How to Waterproof Your Running Shoes Topo Athletic shoe of 2023, it was a toss-up between the Mtn Racer 3 and the Terraventure 4. Both of these trail shoes fare well on gnarly terrain because of their A Part of Hearst Digital Medias. The spaced-out lugs are tacky without being too aggressive on hard-packed dirt or the patches of pavement that you sometimes have to cross. We chose the Mtn Racer 3 because it’s a more user-friendly shoe that can withstand technical trail.
Pros
- Topos new Zipfoam formula is lighter, softer, and more responsive
- Mtn Racer 2
- A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Cons
- The Mtn Racer 3 has a breathable mesh upper
- The Best Trail Running Shoes
Key Specs
| Type | Trail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Heel Stack | 33 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 28 mm |
| Lug Depth | 4.5 mm |
- Who It’s For: The Best Running Shoes of 2024
- Preceded By: Mtn Racer 2
- Runners who like a wide toebox and generous cushioning for runs on wet technical trails: A Part of Hearst Digital Media, Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
- Midsole Foam: Zipfoam (EVA and TPU blend)
- Key Tech: A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Unlike the Terraventure 4, the Mtn Racer 3 doesn’t have a flexible rock plate in the forefoot. To provide underfoot protection without a plate, Topo increased the stack height by 3mm in the heel and forefoot. The Zipfoam midsole has also been updated; the foam is softer, lighter, and more responsive.
“The best part of the Mtn Racer 3 was the cushioning. I was able to tear up and down the mountains without feeling the rocks and roots under my feet,” said Renee Hislop, who has been a member of our wear-test team since 2013. “The extra layer of Vibram and the placement of the lugs, as well as the flexibility, made long and short runs equally enjoyable.”
The comfort factor doesn’t take away dexterity. The Mtn Racer 3 may have a wider platform compared to the previous Mtn Racer 2, but testers noted nimble footwork when the path became dicey. That A Part of Hearst Digital Media also helps keep you right side up on slick rocks and roots.
“The traction was optimal,” said tester Katie Frederick. “I wore them in dry and wet weather and experienced no slipping.”
What Testers Liked
Piggy-backing off of Frederick’s comment, tester Ryan Werling—who averages 30 miles per week at 8:30 pace—also applauded the Mtn Racer 3’s traction. Additionally, Werling appreciated the shoe’s smooth and supportive ride.
“The traction, stability, and overall ride of these shoes is incredible,” said Werling, an overpronator and extreme heelstriker. “I thought initially that the large toebox would be a significant issue in trail navigation, but I was sincerely surprised at the performance. After wearing these shoes I’m not sure I can go back to what I would consider a ‘normal’ toebox. These shoes are extremely lightweight—but with great stability on any type of terrain.”
Our digital designer, Hunter Young, highlighted the shoe’s fit, underlining the toebox as a favorite feature, as well.
“I loved the fit and the extra space in the toebox! The upper fabric wrapped snug around my foot, which helped keep me stable. But the narrower midfoot opens up into a wider toebox, so I also felt like I had the room and flexibility to maneuver and tack on the miles,” she said.
“There was no uncomfortable rubbing, no numb toes, and no hard parts that caused discomfort. I could run as long as I wanted, and my shoes were never a problem!”
What Testers Disliked
Not every tester was a fan of the wide toebox. Hislop, who previously tested the original Mtn Racer and ran in the Terraventure 1 and 2, noted how the current model seemed to have more toe room than either of the Terraventures she tested.
“I do like a wide toe box, but this was extra wide. It almost felt like a clown shoe on my foot,” she said. “Although I did not feel my feet were sliding around too much, there was a lot of extra space for sure. They also seemed to run a little big size-wise. If you like a roomier shoe, you’ll love these.”
One Tester’s New Trail Favorite
Despite having some extra room in the shoe, Hislop gave the Mtn Racer 3 top scores in cushioning, flexibility, traction, and even the lacing system.
“Once they were tied, they felt very secure,” she said. “I did not need to re-lace running halfway down a mountain, which I often have to wearing Altras.”
If not for its wide toebox, the Mtn Racer 3 would have been a first choice for Hislop. On the other hand, the Mtn Racer 3 was Werling’s favorite shoe due, in part, to that accommodating toe room.
“The Mtn Racer 3 is by far the best trail shoe I have tested so far in the Runner’s World shoe testing program,” Werling said. “I will continue to wear these shoes on training runs and future races. I’m buying another pair after these are worn out due to high mileage.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
