Review on Lightweight Men's Topo Athletic 🏃 Running Shoes: Optimal Comfort for Athletes by Richie Jacobson

I'm a big fan of the Altra Lone Peak series. When they changed the fit to the Lone Peak 6 I looked for an alternative. Topo Athletic is often cited with a similar design. I really like the aesthetics of the Mtn Racer 2. I love the color and the stylish look. I could do without the markings on the outsole. There is less room in the forefoot compared to the Lone Peak, but I had enough room to feel comfortable and free. The outsole was pleasantly plush - not the plush Altra Olympus, but more so than the Lone Peaks. In that regard, I probably chose the Mtn Racer 2 over any of the Altra models. The patented Altra outsole is often criticized for its lack of traction on wet surfaces. Topo appears to use Vibram throughout their lineup, which is widely praised for its grip in wet conditions. To be fair, I've never noticed any problems with my Altras in the wet and haven't tested these shoes in the wet. The Mtn Racer 2 is not a zero drop shoe. It's 5mm. 5mm isn't much, but it was surprisingly easy to tell the difference. I prefer a drop of 0 to 3 mm. However, the design of the heel support was such that I didn't experience the slightest trace of heel pain, the issue that brought me to the Altra in the first place. I ended up reluctantly sending the Mtn Racer 2 back. The only drawback was the arch support, which I really noticed. I have flat/hanging arches, so any ridge or protrusion under my arches feels good at first but will eventually hurt. That's not to say aggressive arch support is built into the shoe. No. But that was enough to be a problem for me. This is not always true for all Topo Athletics shoes. For example, their MT-4 is pretty close to Lone Peaks in terms of assist; maybe a little less plush. Bottom line, these are good shoes. They feel well constructed and comfortable. If it wasn't for my flat feet I would be wearing them as I write this.