MTN Racer 4

Worth noting that the MTN Racer is not waterproof (and shouldn't be)

The 4s already came out! Got them during REI’s anniversary sale and they’ve been fantastic. Just wish the cushioning was a little softer for extremely long rocky trails

Same- loved my old Pursuits but the MTN Racer 4 has been great lately.

I’ll second Topos, extremely durable trail runners. I trail run in Pursuit 2s (zero drop).

La sportiva prodigios. Spacious toe box, deep heel cup, plenty of cushion but a firm ride, and great traction like all la sportiva shoes. My holy grail. The topo mtn racers are nice too

Topo Athletic [https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail](https://www.topoathletic.com/activities/go-trail) are worth considering if you like Altra, and I've had 6 pair of Altra.

Another Topo guy, here. I've had three pairs of MNT Racer 3's and the Ultraventure 4's. I have very wide feet and a very high arch. I get what people are saying about the arch support being a little too much, but, man...they fit me perfectly. I LOVE the arch. And the toe room is luxurious! 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'm running the OM 100K in Washington State (14,300' miles of elevation gain) in a few weeks in a new pair of Racer 3's and a broken-in pair of Ultraventure 4s) Point is: I love these shoes and I think they are worth a look. Tough as nails; I feel very protected and more confident in my footing. And there's something about how they lace that I just love. Hard to explain, just feel secure. Personally, I'd try the Racer 4's (but you can get a good deal on the 3's and you probably won't know the difference). *(FWIW: I was a die-hard Altra guy until they got too narrow in the toe box.)*

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?

Check out Topo Athletic's MTN Racer v4 - great grip, good cushioning, 33mm heel height/5mm drop, long life, neutral/supportive.

Topo Mtn Racer v4 for the win!

Topo Mtn Racer v4 for the win!

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

I just tried on all the wider options for trail runners at REI today, Topo Mtn Racer 4’s are what I ended up with. Recommend checking those out.

Topo Mountain Racer 4 is great.

Have you looked at S/LAB Genesis, or the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pro? I've got 497 miles in my first S/LAB Genesis pair and still have them. Prodigio Pro is one of my top picks so far in 2025. Kjerag is very minimal underfoot - don't expect anywhere near Speedgoat level of cushion or protection with those. That's a completely different type of shoe. I just tested the MTN Racer 4 and I don't think it's a great update. There's a lot of protection underfoot but it got heavier and lost a lot of flexibility.