Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Optimized for thru-hiking and lightweight enough for running, the men's Topo Athletic Traverse trail-running shoes will help you conquer even the toughest trails with confidence.
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Imported.
View all Topo Athletic Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 5 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 25 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Mesh |
Lining | Textile |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 5.2 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47.5 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
Mondo | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 13 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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After hiking thousands of miles in many different trail runners I have to say these are the best. They have excellent construction, the sole grips really well. The toe box is nice and wide and the arch support is really nice. I have already ordered another pair.
Hiked the AT in '24 - with 5 pairs of these. I liked the wider toe box, no break-in time, quicker drying, and I didn't feel the rocks underfoot as much as Solomans I started with. Unfortunately, after ~150 miles the black sole on the toe always came unglued. The best repair I found was using Weldwood Contact Cement which was easy to find at hardware stores.
Picked these up Thru-hiking the AT in '24. I thru-hiked in '20 and '21 wearing Altra's. Starting with the Lone Peaks then switching to the Olympus. The Lone Peaks begin to disintegrate at about 350 miles per pair while the Olympus would get me 600+ miles per pair so it just seemed like a no brainer to go with Olympus. in 2024, my Olympus's were giving me problems so on day 2 when I arrived at Neels Gap, I tried on a pair of Traverses, they felt good so I bought them. Then threw a nearly brand new pair of Altra Olympus in the Hiker box. I could not be more impressed with this shoe. This shoe is on another level than Altra as far as construction. 1 pair of these shoes will easily go 700+ miles. Topo listens to their customers and the Traverse nails it for a thru hiker. People have been complaining for years about the "Mud Shovel" on the back of the sole on the Lone Peaks and Olympus'. The flaps that sling mud up onto your calves while hiking or gets stuck under every root in Maine and pulls the shoe off your foot. And after years, Altra has continued to use it. I'm sold on Topo now and will never go back. I just wish there were more Topo vendors out there as they are fairly hard to come by. I recommend this shoe to any thru-hiker.
Have now used my Topo Traverse not only for trail hiking but was looking for a stable and durable off trail shoe. The Traverse perfectly hits the sweet spot between a trail runner - light, cushioned, and nimble as well as a hiking shoe - stable, rugged, and durable. I have taken this shoe for extended days off trail thru creek crossings, side hilling, and scrambling over talus passes in the Sierra. Well done! I love a company that listens to it's customers and builds something for that market. Thanks Topo.
I bought these for my Colorado Trail thru-hike. Not a single blister! Comfortable and great grip in wet conditions. I have tried several trail shoes for long distance hikes. These outperformed all of the others--and it wasn't that close
At first I had a couple issues with the edges digging in when hiking downhill but that was easily broken in. Everything after that has been awesome, they are super comfortable and very grippy on everything I have hiked. Highly recommend
I have had mine for roughly a year and I love them, took a few days to get the feel right but once I did they were very comfy. The durability is the only reason that it’s not 5 stars, just like others the sole at the toe is coming undone but otherwise they have held up incredibly well to how I wear them. I’ll be buying another pair once the sole is flat!