As somebody who’s worn by greater than a dozen pairs of Topo Athletic sneakers on lengthy thru-hikes, quick path runs, and all the pieces in between, it’s protected to say I’m deeply acquainted with the model’s philosophy: pure foot form, low drop, and a match that doesn’t struggle you.
I first discovered Topos throughout my 2018 Appalachian Path thru-hike and have caught with them ever since. So after I noticed that Topo had launched the Traverse final yr, I used to be instantly curious. It’s positioned as a do-it-all hybrid shoe constructed to bridge path working and mountain climbing, with some crossover attraction for many who spend simply as a lot time hauling a pack as logging vert on a lunch run.
After placing in over 500 miles throughout different terrain — all the pieces from slick granite in Acadia to arctic tundra in Alaska — I’ve developed sense of what this shoe does properly, the place it excels, and the place it falls just a little quick.
Topo Traverse At-a-Look
MSRP: $155
Weight: ~10.6 oz (Males’s 9)
Drop: 5 mm
Stack Top: 30mm (heel) / 25mm (forefoot)
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with 4mm lugs
Midsole: ZipFoam
Rock Plate: Sure (forefoot)
Higher: Abrasion-resistant mesh with strengthened overlays
Greatest For: Via-hiking, day hikes, fastpacking, mild path working, hybrid path use
Girls’s Topo Traverse right here
Circumstances of Evaluate
Descending scree in Alaska’s Brooks Vary.
I examined the Topo Traverse primarily in Maine, alternating between my dwelling trails in Acadia Nationwide Park and the extra distant terrain close to Millinocket and Baxter State Park. I wore them on all the pieces from informal morning runs to steep summit pushes with a 20-pound pack, and even a couple of days guiding day hikes and path runs for shoppers. Circumstances ranged from dry and dusty to full-on mud and slush — typical shoulder-season stuff within the Northeast.
I additionally wore them for 2 7-day guided mountain climbing journeys in Gates of the Arctic Nationwide Park in Alaska, the place we navigated untrailed tundra, river crossings, glacial moraine, and rocky ridgelines in true wilderness situations.
Topo Traverse Options
Match & Consolation
Like most Topos, the Traverse provides a Goldilocks match: large within the toe field, cosy within the heel, and simply sufficient quantity by the midfoot to really feel safe with out strain. In the event you’ve worn the Pursuit or Ultraventure, this can really feel acquainted. However the place the Pursuit 2 leans plush and protecting, the Traverse feels extra dialed-in and responsive by being firmer underfoot, and extra secure, particularly with a load.
I skilled zero hotspots, rubbing, or heel slip, even on steep descents. The gusseted tongue is beefy sufficient to dam particles with out feeling overbuilt, and the lacing system holds stress properly.
Underfoot Really feel
The ZipFoam midsole isn’t pillow-soft, and that’s factor. It’s agency however not harsh, responsive with out being twitchy. It jogs my memory a little bit of the Altra Timp 5 in that you simply really feel related to the path however not punished by it. There’s extra floor really feel than within the Ultraventure and even the Pursuit, however the 30mm heel stack nonetheless takes the sting off onerous landings.
The forefoot rock plate provides safety with out compromising flexibility. You’ll discover it on rocky, uneven trails, the place it helps clean out sharp edges whereas nonetheless letting you keep nimble.
Traction & Grip
The outsole is what offered me. The Vibram Megagrip rubber is sticky in all the correct methods. Over moist roots, slabby granite, mud, unfastened gravel, Alaskan tussocks — it holds on. The 4mm lugs aren’t tremendous deep, however they’re well-spaced and aggressive sufficient for something in need of deep snow or gloppy clay.
One notably telling second was descending Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain within the rain. The place others in additional minimal sneakers had been sliding round, the Traverse held agency. It’s uncommon to get this sort of traction in a shoe that also feels runnable.
Breathability & Drainage
I used to be stunned by how properly the higher ventilated, even on heat, humid days. It’s not mesh-light like a race flat, however the strengthened artificial materials dries quick and breathes higher than anticipated for a shoe on this class. It dealt with shallow stream crossings and moist grass like a champ as properly.
Sturdiness
After 500+ miles, the Traverse is holding up properly. I’ve seen some anticipated beauty put on on the outsole, however the higher, midsole, and even the toe bumper look strong. No stitching blowouts or delamination on the pair that I examined. Time will inform, however this seems like a 1000+ mile shoe, particularly if you happen to rotate it for heavier use.
Topo Traverse Professionals
The traverse dealt with Alaskan tundra properly.
Wonderful stability of safety, consolation, and floor really feel.
The Traverse hits a uncommon candy spot the place you’re feeling related to the terrain with out sacrificing consolation or underfoot safety, even on sharp, rocky trails.
Prime-tier traction in moist and technical terrain.
The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides confidence-inspiring grip on all the pieces from slick roots to slabby granite, performing particularly properly in hostile climate.
Foot-friendly match with a locked-in heel.
Topo’s signature large toe field permits for pure toe splay, whereas the cosy heel and midfoot design preserve your foot safe on uneven or off-camber terrain.
Rock plate provides actual worth with out making the shoe stiff.
The forefoot rock plate is noticeable in one of the best ways — it protects in opposition to sharp rocks and roots with out compromising flexibility or path really feel.
Breathable, quick-drying higher.
The abrasion-resistant mesh higher handles water crossings and heavy dew with ease, drying rapidly and sustaining consolation over lengthy days.
Versatile: can deal with mountain climbing, path working, and guiding.
That is the uncommon shoe that feels simply as applicable on an informal 5-mile jog because it does guiding shoppers on a 12-hour day hike within the backcountry.
Topo Traverse Cons
Firmer underfoot really feel gained’t attraction to those that like plush cushioning
In the event you’re used to the marshmallow-like consolation of one thing just like the Hoka Speedgoat, the Traverse could really feel a bit harsh, particularly on longer days or runs.
Higher and aspect mesh sturdiness could also be inconsistent.
After some rugged days in Alaska, I seen mild fraying alongside the aspect mesh, particularly the place the shoe flexes. One consumer had a full side-panel tear after simply six days within the Brooks Vary, suggesting sturdiness could fluctuate primarily based on use or potential high quality management points. As talked about above, my pair fared a lot better.
Restricted coloration selections (purely aesthetic).
If model issues to you, be warned: the Traverse’s present coloration choices skew extra utilitarian than flashy, with muted tones and a no-nonsense look. Solely inexperienced and grey colorways can be found.
Remaining Ideas
The Topo Traverse hits a candy spot I’ve been chasing for some time. It’s one of many few sneakers I really feel equally comfy working in and guiding with. Most path sneakers both lean too far towards minimal and really feel unstable with a pack, or they go full mountain climbing shoe and really feel clunky while you wish to transfer quick. The Traverse doesn’t attempt to be both. It’s a real hybrid, and that’s the place its energy lies.
Would I put on it for a 100-mile ultramarathon? No. However for lengthy days within the mountains, fast-and-light missions, and even an in a single day fastpack, that is most likely essentially the most versatile shoe Topo has made so far.
It’s changed each the Pursuit 2 and Ultraventure Professional in my rotation for something below 25 miles, and I’ve already really helpful it to shoppers who’re searching for one shoe that may do some little bit of all the pieces.
Store the Males’s Topo Traverse
Store the Girls’s Topo Traverse
Comparable Footwear
Topo Pursuit 2
- MSRP: $150
- Stack Top: 28mm heel / 28mm forefoot (0mm drop)
Altra Timp 5
- MSRP: $155
- Stack Top: 30mm heel / 30mm forefoot (0mm drop)
Hoka Speedgoat 6
- MSRP: $155
- Stack Top: 40mm heel / 35mm forefoot (5mm drop)
The Topo Athletic Traverse was donated for function of evaluate.
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