Topo’s path working and climbing footwear are a wholesome steadiness of innovation, reliability, performance, and predictability. I really feel assured that with any tried-and-true mannequin, and even with a brand new shoe idea, Topo won’t stray removed from what works for outside movers who gravitate towards Topo’s mission and engineering. Enter the Topo Traverse ($150) — an thrilling new efficiency hybrid that may adequately sort out the technical and the tarmac.
I don’t sweat traversing the pavement with this contemporary work horse as a result of it integrates Expanded Thermal Polyurethane (E-TPU) expertise into the extremely sturdy and waterproof insoles, and it additionally works properly as a long-haul climbing and working shoe.
The Topo Traverse debuted in October, 2023. I obtained my advance pair within the mail simply previous to sweeping the primary 28 miles of the Pine to Palm 100 Mile held in Southern Oregon. I laced them up early on race morning, and over an extended day of volunteering, I didn’t take into consideration my footwear or ft as soon as — solely to acknowledge that after seven hours of laborious work they excelled throughout the board.
The Traverse is designed with a forefoot TPU rock plate, has a 5-millimeter drop, has claimed 30-millimeter heel and 25-millimeter stack heights, and comes gaiter-ready. It has an precise weight of 10.5 ounces (298 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9, and nonetheless permits for enough technical working when wanted, in addition to safety and safety for longer outings.
In comparison with the Topo Pursuit and Topo Terraventure 4, the Traverse has a barely narrower toebox, a degree of concern for some. You’ll be able to learn our Topo Pursuit evaluate and Topo Terraventure 4 evaluate to check for your self.
Store the Ladies’s Topo TraverseStore the Males’s Topo Traverse
The Topo Traverse. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Topo Traverse Higher
The Topo Traverse higher is a tightly woven mesh extending from the toebox again to the beginning of a properly padded heel cup. The designers opted for micro-stitched underlays as an alternative of any exterior aesthetic and structural parts. This provides the Traverse an built-in look.
A notable characteristic of the Traverse higher is the bolstering of the welded rubber toe safety, which extends significantly down the size of either side of the shoe. To not fear, there are drain holes within the double layered rubber on the medial facet to permit for fast water launch. The holes work.
The rubber fortification additionally replaces the standard stitched material for the eyelets of the Ghillie lacing system. Besides — one other skinny rubber layer guards the highest of the low profile and unshifting tongue. It’s possible you’ll not assume you want it, however the Traverse tongue boasts further padding down the midline. In case you have ever soccer-kicked a stone or a department on an extended a run, maybe that little cushion will prevent some metatarsal ache.
The low profile heel cup is properly padded and comparable in really feel to many different Topo path footwear. It locks within the foot by way of the gait cycle with out fear of abrasion or undo slippage.
Designers once more use skinny rubber, which extends from the highest of the laces and connects to a thickly stitched piece of cloth, pulling the heel collectively. The material features a liberal pull tab — an amenity I infrequently use on any kind of shoe. It seems good on the Traverse, and if you wish to dangle your footwear on hooks, you may. To make sure additional structural help and roll management, a skinny piece of TPU anchors the heel higher to the midsole.
A lateral view of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse Midsole
The Topo Traverse midsole is the unique dual-density injected Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) known as ZipFoam. The twin-density design offers a smooth layer of froth straight beneath the foot, however is barely stiffened with firmer foam beneath it — using above the outsole. The double layer offers a average cushion whereas the second layer confidently tackles the bottom — affording the runner help and stability on more durable terrains.
What Topo uniquely does with the Traverse, as I commented about above, is that they added the E-TPU beads into their insole, which can also be water-proof. The beaded insole provides softness and elasticity to the midsole, with out compromising weight or vitality return. I’ve a sense shoe corporations will likely be integrating this expertise into midsole designs extra ceaselessly over the following couple of years.
Importantly, the mixing of a TPU rock plate on the forefoot bolsters the protecting help for runners and hikers looking for extra technical adventures. Probably the greatest issues in regards to the rock plate is that the majority runners don’t even know it’s there, nevertheless it will increase the sturdiness of the shoe.
A medial view of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse Outsole
The Topo Traverse has the usual and reliable Vibram Megagrip outsole, like most fashions now within the Topo path working shoe line up. Topo has totally embraced this full-length outsole building with a well-spaced and multi-directional lug structure. It permits for distinctive grip and adaptability over technical terrain and throughout climate laden substrates.
I’ve been persistently working in Topos for the final 5 years — particularly on this outsole design — and it has confirmed itself time and time once more to work throughout the spectrum of climate and path circumstances. In case you are frightened about weight from the outsole whereas working technical terrain, and whereas in maddening releases from the heavens, the safety and grip the place the rubber hits the paths issues far more.
Notably, I like the truth that it’s a design that understands how a foot lands, rolls by way of mid-stance, after which toes off. It’s merely reliable. The corporate’s shoe designers found one thing that works, so they’re sticking to it, as a result of it sticks if you want it probably the most.
The outsole of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse Total Impressions
For those who can’t inform, I’m an enormous proponent and supporter of Topo trainers. I’m at all times looking out for a reliable, comfy, and most significantly a flexible hybrid path working shoe. The Topo Traverse actually is a exceptional and unremarkable shoe to have in my rotation.
For clarification on the latter, it’s seldom that I slip on a shoe for the primary time and instantly run almost 30 miles with out fascinated with my ft, ankles, or footwear for that matter. That I used to be ready to do that with the Traverse instantly made them my dependable sidekicks.
The Traverse is meant for each lengthy gradual path working and via climbing, they usually functionally carry out for these functions. With that being stated, the mixture of the additional stack top, forefoot rock plate, insole, Vibram Megagrip outsole, and protecting layers on the higher pushes the Traverse over technical trails with confidence when mandatory.
The Traverse could lose somewhat floor really feel and pace with this mix, whereas additionally not catering to the maximally cushioned crew. Since I’m additionally an enormous fan and day by day wearer of Topo’s restoration footwear with OrthoLite 3D Wave Sense restoration foam, the brand new embedded TPU beads underfoot within the Traverse add a breath of contemporary air. Thanks — it’s time to Traverse.
Store the Ladies’s Topo TraverseStore the Males’s Topo Traverse
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever bought your fingers on — and ft in — the Topo Traverse? If that’s the case, inform us your ideas.
- Are you a fan of different Topo path footwear?
Our Favourite Path Working Footwear
Take a look at our Greatest Path Working Footwear article to study our present favourite path trainers!
A prime view of the Topo Traverse.
