Topo Athletic MTN Racer | Trail Running Shoes 2019 – Runner’s World

The RW Takeaway: Topo Athletic’s MTN Racer has outstanding traction for all surfaces, and a firm platform that’s made for trail racing.

• A Vibram Megagrip outsole helps you hold your own on wet and slippery terrain
• Firm cushioning and a stiff feel make the shoe primed for performance
• The toe box felt narrower compared to other Topo models

Price: $140
Weight: 9.9 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W)
Type: Trail

If we’re being honest, the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” comes to mind when you think of all the trail conditions the MTN Racer is capable of traversing, climbing, and crossing. The toothy Vibram Megagrip outsole—which our wear testers found they could comfortably transition from road or trail—has excellent traction over all matter of dicey and groomed terrain. “I tested this shoe on all imaginable East Coast trail surfaces—runnable flats, wicked climbs, technical downs, muddy spots,” said a tester. “The shoe responded perfectly to each and every one of them. The grip of the shoe is perhaps its best feature.”

The MTN Racer has the signature Topo Athletic roomy toe box, which prevents crammed pinky toes and black toenails on long runs, and a slightly stiff upper. Drainage ports, gaiter attachments, and a thin tongue, which repels dirt and pebbles from invading the inside of your shoe, complete the list of features that make the MTN Racer a trail master.

Trail Racer

Juliet was wrong—there is something in a name. Firm cushioning (an observation deduced not only by testers but confirmed by results at the RW Shoe Lab), a stiff upper, and light weight point to a shoe meant for racing on the trail. “The MTN Racer is obviously a performance-oriented shoe,” said a tester. “I feel like if Topo added a rock plate or a bit more cushioning in the forefoot, these could be a ‘go-to’ pair of shoes.” The MTN Racer may not be your everyday trainer of choice, but its stripped-down features point to a trail shoe meant for competition.

Resilient Upper

The MTN Racer’s upper is outfitted with overlays for structure and security. One tester, who previously ran in the Altra Timp, stated the MTN Racer seemed more durable and longer lasting. Said the tester, “These seem to be reinforced and ready to conquer all terrain.”

Drainage ports on the lateral and medial side of the forefoot proved effective—after approximately a quarter mile or so, with water mostly held in the toe box area. One of our testers uploaded a video in which we could hear audible squeaking as she ran in her shoes after crossing water. “If you don’t mind a little squeakiness,” she said in the recording, “they’re a great shoe!”

Wear Tester Feedback

Dave S., tester since 2017
Arch: High | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot

“The fit was challenging. Not quite ‘Topo-esque’ but not too far removed either. They had the characteristics of the previous Topo shoe’s that I’ve tested but not quite the fit. It must be the 3D-printed part around the toe box. It makes it too stiff to enjoy the splay that the roomy front provides. I also struggled with the cushion, it wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t what I expected. A little firmer, and probably more performance minded than I expected. But it wasn’t a terrible ride.”

Lakota Gambill

Renee H., tester since 2013
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot

“The traction of the Topo Mountain Racers was excellent. I felt secure on rocks, mud, water crossings and grassy hills. They transitioned from road to trail nicely. They were not overly grippy on the road and were dynamite on the trail. The design of the shoe/grip allowed me to run with confidence on all terrain.”

Test Editor Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World and was a middle-of-the-pack Emerson College cross country runner; she’s run the Boston Marathon consecutively since 2013.