The BEST Hiking Shoe? Topo TRAVERSE 100 mile test and review - are they better than the MTN Racer 3? 

Great to hear that you're enjoying them!

Awesome, nice work! Hope you enjoy using them!

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching mate 👍

Thanks again mate

Thanks mate, nice work - the AZT is on my bucket list! I've heard great reports on the Pursuits. Happy trails!

Thanks mate! Seems as though Topo are doing pretty well at the moment! Looking forward to seeing what they come out with next! Happy trails mate.

Which are more comfortable for an all day hike?

Hey, thanks mate! My friend just bought a pair of Pursuits, think he's quite impressed so far, I know they're a pretty popular shoe so it will be interesting to see the updated version. I'm a huge fan of the MTN Racer 3 and am currently trying to find a UK11 pair in the Mango colour - seem to be sold out everywhere 🤔 Haha yeah, the injinji liners were massive but I've now got the mini crew ones that are a much better length!

@@PaulandaPack Hi Paul, reading that you're looking for a UK 11, do you go up 1 size or 2 from normal? Just wondering about the fit. I'm a ~44 but usually size up to ~46 (Brooks Cascadia 16s).

@LoremIpsum1970 hey, my feet actually measure about a 10.5, but I go for an 11 in everything, and that usually works out. The Traverse I found to be a little tighter at the front, and I noticed that I was getting quite a lot of toe bump on downhills. I'd go for an 11.5 UK if I bought another pair of them.

@@PaulandaPack Many thanks for getting back. I have used the online shoe sizing site for Hoka, and they state UK11 Reg / US12. so will see how they go in a day or so. I have noticed looking at each manufacturer's size tables that they can vary by +/- half an EU size against UK/US. Topo state EU44 as UK9/US10 which is so wrong. Looking at the same Mango MTN Racer 3s UK11 which are available online. I might just take a chance on those.

Thanks mate, it was a challenge staying upright at times!

Totally agree with you there - really enjoying different shoes from their range. Happy trails mate!

It's a tough one, especially if you're unable to try them first. I'm not sure if there's a 30 day trial period in Canada or if it's just the USA. On rocky trails with heavy bags, you might benefit more from the rock plate and the support the Traverse offers.

@PaulandaPack I went with the Pursuit 2 since they have the same quick-dry tech as the Traverse. But it's a zero drop shoe with no rock plate. We'll see!

Awesome! Hope they work out for you - let us know how you get on with them!

And? Are you happy with them?

@@hackman8909 YES, they are great shoes. If you are transitioning from a boot (as I did) and use to having ankle support, you’ll need to be more cautious about where you step.

Ha! Not sure if a bottle of Jack would have sped me up or slowed me down! Stupid thing really, but I used square water bottles for the first time and they actually worked really well in the bottle pocket and side pocket! 💡 I'll definitely keep using them, I'm just used to a bit more cushion, but as you say, I'm sure I'll get used to these.

Appreciate the recommendation mate - I've heard a lot of really good things about the Pursuit. Unfortunately, after using a mix of Lone Peaks and Olympus for over a year, I found that zero drop and I really don't get on well! Great to hear that the Pursuit works for you though, it's nice to have an alternative to Altra!

If you stick an insole in that gives you a bit of lift in the heel it might.

Thanks for watching!

Hello mate, thanks for the comment! My 5's were the standard trail running version. The laces were kind of 'flat' and quite slippery - they were always coming loose, I really didn't like them.

Hey Craig, I think you'll definitely find these more to your liking than the Lone Peaks. For one, there's more cushioning in these - the LP's are quite minimal. These also have a LOT more support than the LP's, plus they have a rock plate in the forefoot, so you'll hardly feel any of those stones! The LP's are zero drop, whereas these are 5mm, so that might make a difference for you. Good luck with whatever you choose to go for mate!

Thanks! Having used some Lone Peaks myself, the MTN Racer 3 is much closer to them than the Traverse is. The Racer feels much more flexible, nimble, and offers much more ground feel than the Traverse. The Traverse is pretty far away from the Lone Peak - they're really quite supportive and offer little ground feel due to the rock plate in the forefoot. Hope this helps!

@@PaulandaPack Thanks for your reply! That actually helps a lot. It looks like there will be a pair of MTN Racer 3 in my future. I'm pretty happy about that because I'm partial to the orange colourway. Thanks again for you quick reply and help.

No problem! Hope that you get on with them! Totally agree, that Mango/Espresso colourway is the best!

Hey there, thanks for watching! There's a lot to tackle here, so sorry for the long reply! To start with, all the Topo models I've tried tend to have a good deal of arch support, I've not tried any of their zero drop models (the Pursuit in particular is extremely popular) so can't speak for them but I'm guessing they'll be similar in that regard. Are you used to wearing zero drop shoes? (same stack height at the front and the heel, so your foot is totally flat in the shoe - Altra's in particular). If so, I'd say have a look at the Topo Pursuit or Pursuit 2 if available where you are. If you're not used to wearing zero drop, (example most 'normal' trainers are higher at the heel than the front of the foot), it might not be a good idea to switch to them before such a big walk - it generally takes time for your body to get used to using them (in most cases, although some people have zero problems). I'm not hugely familiar with the Camino Frances but I'm guessing that a high percentage of it is on pavement/road/hardpack trail? If so, I'd say avoid the Traverse and the MTN Racer 3. They're both trail shoes and have the same aggressive grip with big lugs which will wear down pretty quickly on hard terrain, roads etc. The Pursuit has a rock plate which you probably won't need, and is also quite firm and supportive. The MTN Racer 3 is a high cushion model, the highest Topo offer I believe, so you may not like the feeling of that if the Ultraventure felt squishy to you. I love the MTN Racer 3, but it's tread and lugs wouldn't last very long on roads and pavements, plus it may feel a little odd with the lugs being so big. I'd say maybe have a look at the MT-5, I've not tried it myself, but it's got a less aggressive tread, smaller lugs, (still Vibram for good grip), and I believe it's designed for more of a mix of light trail and hard surface. The cushioning is similar to that of the Traverse I believe. Bear in mind that mile after mile on hard surfaces, you will probably be glad of a bit of cushioning after you've done a few days! Failing that, I'd say check out Topo's road shoe offerings, though I can't offer any advice on them as I've never used any, sorry! Hope some of that helps, and hope you have a great trip!

Thanks! The tongue didn't budge at all! I know exactly what you mean there, but it stayed put for the whole trail. The Ultra Raptor was a shoe that I really wanted to like, but I just found them to be too narrow for me. I'm sure if you try any Topo shoes, you'll notice a huge difference in the fit, especially around the toe box.

LaSportiva are quite narrow.

@kevinstarski1598 it's not that they are narrow, but they are a lower volume, so work for people with a lower volume, skinny foot like mine. My feet are not narrow.

Hey, awesome that the shoes are working well for you! I did say in the video that the shoes handled the wet pretty well. I just prefer my shoes a bit more flexible! Each to their own!

Hello mate, I've got a pair of the lightweight 'Dirty Girl' gaiters from the USA. I had to use them on the Altra Olympus 5 as I had a problem with loads of debris entering the shoes at the heels. I was going to use them again with the Topos, but it's not been an issue - there's only been a handful of times when debris has got in.

Cheers Paul, i will check those out. I like the Altra O 5s and i also use the mids in winter when its below zero and they are really toasty but too warm to wear when its above 8 degree C I have the same issues with debris getting in too and the Altra gaiters are rubbish. Arethey durable ? @@PaulandaPack

I've only used them for a few weeks on the GR10, and they worked perfectly with the Oly 5. Durability wise, they're very lightweight and a little stretchy, but as they only sit on the tops of your shoes and have no straps that go around the bottom, they don't tend to get much wear and tear. My pair still look like new.@@Olan...

Thanks for the recommendation mate, unfortunately zero drop is no good for me - I tried for a year with Altras and just couldn't make them work.

Hi, it was kind of a test for these shoes - the Altra Olympus that I used to wear let a lot of debris in at the heel. I wanted to see if these would be any different, and they were - hardly anything got in. I had the same experience with the MTN Racer 3 over 600 miles.

Unfortunately not! 😆