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.
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.
When our store first considered carrying Topo the main reason their sales rep gave for why we should have them in store was “Topo is like Altra but durable.” TBF they’re our fastest growing brand and almost everyone who tries them on leaves with a pair.
Some Topo models do come in wide! The Ultraventure and Mtn Racer do for sure, I’m fairly certain the Vista does as well. My store doesn’t carry Marrill so I can’t speak to the comparison.
My suggestion on buying would be to find a local running store that carries Topo and ask about their return policy. For example, my store will exchange anything for store credit within 30 days regardless of condition, so buying and trying is basically risk-free.
As far as ultralight goes- I don’t think footwear counts toward your base weight, so use what’s comfy. (Correct me if I’m wrong here)
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