Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 Review

This week, for the lower drop and rounded toe box fans we’ve got our Topo MTN Racer 3 review. Cushioned trail shoes that offer any level of traction on soft ground are hard to come by. This is one of the reason’s that the Topo MTN Racer has become such a popular shoe among Northern Runner’s customers. The outsole consists of well-spaced out 6mm long lugs made from Vibram MegaGrip. The lugs shed mud and snow well and give a degree of traction on soft ground that makes the Topo MTN Racer 3 a truly versatile trail shoe for use in UK conditions. Don’t misunderstand me the MTN Racer isn’t designed to be a cross country racing shoe rivalling the 8mm pointed stud fell/cross country shoes. Shoes with a stud length as long as 8mm usually feel unstable on harder trails and pointed studs slide on tarmac due to the low surface area. The MTN Racer is designed to function in much more versatile set of conditions. When venturing out the door most of us must do a few miles on tarmac before we get to our trail. You are unaware of the lugs on the bottom of the outsole when running on the tarmac and the MTN Racer is as comfortable as a pair of road shoes. When on the trails the outsole gives a good level of traction on hard packed trails, wet slippery rocks, and sticky muddy trails as well as farmers fields. Ideal for mixed runs in the UK, especially in winter when you encounter a large variety of underfoot conditions.

The versatility of the traction on the bottom of the Topo MTN Racer 3 isn’t the only reason to consider them when you’re looking for your next pair of trails shoes. Like all Topo shoes the toe box is broad and rounded. This gives your toes the space to spread on impact so that they can cushion, stabilise and propel you. Getting balance from your feet is essential on rougher trails and really helps you skip over more technical terrain. The midfoot fit is snug which helps hold you onto the midsole of the shoes so your foot doesn’t move around inside the shoes. Essential when running on a camber. The plastic heel cup grips the heel firmly. The heel cup is lightly but adequately padded as is the cuff and the tongue. The snug fit is accomplished partly by the fit of the heel cup and cuff of the shoes and partly by the good level of lockdown that you can get from the laces. The laces thread into loops that are attached to the base of the shoe and pull the upper of the shoe in around the foot. The tongue is kept in place by two loops (tongue stays) on the tongue. This stops the tongue from slipping inside the shoes even when running on very rough terrain when your foot is pushed around by the ground.

The Topo MTN Racer 3 has a few differences to the MTN Racer 2. Topo has increased the volume in the forefoot to allow your feet more room to spread and function in the shoes. The volume isn’t as roomy as the forefoot of the Ultraventure but does have a noticeable amount of increased space. It is a good idea to make sure that you have enough space in your shoes. This is so when your feet get warm and expand they aren’t restricted by the shoes and you don’t get any rubbing. Although it’s worth noting that shoes that have a broad rounded toe box and allow more foot function reduce how much your feet expand when you have been running a long time. This is because the function of the feet pushes the lymph around the body and stops it from pooling in your feet. Which can happen if your shoes are restrictive or promote a heel strike which doesn’t load the foot correctly.

BROWSE TOPO ATHLETIC MTN RACER 3

The other difference between the MTN Racer 2 and the MTN Racer 3 is the stack height. The MTN Racer 3 has 3mm more stack height. The midsole is also made from Topo’s new Zip Foam. This is softer and lighter than the previous version. So, despite the extra cushioning and underfoot protection the MTN Racer 3 weigh’s almost the same as the previous version. The Men’s UK 8 weighing 286 grams and the Women’s UK 5 235 grams.

The Topo MTN Racer doesn’t have a rockplate. This is a thin piece of nylon or plastic that is usually placed in the forefoot of trail shoes to protect the foot from sharp rocks or thorns that might puncture the shoes. The drawback to the rockplate or stone guard is that it makes the shoes stiffer and takes away some of the natural feel and ride of the shoes. However, the 28mm stack that is in the forefoot of a MTN Racer 3 should provide adequate protection for the foot.

Topo shoes are designed to allow foot function and promote good posture. As well as having a broad rounded toe box to give the feet room to spread they also have a low heel to forefoot drop to promote more of a midfoot strike. They make shoes with a 5mm, 3mm and zero drop. The Topo MTN Racer 3 has a 5mm heel to forefoot drop the stack is 33mm at the heel and 28mm in the forefoot. This makes it suitable for heel strikers as well as midfoot strikers. The other variation in Topo shoes is the level of stiffness in the shoes. The MTN Racer 3 has some torsional rigidity, so it holds its shape when you are descending. Although it is a neutral shoe, which means that it has no active pronation support, the stiff heel counter and rigidity through the midfoot will resist a mild amount of pronation.

The MTN Racer 3 has attachments at the heel and a D ring at the toe end of the laces so you can attach the Topo gaiter to the shoes if you wish. The gaiters are designed to reduce the chance of getting debri in the shoes and in winter they seal the gap between the shoe and your leggings which keeps your feet warmer.

The ride of the MTN Racer 3 feels cushioned and protective. A softer initial feel than the previous version thanks to the increased stack height and the use of the new Zip Foam midsole. However, the cushioning is still responsive. You don’t get the feeling that you are sinking into the shoe on impact. Instead, you feel like there is some shock absorption but the shoe feels responsive. In my experience they are cushioned and protective enough for long runs yet feel equally good doing some intervals or hill repeats. The ride of the shoe fits in perfectly with the traction in that it is versatile enough for the shoe to be comfortable at a variety of paces on a variety of terrain.

In Summary the Topo MTN Racer 3 is a neutral, cushioned and responsive trail shoe that is versatile enough to be functional on all terrains but the very muddiest and comfortable at all paces.

Other Considerations

Brooks Catamount 3: A nimbler feel. Doesn’t feel as secure and protective. The lug depth is a lot shorter and so isn’t as grippy in the mud. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-catamount-3-review/

Topo Pursuit: The zero drop version of the MTN Racer 3. It has the same versatile outsole and a 28mm stack through out. Not quite as much room in the toe box. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-pursuit-review/

Scarpa Kalibre ST: A versatile shoe with a bit better traction in the mud but not as nice on tarmac. The EVA midsole doesn’t feel quite as cushioned and responsive. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-ribelle-run-kalibra-st-review/

Scarpa Spin ST: Much deeper lugs make the Spin ST a better option for those really muddy runs. Versatile enough for some hard packed ground but doesn’t ride as nicely as the MTN Racer on these firmer surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-spin-st-review/

Nnormal Kjerag: A straight big toe line but not as rounded in the forefoot. The nitrogen infused midsole gives a good level of cushioning but the lugs are very short so the NNormal Kjerag is best kept for dry days. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-kjerag-review/

La Sportiva Jackal II: A flat stud but it is versatile enough to give some traction in the mud. The shoe is more flexible in the forefoot than the MTN Racer 3 which gives more of a feel for the ground. The rocker makes it smooth on firmer surfaces which makes it comfortable with a less cushioned feel. The gaiter around the cuff and the BOA fastening add a bit of luxury. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-jackal-ii-boa-review/

New Balance Summit Unknown: Less room in the toe box but available in two width Men’s and Women’s. Traction is similar on soft ground but you are more aware of the lugs on firmer surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-summit-unknown-sg-review/

Hoka Speedgoat 5: Softer feel to the cushioning. Propulsion is gained by the rocker. There isn’t as much ground feel. The traction is similar but the Speedgoat isn’t as smooth on tarmac and tends to clog in deep or sticky mud. Which makes it slightly less versatile. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-speedgoat-5-gtx-review/

Hoka Mafate Speed 4: Longer lugs than the Speedgoat make this a better option for the mud despite the fact that you have even less feel for the floor. The outsole doesn’t shed the mud as well as the MTN Racer 3 due to the thick midsole and lack of flex. The cushioning is much softer and deeper. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mafate-speed-4-review/

La Sportiva Akasha II: A 6mm lug that is well spaced out gives the Akasha a good level of traction on soft ground. The big toe line is straight which allows for a good toe off but the fit is narrow compared to Topo. The shoes are comfortable on the tarmac but not as smooth as the MTN Racer 3. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-akasha-ii-review/

Karhu Ikoni Trail: A softer feel to the cushioning. Has a road shoe feel but a good level of versatile traction. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-trail-review/