11 in Trail Running Shoes
Topo Athletic - MTN Racer 4
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 17, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
25
10
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
24
4
"They have a normal heel and midfoot, but the forefoot is very roomy. ... My feet haven't felt so good in years."
"the wide toe box concept was a life altering discovery for me. ... Topo makes durable shoes with wide toe box"
"I have wide feet and they are fantastic. ... roomy toe box."
25
4
"the wide toe box concept was a life altering discovery for me. ... Topo makes durable shoes with wide toe box"
"the wide toe box concept was a life altering discovery for me. ... Topo makes durable shoes with wide toe box"
"I have wide feet and they are fantastic. ... roomy toe box."
16
7
"I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip"
"I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip"
"I get 1200km out of Topo Mountain Racers before the Vibram has lost most of its grip"
9
2
"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’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."
16
2
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. ... It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"As far as grip goes, all three are excellent. ... It's truly amazing how good they are at gripping scree, sand, and unstable terrain."
"Grip felt great springing off rocks, kept grip in sandy sections, and the big lugs were able to keep everything locked down on fast downhill sprint sections."
Disliked most:
1
1
"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."
12
1
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
"it wasn’t quite wide enough in the toe box for me"
12
10
"the material near my big toe and pinky toe were ripping at the creases after only 125 miles."
"the material near my big toe and pinky toe were ripping at the creases after only 125 miles."
"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."
11
9
"the material near my big toe and pinky toe were ripping at the creases after only 125 miles."
"the material near my big toe and pinky toe were ripping at the creases after only 125 miles."
"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."
6
5
"Unfortunately, it’s still too narrow for me."
"mid sole is too tight"
"Mtn Racer and Phantom road off the top of my head) are still unfortunately too narrow in the mid foot"
4
5
"Unfortunately, it’s still too narrow for me."
"mid sole is too tight"
"Mtn Racer and Phantom road off the top of my head) are still unfortunately too narrow in the mid foot"
3
4
"For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches."
"For flat feet, stay away from Topo - they have super high arch support that caused me major issues even with just low arches."
"I tried Topos but found there to be too much support and got blisters under my arch."
AceTracer 1.0Worth noting that the MTN Racer is not waterproof (and shouldn't be)
arctic-fox-8 1.0The 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
BigfootWallace 1.0Same- 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).
cereal-killer8 1.0La 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
CheapEbb2083 1.0Topo 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.
endurablegoods 1.0Another 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.)*
Gummmbeee 1.0I'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
Handplanes 1.0I 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.
HEPA_Bane 1.0Topo Mountain Racer 4 is great.
HumbleRunning 1.0Have 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.
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