Customer Reviews Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3

These trail runners are amazing and ended my ridiculously long and difficult search that lasted around a year. Now that I've done about 50 miles in them I felt comfortable posting a review. I've used a pair of Altra Lone Peak 4s for going on four years now and the midsole has packed out. Altra has has subsequently changed the Lone Peak to be longer and narrower in the 7 (which I'm OK with), but unfortunately they also reduced the overall volume above the toes, so they were too constricting for me. I hike a lot in the White Mountains (NH), which has super rocky trails (and some that are exclusively rock...). The Hoka Speedgoat is a go-to option out here for the extra cushion and because of the super sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole. Unfortunately, those were too narrow for me. Enter the Mtn Racer 3. This is Topo's answer to the Hoka Speedgoat, and I think it's superior in most ways. The Mtn Racer 3 (like all Topo trail shoes) features Vibram Megagrip outsoles. I like their lug pattern better than Hoka's. Topos have a foot-shaped last that lets your toes splay naturally. The Mtn Racer 3 has a very similar stack height and drop as the Speedgoat. However, the Mtn Racer 3 is more comfortable to me because (in addition to the toebox room) the tongue is more padded and there is more volume available around the midfoot in a given size, without needing to go with a "wide" option. I have very high arches and use Currex RunPro insoles, and the Mtn Racer 3 accommodate both extremely well. I skip one eyelet when lacing, right at the top of my arch, and am otherwise able to cinch down and get a secure fit in the midfoot and heel (using a heel lock). I've done my highest mileage days ever in the Whites in these shoes right out of the box, which is truly amazing. In the Speedgoats, because they have a narrower platform I felt like I was unstable and had much more lateral movement. I didn't feel comfortable even trying them on-trail given how they felt walking around the house. The Mtn Racer 3, given the wider toebox, is more stable and I don't feel any of that instability from the stack height. I also don't feel super isolated from the ground. Sure it's more isolation than my old Lone Peaks, but I still get great trail feel. I also never really ran in my Lone Peaks either as I didn't trust the outsole, but I haven't had any instances of slipping with the Megagrip outsole on the Mtn Racer 3, even on wet rock/slab like we've had with the incessant rain this summer. I also haven't really noticed the change from a zero drop to a 5mm drop for hiking/running. (I still use zero drop shoes for strength training during the week.) I consider the Mtn Racer 3 an upgrade to the "2" in a couple key ways: (1) the tongue is more padded and (2) there is more overall volume. Both are very important to me given my high arches as mentioned above. I tried the 2s in-store and at home, but I knew if I tightened the laces down that they would aggravate my extensor tendons. I wish the tongue on the Mtn Racer 3 was even a bit more padded (like the Lone Peak 7 is), but it's sufficiently padded now. I've also hiked a few times in the Topo Ultraventure Pro, and really wanted to love those shoes. They were also super comfortable, had the same outsole plus a rock plate, and seemed perfect for hiking in the Whites. Unfortunately, they had an intrusive TPU heel counter that would dig into my malleoli (lateral ankle bones) no matter which sock/liner combinations or lacing patterns I tried. I've since learned that when looking at Topo's website for trail shoes, anything that says "Light Stability" means it has that annoying TPU heel counter, and anything that says "Neutral" has a much lower profile heel counter like what's in the Lone Peak. The "Neutral" seems to work better for me. It doesn't make sense to me why manufacturers keep putting these intrusive TPU counters in low-top trail runners instead of reserving them just for their mid-height options, but whatever. When doing a popular hike in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains recently I saw three other people wearing these shoes on a single day. They had only been out for a month or so at that point. For anyone checking out the Speedgoat, I highly recommend comparing directly to the Mtn Racer 3. For someone that doesn't need or want as much cushion and/or that wants something more Lone-Peak-adjacent, I'd check out the new Terraventure 4 or maybe the Pursuit.

My MTN Racers 3's have 265 hard miles on them and they are still going strong. I use them for technical trail run and off-trail navigation races. I recently wore them for the Barkley Fall Classic and they were perfect for the gnarly climbs and terrain on that course. The upper is tough, midsole is just right on cushion, and outsole is grippy and wear resistant. Do yourself a favor and combine them with the FKT insole!

This is my 3rd pair of Topo's and I love them! I have had neuropathy for over 10 years and the large toe box gives my toes the space needed to prevent pain and discomfort I typically get from tight shoes. Customer service is great too. Highly recommended!

This was my 1st introduction to Topo. What a great experience! Love the way this shoe handles technical stuff and is an excellent choice for a daily shoe for training. Toe box room is great and this shoe has a very fast feel to it. #sweepstakes

Heel lockdown, room in toe box, GRIP, and comfort are all excellent. Would recommend this over the 4.

My only negative to feed back, is that it rides a hit high on the heel rubbing on my lateral malleolus or outer ankle causing a blister. I had to put a thicker shoe liner to solve this issue. Other than that, they are great

love the roomy foot box. I use the topo foot gators also. love them. great trail running shoe for my feet.

In preparation for some epic hikes we have planned for this Spring and Summer, and having become disenchanted with ALTRA, after 5+ years of use, I started exploring the TOPO lineup. I have been hiking in the Terraventure-4s, the Trailventure-2s, the Ultraventure-3s, and most recently these MTN Racers. My forefoot is very wide, and I need a shoe that gives my toes room to splay. All of these TOPOs work very well for me in this regard, but the MTN Racers are my favorites of them all for long hikes on uneven rocky terrain, as well as for more casual daily use. Due to their protective soles and ergonomic foot shape, I can wear these all day in complete comfort. No blisters, no hotspots, just a perfect fit. Plus they appear to be very well-made. Great job TOPO! I'm getting a second pair...

I use them for occasional trail runs. Really like the fun color. Look and feel great. No real complaints at all. Looking forward to taking them to the Grand Canyon for the Rim to Rim run. I've had other pairs of Topos and they fit my wider feet really well. If you have thin feet then there are lots of other brands for you.

These fit perfectly. They have the locked in feel in the heel and midstep but also the roomy toe box as expected. I purchased these for hiking and they fit the bill exactly. The vibram sole with the longer lugs have amazing traction in loose and packed soil, through sloppy mud, and scrambling over rocks. I have chronic heel pain and get the pleasure of needing shoes that fit my high arch and instep while also having a roomy toebox. These bad boys feel like they are molded to my feet #sweepstakes

Like the heel support but roomy toe box #sweepstakes

I have two pair of the MTN 3 and absolutely love them...I love the fact you don't have to search for a wide option like my Hoka's...the MTN 3 are better then my Hoka Mafate Speed 2 and 4 plus the Mafate series don't have a wide option...I love my Gaviota 5 and Mach 6 and I've seen other Topo owners rave about the Atmos and Spectra 2 which makes me very excited to try them just trying to decide which to try first...I have found my new shoe company

Love them. Super comfy.

I am an almost-80 geezer whose exercise consists of long, joyful walks with my dog. My favorite color is yellow; so when I saw these badboys, I just HAD to have them. And you know what? They feel great and my sore, "replaced" knees function perfectly. Footnote: you have NO IDEA how many people compliment me on how great looking my shoes are! Thanks TOPO!

Ok, here's the deal: I've been wearing Altra's for over two decades. However, because of recent let downs in quality, I decided to give these Topo's a try. Well, I am elated that I did so. I LOVE these shoes!!! I have a platypus foot and the toe box is extra roomy. Even more so than the Altra. The quality, fit, feel, stability are all elite level. This is a high quality shoe that is worth every penny. I think I'm a Topo guy now!!!

I bought the new MTN Racer 3 a couple of weeks ago and so far, I find them great. I managed to get my hands on the blue coloured-ones. I really love the colour, especially now at autumn/winter time. What I also like, is the slightly firmer fit they have, compared to the MTN Racer 2, which seems to provide a more stable ride in rocky terrain. Still, the toebox is roomy enough for my wide forefoot to splay and prevent any discomfort. Besides, they seem to have a bit more pop', due to the added stack hight, which I really like. I am already looking forwards to testing them on some longer runs, so far I've just done some 5-7 mile runs in them in very steep, rocky terrain. So far, great product, would recommend them without hesitation!

Second pair of topo trail runners. These were an improvement on the first pair. Perfect for my wide feet. Used for hiking and running on trails and pavement, works great for both. Highly recommend for anybody, but especially people with wide feet. No other brand comes close to the space from the wide toe box. Worked perfectly for two weeks of hiking volcanoes in guatemala. Zero break in period, great right out the box.

First of all, thank you for accepting my return AFTER I ran a 50K in a show 1/2 size too small. Totally my bad in ordering that led to a blister and black toes, which I had not seen in years. AS with all my running shoes, have to wear 1 size up ... duh! The exchange for proper sizing is totally worth it. Ran a trail 1/2 marathon yesterday and the shoe was springy, comfortable and responsive all at the same time. I love the mid-foot and heel feel - why I liked them in the first place - and the extra toe box room made for zero issues, kept my feet dry and cool and not banged up. So happy with the product and the people. Thanks again.

#sweepstakes Purchased for running trails, rails to trails and roads. Best fitting shoe for my foot, large toe box, lots of mid sole support perfect tight fit around the heal, great breathability too!

These feel so good on my feet and have great arch support !!

Just wore these for a 3-day run of the Wonderland Trail around Mt Rainier and they were excellent. I normally wear an 8.5 street shoe and a 9 for trail running. I found the 9 to be too roomy in the MTN Racer 3 and so used the 8.5. I have borderline wide forefoot, very high arches, and narrow ankle/heel, and use a custom insole. Topos are perfect for me. I previously used the Ultraventure 1 for mountain running but found the UV3 to be unstable. The MTN 3 has the cushion + outsole I need.

Love the heel feel, mid foot and arch support and the roomy toe box. Makes my trail runs oh so better.

I'm a long time Topo fanboy, and have worn over 20 pairs in the past couple years. Most of them have well over 500 miles on them. But these... THE MTN RACER 3 have by far been my favorite of all of them. I purchased these a half size larger than I normally would order (bc my normal 12 wasn't in stock) in May for a trail race in June. Short break in period ahead of my race, but they tackled all 101 miles of the Kettle Moraine race with ease and comfort. I had expected to need to change shoes at some point but they were never uncomfortable over 28 straight hours of use through wet meadows, muddy trails, and rocky/root heavy sections. But more impressive to me is what came after. I started carrying for USPS this summer and have nearly worn the soles off of these in the 3 months that followed... at roughly 14-16 miles per day / 70+ miles per week. BUT they are still the most comfortable shoes in my lineup. I just ordered some WP Terraventures for the impending wet/winter months, but I'll be buying another pair of these for my next set of 100 mile trail races. A+