MTN Racer 1

Have you ran in the early MTN racers? I have had issues with rolled ankles other than the MTN racer 1 which I has so so so many with, and have steered clear of TOPO since. Wondering if there has been been a change in stability since then

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?

I 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

Topo Athletic MTN Racer - 5mm drop, foot shaped with a huge toebox, vibram, mid-high stack, not the lightest but very durable and versatile. They also have 3 and 0mm drop shoes in the lineup. Otherwise would look at Inov8, Scarpa, Salomon. Scarpa Ribelle Run or similar could be good although I haven't tried them. Or Salomon Thundercross. If you get on with zero drop then Inov8, maybe Altra.

Same here. The fit is very similar between the two.

Topo does the wide toe box. My Ultraventures have a 5mm drop, Terraventures have a 3mm drop and there is also the mtnracer model as well (haven't tried that one yet).

Have you looked at the Topo lineup of shoes? Same wide toe box, same 0mm drop options. I have a bunch of them. Some zero drop, some 3 and 5mm drops. The only thing I don't like about Topos is that I hate ortho-lite insoles so I swap in super feet insoles instead. But that is probably an issue in most trail shoes since they try to go lightweight.

Topo Terraventures and Mtn Racers are also great trail shoes with a wide toe box. Low drop but not zero drop, so an easier transition from Brooks. And Topos last way longer than Altras in my experience. Was only getting 400 miles on Altras and I get close to 600 miles on Topos.

I have both the Topo Vista and the Mtn Racers and don't find one any more or less grippy on trails than the other. Both have good traction. Is there something about your experience with the Vista that makes you doubtful? Based on what you've written here I'd go with the Vista and have the Mtn Racers available in case you want to switch out.

Nah I’m with you and so is every trail runner I know. My blue Topo Mtn Racers have 500 miles on them and still look great. I’ve had light colored trail shoes that looked like garbage after 2 runs

Yeah I did get some heel blisters in the Mtn Racers when I stupidly ran a 100M in them without doing heel lock lacing first. Once I did the heel lock they’ve been great for me, no more blisters

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!)

If you are looking at Topos, just know that the MTN racer has a narrower toebox than the ultraventure. Mtn racer didn't work for me but ultraventures do.

You might have luck with Brooks Catamount or Cascadias! They both are fairly narrow and have a protective rock plate. I also love Topo Mtn Racers- they have a wider toe box but are narrower everywhere else, and they have vibram soles with great traction. As a general heads up, I have narrow feet too and swear by heel lock lacing- it’s been a game changer and prevents a lot of heel slipping!

Ultraventures are amazing for less technical stuff but that vibram compound isn’t good on wet rocks and the like. You want megagrip — I wear the Ultraventure most days but the Vista when it’s wet and technical. Mtn racer is solid too and lower stack so more stable, but the heel cup caused blisters for me. 

I have a few! Pursuit and MTN Racer are my primary trail shoes. Phantom and Magnifly are my primary road shoes.