The RW Takeaway: Topo Athletics MTN Racer has outstanding traction for all surfaces, and a firm platform thats made for trail racing.
Price: $140 Buy Mens Buy Womens More Images If were being honest, the song Aint 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 outsolewhich our wear testers found they could comfortably transition from road or trailhas excellent traction over all matter of dicey and groomed terrain. I tested this shoe on all imaginable East Coast trail surfacesrunnable 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 RacerJuliet was wrongthere 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 UpperThe MTN Racers 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 effectiveafter 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 dont mind a little squeakiness, she said in the recording, theyre a great shoe! Wear Tester FeedbackDave S., tester since 2017 The fit was challenging. Not quite Topo-esque but not too far removed either. They had the characteristics of the previous Topo shoes that Ive 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 wasnt bad, but it also wasnt what I expected. A little firmer, and probably more performance minded than I expected. But it wasnt a terrible ride. Renee H., tester since 2013 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. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io |
