I alternate between Topo's Ultraventure for less technical trails and the Vista for anything more technical or muddy. I like them both, but the Ultraventure with the same outsole as the Vista would be the perfect shoe.
If you like inov8 you probably won't get on with Salomon, they are super narrow. The xodus ultra is a good shoe though.
Maybe you could try topo vista if you won't need too much grip. They are foot shaped like inov8 and nicely cushioned. To me they support my foot better than the trailfly max, which gives no stability
I have both the Topo Vista and the Mtn Racers and don't find one any more or less grippy on trails than the other. Both have good traction. Is there something about your experience with the Vista that makes you doubtful? Based on what you've written here I'd go with the Vista and have the Mtn Racers available in case you want to switch out.
Weird! I have flat feet and Topos don’t bother me at all. I’ve definitely experienced that high arch feeling in other shoes, but never Topos (and I have 6 different models of them!)
Ultraventures are amazing for less technical stuff but that vibram compound isn’t good on wet rocks and the like. You want megagrip — I wear the Ultraventure most days but the Vista when it’s wet and technical. Mtn racer is solid too and lower stack so more stable, but the heel cup caused blisters for me.
When our store first considered carrying Topo the main reason their sales rep gave for why we should have them in store was “Topo is like Altra but durable.” TBF they’re our fastest growing brand and almost everyone who tries them on leaves with a pair.
Some Topo models do come in wide! The Ultraventure and Mtn Racer do for sure, I’m fairly certain the Vista does as well. My store doesn’t carry Marrill so I can’t speak to the comparison.
My suggestion on buying would be to find a local running store that carries Topo and ask about their return policy. For example, my store will exchange anything for store credit within 30 days regardless of condition, so buying and trying is basically risk-free.
As far as ultralight goes- I don’t think footwear counts toward your base weight, so use what’s comfy. (Correct me if I’m wrong here)
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