Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Traverse

Like all Topo shoes, the Traverse has noticeable room up front for your toes. You will like that. The cushioning also feels decent. My plan was to use the Traverse for hiking, fast hiking, some trail running, and rugged hiking on rocky conditions and some scrambling. I have worn other Topo shoes and was hoping that these would have better back half and rear stability. They did not. In fact, they seem quite unstable and narrow in the rear. Granted, I only wore these around the house for some time, but it was clear that they would not keep me stable on rocky condition or very uneven trails. Like other Topo shoes, I love much about them, but would really love if they took rear stability seriously. I use the Mountain Racers, Pantoms, and sparingly, the Ultranventures(basically a walking shoe). Oddly, the Phantoms, which are designed for road use, have the best heal stability.

Principally for backpacking. Loved the terraventures. But they were not as durable. Still phenomenal. These have improved cushioning under the ball of the feet. Rockplate works extremely well against rocks and roots. Some bites on soft dirt. I like them. Obviously the t I e box is what everyone will comment on. So being that and the above, i like the loop on the heel making it easier to put them on, i like the weight and the improved toe cap and rand. Lastly a wide fits better

As a backpacker, thru hiker I wanted to love this shoe. I'm in the process of switching to Topos from Altra. I ordered this model in wide along with the Pursuit and Ultraventure4 in wide. This is a well built shoe in all aspects. The width was a good fit for my EE forefoot.. The only issue was my foot pronation was worsened by this shoe. It felt like the sole was slanting inward which exasperated my problem, I assume a person who tends to supinate or you have a neutral step this shoe will be fine. I returned the Traverse and kept the other two models I tried. Topo shoes are amazing you just need to figure out which one works for you. I appreciate the trial period. #sweepstakes

This is the third or fourth pair of these shoes I have used. They provide good traction and the uppers are durable except for one area. On the inside upper edge of each shoe, interference from the opposite foot when taking a step on narrow trails leads to destruction of the edging, exposing the inner surfaces of the shoe wall. The photo below is of a new pair after 9 days of hiking. Some abrasion like this is to be expected, but the design of a hiking shoe should anticipate this wear and use a more durable covering for areas like this that are routinely exposed to abrasion and foot strike. I suggest you wear gaiters to protect the shoe edging until Topo puts tougher material on these exposed edges.

I used 2 pairs on the AT in 24. (Two Traverse, 1 Terraventure 4, and 3 non-Topos in total) I absolutely loved the Traverse for the rock plate and the closed cell foam insole that don't absorb water and is very durable. The inside heel wore through but for me it wasn't an issue, but I always double sock and never get blisters since I started that. The traverse is tighter than the Terraventure but more durable. Traction was night and day better compared to Altra and some others (Continental soles are the best imo). I had one major flaw I ran into with both pairs of my Traverse, and other hikers had the same issue as me. The heel would sort of collapse. It would shift outwards and be very visibly noticeable. I first noticed it on another hiker and thought he must have a nasty pronating problem. Then it happens to me and I am a heavy supinator! It happens to me on only one and first the left, then the right on the next pair. Once it collapsed, it started making my ankle sore because it was forcing my supinating step to be forced inwards completely opposite on my step. I discussed it with many hikers and most complained of the same issue. I really hope they address that because I would wear them exclusively. Everything else worked great for me. One pair happened fairly quick and the other lasted a bit longer. No shoe on the AT made it more than 400 miles for me but it's rough trail and I'm 6'0 185-195lbs.

Shoes are tight probably because of liner

While these are well finished and quite attractive, I did not give them a chance. They are too tall, narrow and tippy. For me they are unstable. By unstable, I mean the shoes resistance to allowing your ankle to being rolled. Once the shoe has tilted 20 degrees and I put weight on it there is nothing to stop it from completely rolling over. This could just be a personal issue for me and not an issue for other purchasers of the shoe. Many years ago I destroyed my right ankle and it is still a serious point of vulnerability for me. An ankle Air-Cast allowed me to hike again but it was really annoying to wear. Eventually I discovered that Topo has some shoes that are low, wide and extremely resistant to being rolled. I can't induce their Ultrafly 4 road shoe to roll no matter how hard I try. I assumed that roll resistance was built into the entire line but it's not. The fit has been snugged up a bit. Height and width were reduced but it's still a roomy fit and true to size. Well finished and quite attractive. They also make your feet look a little smaller than they really are, (as opposed to other Topo products that make your feet look larger than they are). Sending them back to try something else.

I ware mens US 11.5 in all my shoes but could feel my toes in the Traverse. I returned those, exchanged for size 12 which took care of that issue. Topo exchange was fast, no questions asked. It was within the 30 day period. I've been wearing the replacements for 6 days, daily ware to make sure there are no other issues. So far so good. Real test comes on rocky, uneven trails. Yes, these are narrower than my other trail shows. I like the snug heal fit and find just enough space in the forefoot.

I have about a hundred miles in these shoes so far on very rough trails in AZ. Topo has done some good things like extra room in the toe and no gore Tex. However for a true hiker this shoe needs to be heavier duty in every way, deeper more aggressive tread, thicker soles, and heavier sticker proof uppers.

I bought Topo Mountain Racer after returning a pair of Topo Traverse for being unsuitable for several reasons. Mtn Racers are agile and responsive. They want to stride and scamper. They feel sticky and secure on rock and loose dirt. Feel and performance are exactly what I want. However, the toe box is too narrow at the inside, large toe. Given the superior overall performance, I am willing to put up with the narrow toe box. If it becomes a problem on a long trail I will just get radical and slit the upper strategically.

I use these for rucking on mixed terrain, but I could wear these all day. Comfortable, light, and good stability (not as stable as Solomon's though). The rock plate works to reduce sharp rocks. The wide toe box is the way.

I was looking for a wider, tougher version of a running shoe for walking, light hiking and all around outdoor shoe. The shoe is a heavier material and is reinforced in key areas but still light enough to be considered a trail running shoe. The shoe is advertised as a wider toe box but it was still not quite wide enough for my EE foot. I exchanged for half size up and this worked much better. Overall I am pleased with the shoe but if you have an extra wide foot I would size up 1/2 size.

I really wanted to like this shoe for planned thru hiking. Toe box and stability is nice but shoe is too tight at "the waist". I ended up going with the Terraventure 4. I wish the mid shoe was slightly wider. Returned the Traverse and stayed with the Terraventure 4.

Almost perfect. If they just would offer a wide version like on the Atmos.

I haven't hit the trail yet in my new Topos but that's what I bought them for. I got them to replace my Altra's. I like the firmer foot bed and better toe protection. The fit right of the box was fantastic. I also got a set of the gators and am looking forward to many miles on the AT. #sweepstakes

200 hundred miles in the mountains and deserts of the southwest, on sharp rocks and cross country, and there is little wear. It has taken time for me to adjust to the 5 mm heal drop. My toes hurt until I discovered lacing them more tightly prevented my toes rubbing on the reinforced toe bumper. Now I can comfortably hike all day. They are significantly stiffer than the pursuits so my feet feel less stress from rocky ground. The stiffness can be hard on my ankles at times.

I wanted to love these shoes. Unfortunately they're not for me. If you're looking for a trail runner, these aren't for you either. Awesome breathability, sturdy and durable sole, super grippy tread. I put 70 miles in them on the Pacific Crest Trail. This is a perfect HIKING SHOE, not a trail runner. I'll stick to Mtn Racer or Ultraventures, but I definitely recommend the Traverse to anyone who likes a classic hiking style shoe

The Topo Traverse are marketed as a great hiking and trail running shoe, but I did not find decent heal support. They did have good room in the front, and the arch area felt good. But the heal area is narrow for a hiker. I mean the out sole is very narrow. It also does not have any heal counter that would support me on uneven terrain and rocky surfaces. Topo seems to refuse to build in any support for the heal area. I had to constantly watch my step so that I wouldn't roll my ankle. Perhaps Topo should look at other shoes, even the Brooks shoes, for advice. Being the lightest shoe is not always the best. I love Topo shoes for the fit. That is good for me since I the front of my feet are slightly wider.

The fit and feel of these shoes is superb - comfortable out the box, happily wore them for a 25km day hike without issue. This is my third pair, so I've got to know them fairly well, getting in the region of 3-400km per pair. My only complaint is that the heel material isn't tough enough - it's the first thing to go every time, an issue I've never had with other Topo shoes, with holes starting to appear at 200km, and unless patched with tape they become unwearable. Love the shoe but please fix the heel in the next generation!

People with big feet need roomy toe boxes too.

Wore these to hike across Oregon on the PCT. The traction, breathability, and protection were fantastic. My issue was that the toebox wasn't as wide as I needed. The combination of that and the well-built toe guard destroyed my little toe. Swapped back to Altras and was relieved. A bit disappointed in how quickly the shoe liner got holes in itmaybe after a week on trail. I see there is now a Wide option, but only in one generic gray color (Visual appeal is definitely not Topo's strength.)

I really wanted to like these for short thru hikes but they are way narrower than my Altra LPs. Construction seems very good and I liked the insole but had to return them

Had to return the shoes Traverse was not a good fit for me

Pros - great stability and support - anatomical toe box - rock plate - higher drop (5mm) than some shoes from other brands that offer "foot shaped" shoes Cons - Rigid heel caused terrible heel blisters - I wish they had slightly more cushion - I found the heel loop unhelpful when pulling the shoes on. A tab at the top of the heel would be better. I wore these shoes during a 500 mile section hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. During a previous thru hike (while wearing different shoes) I had numerous foot and ankle issues including plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis (chronic pain on the inside of one ankle). My feet and ankles fared much better this time around which I attribute to the supportive and stable nature of the Topo Traverse and doing foot and ankle specific physical therapy before my hike. However, I dealt with terrible heel blisters which I believe was caused by the rigid heel of the traverse. Terrible blisters were a huge inconvenience on my thru hike and are likely a deal breaker which will prevent me from wearing the Traverse in the future, unfortunately.