Topo Athletic - Traverse

For durability, you wan the Topo Traverse, not the Terraventure. The Traverse replaces the 2023 Ultraventure Pro. Do some research on that shoe. You'll find thru hiking Trstimony it outlasted anything made by Altra. I have both, and the Traverse is the same shoe As the Ultraventure Pro, just with a few nice material upgrades.

I'm wearing my topo traverse and got 800 miles out of the first pair. Close to 400 on my current pair and will try to stretch these.

I'm currently on the PCT. I hike anywhere from 20-30 miles per day and will be ramping up in Oregon. Currently wearing topo traverse. Topo made these specifically for thru hikers.i started with Hoka speedgoats in a wide but they are too narrow and has been the case for many PCT hikers that I've come across. It doesn't mean it won't work for you. I also had some lone peaks. The new ones are trash and people with foot problems blaze physio (the physical therapist that follows the PCT bubble) always found that the common denominator is these shoes and how flexible they are. Most people are also not used to zero drop shoes coming from regular sneakers. I did not like my lone peaks because it didn't give me the grip I wanted. I'm loving my traverses which gave me zero blisters the past few months and 1400 miles.

I just switched from boots to trail runners and I have the exact opposite problem of being not very flexible at all. I was still worried about rolling my ankle in trail runners because my boots have saved me from rolling injury a few times already. What I found for me is that the trail runners I use are very stable but I couldn't comfortably use anything less than 5mm drop. The 3mm drop made my knees feel weird. I have an very high arch and extremely wide feet. What worked for me is the Topo Traverse in 12 wide with Injinji toe socks and I stuck a piece of velcro on the back for my Dirty Girl gaiters. What I found is the shoes are lighter, cooler, and just as stable as my boots on most trails conditions. They are 5mm drop with a rock plate and a Vibram sole with aggressive tread. I took them on a 7 mile hike in the pouring rain and I never had a blister, the rock plate saved my foot from feeling every rock and root but I could still feel the trail on the front of the shoe just fine and the heel cup was very secure. I had plenty of room in the toe box for even thicker socks if I needed them. The water drained out of the shoe and I found no debris inside my shoe at the end of the day. The insole of these shoes are also closed cell foam and does not absorb water. A few times I stepped on wet clay and the tread did not quickly slip but instead provided enough grip to keep by balance. At the end of the 7 miles I am satisfied with the purchase and switch to these trail runners. I had no blisters, my feet were in great condition to keep hiking or go hiking the next day without a break, and I didn't have anything in my shoes. I hiked the same trail in dry conditions the same week and had the same results. Boots and trail runners are just tools and its wise to always use the right tool for the job depending on the type of terrain. For me that means 90% of the time I can be confident wearing my trail runners. I use trekking poles at all times for safety so that also helps me stay stable on my feet. Sorry for the Ted Talk but I hope this helps others wondering about switching to trail runners and this is what worked for me. Good luck finding a shoe that works for you!

I had major issues with plantar fasciitis that was very painful—Topo Traverse ended up being my holy grail shoe. It’s actually made for thru-hiking, unlike other trail runners, and it’s a stability shoe, which gave my feet the relief they needed. I know it can be brutal once you’ve already developed blisters, so this might not be as helpful. But I managed to avoid blisters by being fastidious about prevention. I swear by toe socks because they stay in place on your foot much better, which prevents rubbing. And most importantly, Leuko tape. As soon as I felt a hot spot developing, I would stop immediately (no, not in half a mile) and put Leuko tape over it. Then leave that Leuko tape in place until it fell off or until town. Stopped the blisters every time.

I love topo traverse. I’ve used many. These are my favorite.

I've been using topo traverse since last summer. I am loving them! Did quite a few 10+ mile hikes with no problems right out of the box.

Since last week I'm a firm believer in trail shoes: Topo Athletic Traverse. No more pain, no blisters, no sweaty feet. Love them.

Topo traverse was literally made for this specific purpose

Topo makes the best running shoes ever. IMO the traverse are the best all around training shoe ever created. enough stability for strength training enough of a running shoe i have done ultras in them, enough of a hiking shoe for class 5 tech terrain. i cannot say enough good things about these shoes

Ive been using the new topo mtn racer. Definitely feels like a pretty cushioned shoe even if its not. I like the firmness of my old topo traverse better. But imo topo make amazing shoes and their durability is crazy. Have 1000km+ on my old topos and they still feel great

I ended up getting the Topo Traverses and love them! Unfortunately I’ve been having a lot of pain in my arches (before getting them and after). Hoping to make it to the summit but rough when after ~10 miles then consistently have a sharp pain. Definitely am now more aware of how important foot care is. Never realized how flat my feet are until now.

I wear minimalist/barefoot/zero drop shoes day to day. I also hiked 1300 miles of PCT including all of JMT (well, the large part that overlaps) wearing a mix of Altras and Topos. I much prefer the Topos as simply much more durable and a bit more supportive, well worth the small weight penalty. Currently rocking the Traverse model. The year after my big hike, I attempted to hike a pretty tough 120-mile section "off the couch" using Vivo barefoot shoes instead of tried-and-true Topos. It was a total disaster. By mile 13, the soles of my feet were two giant blister cushions. I hobbled out the next day nearly crying from pain and hitched home, utterly defeated. Turns out padding and isolation from scorching hot jagged/sloped black basalt surfaces is important. So yeah, as u/_m2thet says, barefoot is good for maintenance of foot strength and gentle tread in normal, less demanding life conditions. Then when you put your feet to a hard test, you still want all the protection you can get.

I wear minimalist/barefoot/zero drop shoes day to day. I also hiked 1300 miles of PCT including all of JMT (well, the large part that overlaps) wearing a mix of Altras and Topos. I much prefer the Topos as simply much more durable and a bit more supportive, well worth the small weight penalty. Currently rocking the Traverse model. The year after my big hike, I attempted to hike a pretty tough 120-mile section "off the couch" using Vivo barefoot shoes instead of tried-and-true Topos. It was a total disaster. By mile 13, the soles of my feet were two giant blister cushions. I hobbled out the next day nearly crying from pain and hitched home, utterly defeated. Turns out padding and isolation from scorching hot jagged/sloped black basalt surfaces is important. So yeah, as u/_m2thet says, barefoot is good for maintenance of foot strength and gentle tread in normal, less demanding life conditions. Then when you put your feet to a hard test, you still want all the protection you can get.

I wanted to love the traverse but they were too narrow in the front and I got some heel slippage with the low heel. Ultraventure 4 has a wider front and taller heel so fixed both these issues for me! I do like how Topo makes a variety of shoes to fit everyone, even though the shoes are similar to each other. they are awesome

I have hypermobility and found the Topo Traverse to be a good balance between lightness and stability. LaSportiva ultra raptor was also recommended to me and seemed like a great shoe, but was too narrow for my feet. I love the lone peaks for walks around town and gentle/shorter hikes, but I would never try to hike a long trail with them again.

I’m telling ya for me it’s topo traverse very durable for a trail runner

I first hiked in speedgoats (wide) and was very happy with them. The only downside is that the grip is gone pretty fast. I need to replace them after ~700 miles but they might take you further. I am just not in the mood for a broken shoe in the middle of nowhere. I swapped to the topo traverse out of curiosity because they are hard to get in my home country. After a few days my left food started to hurt to thw point where I was barely able to walk. Loosening the shoe solved the problem but i did not really feel comfortable with a verly loosely tied shoe. Now I can wear them without problems but I haven't done any multi day hikes with them since I'm back. Never change your shoe model if they work for you! Pro speedgoats: had no problems, good cushening, good fit is nice for rough terrain, my feet felt more protected Pro traverse: bigger toebox, grip lasts way longer

I had no blisters nor other foot problens with my hoka speedgoats. They also lasted longer than the topo traverse I tried.

If the shoes will only be used for hiking (not running), then the midsole of the Prodigio Max might be overkill. I think the Topo Athletic Traverse suits what you're looking for. They're very similar to the Lone Peaks, but with 5mm drop

I highly recommend the Topo Traverse for the last 300 miles, if they fit your feet. Vibram Megagrip outsole is the bees knees and had me waltzing right up and down Maine's slanted rock slabs. And an insole that doesn't absorb water was really nice with all the fords and stream-as-trail. As others have said, the PT will diagnose your hip pain. Could be anything from bursitis to weak glutes to poor posture to ... Don't be surprised if the cure is core strength exercises.

My feet sweat so bad that my waterproof boots are soaked even in dry conditions so I prefer shoes that dry quickly inside and ventilate well to keep my feet from soaking. I did a 20 mile hike in NM that crossed the Gila river maybe 40 times and my Topo Traverse shoes were perfect because after the river section they had dried during the next 30 minutes of dry hiking. If you don't have sweaty feet then waterproof boots are probably better though!

Ultraventures were very popular on the pct in '23, but no tread for rougher trails. Traverses solve this with tread and a rackplate, so midsole foam not so important. I've gone through several pairs of these now. They last maybe 1200km but then the uppers tear.  New topo shoe versions have weakened the uppers too much in the name of breathability. 

Topo Traverse. Comfy, durable, grippy, reliable.

Topo makes great shoes Edit: I had Altras that were trash, but I love my topos

Altras are junk (I’ve tried two pairs) Topo Athletic are much better

Keeping your feet dry and clean will prevent blisters. Try using Merino wool socks (Darn Tough are my fav), consider sock liners if you still get blisters. Air out your feet and change your socks every few hours. Really you will need to try out some things and see what works for your feet and your body. When you select footwear, remember that usually your feet will swell after a few hours hiking. Consider a size larger than typical for your feet. I have been doing a lot of training with trail runners, getting ready for TMB and training with 25 pound pack. My feet suck (very flat) and I have custom orthotics. I have tried 4 trail runners so far: * Altra Lone Peak - very minimalist, I feel the rocks, I wouldn't use them on rough trails, but if you are running ultralight kit this could be a great option. * Topo Traverse - semi-minimalist, I felt some rocks in these. Probably my favorite for smoother trails and light loads. I've read these are more durable than the Altra Lone Peak. * Hoka Speedgoat - not comfortable for my feet but I was impressed with the soles, very grippy * Brooks Cascadia - My favorite that I have tried. Most comfortable for my feet. On the heavier side for trail runners. * For colder weather and rough terrain my favorite are the Oboz Bridger boots (not ultralight).

Ultraventure Pro are my go-to. Did the SWCP as a 630 mile thruhike in them last year. Swapped to the Traverse for my PCT 700 mile LASH this year. Was very pleased with the Traverse.

Hope this is the proper place to post this review(and minor question). Be great if anyone else with experiences of Topo Athletic shoes(particularly road models) could mention how fit/sizing was for them. # TLDR Topo Athletic sizing consistent among trail runners(for fitting length/width), nuances in actual width along entire shoe. Road shoe sizing seems a bit narrower(ST-5 SIZE UP), and drastically different from trail runners. Trail runners using Vibram Megagrip outsoles have fanastic grip/traction. Uppers/midsoles/outsole pretty good overall. **Does anyone have Topo Athletic Magnifly 5/Fly-Lyte 5(or previous versions), should I size up half a size? And people who own ST-5, did any of you size up half or full size?** # INTRO Currently I own several models of Topo Athletic trail runners and road shoes. What I have(**THIS IS ALSO IN ORDER OF WIDEST FIT TO NARROWEST**) : 1. MTN Racer 3 (TRAIL) 2. Terraventure 4 (TRAIL) 3. Traverse(Wide size) (TRAIL) 4. Cyclone (ROAD) 5. ST-5 (ROAD) I came from running in mainly Saucony, Hoka, Salomon. I eventually moved towards lower drop and wide shoes such as Altra and some other brands. I found Topo Athletic as a solution for running shoes that offer some lower/mid cushioned models with low drop(0mm, 3mm, 5mm). My main goal is finding wide toebox shoes. Perferably firmer cushion with a lower stack. Drop doesn't matter as much, but preferably zero to low. # SIZING I sized US 12 Men's for all models. Traverse I got in a wide version as reviews said they run narrow. # USE/MILAGE I have used the MTN Racer 3 for over 320km+ of running/hiking, Cyclone for 100km+ of running, Terraventure 4(Trail/Hike) for 36km trail runing, and Traverse(Trail/hike) and ST-5(Daily/Run) for less than 10km each at this time. Most of my shoes I run distances of \~1km-26km, majority of runs between 2km - 10km. # FIT Amongst all shoes, volume was good. Would say it is average volume, and my foot has a low-medium instep and low arch. Compared to something like a Lone Peak 9(tested fit in store), they have more volume in the toebox. TRAIL : Between the three trail runners, there is a noticeable difference in fit. Mainly with the heel lockdown. I would recommend staying true to size, sizing up half size may be viable if you have wide heel, otherwise you risk improving toebox/midfoot and/or width/length but having heel lift. All trail runners have basically same length internally, and it is plenty(0.5-1cm extra TTS). * **MTN Racer 3** * Widest Toebox, Slightly narrower midfoot, and narrow heel. * Very secure fit, no issues with pressure. * Inner heel fabric tore, perhaps due to my own wear. Repaired with Tenacious Tape. * **Terraventure 4** * Wide Toebox, narrower midfoot, wide heel. * Heel lift would occur even with thick socks and lock lacing techniques. * Harder to find good lacing that doesn't pinch my instep but also doesn't have heel lift. * **Traverse** * Wide Toebox(Narrowest out of all trail shoes), in a wide size. Slightly narrower midfoot, slightly narrower heel. * Width is approximately same/slighly narrower than normal width Terraventure 4. **ROAD :** Road shoes seem to be really different in fit. Problem is that most stores do not carry the models I want to try on(if any), and there is limited reviews for me to properly gauge which size I should order. * Cyclone * Wide toebox, slightly narrower midfoot, slightly narrower heel. * Width is between MTN Racer 3 and Terraventure 4, probably closer to latter. * ST-5 * Narrow toebox, same width midfoot, slightly narrower heel. * Fit would probably be same as trail shoes if sized up half or full size. * Significantly shorter internal length/width, at size 12 the inside of toebox has slight taper which bothers my big toe. # UPPERS **TRAIL :** All uppers are practically the same. Very nice flexible mesh that is tight and kind of breathable. I haven't tested the drainage/drying of Traverse and Terraventure. But the MTN Racer 3 faired well in drying/drainage during a long run I did where my feet got soaked several times. Traverse does come with a water resistant/quick drying insole, but I have to see how that compares to the normal insole later on. Tounges on MTN Racer 3 and Terraventure 4 are nice and padded. Traverse is also padded but a bit shorter. All pretty comfortable. **ROAD :** Cyclone had a very breathable yet tight upper with not much stretch, but due to its shape and sizing it doesn't cause discomfort. Heel is not padded and thin, but has a more grippy material. ST-5 Upper is nice, not as breathable but stretchier on the main part. Has a stiffer mesh on the lower upper around the toebox. Cyclone tounge thin, but comfortable. ST-5 is lightly padded tounge and comfortable. # MIDSOLE **TRAIL :** All midsoles are pretty similar, moderate firmness. MTN Racer 3 was pretty good responsiveness for a shoe that is 28/33 stack and no rock plate. When moving to Terraventure, it has a rock plate and 22/25 stack. It is a bit more rigid but still pretty nice for running. Traverse is 25/30 stack and has a rock plate as well, but also includes stability features which make it noticeably more rigid than the MTN Racer 3 and Terraventure 4. I'd keep the Traverse mainly for hiking use, rather than trail running. **ROAD :** The Cyclone midsole(23/28) is pretty firm, which I like and find it very responsive. For the short time I have used the ST-5(14/14) I find the midsole is firm, but not as firm as the Cyclone. Both I would probably reserve more for short/faster runs, but the Cyclone I would use for racing(as I only have those two Topos in my road shoe rotation right now). I have used the Cyclone for a half marathon and it was great. # OUTSOLE **TRAIL :** All outsoles for these trail runners are the same. Same tread and same vibram megagrip. Super stuff, really good traction and grip on dirt, snow, rocks, asphalt. I am bit more confident on wet rock, but still cautious. I aimed to get only trail runners with the vibram megagrip as it seems pretty reliable in reviews compared to the Vibram XS Trek EVO offered on some less aggressive trail runners. Additionally as I have worn the MTN Racer 3 for over 320km, It barely has worn down on the lugs and still provides more or less the same amount of grip from the rubber. **ROAD :** Cyclone and ST-5 both have decent outsoles that grip pretty well on the road. I have ran in dry/wet/snowy conditions and I didn't have any issues with grip. For 100km it seems the Cyclone is barely worn and seem promising for many more hundreds of kilometers. # WEIGHT **TRAIL :** All shoes are pretty decent weight all in the 300-400g range. Terraventure 4 and Traverse are only slightly heavier but feel a bit more bottom heavy probably with the added rock plate. **ROAD :** Cyclone is pretty light, ST-5 is super light. Weight of one shoe(left) : * MTN Racer 3 : \~327g * Terraventure 4 : \~335g * Traverse : \~350g * Cyclone : \~262g * ST-5 : \~221g [MTN Racer 3, Terraventure 4, Traverse, Cyclone, ST-5](https://preview.redd.it/26l8aqnx7sfe1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57b8a22069934c89ca4c0f5f52073886442d3216) [Wear of outsole on MTN Racer 3\(\~320km\) VS Outsole on Traverse\(\~4km\)](https://preview.redd.it/346dvpnx7sfe1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d252501be8ffae05a5a19c8b9f9bd42e41769120) [ST-5, Cyclone, MTN Racer 3, Terraventure 4, Traverse](https://preview.redd.it/opo50qnx7sfe1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0049df1fda4503cc5d04be3a919832112de6e95c)

That makes sense with the Traverse, it feels like there is a good volume in the shoe, a bit tiny excess in the toebox. In Altra Lone Peak 9 I tried 12 and 12 Wide, and the toebox itself felt wider(and better for me), a tiny amount more toebox volume.

Yes, but take that with a grain of salt. All the trail runners I tried can be good hiking shoes, but some are better than others for trail running. I have used the MTN Racer 3 the most of all trail runners since I had it longer and generally like the fit and feel over the others. I only used the Traverse for under <20km. I tried to do a run or two, but my feet did not like running in them. I don't know if the design or if I was really fatigued during that usage. So I put them as my designated hiking shoe. I will have to do more testing and probably post a longer-term review once do some more hiking/backpacking. They'd seem best for more technical hiking due to it's added rigidity and stiffness from the stability features.

Topo Atheltic makes some great shoes. But sizing seems inconsistent between models. I used Altras before, but road shoes from them are way narrower than trail models. I started with MTN Racer 3 for trail and Cyclone 1 for road. Both fit fantastic in 12. I typically size 12 for all shoes/boots. But later on, I got Terraventure 4, Traverse, Trailventure, ST-5, Magnifly 5. Now I'm going to try Ultrafly 5. All the shoes I got in 12 except for Magnifly 5. All trail runners are good length wise but fit drastically different in width throughout shoe(I made a review post about it). Boots are tad snug for 12, but probably too loose in 12.5. Cyclone 1 is good in size 12. St-5 runs 0.5-1 size too small, which sucks since I usually wear midweight/padded socks. Magnifly 5 I got after ST-5 and half sized up because I assumed it rain the same. It would have been too narrow/short in 12, as it feels about as wide/long as my size 12 trail shoes. But the midfoot and heel are not as narrow and snug for my liking, so I have to tighten it a lot. I hope that the Ultrafly 5 is a good fit in 12, Otherwise, the actual material quality is great, and the balanced and responsive labeled foams are great while running, walking, and hiking. The outsoles on any trail shoe with Vibram megagrip are immaculate, with great traction and grip. Running in Cyclone/ST-5/Magnifly 5 is great.

The Topo Athletic Traverse model might be the closest to what you are looking for. They have the strongest upper I have ever seen in a trail runner, it holds up for 500+ miles in the adirondacks (which are extremely rugged). They are closer to a keenlike hiking shoe than other trail runners, but they are still a trail runner. For me, they are pretty perfect. 

I’m a trail runners vs boots person - they’re way more comfortable. I did the Teton Crest Trail last September in a pair of Topo Athletic Traverse shoes. I size up a full shoe size in this model and they work great. We did 5 days, 4 nights and our packs started pretty heavy (30+ lbs) with food and water. We quickly realized we didn’t need to carry as much water as we started with — there’s a lot on the trail. Happy trails. It’s absolutely stunning up there!

I like both the Topo Traverse and Altra Lone Peak. Like others said, it really is a personal preference. And it may take some trial and error out on trail to figure out what works best for you.

I picked up a pair of Topos Traverse 4 last week and they are pretty dang good, if a bit stuff right now. I'm 6'5" 240 lbs.

Footwear is so personal that it’s problematic to recommend. That having been said, if you want something with a wider toe box, take a look at Topo Athletic. Like you, I liked the Hoka Speedgoats, but they just weren’t wide enough. The Topos have more room. The model I have is the Traverse, which does have a rock plate.

I just switched to Topo. I went with a 5mm drop but it checks the other boxes. I have not put much time on them but out of the box I'm happy. Altra shoes started wearing out way to fast.

I've got a couple Topos as well and I love the fit, but the arch is too high for me, and the midsole is very 'meh' and seems to break down a lot faster than other brands.

Topos if you need arch support, altras if you don’t. I was planning on making the switch from altras to topos but the arch support in topos would make my feet hurt. I don’t have wide feet, but love the roomy toe box. The midfoot and heel fit almost perfect after using the runners knot. Lone peaks for the trail and escalantes for the road.

I recently switched to Topos after similar issues with the newer lone peak models. They have some more bounce, which took some adjustment, but now I like them lot!

Only my Altras have done this even the same spot. I’ve written off Altra until i don’t hear another story about this for a while. I can’t believe they’ve let this issue persist for years. They’ve got to know. My Topos have lasted forever. My TNF shoes and Salomons are well built as well, typically I retire a pair after the foam goes flat (loses its bounce) for me after 500 miles. Uppers should outlast the foam IMHO.

Both my Topos ripped open in under 400-miles this year. Never had that issue with Altra. One of the Topos didn’t even last 200

Seconding everyone saying Topos. I have short but wide feet (I call them my hobbit feet) to the point where a pair of On Clouds once made my feet bleed on an easy 10-mile jog by compressing them so severely, and Topos are the only shoes I'll wear (tried Altras but the 0-drop thing doesn't work for me).

I also got PF from dabbling in topos after being an Altra user for years. It's too bad because they are so much better in many respects but the arch just doesn't work for me.

I have wide feet and went from Hoka to Topo because the Hokas were narrow and with the extra cushion I rolled my ankle occasionally. About 300 miles on the Topos and so far so good. Holding up better than my Altras did (shoe before the Hoka). I do miss the cushion. I got some inserts for them to get some cushion and they changed where the heels rubs and I could starts feeling a hot spot inside the first ten miles. Sinai took them out and just live with the reduced cushion. And that has been OK. I’ve kind of tuned out my feet hurting after like ten or so. I was talking to a guy once and said that your feet stop hurting. I decided after that is not entirely true. I think it is you just stop caring that your feet hurt…

I’ve switched almost entirely to trail runners including on a lot,of rugged terrain. I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. I like the padding, but have found lower drop shoes to be better for this. Altras are good, but I destroy them in about 300 miles. Trying Topos right now. Not as padded, but low drop with a wide toe box and they seem to be holding up better.

Trail runner will be fine. I was talking to a guy recently that said the AT requires real boots. But even by his argument, trail runners will be fine. The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka. Altras and Topos have less to zero drop and they don’t have this occur for me. Though Altras kind of suck for durability (expect 300 miles unless they fixed things). And Topos have less padding and are not as comfortable.

Topo is the correct answer. Go with Altras if you dont mind your achilles blowing up

Durability aside, try on both shoes. If you’re not thru-hiking then durability doesn’t matter much. Yeah, it’ll be annoying if they give out sooner than you expected, but the comfort can be worth the money. For me, Altras are the most comfortable by far. I wanted to switch to Topos due to the rave reviews and the vibram sole, but I had to immediately return them due to their pronounced arch support. My feet hated them and my altra trail runners and road shoes are the most comfortable shoes for my feet I’ve ever worn. I was late to the game so I’m sure I missed out on the glory days, but until another company comes out with a wide toe box and no arch support trail runner it’s altra all the way for me.

Like u/Responsible-Walrus-5 said, fit is the most important thing. That being said I used to hike with Altras, but on my first thru hike a friend and I both bought pairs of Altra LPs in a trail town, and in about a week both our pairs of shoes fell apart, and we weren't even hiking long days or in crazy terrain. Earlier models were much better (which is why I used them before that). If both fit you well, go with Topo, I switched to them a couple years ago and I've been very happy, but ultimately if they don't fit your foot, you're better off with Altras.

+1 for anything Topo. Wide toe box and zero drop. They’re my go to for road and trail now

I highly recommend Topo Trail runners. I have wide feet and they are fantastic. I use them for all of my running now, road and trail. My current pair is the Runventure 4's and theyre fantastic. vibram sole and lightweight. roomy toe box. They are definitely worth checking out

I love Topo trail runners. Every person has a different foot & will likely find comfort in different shoes, but the wide toe box concept was a life altering discovery for me. I think several companies make shoes with wide toe box, but I like the fact that Topo makes durable shoes with wide toe box that are not all zero drop. I know many that love Altra as well, but most of their shoes are zero drop. To each their own 🤷

+1 for Topos. I have wide feet and they are great

Non goretex trail runners Topo are my jam. Big wide toe box. Altra is my second choice

I’ve gotten 500+ miles on several Topo models, though I hear Norda 001 last even longer.

If you as me Altra is terrible. The quality over the years has went down the drain. Topo Athletic has now passed them as the most popular shoe for thru hikers.

Have you looked at the Topo lineup of shoes? Same wide toe box, same 0mm drop options. I have a bunch of them. Some zero drop, some 3 and 5mm drops. The only thing I don't like about Topos is that I hate ortho-lite insoles so I swap in super feet insoles instead. But that is probably an issue in most trail shoes since they try to go lightweight.

Topo for sure. I made the move from New Balance to Topo and haven't looked back

One more YES for Lone Peak. Are you used to shoes with a bigger toe box? If so, they'll be great and you should be fine on rocky terrain. I find the Topo more smurf-like than the Lone Peaks. Too marshmallow-ey for my taste. I think the switch to 0 drop is minimal. I wouldn't over think it, but you'll know.

The ones that fit you. The problem with shoe/pack recommendations is that everyone's fit needs are different. By all means, try the Altras and the Topos! But I suggest trying as many shoes on as you can, preferably from a retailer with a great return policy so you can wear them around your house. Of course it's pretty well impossible to mimic the conditions of actual hiking while keeping the shoes returnable, especially for several days or weeks in a row. I personally have a really hard foot to fit. I have narrow, low volume feet and I tend to get some degree of heel slippage in pretty much any type of "athletic" shoe ( I always lace with a heel-lock). So I usually have to try on several pairs and am the most annoying person at the store. I personally find European brands like La Sportiva, Salomon, or Scarpa to be the safest bet - but I rarely ever see those brands recommended compared to Altra or Topo.

I went to Topo from Alta and I’m very happy.

I'll put another vote in for Topo

Topo Athletic. I’ve heard the Pursuits aren’t as durable but the models I’ve tried hold up really well to abuse.

New Balance Hierro comes as wide as 4E for men and 2E for women. 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 😂

Topos are slightly less disappointing in terms of durability. 

I’ve found the TOPO to be an amazing shoe. Also not under $100 but the HOKA Speedgoat has an amazing sole for Rocky terrain. I wish there were quality trail shoes under $100 - seems an impossible task these days.

+1 for Topo, I go between the ultra adventure and mtn racer depending on tread needs for the trail.

I keep trying other shoes and keep coming running back to Topo. They make the perfect shoes for my feet.

TOPO’s fall apart. We called them Tape-o’s in my tramily and they were hell for one of our guys. Hoka’s are good but you can’t really feel the trail/ground because they’re moon boots, but comfy.

Topo athletic is worth looking into if you liked the wide toe box of Altras. They typically have minimal drop (0-5mm depending on the model), and so far durability has been good for me. The ones I've tried seem to have slightly more volume in the shoe, so on steeper grades it's been tougher for me to get my foot locked in well without over tightening, but that's the only negative I've got for them with my feet.

My Topos gave up after <400 mi…

Topo are standard wide toe box... and everyone I know that wore altra have now gone to Topo here in the UK.

Mm ditto. Currently four pairs. Speed cross, and a topo. i dont remember which one. Theyre minimalistish and a race prize. (Total brag).. I have plenty fine arches and their inserts or whatever hurt my feet without a super plush sock. But also a pair of torins and asics, gel contented? Idk. They were on sale $60. Good shoe though. New balance has, or had at least a less expensive trail shoe. I thought they were great and transitioned from trail to road on them regularly. Also I wear my torins on steep trail all the time.

I've been having good luck with the Nike Pegasus Trail 4, with the caveat that at 240# they felt too mushy/squishy in stock form. I dug out my Superfeet insoles and put them in, and that combo is working well. I've also had good luck with Topo Athletic trail shoes in stock form, but they're typically lower drop than I'm looking for these days. My shoes do tend to poop out around 250 miles, but whatcha gonna do.

Another former Altra guy that switched to Topo!

Altra makes shoes that are more that zero drop now but I've already been using Topo (a shoe with a similarly wide to box) for years. They both have a great foot shape for so many people, but it's advisable to change your drop gradually. Standard American tennis shoes have a drop of 12mm The Topos I run in have 5mm Altra has options for 0mm, 3mm, and 5mm if I remember correctly

I also switched from hoka SG to topo (green ones I forget) 300 miles into the PCT and it actually removed the knee pain I had had for years that was ironically caused by hokas

IME, Topo is wider farther back in the foot compared to Altra, plus give a little more support back further along the arch. This suits my wide feet well as Altra can sometimes rub where my lateral metatarsal joints are. Hope that helps.

Im a former altra guy. Topo is it for me. Fully worth a try. I also like the norda 002, but they are not quiiiiiite as wide, but I have ~1800 k on my first pair, and 600+ on my second pair.

Topo is your answer. Norda also great buy spendy

Seventy fifth vote for Topos.

I wore Altra for a few years and switched to Topo... they seem better quality and last longer. I do wear the trail runner (Pursuit) as an everyday shoe and it has held up really well even on concrete. I know it won't last as long because of this, but I just found them so comfortable I don't care. I just purchased the Ultraventure as well but haven't worn them yet.

Topos are super comfy but I couldn't imagine running an ultra in them. I loved my topos but started using the xodus ultra 4 when I needed a technical shoe and my topos got demoted to my road shoe haha. I mostly run on rocky terrain in the mountains so not trying to say anyone else would have the same experience as me especially if you run on more frequented trails.

I can't speak for everyone's experience, but topos for me are better for groomed trails. I have used them in the mountains but much prefer my sauconys over topos on rocky technical terrain.

Agreed. That’s why topo>altra. Altra is so sloppy at the heel where topo really starts narrowing the upper from the midfoot to the heel. Merrell could also have some really good shoes but are so sloppy at the heel.

The Topo big toe rub! Finally, someone else with the same issue as me! It was such an annoyance for me on the PCT in '22, and to my surprise, even their newer models do it to me. It's a tragedy, bc I love the way their shoes feel on me smh Yes actually, I'm currently trying out the Hoka Speedgoat 5s and love them. I never saw myself as a high-cushion shoe person, but they're greattt, just absolutely eat whatever surface you throw @ them. Feels like you have a rock-plate almost. **Just make sure to size up!**

Hey honestly would recommend your comfortable trail shoes with some good vibram sole and a deep cleat. Altra is a good option. I’ve also enjoyed topo. Something more oriented to climbing isn’t going to have good running hiking support. And in both it’s best to be comfortable in your gear

I’ve been really happy with my topo. Before that used only Altra

Topo athletic, stared using them about two years ago and they have the same roomy toe box altra has but with better durability imo

I'm a huge Topo fan. I've been wearing them for years, but lately, I've been going through them like candy. I'm considering switching brands - considering I've been brand loyal for years, this says a lot coming from me. Hopefully, you have better luck, because imo, they are the most comfortable shoe, and I like how they have different mm drops.

Hoka speedgoats were recommended via a place that goes Gait testing etc. I love the speedgoats for comfort they are great to hike in. Unfortunately their souls and the desert are very incompatible and they will wear out fast, so if you are expecting 500 miles per shoe, the hokas will not hit that, especially in the first 700 miles. Disappointed that I barely made the 260 mark on no tread, I switched to topos. Comfortable, love the toe box, and I got to say they designed a really intelligent shoe. I really really liked them, and they were very durable. Unfortunately by Wrightwood I was having knee issues I've never had before. I saw blaze Physio and she showed me how I was walking in those shoes. The solution according to her? Where Hoka speedgoats. I continued to wear them to hikertown, and gave someone they very good condition topos for my new rei ordered speedgoats and she was right. So how you walk really matters for the shoes you wear and these two different a lot. I really wish topos made a sole more like the speed goat or that hoka made a more durable shoe. At home I'm getting closer to 400 miles with the speed goats in pnw hiking but that desert Sands them down fast

Topo has road and trail shoes with wide toe box, good cushioning, and 4mm drop.

Topos. Absolutely wonderful shoes. Altra is my second brand I go to but Topo quality is better IMO.

The real answer is they can be awesome if they work for YOUR feet. People with narrow feet and a high arch tend to hate them and they can even cause a high arch to collapse from lack of support. My feet, on the other hand, are wide and flat so Altra has always felt great for me. Recently I have switched over to Topo. My problem with Altra is that anything with more cushion than the Lone Peaks loses too much foot volume with the increased padding. The Topos give me the extra padding, more inline with an Altra Timp, but don't squish my mid foot like the Timps do. I still wear Lone Peaks 9's from time to time, but I have less fatigue in my feet with the Topos.

I definitely rolled my ankles more in Speedgoats than I do in my topos or lone peaks. But I don’t think it’s as much about stack height as it is about forefoot width. Just having a wider base helps a lot for the stability, for me at least

Topo’s. Altra grip sucks whereas Topo use Vibram so you don’t fall over as soon as it rains. The new Inov-8 fits in wide are pretty good too - less toe room but good width through the midfoot. Topo are pretty standard fit in the midfoot (I’ve not tried a wide fit of theirs) so depends where your foot is wide.

Yep. Also have a very wide forefoot but a narrow heel. Topos fit great. They're low drop but not zero drop, not hard to get used to especially for trail.

I love Topos (I have \~ 5 pairs) including a pair of Phantoms for road training, but FWIW I don't use them as my road race shoes. I have a pair of Saucony Endorphin Speeds for that, the carbon plate makes them feel faster (dunno if they are, may be entirely psychological, but it's fun).

I'm a hiker, but also a singer (amateur, but singing with competent choral groups). The singing group did a tour of Ireland one year, and France another. I bought a pair of black on black trail runners, and used them throughout the trip (concert dress was all black). Worked great. Similarly, our family did an ecotour in Brazil a year ago. I picked dark-colored Topa trail runners for that trip as well. Another good choice.

Dozens- hoka, altra, topo, speedland and mount to coast. Rotate them all kinda. Two different sizes. I am a big guy and don’t cheap on my shoes. Whatever it takes to get the miles in.

I have been in zero drop shoes for about 10 years. Altras have always been the most comfortable for me, but they just don’t last very long. I’m 6’3” 215 pounds, so your results may be better. I’ve pretty much settle on Topos for their decent durability. Since you have narrow feet, you might look at something from Astral. The compound they use for their sole (G rubber) is amazing. Like walk over wet, moss covered rocks with zero shits given type of amazing. I have a wide, high volume forefoot so they just aren’t great for me overall. My Goldilocks would be Altra comfort/Topo quality and durability/Astral sole

I’m a pretty big fan of Topo Athletic trail shoes. Very wide toe box and their durability beats Altra IMO.

I also have an unusually wide foot and I have a love hate relationship with Topos. Love how wide they are but hate that the highest drop shoe they offer is 5mm. Not everyone is into the low drop trend. So basically for me it’s either a shoe that’s not quite wide enough but has a higher drop or a shoe that is wide enough but lower drop. Not to mention that Topo is just a newer brand is definitely still just figuring it out. The durability / quality of the shoes isn’t quite top notch despite $150+ price tags. Disappointing shoes but unfortunately the best compromise for me right now

I have been running in TOPO for a few years and I find them very reliable :) it’s not zero drop but not very high maybe 4mm

Your best bet is to find one of the prior generation of current shoes (Speedgoat 5, Topo, Altra, Salomon etc). Anything is going to be light years ahead of chucks in terms of traction and support. Head to your local run shop , let them know your budget and try on as many as you can - every make/model fits differently and everyone has different feet , trying on in person is the best way to make sure you get the most value for your dollars. Good luck 👍

I like Topo. I have similar feet and they have a great heel to toe ratio. I went up a size from my normal. Although, they don't wear as well as the Hokas in my experience. The front of the soles are peeling off after around 300 miles.

I did the AT this year. I would say 80% of us were Topos and 20% in Altras. Altras have a zero drop which is bad if you have calf/Achilles/plantar fascia tightness. I used to hike in Hoka Speedgoats until they made the toe box more narrow.

Another for Topa. I got the Terraventures recently as I wanted a wider toebox than my Hoka Mafates. Toebox is now great, but the rest of the Topo fit js a bit too wide for me 😅

Altra Olympus or Topo brand shoes. They’re the best out there. I live in Altras and recently discovered Topo. They’re just as comfortable. I haven’t worn hiking boots in 6+ years now for backpacking, hiking, scrambling, nothing, and I’m better for it

Every shoe will work for people differently. I did the first half in Topos and got terrible Achilles tendinitis and planter fasciitis. Made the switch to speedgoats at Shasta per the recommendation of the shoe guy and all symptoms started to get better. Though I had planter fasciitis until February the following year haha

I would also consider Topo. I find the fit of Altras a bit sloppy but Topo was much better in the midfoot.

Just got back from there on Saturday. I used my carbon trekking poles and Topo Designs trail runners I use for backpacking. Didn't regret either choice. I did store the second trekking pole after about 45 minutes of walking, since I found that one was enough and I liked having a free hand for grabbing the walls or whatever from time to time. The only regret I had was wearing Sealskinz "water socks" -- the kind that have a plastic layer inside two fabric layers. I would have preferred just using my wool hiking socks since my feet were drenched on the first step in the water anyway and the water was warm enough I didn't need the insulation effect. They were completely comfortable for 10 miles over nearly 5 hours in the water, but they were not needed.

Topo has zero drop. I went through xero trail shoes they were alright. Altras tend to fall apart these days.

Altra has the widest toe box out there. I think the ONLY possible other option to consider is LEMs. But that is why your toes are tight in others and Altra's are so comfy- best toe box. LEMs I tried on recently were also great! I have been a die hard Altra for more than a decade for all activities. But tried TOPO recently- and they are ok- but not as good on toe box. Lems were the same as I am used to with Altra- and seem to have a better lug (better on rocky terrain).

Another vote for Topo.

Topo athletic has a big toe box.

If they're less than a year old, submit a warranty claim with Topo. They replaced a pair of my Topo's, no problem, when some fabric in the lining failed prematurely.

Topo. I run in the for road and trail.

Topo. I’ve backpacked everywhere in them. I prefer trailventure 4. Traverse is a mid narrow in the last, so they decided to sell it in a wide. Met a retired topo sales rep on the Colorado trail and he swears by the mountain racer. That’s going to be my next shoe.

Altras or topos....stable, but not sure they are "affordable". Agreed with others, no such thing as ankle support, but stability for sure. I had a pair of Saucony that felt great, but were ankle sprainers beyond a doubt. Running in Topos and Inov-8s now.

I don't have a pair of Lone Peaks, but I have some other Altras (Escalante/Paradigm), and they don't seem as wide in the toe box as my Topo Athletic shoes. If you like the Lone Peak, check out the Pursuit 2. Some other shoes, such as the Ultraventure, also come in wide.

Ever give Topo’s a try? I grabbed a pair that was on clearance at REI a few years ago, and alternated them with my Cascadias, and really liked them, but now they’re mainly my gravel cycling shoe

I love a wide toe box but can’t do zero drop. I don’t like the lack of push off and 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 had Ultra LP then changed to Topo, but have gone back to Altra LPs. I know the quality has been an issue, but my Topos also started showing signs of wear and tear early on.

I have 3 pairs. 1 each for trail, road, and treadmill. Currently all Topo shoes though I also use Altras on occasion.

Moved 2 years ago. Escalate and Timp feel apart. Ordered another timp and the build was sick low quality only 1 made it into my foot and returned. Topo is my brand now. Done with Altra

I wanted to like them - love the toe box and zero drop. But the mid foot is too narrow for me.

I’ve owned a few pies of topos over the years and my foot always spills over the outside of the sole

I bought some topos before my altras for running. I can't vouch for the material build quality but the midfoot was way too narrow, the toe box was a bit pathetic and the strange feeling of a structured insole with a very cushioned midsole was disconcerting. The worst part was the awful midfoot. Some "normal" shoes have a wider midfoot. I returned them and was relatively happy with my altras 9+ wide instead.

Topo, Altra and recently Inov-8 have adopted ‘Foot-shape’ style shoes that are wider een less pointy in the front.

Google will never get you there. And even individual reviews can be biased. You’re gonna have to try them on and see what works for you. “These run narrow” or “these run wide” is BS. It’s all relative to the individual. Sounds like you want a “low” and not a “mid”. And we’re immediately going to rule out Oboz and Keen and Merril. Try Solomon, try Topo, try even a bushido by La Sportiva.

My buddy had a pair of topo’s on his GR11 thru hike. I was with him for the first 18 days of it and by the end the top of the shoes by the tongue was completely worn through, so that the plastic-y interior material was coming through. They also had a hole in the side that I had to sew up for him. The soles were in reasonably good nick tbf, and the GR11 is a pretty tough trail, but the shoes were brand new at the start or the hike

Norda’s definitely worth it IMO. £250 in the UK, and I’m on my second pair. The first pair is still wearable, but the tread is nearly gone under the ball of my foot, but they have done about 800 miles of hiking and probably 4-500 of running. My first trail runners were a pair of Lone Peaks, which cost me about £130 in the UK, and lasted about 150 miles before they got their first hole… Norda’s are an up-front-investment but they do just last sooo much longer than any other pair. I made a comment higher up about Topo’s. My buddy who I hiked with for 18 days on the GR11 in the Pyrenees had a hole in one shoe, and both were split next to the tongue. My Norda’s were a little worn down on the sole, but aside from that were in good condition.