Topo Athletic - MTN Racer 3

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I have giant arches so they are a beautiful fit for me. The arch support pays off especially long distance. Never had an issue with blisters in them.

Not a fan of the swallow tail heel design, but definitely excited to hear that it’s fairly similar to previous models. MTN Racers have kept my feet in incredible condition for every ultra I’ve done. I just wish they’d use TPU for the *midsole* (like Triumph 20s) since, in my experience, it compresses way more gracefully than any other material. Cause my only complaint about Topos is that I can feel my footprint already smashed into the shoe after a long race with little expansion afterward.

Not necessarily. My first pair of Topo Mountain Racer 2s had issues with the uppers separating from the midsole after less than 100 miles. Got reimbursed from Topo, but I’ve had issues with the shoelace eyelets tearing in my pair of the 3s. Seems few shoes are durable anymore.

I'm heavier and the SG5s are my go-tos. Also been liking the Topo MTN racer 3 of late

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. The 5mm lugs are amazing. Kinda looking hard at Topo Vista for the stack height and those 8+ hour days.

Asics trabuco is quite wide. Topo MTN racer 3 is too narrow for me too, mostly due to the midfoot

I wouldn't go for the pegasus for the activity you describe. If I'm not wrong Nikes own outsole it is not good if you get rain (haven't try it myself). I tried topos MTN racer 3, it is nice and I think they could work, but midfoot is too narrow for me. Maybe you can try them. Lug pattern seems good for rocky terrain and they feel quite light and enough cushioned.

Asics trabucos are wide and roomy. The speedgoats 2E are actually very narrow and low volume. Even the mafate speed 4 in normal width are roomier. I tried topo MTN racer 3. They are wide in the forefoot, but narrow in the arch/midfoot. Can't wear them Agility peak 5 is also wide and high volume.

I had same problem with speedgoat 6 wide and Topo mtn racer 3, among other lot of shoes. Mafate speed 4s are a little wider/more volume than the speedgoats if you want to try hoka. I dont run on them more than 3 hours because they still feel narrow to me and cant size up more. Shoes that fit me well and could work for runnable with some technical sections: Asics trabuco 13s: My do it all shoe. From runnable to really technical, the upper gets ripped of easy. Not tall, not too soft but still cuishioned. I have run on them 10+ hours race in very technical high altitude terrain. Asics fujilite: If you are not heavy they could work. I use them for shorter racers and high intensity workouts. Very confortable, but dont have a rockplate and you could feel too much ground if the terrain is rocky. Merrel agility peak 5: Easy running and can handle some technical sections. Dont know if the 6 fits in the same way. Nike Zegama 2: Confortable for easy to moderate terrain. Too soft for really technical stuff in my opinion. Fits nice. Sportiva Akasha 2 and tomir 2: Maybe not the best for the runnable sections, but nice on the technical ones. They are roomy and confortable. I havent tried them but thinking of getting a pair of mount to coast T1 for this years big objetives. They are supposed to be roomy and confortable for long races.

Lowish stack, good grip outsole and not too soft. I have a quite difficult foot and not much shoes fit me well. I use to take for this kind of races trabuco 11 and 13. I would try tomir 2.0, akasha 2, trabuco, mafate speed 4/speedgoat, slab genesis, Topo MTN racer. This year im running 45km +4.000m in high mountain very technical terrain and im thinking to try the mount to coast T1. Last year I did a similar one, 43km +3.700m/-4.000m with the trabuco 13s and quite happy with them, i ended with "fresh" legs.