Comments on: Topo MT (Mountain Trainer) Review: A Non-Tabi Topo Trail Shoe

By: Iain Macfarlane

Iain Macfarlane — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:17:09 +0000

It’s a bit off saying that the Topo RT shoe is a bad design when you haven’t even tried them out. Not what I’d expect of you.

By: Tina Hamilton

Tina Hamilton — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:24:55 +0000

Although your review was written close to 9 months ago, I would like to give my input here. I have finally found my perfect shoe! After reading about them in Trail Runner’s magazine for their Spring reviews — I purchased my Topo mountain trainer trail shoes back in May 2014 from REI online. I liked the reviews that I had read and some key points about the shoe, all of which prompted me to buy these shoes without even ever trying a pair on! I had my hopes up about this shoe since it what said to be light weight, roomy toe box and a little narrower in the heel than the standard. Plus descent looking lugs. When I first wore these shoes, they did not disappoint. They met all my hopes and expectations! I’ve worn them on many of my long runs (20ish miles) and two 50K mountain trail races. I will be wearing them for another ultra next weekend! In other shoes, such as my Altra Lone Peak and old Merrell Mix Master Glide trail shoes my feet would feel a bit tired or note a few sore spots, generally on the heel due to a little sloppy which caused some rubbing. But not with the Topo mountain trainer trail shoes. No rubbing, and no issues when running on technical rocky terrain. As for water crossings, no problem. My experience is that the shoes actually dried quickly (perhaps due to using a different insole than what came with shoe – I use the insoles from my old Montrail Rogue Racers which I didn’t actually use back when I wore those shoes).
One thing that I was initially skeptical about the shoe was the lack of an actual toe guard (it’s just a printed on thin rubberized thing). However, this has not been an issue since I seem to be able to maneuver in the rocks better in these shoes than in my Altra Lone Peaks that have a thick heavy toe guard and are over all a much stiffer shoe.
My biggest concern is that now that I’ve found my perfect shoe, they will stop making it! I wonder if the word is getting out about this great shoe.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:17:54 +0000

I know it’s been a while since you wrote this blog, but I wanted to give some input as someone who wears the Topo tabi shoes. I love them, and hope Topo keeps working to get them accepted and respected. It is possible that if they covered the split toe on top, people would be more likely to try them. These are pretty much my favorite running shoes ever!

By: Topo Athletic

Topo Athletic — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:36:46 +0000

In reply to Michael. Hi Michael, feel free to send us an email at info@topoathletic if you would like more information about how the split-toe model might work for you.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:08:13 +0000

In reply to Geoffrey Gray. 2mm drop

By: Geoffrey Gray

Geoffrey Gray — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:59:35 +0000

I’ve been curious about Topo and was glad to see how thorough your review was. any idea how much heel posting they are using (degrees or mm offset)?

By: Eman

Eman — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:06:39 +0000

I tried the Tabi Topo at my LRS. The fit was fine, but lacked the responsiveness and feel that I generally like from a shoe.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 04:06:58 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson. OK. My arches are not pronounced, and I am a slight overpronator, so that combination seems to be pretty typical. Guess they're not necessarily related, though.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:44:46 +0000

In reply to Michael. I'm not a big believer in using static arch height to assess dynamic pronation, has not been shown to be very reliable.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:42:51 +0000

In reply to Zed. Not sure about Asia. The Tabi toe feels fine, and if it's something that interests you then maybe worth a try. Just not my cup of tea :)

By: Zed

Zed — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 07:29:43 +0000

Did Topo ever market its tabi-style shoes in Asia? It seems like a more ideal market for the design than North America or Europe. As somebody who grew up in Southeast Asia wearing thong sandals that isolated my big toe from the rest of my toes, I'd actually be very interested in a tabi-style, low drop running shoe.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 02:22:58 +0000

Thanks for the review. I might buy these just for the fit you describe, if everything else is functional as you report.