In production · trail · Trail / Tempo · $155
Technical trail racer with a secure fit and Megagrip traction.
Built for trail, tempo, at a target pace of 8:00–11:00 /mi on trail.
Topo Athletic tuned this midsole balanced (3/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is above average: the midsole rebounds well without feeling unstable. 33 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.
A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.
A low 5 mm drop encourages a midfoot landing and keeps the ankle working through a fuller range. The rocker is moderate — enough curve to smooth the roll-through without dictating your footstrike. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.
The toe-box is unusually roomy — foot-shaped rather than tapered, which suits splayed or bunion-prone feet. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 400 miles from the outsole, about $0.39 per mile at $155.
For the foams and plates Topo Athletic uses across its line, read the Topo Athletic brand guide.
Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.
Weight
294 g / 10.4 oz
19 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
33 mm
3 mm lower than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
5 mm
1 mm lower than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$155
5 cheaper than the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
3 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
4 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Durability
~400 mi
Catalog median ~400 mi
Within the Topo Athletic line it is heavier than the brand's median (275 g / 9.7 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (32 mm).
Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.
Brooks Catamount 4
270 g / 9.5 oz · 34 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $180
Light trail racer with SkyVault plate propulsion.
Adidas Terrex Agravic TT(2026)
285 g / 10.1 oz · 32 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $180
Broad, protective technical trail shoe with a fingered rock plate.
On Cloudventure 3
290 g / 10.2 oz · 34 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $160
Versatile trail shoe with Missiongrip and a rock plate.
New Balance Summit Unknown v4
280 g / 9.9 oz · 32 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $130
Agile door-to-trail shoe with a protective rock plate.