Topo Athletic - MT-5

I’m really liking Topo MT-5s for road to trail

Weird! I have flat feet and Topos don’t bother me at all. I’ve definitely experienced that high arch feeling in other shoes, but never Topos (and I have 6 different models of them!)

Can you not order the shoes, try them on, and return if you don’t like? FYI: I am a 9 in most shoes (except for Altra, where I’m a 9.5), and the size 9 Terranventure fits me perfectly. I tried the MT-5’s a few weeks ago in our local store but in a 9.5, and sure enough, it was just a tad too big. So I’d go with the size you are wearing in the majority of your shoes.

3.) If you like the roomy toe box of Alta’s, try some Topo Athletics. I have a wide foot box and narrow heel so liked the basic fit of Altras but the zero drop was not for me. I’ve been running in Topo MT 5 and find they are just about as roomy but with enough drop to keep my mid foot happy. 2.) I’m happy with my cheap INOXTO vest from Amazon. I think it was like 30$ (including the bladder) and sounds like it would match what you are looking for: includes 1.5L bladder. There are 4 pockets in the front. I usually stuff those with snacks and my phone but have also put an extra 300cc silicon water bottle in there without a problem. Plus there is a back pocket which fits a windbreaker. If you hate it, it is Amazon and easily returned. 1.) My go to is English muffin with peanut butter and jelly + banana about 1hr before I get started and the Clif Bloks through the run with plenty of water. Cramping is also a sign you maybe going to hard. Fuel, slow down, drink water, enjoy the ride 🙂 Happy trails✌️

does Saucony make a wide toe box trail shoe? my experience with Peregrines is that they are medium to narrow in the toe. I switched to Topo for the wider box - I love both the MT-5 amd the Terraventure.

I had 3 pairs of superiors shred apart on the upper on both inside and outside just above where it connects to the base of the shoe. Same for 3 pairs of outroads. I've never had a non altra showle do this. They all died at under 250km. I have ~1800 km on a pair of nordas right now, and ~700 and 400 on a couple pairs of Topo mt5s. Ive put over 1000km on each of the last 3 pairs of topo phantoms I have had. I have a pair of timps and they have held up well, and the paradigm 4 was an amazing altra shoe. Altra is absolutely hit and miss and this topic comes up a ton. It isnt and OP thing. Its an altra thing.

Im a former altra guy. Topo is it for me. Fully worth a try. I also like the norda 002, but they are not quiiiiiite as wide, but I have ~1800 k on my first pair, and 600+ on my second pair.

Not under 100 bucks but IMHO worth every penny and my joints and back thank me, ToPo brand MT-5 model (5’s just launched a week ago so 4’s might be on sale now). Edit to add Salomon XA Pro 3D’s are my faves too

Love my ToPo mountain racer 5’s! Love ToPo! Phantom model for my daily walkers and gym time

Yes love my new ToPo MT-5’s (mountain racers)

I only own one pair that I do for all of my runs—the Brooks Adrenalines. My old-fashioned dad says that’s all I need and, well, it costs half as much as having two pairs. I am however, one of the many people in the running community who is constantly at risk for ankle/tibia problems and I’ve learned that owning multiple pairs of shoes is beneficial for preventing overuse injuries. So with all this being said, how many of you own multiple pairs of running shoes? If you own multiple pairs, what’s your “rotation”? Have you experienced a decrease in injury flare ups? Lastly, would love to hear about your favorite shoes! I’m especially interested in shoes that work well for running on roads and trails as I live in San Francisco and the only way to get to the trails is running a few miles on the road first. Thanks so much! Edit: I got the Topo MT-5s! Amazing shoes. So lightweight, nice wide toe box but a stable heel, 5mm heel drop which is high for trail running but they’re listed as road-to-trail hybrids which are exactly what I needed (plus my other shoes are 8mm drop so I need to gradually work my way down). Thank you all for your advice and input! Someday when I train for another road event I’ll definitely get a new pair for road running.

Wanted to let you know I got the Topo MT-5s and am OBSESSED!! They’re amazing, I went on an 18 mile hike today on technical trails and they felt like air on my feet

Which Topos do you have? I’m running a trail marathon in June and wanna get some. I’m attracted to the 0mm heel drop but I need to work my way down to those since my current shoes are about 12mm

Topo MT-4. Fits me well, great for most trails and fine on pavement, so plenty versatile. All 4 pairs i’ve had lasted for about 1000km. Well, I’m about 800k into the last pair, and then i suppose it’s time to try the MT-5. I also loved the og MT to bits, but 2 and 3 weren’t as nice as 4.

Topo MT-4. Fits me well, great for most trails and fine on pavement, so plenty versatile. All 4 pairs i’ve had lasted for about 1000km. Well, I’m about 800k into the last pair, and then i suppose it’s time to try the MT-5. I also loved the og MT to bits, but 2 and 3 weren’t as nice as 4.

Topo MT-4. Fits me well, great for most trails and fine on pavement, so plenty versatile. All 4 pairs i’ve had lasted for about 1000km. Well, I’m about 800k into the last pair, and then i suppose it’s time to try the MT-5. I also loved the og MT to bits, but 2 and 3 weren’t as nice as 4.

Altra LP, Saucony Perigrine, Topo MT or Terraventures, Brooks Cascadia, and the list goes on. I am biased for Altra Lone Peaks for its ultimate comfort. The Olympus are a bit chunky for trails in my opinion but it is up to you to try them on and decide. Altra LP are comfortable out of the box. The outsole is durable and work well for most conditions. If you run on wet trails, find a shoe with Vibram outsole (Olympus for Altra). IMO, on trails the lower the drop the better. The zero drop is very unnoticeable. Most moderate and harder trails are constantly changing under foot, having a drop of greater than 4mm for me is detrimental for stability. If you are running easy trails or gravel paths a regular road shoe will be fine. The advantages of a trail shoe are foot protection, water drainage and grip. Otherwise a pair of road shoe can handle flat paths of gravel or packed dirt just fine. Go to a specialty store and try try, try. Remember sales associates can give good advice......but they can also be misinformed or biased. They can recommend but you need to make the decision based on your preferences.

Not sure if they’re trail runners but I made the switch from Hoka Speedgoats and zero drop Altras to Topos with a 5mm drop. The Topos are still going strong on the soles.