The Topo model won’t be the primary you consider whenever you think about a shoe for going lengthy within the mountains, however it ought to be due to the trail it’s carving with the Topo Mtn Racer 3, the third iteration of this nice 5mm drop shoe, which weighs in at 293 grams, or 10.3 ounces, for a males’s U.S. measurement 9.
For those who discover the amount and form too restrictive in stalwart mountain trainers from La Sportiva, Dynafit, Scott, and Scarpa, the Topo Mtn Racer 3 is your antidote. It outperforms the assorted FriXion rubber outsoles from La Sportiva, and makes use of a way more abrasion resistant higher in comparison with almost all path sneakers — besides Matryx-backed ones in new sneakers from Arc’teryx, Nnormal, Salomon, or Dyneema, as used within the new Norda 002.
From Longs Peak to the Excessive Lonesome loop to the Indian Peaks traditional “Pawnee-Buchanan,” and eventually, the Softrock (a four-day supported loop of the Hardrock 100 course), I’ve run tons of of mountain miles within the Mtn Racer 3. Its consolation, sturdiness, and outsole traction have made it my new go-to for any run with demanding path situations (uneven surfaces, rock-hopping, talus-scraping, creek crossing, moist, and dirt), and we named it the most effective all-terrain mud sneakers in our Greatest Path Working Footwear for Mud information.
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The Topo Mtn Racer 3. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Topo Mtn Racer 3 Higher
For a shoe to carry up within the mountains, it should be constructed with tremendous sturdy supplies. Talus rock has shredded numerous uppers on my sneakers throughout lengthy mountain runs so with regards to gear for that terrain, I have a tendency to search out one thing that works and use it repeatedly. Whereas the Topo Mtn Racer 3 doesn’t boast any further particular or brand-name higher materials, its tightly woven, sturdy mesh has withstood the impacts of harsh terrain with out ripping, shredding, or blowing out. Initially, I discovered the higher to be nearly opaque and overly agency, however over time the fabric has relaxed, whereas nonetheless retaining the safety.
The higher of the shoe offers glorious lockdown due to Topo’s “lace keep system,” which consists of two loops on the base of the gusseted tongue. It is a good innovation that retains the tongue in place and prevents it from slipping off to the edges. The laces themselves are thick and chunky, like I’ve come to count on from Topo’s sneakers — somewhat too thick for my liking, and end in an unkempt pile of cloth (particularly in case you double knot your laces.)
The shoe doesn’t stand out notably from a breathability standpoint, however it does an enough job. To be truthful, my testing was notably oriented round elevations above 9,000 ft, the place the air temperature is merciful.
A lateral view of the Topo Mtn Racer 3.
Topo Mtn Racer 3 Midsole
The midsole of the Topo Mtn Racer 3 is the place many of the adjustments have been produced from earlier iterations of the shoe; the outsole is precisely the identical because the Topo Mtn Racer 2, so the midsole is the place runners will both take pleasure in these updates or yearn for the previous design.
Firstly, the corporate itself has mentioned that its clients and athletes have requested for extra safety underfoot. This influenced the choice to extend the stack peak. It retains the identical 5-millimeter drop, however has gone from a claimed stack peak of 30mm/25mm within the Mtn Racer 2, to 33mm/28mm within the Mtn Racer 3. With no rockplate or carbon plate, this further stack certainly offers an incredible really feel underfoot and I sustained no “zingers” to my arches or heels the way in which different sneakers might need, as a result of their extra extreme floor really feel.
This safety is delivered by the chunky, tender, and springy ZipFoam, Topo’s proprietary compound. ZipFoam is certainly “springy,” however I personally like different proprietary foams like Nike’s ZoomX or Hoka’s twin density sandwich foam, ProFly, higher.
The place ZipFoam does exceed these different manufacturers’ compounds, is over the period of a long term with a number of descending. The Softrock route by the San Juans had a number of days of ~30 miles with vertical acquire and loss round 9,000 ft, so the consolation might actually be judged by the fatigue in my legs and ft as the times wore on. For quicker efforts, I’d go for one of many aforementioned manufacturers’ sneakers, however for tremendous lengthy and rambling days, the Mtn Racer 3 has the proper traits.
As a shoe tester, although, I’m usually working in carbon-plated sneakers, which has helped me run by a lingering massive toe harm. The stiffness of a carbon-plated midsole helps alleviate the ache when pushing off and it’s extremely noticeable how adversely affected my toe is in regular, springy foam alone. That is simply one thing to notice in case you too have discovered hassle along with your toes or ankles, or different tender foot bones, when working in “tender” midsoles just like the one used within the Mtn Racer 3.
A medial view of the Topo Mtn Racer 3.
Topo Mtn Racer 3 Outsole
The Topo Mtn Racer 3 makes use of the identical Vibram Megagrip outsole materials that every one variations of the shoe have used since inception. This rubber simply sticks. We even put the Topo Mtn Racer 3 in our Greatest Path Working Footwear for Mud information for the outsole’s means to be mud-repellent and simply as aggressive within the moist, even on slabby, technical rock the place it locks in for a confidence-inspiring expertise.
Vibram is the pure alternative for Topo sneakers contemplating that Topo’s founder, Tony Put up, was the important thing particular person behind bringing Vibram to the U.S. market within the “5 Fingers” days. And although I believe Vibram, in any of its codecs (Litebase, Megagrip, and so on.), is the superior materials, it actually issues how deep the lugs are. I’m testing the brand new Nike ZoomX Ultrafly proper now, which is notably utilizing Vibram Megagrip for the primary time ever in its path sneakers (in lieu of its personal materials), and it’s like curler skating on the very dry and sandy surfaces on which I do about 75% of my working. The Mtn Racer 3, then again, has a robust chew on one of these floor and doesn’t skitter in any respect; the lug depth distinction between the Topo Mtn Racer 3’s and the ZoomX Ultrafly’s is about double.
The outsole of the Topo Mtn Racer 3.
Topo Mtn Racer 3 General Impressions
Calling the Topo Mtn Racer 3 a “racer” doesn’t appear proper for me and my model of working. I’ve grow to be a little bit of a weight weenie and dedicated to very particular midsole foams (and carbon plates) in sneakers just like the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 2 and Merrell MTL Skyfire 2.
If I have been on the helm, I’d rename it the “Mtn Runner,” as a result of it’s masterful in actual alpine mountain terrain, however not essentially a shoe wherein I’d race these situations. I’ve used the phrase “chunky” on this assessment a number of occasions and it’s apropos; from the burly supplies to the way in which it feels in your ft it’s only a tad clunky for me to actually run quick. However for rugged mountain runs, I’d decide the Topo Mtn Racer 3 forward of these others in a heartbeat. This shoe will get you thru powerful terrain with out materially breaking down as rapidly, or breaking your physique, and that’s the reason it made the minimize in our Greatest Path Working Footwear for Mud information.
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A prime view of the Topo Mtn Racer 3.
