizing disparity in this pair, and a new pair was shipped to this customer.

I've had all types of trail shoes that I use exclusively for trail hiking and running in Idaho. I suffer from narrow heals and no matter what heal lock lacing technique I used I still got blisters. This is the first shoe that I can truly get a good heal lock. No more blisters. Comfortable and built well.

I have 9 1/2 medium wide foot MTNR 2 was made to fit my foot perfectly. Most comfortable sho I've ever owned.

I decided to give Topo a try after the other 0-drop shoe brand redesigned my favorite shoe and made it unwearable. I wish I hadn't waited so long. I cant remember ever having such a comfortable 1st run in new shoes. The toe box is roomy and the cushions is not too much or too little. I love them. My only complaint is why cant Topo give the shoe a full rubber sole like all the mainstream brands my wife uses. I can already see the mid-sole foam being worn.

I use these shoes for speed work and I love the fit and support!

I was a big fan of terraventure 2. But the terraventure 3 is amazing. As a disabled hiker I have had multiple brain surgeries, multiple spine fusions and refusions, to many knee operations. Topo has changed my life. I am doing more that I have in years from road walking to hiking. My feet feel good these really help my knees, back and whole spine. I always tell people if Altra and hoka one one had a baby topo is it. Great upgrade. Thanks as always topo.

Used this shoe for the first lap of an ultra (about 30 ish miles). Loved how responsive and comfortable it was! The fit is definitely true to size. I took these out on trails that were full of roots and rocks with 11k feet of elevation. Had zero issues with traction or fatigue. My only complaints were possible lateral stability and feeling some of the rocks. A rock plate may help here, but then that would add weight. Great job!

I have been running in the Ultraventure Pro for all of my trail runs and now that I have the MTN Racer 2, I reserve the UV Pro for my longest trail runs. The MTN Racer 2 is perfect for everything else. Its more nimble and runs well on buffed out trails but is rugged enough for the more technical stuff. I sized down to a 9 but could probably have stuck with a 9.5, even though the 9.5 in the UV Pro is a tad long. This shoes checks all the boxes: wide toe box, moderate drop, rugged and light.

Really nice shoe, didn't care for v1 as that shoe was too firm, ran short lengthwise, and didn't care for the warm upper material. Those issues have been addressed in this shoe. The cushioning is really nice, however at times I did feel some rocks with the loss of rock plate in this model. The tongue may be a bit thin for some. Periodically noticed some small debris entering the shoe right underneath the ankle area. Really nice update, upper is sooo much nicer than the original. Highly recommend.

Running outside

So an obvious draw to Topos is the toe box. Often over looked or not mentioned is they are extremely breathable. I am use to wearing Hokas so the Topos don't feel quite as cushy. Subsequently, they feel much much more nimble, especially with the vibram outsole. These are my go to shoes for short to mid mileage hikes or anything technical. I will be a returning customer.

Where them to relax in. Very comfortable. Luv the room in toe box.

The Phantom is a little more cushioned & heavier than the shoes I typically use (Newton Running), but have been a nice change of pace. As I get older (currently 63), I may transition to more cushioned shoes and this will be my first candidate. The overall design complements my natural running style.

Best trail shoes I've ever owned! In fact the only shoes that have held up against the rocky trails of the northeast for more than a couple hundred miles. Just ran a 50k in them and had no foot issues for the whole race, will give them a go with a 50 miler later this summer. The only trivial nitpick I have is the color scheme. I would buy a half dozen pairs of these if they weren't ugly as sin. Why the mustard yellow? Yuck. Please offer more choices, or make them more neutral.

Any chance you can make a 12.5? I'm right in between sizes

These are the shoes I was looking for my feet! Excellent comfort, my wide toes are happy, no pain after my walks. I will be getting another pair! Thanks for a great product lives up to what it said it was!

Nice & comfortable

I enjoy the wider toe box and the soft upper. The shoe provides the right amount of cushion for me as well as stability

Use these for hiking in the Sierras. Have had them through rocky trails, creeks and wet areas. Awesome grip on the trail. After going through creeks they dry quickly. The rock plate and foot box are perfect. Ordered a half size larger based on other revues and they fit my feet really well. I will be putting them to the test on 200+ mile trail this summer. So far, love them.

Just great shows. Way better than LPs