Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 Review: Climbing Back to the Top

Introduction to the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4

TAYLOR: Early morning coffee at the local gas station is the way my grandpa always started his mornings. A few of his buddies would gather and “shoot the shit.” I imagine that those conversations were pretty cyclical. Depending on the season, they probably talked about the weekend’s catch of hunting or fishing, rising gas prices, and how much they hated work even though they secretly loved the consistent simplicity it provided. There’s no other excuse that would bring them together at such an hour on a weekday anyways.

In some ways, the weekly meet up with my fellow trail-trottin’ pals is the same. We talk about the week, what our weekend plans are (especially the long runs planned), and the few other things we have to complain about. Again, it’s the simplicity of it all that makes it so good.

Topo Athletic has slowly, but surely, created a reputation that mirrors this notion. For me, it all started with the original MTN Racer. The premise of such a shoe was to provide grip, protection, and a secure yet anatomically appropriate fit in a performance oriented package. The same goal remains in the fourth iteration.

This shoe has evolved in thoughtful ways over the years, but, IMO, it had lost its ability to do what it was named for. That’s not to say it was a poor shoe, by any means. Much like the Nike Zegama 2 or original Altra Mont Blanc, the MTN Racer became a wannabe of its namesake.

The Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 isn’t all that much different from the third version both visually and on paper, but don’t let it fool you. More attention was paid to the overall fit and step-in feel this time around. Based on what we loved about the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3, this felt like a pretty good compromise.

MICHAEL: Like Taylor’s grandad, my late grandad was also a man of simplicity. He loved plain white spinner bait lures, Carhartt flannel, Marlboro cigarettes, and taking long looks at the stars lighting up the winter night sky. Naturally, I think about him often when I visit the valleys and pasturelands that he kept in the Shenandoah region and am always inspired by this simple life he led. Interestingly, he wasn’t ever really very philosophical about his lifestyle. He was principled, sure, but he didn’t set up grand Wendell Berry-style systematic convictions for himself to follow and then blog about his exploits afterwards on social media.

When it was time for a new tractor, he bought a new tractor and didn’t get all up in the weeds about whether or not the new hydraulic system was going to offset some aesthetical ambition he was chasing. Rather, he was a man of simplicity because he held onto the things in life he cared about, the things that brought him joy, and had no grand illusions that he needed to be living somewhere else or doing something else. Oh, and he loved morning gas station coffee at the Quickie Mart.

So, maybe it’s a little strange to stand up a shoe comparison after writing about the kind of man my Pap-pap was, but I’m trying to make the point that it seems like the most refreshingly simple things in life are oftentimes not really trying to make a point to be simple, they just are. and such is the case with the Topo Athletic MTN Racer line. Perhaps the term I’m looking for is elegant simplicity?

Anyways, the Topo MTN Racer has proven itself to be a dependable, solid shoe year after year. Last year’s model wasn’t without its hiccups, however, but instead of taking the entirety of the MTN Racer back to the drawing board to sketch out a new model, they’ve placed the shoe on the ironing board to work out the wrinkles. Personally, I couldn’t be happier with the result. Read on for more details on Topo’s Swiss army knife daily driver.

What we like about the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4

TAYLOR: What were the few complaints we had about the MTN Racer 2 and 3? They were all pretty much summed up as a less-than-desired fit. That’s exactly where Topo Athletic focused its attention this time around.

The upper material is virtually the same as before. It’s a medium thick engineered mesh that’s highlighted by its durability and surprising breathability. It’s a comfortable option too. I like that this upper didn’t stretch and will likely provide a consistent fit throughout its lifespan.

The major difference is that key areas were given subtle attention that brought this shoe back to being a viable trail shoe for a deep variety of trails. I really didn’t notice much of an overall volume difference. If anything, there’s marginally less volume through the midfoot. At either rate, it was noticeably more secure. This is the fit I would hope for from Topo Athletic.

The other noticeable difference lies in the heel construction. Now, it has some pseudo-elf-ear action going on that takes some strain off of the Achilles. It curves away from, rather than slightly towards, to promote comfort. Both the Hoka Speedgoat 6 and Craft Pure Trail X have similar constructions and boast similar results. Solid.

Another positive is that the heel itself feels like it’s more secure as well. The new construction allowed for more of a “pinch” to really ensure the heel and midfoot can be locked down comfortably. It extends a little higher than the previous models but curves the collar away from the Achilles for more comfort.

No doubt, the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 reclaims its ability to romp upon the heights because of these two adjustments in the heel and midfoot.

The forefoot feels roomy as per usual. There’s a good amount of space to accommodate a high-volume forefoot as well as an anatomical shape to allow for natural foot splay. I absolutely feel the difference from a “typical” shoe for both of these aspects. It’s a large reason why this type of moderate/high stack shoe can roll around on technical terrain so well: It doesn’t just provide room; the forefoot provides a connection to the ground via natural stability displaced on the forefoot.

Topo Athletic is also known for noticeable arch support. A broader heel width completes the trifecta of stability. None of it feels over-mechanized. It’s a very neutral feeling shoe on the run, but natural stability abounds.

The same ZipFoam we’re used to is back in the fourth edition. We’ve noted it as light, well-cushioned, and almost “airy.” I really like this medium/soft density that lends itself to varied terrain. It’s mildly energetic, provides comfort, and protective – all qualities I enjoy for short or long days on the trails.

An extra little tidbit in the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 is that they added their new FKT insole. It’s a beaded insole that was noticeably comfortable upon step-in and trace amounts of perceived energy return. Like the Inov8 Boomerang insole, I feel like this measure is a no-brainer to throw in all of their shoes from here on out. It’s literally game-changing yet simple as heck.

A very well-versed Vibram Megagrip outsole sits on the bottom of the MTN Racer 4. It’s certainly a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The 5 mm lugs dug deep into earth in a very satisfying way. Even though it’s not the most pavement-friendly pattern, I really didn’t mind running some gravel with aggressive outsole.

Another perk to the thicker rubber outsole was that it added an element of protection that would normally be given by a thin rockplate.

MICHAEL: Taylor mentioned the unusually imprecise fit of version 3, and it definitely seems like this was the primary focus for version 4. Topo absolutely crushed it. Starting from the back, the heel counter features a slight “elf ear” to keep things irritation free. Moving forward, the fit through the midfoot was absolutely rock solid, and features one of the best lockdowns I’ve experienced in any shoe, like ever. For me, no matter whether a shoe is designed for technical terrain, racing, or taking the trash out while it’s pouring rain, an excellent fit instills confidence in my running in a way that a fancy midsole or even a great outsole can’t impute.

While the last of the shoe is essentially the same as version 3, the materials used here feel much more robust and will certainly resist the stretching out (and subsequent loosening) that many experienced in version 3.

Moving downward, Taylor mentioned the slightly firmer and more responsive ZipFoam midsole, which I also found to be a great little fine-tuned change for version 4. In the absence of the rock plate, I found it to add some needed protection underfoot, not to mention slightly more stability.

One issue I encountered with the MTN Racer 3 was that the combination of the soft foam and relatively skinny midfoot in the midsole created a real hotspot for blisters. While the slim midsole was preserved, the firm midsole compound has really helped in this regard.

All these little tweaks, including others Taylor mentioned such as the FKT insole, result in a really enjoyable, balanced experience on the trail. Anytime a shoe fits, grips, and rides this well it’s going to be a winner for me over myriad surfaces.

What we don’t like about the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4

TAYLOR: This is such a rarity, but I’m going to knock on the Vibram Megagrip outsole here for a moment. Overall, I think it is still a grade-A component, however, a lot of mud clung to this outsole this time around. It just wouldn’t shed the stuff for the life of it! This caused some weird weight imbalances within the shoe.

While we’re on the topic, this particular formulation and pattern has been a staple of the brand for a long time. Obviously, it has worked, and still does, but is it starting to feel a little worn out? While it was really the A-plus standard for so long, many other brands are pulling together outsoles from different rubbers that are either quickly approaching, have matched, or even surpassed these outsoles performances in some respects. Does that mean it’s time to consider bringing a new pattern to the table? I’m not sure.

MICHAEL: I have zero complaints, other than that the colorway I received doesn’t really speak to me.

Final thoughts on the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4

TAYLOR: Welcome back to the wild side, Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4! This update brought and improved fit and comfort to be equally proficient on more technical terrain and smooth trails. Even though it might not be what I pick up for race day itself, it is a phenomenal option for daily runs and long adventures on a variety of terrain. This especially true for those who like a low drop and anatomical fit.

MICHAEL: In our wildly busy and frenetic lives, it’s interesting to see lots of brands stand up new marketing campaigns to advertise a product’s simplicity (like this new SLATE pickup truck, or even Atreyu shoes). To be fair, I find this marketing strategy very refreshing, but at the end of the day, it’s all marketing anyways.

The MTN Racer 4 feels like a potent antidote to this world of trying too hard to do too little. This shoe is balanced, versatile, and really really enjoyable in that it gets itself out of the way without announcing it’s going to beforehand. Whether it’s your next technical 50k or your next Tuesday evening singletrack loop, the refined execution of the MTN Racer 4 will doubtless be a dependable option.

You can pick up the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 for $155 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.