Topo Athletic - MTN Racer 4
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Jan 28, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
1898
551
"I even washed them accidentally and still worked perfectly fine afterwards."
"Been using them for about four years working out in my gym, and cycling daily (45+ minutes on a bicycle outdoors)."
"They last absolutely forever (I know 1980s models still in daily use)"
292
59
"the splay in the toes is naturally better with that wide toe box"
"the splay in the toes is naturally better with that wide toe box"
"Even after mountain backpacking a dozen miles over very steep rocky trails my toes are never sore or cramped feeling."
561
131
"I was quite impressed with its comfort and trail capabilities, and truly believed I had found an excellent shoe for my long runs and hikes. ... the New Balance Hierro v9 remains my top choice for comprehensive trail running. Its superior comfort and, crucially, its consistently reliable grip in varied and challenging conditions make it a more dependable partner on the trails I typically encounter. ... I feel more secure in the Hierro, and that confidence is key. In fact I will be using it for my upcoming races and that says it all."
"The Vibram Megagrip outsole on the Hierro v9 is simply outstanding. Its 4.5mm lugs provide excellent, reliable traction across various surfaces, from dry dirt to slick roots and muddy patches. I've always felt incredibly secure, and it consistently inspires confidence in diverse conditions. ... Great Vibram outsole grip, even on mud and wet rocks"
"The Trabuco 12 have been the best trail shoes I’ve ever owned. ... I’m 6”4 and charge hard over serious rocky terrain…and I feel completely safe in them."
480
156
"Ran a 50k and never once bothered my feet."
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
15
3
"I can’t do zero drop. ... I don’t like the lack of push off ... I’ve had plantar fasciitis in the past which is not suited for zero drop. ... I use Topo and Altra low heal to toe drop but not zero."
"I can’t do zero drop. ... I don’t like the lack of push off ... I’ve had plantar fasciitis in the past which is not suited for zero drop. ... I use Topo and Altra low heal to toe drop but not zero."
"I’ve taken my Topo MTN racer’s up Longs, Capitol, and multiple laps up Freeway on the 2nd flatiron. ... I’d say they’re the perfect scrambling shoe if you’re looking for something for class 3/4. ... I like a lower drop shoe for scrambling because I feel more centered/connected to the ground."
41
6
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"Topo is also legit wide. ... I wear a women's D width and their wide shoes are TOO wide for me. That never happens with my hobbit feet 😂"
"the wide toe box concept was a life altering discovery for me. ... Topo makes durable shoes with wide toe box"
Disliked most:
398
443
"About a year and the right bud would last about 15 minutes on a full charge."
"I've had them for a few years and now the battery doesn't last for more than 40 mins, so looking for a different model."
"And then during a race in September the mid sole of one pulled right off with less than 200 km on them."
17
16
"And it leaks. Consistently. It sometimes even manages to flood things."
"Biggest issue I had with the tarptent was that the weatherproofing/seam sealing started to fail."
"Both of my Coleman Instant tents have holes in the floor after just 2 uses. Both of them leaked water in a moderate storm. ... The Coleman Instant Tent has a known issue with leaks so they sell an additional aftermarket rainfly. ... I have the rainfly. Doesn't even cover the windows.... The windows fill up with water and then the water started dripping right off the keeper for the windows screen...."
2
6
"they hold SO MUCH WATER. ... They are not waterproof, but they don’t drain very well. ... I wish they drained better."
"they hold SO MUCH WATER. ... They are not waterproof, but they don’t drain very well. ... I wish they drained better."
"I hate that nylon sags and it's actually pretty weird it sucks up water. The last thing you want a tent to do is get heavier, stay wet and lose tension."
18
17
"Topos narrow so insanely in the midfoot it’s insane. I grabbed the ultraventure 4s and had the worst foot pain ever because my feet were just hanging off the sides."
"Topos narrow so insanely in the midfoot it’s insane. I grabbed the ultraventure 4s and had the worst foot pain ever because my feet were just hanging off the sides."
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
8
20
"For me the Terraventure 4 had the worst pronounced arch. Paired with the narrower midfoot and need to tighten the top of the laces for better heel hold, it caused me to commonly have more pressure(on the arch) and pain during runs with that model."
"For me the Terraventure 4 had the worst pronounced arch. Paired with the narrower midfoot and need to tighten the top of the laces for better heel hold, it caused me to commonly have more pressure(on the arch) and pain during runs with that model."
"I tried Topo mtn racer3s last week and they had the traction I want but they blistered my arches on all 3 of the runs I did in them."
21
2
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
33
18
"They fell apart quickly ... I wore them for 300ish miles before they had fallen apart."
"the top of the shoes by the tongue was completely worn through, so that the plastic-y interior material was coming through ... both were split next to the tongue"
"They also had a hole in the side that I had to sew up for him ... had a hole in one shoe"
20
20
"PT 5 US size 10.5 is still not enough for me ... while size 11 is okay but with heel slip."
"they made them much more narrow across the mid foot and I could barely pull them on."
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
arctic-fox-8 1.0The 4s already came out! Got them during REI’s anniversary sale and they’ve been fantastic. Just wish the cushioning was a little softer for extremely long rocky trails
BigfootWallace 1.0I’ll second Topos, extremely durable trail runners. I trail run in Pursuit 2s (zero drop).
Same- loved my old Pursuits but the MTN Racer 4 has been great lately.
cereal-killer8 1.0La sportiva prodigios. Spacious toe box, deep heel cup, plenty of cushion but a firm ride, and great traction like all la sportiva shoes. My holy grail. The topo mtn racers are nice too
CheapEbb2083 1.0Topo Athletic [https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail](https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail) are worth considering if you like Altra, and I've had 6 pair of Altra.
endurablegoods 1.0Another Topo guy, here. I've had three pairs of MNT Racer 3's and the Ultraventure 4's. I have very wide feet and a very high arch. I get what people are saying about the arch support being a little too much, but, man...they fit me perfectly. I LOVE the arch. And the toe room is luxurious! I ran the R2R2R in a pair of Racer 3's. Flawless. I ran the 100-mile Javelina Jundred in three different pairs (Pursuit 2, older Racer 3's, and a new pair of Racer 3's). Flawless. I'm running the OM 100K in Washington State (14,300' miles of elevation gain) in a few weeks in a new pair of Racer 3's and a broken-in pair of Ultraventure 4s) Point is: I love these shoes and I think they are worth a look. Tough as nails; I feel very protected and more confident in my footing. And there's something about how they lace that I just love. Hard to explain, just feel secure. Personally, I'd try the Racer 4's (but you can get a good deal on the 3's and you probably won't know the difference). *(FWIW: I was a die-hard Altra guy until they got too narrow in the toe box.)*
Gummmbeee 1.0I use Topo MTN Racer shoes. In Australia they're not cheap, but no more than all the other brands. Uphill running is just hard work. Don't try to race it (yet) just short steps and grind your way up. Yes your legs and lungs will burn, but that's the overload that is necessary to get the strength and fitness. Downhill running needs care and technique to avoid injury from falling. Run with short quick steps. Try not to put the brakes on to slow yourself because that actually needs MORE traction, which is in limited supply on steep hills. You have to run with gravity a bit. It's scary. You need the short steps so you can change direction to dodge bad spots or find the less slippery spots. Good luck! Enjoy your trail running, it's worth it!
I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip
I've been thru Topo Hydroventure, Ultraventure 1/2/3, MTN Racer 1/2/3/4. The UV3's lost the outer/lug grip plot, the MTN3's felt like running in floppy support-free canvas bags (the MTN4's are a return to form). I haven't tried the Vistas yet. What I'm concerned about with the Vistas is catching little rocks in that split heel just like Saucony Peregrines do. Did you experience this in your run test? Other than that, the lugs are the same as the MTN4's, right?
Check out Topo Athletic's MTN Racer v4 - great grip, good cushioning, 33mm heel height/5mm drop, long life, neutral/supportive.
Topo Mtn Racer v4 for the win!
Topo Mtn Racer v4 for the win!
HEPA_Bane 1.0Topo Mountain Racer 4 is great.
HumbleRunning 1.0Have you looked at S/LAB Genesis, or the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pro? I've got 497 miles in my first S/LAB Genesis pair and still have them. Prodigio Pro is one of my top picks so far in 2025. Kjerag is very minimal underfoot - don't expect anywhere near Speedgoat level of cushion or protection with those. That's a completely different type of shoe. I just tested the MTN Racer 4 and I don't think it's a great update. There's a lot of protection underfoot but it got heavier and lost a lot of flexibility.
HyperKitten123 1.0Howdy ULers, I am in need of some real help and advice. I feel like I have been on a never ending journey to find a pair of shoes that actually work with my feet for the better part of 4 years. Lets start with what I've tried and why they don't work: * Altra Olympus 5 - One of the most comfortable shoes to try on, love how they walk and the padding is great for PA trails. However after about \~150 miles the padding around the ankle that locks your heel in place rubs and destroys my Achilles. Maybe that's when the inside of the sole starts collapsing and the shoe has just worn out, but for $180 that's disappointing. Would try again if the only option * Altra Lone peaks (All WTR Mids, 8, 9) - I have wanted to love these shoes and keep trying them again, but they have zero arch support, they have no padding, and no durability. If I lived in Washington these would probably be perfect, but alas, \*rocks\* * La Sportiva Jeckyll 2 - my current runners. Durability is 10/10 I've put at least 300 miles on these shoes and they are groing strong. The from the insole down to the outsole they're the best shoes on earth, however the toe box is narrow, and the upper is so thin that the laces hit a lot of uncomfortable pressure points on the tops of my feet. * Topo MTN Racer 4- loved the dimpled insole, everything else about this shoe was a disaster. * La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX - I got these on my travel day going from the whites to the ADK's because I rolled my ankle in my runners and desperately needed some ankle support. Swapped the regular insoles for some SOLE cork guys and will hopefully have some success, but the outsoles are not super grippy and I really wish they were. * LOWA Renegade GTX - I had a pair of these for 5+ years and are overall the best boot ever made if you ask me. Unfortunately, they're super heavy, dont breath at all, and the boot goes up quite high and it makes moving quickly where you want your ankle to be able to move, impossible. So that brings me to the next point, what I would look for in an ideal shoes: * medium cushion stack made of responsive, dense foam, grippy outsoles, and a supportive insole (solomon and the la sportiva jeckyll do this best IMO) * A wider toe and foot box, with a durable upper that breathes, but is thicker than a layer of mesh to pad the foot against the laces * zero drop with a hell lock system that doesn't rely on gripping around the Achillies. So people of Ultralight, does anyone have some ideas for what to try next? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! EDIT to ask if anyone has actually tried the Flux Footwear trail runners? Ive looked wt the brand several times and always feel skeptical.
Inevitable_Weekend_9 1.0Hoka mafate speed 4, topo mtn racer
Topo! Either mtn racer 4 or vista
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