Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Traverse

Avid hiker and dog walker and had a pair of Topo mid-height hikers a couple years ago that I loved. Over the winter I went with another "footshape" shoe brand (no need to name names, you know) that had what looked like a nice GoreTex offering but ultimately I didn't like the squeak of the soles that weren't properly attached. Decided to try Topo again for this spring and summer and they're my favorite shoes. I should have gone with my instinct and shopped a Topo hiker for the winter. Lesson learned. #sweepstakes

I was interested in trying some trail runners to replace my old heavy hiking boots. After exploring some options I found the Traverse. These might just be the perfect shoes! The shank in the sole gives just enough protection from stepping on rocks all day, and the added stability helps when carrying a pack. Switching from boots to runners takes a little getting use to, you defiantly need to watch were you step, while they don't need break-in your feet will need 15-20 miles to get use to them.

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

These shoes were comfortable right out of the box and got about 25 miles of work before I wore them on the Ozark Trail recently for 4 straight days. 30 pound pack, very rocky, plenty of steep and decline, water crossings, 60 degree temp swing. No blisters or hot spots. The rock plate in the fore was critical. The shoes were grippy, drained and dried well. Overall, they performed great!!!

This was my very first pair of Topo shoes. Love them. Traction is the best I've ever had on any shoe. Wish you made these in the wide size! Overall best show I've owned after 100 miles in the last few weeks. I came here today to purchase the Ultraventure 3 in wide and can't wait to try them out but honestly really like the rock plate in the Traverse.

Congratulations to the designers of this model, they have engineered the best Shoe Last of the century! These are exactly what the doctors failed to prescribe me. I have a pinched nerve on my lower back and arch pain which make my work life, 9-10 hours on feet, miserable. Out of the box, the Traverse shoes gave me something which all the specialized expensive insoles and shoes, I have tried, never could. A basic human comfort! I hope that Topo keeps the Shoe Last used in it's arsenal for many years to come and expands the model lineup based on it. Fantastic styling and color palette used on Topo's shoes cannot be ignored as well. Something hard to find on majority of modern day shoes. Waiting for more color variants of these amazing shoes to buy. Thank you Topo and kudos to the designers, they have nailed it!

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 was introduced to Topos when preparing to hike nearly 500 miles of the Camino del Norte in Spain. I have been pleased with three pair of Terraventures, appreciating the wide toebox and the low toe-to-heel drop. I found the toe box too wide for me in the latest rendition of Terraventure, so I tried the Traverse. So far I like them a lot. The toe box feels just wide enough. Mostly, I appreciate the midfoot support. I'm reserving them for trail hiking and using Topo MT-4s for daily pavement walking.

I've worn Mtn Racers for years never an issue with blisters or uncomfortable fit - love them! I was really excited about trying the new Traverse, but unfortunately I can't say that I will continue to wear them. they seem to fit different and after wearing them on the trail, within the first 5 miles produced two large blisters on each ankle. I love Topos but these specific ones are just not for me.

I use these for hiking and during the day. Super comfortable and lots of room in the toe box. I just wish they made all of their shoes in a size 14!!!

Where have these been all my life?!?! I'm a big shoe guy since I wa sin middle school. I love the fit, style and stability that I need for my everyday lifestyle. I love Topo's shoes, and these are fantastic! No buyers remorse! And have great conversations with people who ask about my shoes. Love Topo.

They are as comfortable of a shoe as I have worn. The roomy toe box and the cushioning are the perfect combo.

Dixie @ Homemade Wanderlust talked me into to the Terra 3. Great shoes, got several hundred miles on them, but I needed a thicker, more cushioned sole to support this retired 69 year old pastor, 5'6" 180 hiker with a 25 pound pack for 3 to 5 day hikes. I'm not a runner but as fast hiker. My next pair is/was the Ultra Pro's -these were even better! Got 300 miles one them. About to buy a second pair for 2024 till I saw the Traverse - the perfect shoe. Support, cushion, traction & fit!

I own 4 various models of Topo trail and road shoes. They're the best. The Traverse was a Christmas gift from my wife. This is the first Topo shoe that has been a disappointment. As soon I put it on I knew the heal would slip and lacing would only cause me pain on my upper foot. This is the same problem I've had with every other brand. My foot does not "fit down" into the shoe. It rides too high on the platform in the shoe and there's not enough material to wrap around and secure the foot. (Hope I explained that right) I feel Topo got away from what they do best. Love the outsole! Put this outsole on the Ultraventure. Will have to return these and exchange for a different model.

Best foot bed and side support in a large toe box shoe I've experienced. Supremely comfortable for walking and bike riding.

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

Perspective: 40-year-old 160lb 5'9" man with experience with dozens of wide-toebox footwear since 2008. Feet are a narrow C-width and arches are low and flexible. I've tried just about every pair of Topo trail shoes since the original Ultraventure, as well as many of the road shoes. The same goes for Altra. The reason I've tried so many is that they almost never provide a good fit for my narrow feet. Sometimes I've downsized or tried the women's versions, but these were not ideal solution and caused other fit problems. Women's size 11.5 would probably be what I need, but this size is rarely offered and I don't enjoy the feminine colors anyway. Altra slim fits work pretty well for me, but none of those currently have Vibram rubber. After some scary slips, I don't trust their MaxTrac outsoles. These problems sent me to the low volume Astral TR1 shoes. They are very good and fit me very well. However, their toebox is narrower than Altra and Topo Athletic. After being left with blisters on the tops of both pinky toes after a 30-mile day, I went looking for a wider toebox again. This year I've tried another dozen pairs or so. I just completed two wet and muddy 10K Obstacle Coarse races and frequent a 30-mile trail with frequent water crossings. When I saw that the Traverse had a hydrophobic insole and quick draining/drying features, I ordered immediately. I really don't want to settle for anything less than Vibram Megagrip, so I was very hopeful these would be the shoes for me. I recently tried the MTN Racer 3 and was disappointed that I couldn't get a good lockdown. In contrast, these felt secure immediately. There is just the right amount of toebox space for me to wear Injinji Ultra socks with no pressure on either side. My first test was a trail with a 750 foot drop over 2-3 miles. I wasn't intending to run, but the shoes felt so good that I did anyway. I've never used a wide-toebox shoe that was so secure on sustained downhill sections. It really felt like I had Vibram Megragrip lugs attached directly to the bottom of my feet. Though these are apparently not specialized for running, the good fit made me feel much more nimble than usual. The next weekend I wore them on a relatively flat trail half marathon with some mud. They were secure and comfortable the whole time. No blisters after the race, and no foot pain. My ankles and feet were sore after my recent OCR races in some other zero drop wide-toebox shoes, so this was a stark difference. The light stability seems to be just enough for my needs without being overbearing. I previously used the MTN Racer 2 with light stability in a half size down from my usual. I highly prefer the Traverse in every way. I still need to test the quick draining feature. I really enjoy the texture of the insole though. It seems to grip my socks better than the slidey Ortholite insoles. This is probably also part of why they feel so secure. Everything certainly dried out fast after I cleaned off all the mud from my race. Topo, please continue to make shoes like this one. Surely more people like me that are stuck in between men and women's widths but still want wide toeboxes exist. I would love more colors. The Pursuit's color scheme is my favorite. I would love to see the Traverse in those colors.

I have been using my Mountain Racers on a lot of our Sierra Trips this Summer and it has provided many smiling moments while running over hill and dale. The trails I travel over have a wide variety of surfaces. From granite stair steps and boulders to pine carpeted forest sections the MR has been outstanding, though actually a little too cushioned (for my taste) for proper hiking. The Traverse combines all the attributes I love in the MR and adds qualities which make it one of the best hikers I have ever used. Presently, I have over 150 miles in them. Just got back from a trip to the last open in the Eastern Sierras of California, in a place called Lundy Lake, near Lee Vining. Did several long trips over the course of several days including a trek to one of the nicest lakes I have ever seen in the Sierras. Incredible outsole, protective and light upper. The toe bumper was awesome in the rocky sections. Many steep grades, sometimes over 20%, so you know there were some gnarly descents too. The Traverse excels at everything you present I with. With every model I try from Top it seems the brand continues to improve on already excellent products. Every iteration of new models seem to be linear improvements and new models build on the heritage of all the feedback they get from you and I, the users. Chapeau Topo, for another model well done!

I have been a big fan of the brand, and run primarily in the Mountain Racer 3 and Terraventure 4. While both of those shoes are very capable hikers, the Traverse has added comfort, support and stability that will make these my go to shoes for longer hikes, backpacking trips and travel. The beaded insole provides step in comfort and a nice rebound sensation, while the midsole feels very stable over uneven terrain. Vibram Megagrip outsoles provide superior grip in all conditions.