Topo Athletic - MTN Racer 3
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 5, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
36
9
"I adore my MTN Racer 3's! ... I ran a rim-to-rim-to-rim in a pair, last year's Javelina Jundred (100M), and the Anza Borrego 50M in them. ... Bombproof and 100% trustworthy. ... They are incredible. ... But my Racer 3's took all sorts of hardcore abuse and never ripped, bulged, or tore. ... I ran hundreds of brutal miles without a single issue. ... And I've had two pair to date; looking at getting another pair in the spring."
"I adore my MTN Racer 3's! ... I ran a rim-to-rim-to-rim in a pair, last year's Javelina Jundred (100M), and the Anza Borrego 50M in them. ... Bombproof and 100% trustworthy. ... They are incredible. ... But my Racer 3's took all sorts of hardcore abuse and never ripped, bulged, or tore. ... I ran hundreds of brutal miles without a single issue. ... And I've had two pair to date; looking at getting another pair in the spring."
"I’m 280 miles in on my MTN Racer 3 and probably 40% of those miles with a 25-40lb pack/ruck weight. Sharp granite and volcanic trails with death marbles galore. Quite a bit of talus scramble and 3/4 class chose. Pretty sure they’ll make it to 350, maybe 400."
36
9
"I adore my MTN Racer 3's! ... I ran a rim-to-rim-to-rim in a pair, last year's Javelina Jundred (100M), and the Anza Borrego 50M in them. ... Bombproof and 100% trustworthy. ... They are incredible. ... But my Racer 3's took all sorts of hardcore abuse and never ripped, bulged, or tore. ... I ran hundreds of brutal miles without a single issue. ... And I've had two pair to date; looking at getting another pair in the spring."
"I adore my MTN Racer 3's! ... I ran a rim-to-rim-to-rim in a pair, last year's Javelina Jundred (100M), and the Anza Borrego 50M in them. ... Bombproof and 100% trustworthy. ... They are incredible. ... But my Racer 3's took all sorts of hardcore abuse and never ripped, bulged, or tore. ... I ran hundreds of brutal miles without a single issue. ... And I've had two pair to date; looking at getting another pair in the spring."
"I’m 280 miles in on my MTN Racer 3 and probably 40% of those miles with a 25-40lb pack/ruck weight. Sharp granite and volcanic trails with death marbles galore. Quite a bit of talus scramble and 3/4 class chose. Pretty sure they’ll make it to 350, maybe 400."
55
6
"they fit me perfectly. ... I LOVE the arch. ... And the toe room is luxurious!"
"they fit me perfectly. ... I LOVE the arch. ... And the toe room is luxurious!"
"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 😂"
55
6
"they fit me perfectly. ... I LOVE the arch. ... And the toe room is luxurious!"
"they fit me perfectly. ... I LOVE the arch. ... And the toe room is luxurious!"
"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 😂"
25
5
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. ... It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"Mountain Racer 3 for shorter / technical or muddy runs."
"I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip"
25
10
"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 just finished a 52k ultra on the weekend. Not a single blister, not a single black toenail, no foot pain. My quads are a whole different story lol. But the shoes looked after me very well."
"Game changer for foot fatigue (compared to softer and/or thinner soled shoes). ... Put them on the day after and still felt great."
21
21
"Yea, my feet are sore 2 days later, but no blisters, not going to lose any toenails. ... I'm so glad I moved to these shoes."
"I just finished a 52k ultra on the weekend. Not a single blister, not a single black toenail, no foot pain. My quads are a whole different story lol. But the shoes looked after me very well."
"it actually removed the knee pain I had had for years that was ironically caused by hokas"
15
2
"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."
"I like the ultraventure for less technical stuff and the MTN racer for more technical stuff. ... Turns out 4-5 mm of drop was what I needed. Switched about 5 months ago and it seemingly resolved all lingering issues."
25
4
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. ... It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"Mountain Racer 3 for shorter / technical or muddy runs."
"I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip"
73
38
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"Yea, my feet are sore 2 days later, but no blisters, not going to lose any toenails. ... I'm so glad I moved to these shoes."
"I just finished a 52k ultra on the weekend. Not a single blister, not a single black toenail, no foot pain. My quads are a whole different story lol. But the shoes looked after me very well."
Disliked most:
0
1
"the upper holding a ton of water"
"the upper holding a ton of water"
16
11
"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"
"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"
16
11
"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"
"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"
2
2
"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."
"the upper holding a ton of water"
6
16
"It was also surprisingly not very protective. ... Used it for first 50 of a 100 miler and my feet have never hurt so much at the end of race. ... I just don't think Topo's foam with any plate is enough protection for me without more stack."
"It was also surprisingly not very protective. ... Used it for first 50 of a 100 miler and my feet have never hurt so much at the end of race. ... I just don't think Topo's foam with any plate is enough protection for me without more stack."
"Topo shoes gave me tendinitis in both Achilles on my first hike. ... They felt perfect in store and then mid hike it became a real issue. ... I honestly should have walked down barefoot because it lead to me not being able to hike for months. ... The backs of their shoes are very stiff."
6
15
"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."
"For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches."
"I had to immediately return them due to their pronounced arch support. ... My feet hated them"
8
13
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
"I got some hot spots from them on about a 15 mile run after only wearing them a few times. ... My foot spills over the inside of the narrow arch slightly. ... I only use them for training now because of the narrow midfoot."
3
3
"the lack of a rock plate eventually started to bother me on long days of backpacking on rocky trails"
"Neither make shoes with a drop larger than 5mm ... wish they had an 8mm drop shoe with a rock plate"
"it's lower stack height"
7
16
"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."
"For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches."
"I also got PF from dabbling in topos after being an Altra user for years. ... the arch just doesn't work for me."
13
20
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
"the midfoot was way too narrow ... The worst part was the awful midfoot. ... Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot."
"For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches."
I can imagine that the MTN Racers would be a good ultra shoe, I do own them but I've never ran an ultra, full disclaimer. But they are a wide and stable shoe with plenty of cushion, but not so much that they lack any ground feeling. The vibram is super versatile too and they are surprisingly fine on less technical segments of trail or even the odd road link up.
r/trailrunning • Best ultra trail shoes ->I have the MTN Racer 3 and overall I like the shoe, compared to other stuff I have they are a little softer and higher stack but despite this they have quite good ground feel and they are surprisingly usable on link up road and hardpack sections. I really like the Vibram soles, good for varied mixed terrain without feeling overkill. If i ordered a Topo trail shoe again, i would likely go half a size down, I find them a little wide for my feet which I don't think are the widest in the heel and midfoot. I've just ordered the Cyclone 2 and ordered half a size down but I will have to see. I am not a massive fan of the insoles with big arch support that Topo use, although very well made, the obvious flaw is that they just won't fit every different foot. Is anyone able to recommend a decent aftermarket insole for Topos?
r/RunningShoeGeeks • Topo Athletic Trail and Road Shoes ->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.
r/trailrunning • Shoes like Saucony Peregrine 14 RFG ->I have Topo Mountain racer 3. Light weight, cushion, arch support and Vibram soles
r/CaminoDeSantiago • Help me choose my shoes ->As a former Altra fanboy, which included several pairs of LPs, I can vouch for the Mtn Racer 3. Much more durable, the sole/traction is infinitely better, wide toe box, and just an overall more secure feeling shoe. I am much more confident running/racing on the trails in my Topo’s than I was in Altra’s, and they’ve lasted much longer.
r/trailrunning • What’s the best trail running shoe you’ve ever owned and why? ->I’m a big fan of the Topo MTN Racer 3. I haven’t tried the MTN Racer 4 yet. Just did a 20 mile trail race on similar terrain and the shoes were fantastic. They have similar drop and a similar toe box and mid foot to the Altra Experience Wild.
r/trailrunning • Shoe advice: Similar to Altra Experience Wild for rocky Alpine terrain ->Well, I did a short run in these on the treadmill this afternoon and they're not gonna work. The midfoot is just too narrow and uncomfortable, especially with the pronounced arch. I could feel it just pushing up into the side of my foot. It's like the side of my foot is just hanging over the narrow part of the midsole under my arch. Such a shame. I really dig the look of the shoe and was hoping it'd be the right choice for me. I do my long runs on the trails and am preparing for some 50k races next year. I need something that just disappears on my foot. I don't want to be thinking about hotspots or blisters or feeling something unnatural. That said, I did notice Topo makes the MTN Racer 4 in a Wide. I ordered that and hopefully it'll give me the width I need in the midfoot without making the toebox too big. Will post back here with an update after I get the 4's. Supposed to be here on Sunday.
r/trailrunning • Topo MTN Racer 3 - Arch Support Concerns ->I have this exact issue with mine. Overall I love the shoe, but I get a blister on my right foot, exactly where the arch meets the ball of my foot. I’m considering custom insoles but have no idea what to get
r/trailrunning • Topo MTN Racer 3 - Arch Support Concerns ->I have no idea where you’re hearing that altra are the gold standard, they’re usually recommended only if you need one or more of 0 drop, minimal, or wide toe box bc there are few options in those spaces. Durability issues are usually listed as their main draw back. Personally I feel theyre somewhat overblown, as I’d always get 350-400 miles out of mine before the sides blew out. However, that still makes them worse than all other brands I use; which almost all get 500 and I’ll stop using bc of comfort or bounce, not bc the sides explode. The newer timps have much better vibram outsoles, they’re super grippy. Or you can try the topo mountain racer 3 if you’re not stuck on 0 drop, they’re a great shoe and durable too.
r/trailrunning • Altra longevity? ->Currently IMO: Tarkine Trail Devil 2 > Topo MNTN Racer 3 > Altra Lone Peak The Tarkines feel a lot like SpeedGoats with a wider toe box and the grip isn't as good in the wet, not bad, just not as sticky as the Vibram sole on the Hokas. I did 100km race in the Topos, and they're fine in a rotation, just prefer the Tarkines. The Altras are just a bit lifeless, but I don't get blisters in them because of the toebox, so better than a standard shoe if I run long.
r/ultrarunning • Trail shoe recommendations needed ->I've pretty much followed the same path as you and for over 100km: Tarkine Trail Devil 2 > Topo Mtn Racer 3 > Lone Peaks Although I think the LPs have the most forgiving shape and just this week, I got a pair of **Altra Experience Wild**, which are the standard Altra shape (LP are Original shape shape) but much bigger stack height and 4mm offset. They also take the Altra gaiter system, which I really like, so these may get to the top of the list- just need to get some runs in them. So, if you kinda like the LPs but want a bit more, these might be an option for you.
r/ultrarunning • Shoe advice for 100 miler (Altra/Topo guy) ->Topo MTN racer 3!
r/trailrunning • What shoes are you rocking at the moment? ->My Topo MTN racer 3’s felt very good. Widest toe box on any shoe I have, but no issues with the fit. Just a roomy toe box for happy toes
r/trailrunning • Trail running shoes with a wide toe box ? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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