Welcome to Trail Shoes Reviewed! Today we’re diving into the latest upgrade from Topo Athletic: the Topo MTN Racer 4. If you’re familiar with the MTN Racer 3, you’ll know it was one of the most underrated trail running shoes for technical terrain. The MTN Racer 4 builds on that foundation with smart updates—without losing what made its predecessor so reliable.
Key Specs & Design Upgrades
Topo has retained the ZipFoam™ midsole in this latest version, but it’s slightly firmer and more responsive than before. The stack height remains unchanged—33mm in the heel, 28mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 5mm drop. That low drop keeps your foot closer to the ground, improving control and proprioception.
The outsole features Vibram® MegaGrip with 5mm lugs, providing excellent traction. We tested it on wet, muddy, and technical Alpine trails—no issues with grip or stability. It’s clearly built for moderate to highly technical trails, but not ideal for road-to-trail use, as the soft rubber can wear down faster on tarmac.
Fit and Comfort
One of the standout features of Topo shoes is their anatomical fit. This isn’t just about a wide toe box. The MTN Racer 4 locks the heel and midfoot in snugly, then flares out into a broad forefoot, giving your toes room to splay naturally.
This natural fit improves comfort on long runs and can help reduce pressure on the forefoot. If you’ve struggled with shoes like Altra that are wide throughout, Topo offers a more balanced and secure fit that’s still foot-shaped.
The upper is made of a breathable engineered mesh, and protective overlays provide abrasion resistance without being overly stiff. The padded tongue with a double loop keeps everything in place, even on rough descents.
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Enhanced Drainage and Insole
A new addition is the FKT insole made with TPU beads, similar to what’s used in the Inov-8 TrailFly. It adds responsiveness and improves drainage during wet runs, thanks to its water-shedding membrane. So if you’re hitting wet, muddy trails or river crossings, this insole works to keep your feet drier for longer.
Stability Features
Stability-wise, the shoe includes medial and lateral sidewalls that cradle the foot and a broad base of support for excellent balance—even during steep descents or quick directional changes. At 295g (US Men’s 9), it’s not the lightest trail shoe, but it offers serious protection and grip for long-distance mountain running.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a trail shoe for long distances, technical trails, and muddy terrain, the Topo MTN Racer 4 is hard to beat. It’s still one of the most underrated trail shoes on the market and a solid upgrade from the v3—keeping the same aggressive outsole and anatomical fit, with better responsiveness and improved comfort.
For trail runners with flat feet or wider forefeet, this shoe offers a secure yet natural fit.
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