Is the Topo Athletic Traverse 2 the best thru-hiker for the Appalachian Trail?

Introduction to the Topo Athletic Traverse 2

ALEX: I love having a Topo in my shoe lineup. The Traverse was initially designed as a hybrid shoe for hiking and running on technical terrain, but version two leans more heavily into a thru-hiking shoe. This works great for me as I end up hiking a lot during my 100-mile (or longer) races. And my 15-mile runs. And sometimes even my 5-mile runs. All that to say, some shoes feel good to hike in and some (think aggressively rockered) shoes do not.

Whenever I see hikers wearing heavy, hot, overbuilt hiking boots on the trail, I want to offer them my shoes. I want to say, “Just try them,” and then, “Yeah, we all have shitty ankles,” for when that excuse inevitably comes up. The Topo Traverse 2 is exactly the kind of shoe I want to give them.

MICHAEL: As fall approaches, so too does the beckoning call of cooler temperatures and falling leaves. While the oppressive humidity and approximately one hundred thousand mosquitoes (not to mention ticks) make the outdoors a less-than-ideal place for recreation and more of an ideal place for training, fall allows one to camp outside comfortably and maybe even backpack for a few nights, too.

Needless to say, we couldn’t be entering a better time of the year for Topo Athletic’s new Traverse 2 to release. The first model, marketed toward both trail runners and long-distance thru-hikers alike, was a breakthrough shoe in the market. It struck a seemingly perfect balance of both solid protection and lightweight agility, one that my buddy Collin, who is both an avid trail runner and 2025 AT thru-hiker, gushed about over some shared miles together upon his return.

Much to the delight of consumers on both sides of the target demo, the Traverse 2 seems to have made only very subtle changes to the proven formula in version one. As the thru-hikers say… Happy trails!

What we like about the Topo Athletic Traverse 2

ALEX: For starters, I’m a big fan of the muted tan colorway. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with performance, but apparently I judge all shoes by their uppers now, so here we are. It feels understated and blends in well with nature.

More importantly, the Traverse 2 feels incredibly capable. To no one’s surprise, the Vibram Megagrip outsole provides fantastic traction, and the forefoot rockplate protects you from sharp rocks and other technical terrain. Topo’s ZipFoam midsole maintains a surprising amount of ground feel. There’s still plenty of shoe between you and the trail, but I really appreciate feeling more connected to what I’m moving through.

The fit is classic Topo. You get a roomy, anatomical toe box that lets your toes be who they are. Wild. Free. Paired with a secure midfoot fit and easy-to-achieve lockdown, the shoe never feels sloppy despite that roomier toe box. This becomes especially important in a shoe designed for long hiking days and heavier packs, where we all want room for our feet to swell without sliding around inside the shoe or losing stability or confidence.

Topo beefed up the upper in this version, using a more durable, high-abrasion mesh that feels noticeably more robust than the previous version, though it does sacrifice a little breathability in the process. For the shoe’s stated purpose, I think it’s a worthwhile tradeoff. It still breathes and drains plenty well, while offering better protection from dirt, debris, and everything else you’re inevitably kicking up after hours on the trail.

There’s a bit more structure throughout the shoe in general, which makes the Traverse 2 feel particularly well suited for hiking and fastpacking with a heavier pack.

I’m also really happy with the heel. The plush tongue and padded collar design work well together to feel comfortable and secure, and, most importantly, the collar no longer digs into my ankle like some previous Topo designs did (not to be confused with Topo Designs). My ankles and I appreciate the consideration.

Topo rounds out its design with a universal gaiter attachment system and a water-resistant FKT Comfort Insole, both small details that I really appreciate.

And then there’s the price. At $155, the Traverse 2 is a fantastic value. You’re getting Vibram Megagrip, a rock plate, a durable upper, a quality midsole, gaiter compatibility, and a shoe built to handle big mileage. In a world where $200-plus trail shoes are becoming increasingly the norm, I found myself wanting to get a second pair. Just because I could.

MICHAEL: While I ran most of my review mileage in the shoe, and thus never took the Traverse on a dedicated backpacking trip, many of the durability notes Alex picked up on earlier rang true for me as well. Reviewer mileage hardly compares to thousands of miles and hours of use on a rugged trail like the AT, but intuition tells me the stout materials the Traverse 2 is made with should have a better chance than most of holding up out there.

I loved the tough overlays, which showed no signs of early delamination, as well as the robust, protective midsole and comfortably padded tongue and heel collar. Premium touches like the FKT insole (which mitigates water absorption during stream crossings) and Vibram outsole round out the package.

The fit and ride of the shoe are consistent with Topo’s other offerings, many of which have received high honors in our annual awards. The toebox is wide and forgiving, while the fit through the midfoot keeps things secure on steep descents. There was no digging in of the last into my foot’s arch, which in my experience is the only troublesome spot for blisters in any Topo shoe I’ve tested.

Lastly, I love the understated colorway and earthy tones. Fitting for a shoe that’s likely to be trod underfoot over thousands of miles in nearly every condition imaginable.

What we don’t like about the Topo Athletic Traverse 2

ALEX: It goes, but it doesn’t go fast. To be fair, the Traverse 2 never claimed it would. I guess I have that in common with the shoe. The added structure, protection, and durability make it feel less nimble and run-focused than its predecessor.

That tradeoff makes sense for what Topo is trying to do with this update, but if you liked the original Traverse because it felt more like a hybrid option, keep in mind the Traverse 2 has (intentionally) moved noticeably farther toward the hiking side of things.

MICHAEL: As Alex mentioned, the durability and stout construction of the Traverse 2 that hold the shoe up so well prove to be its downfall when the pace picks up. Otherwise, there’s not much here to dislike. The issues I had with the tongue on version one were completely mitigated in version two.

Final thoughts on the Topo Athletic Traverse 2

ALEX: The Traverse 2 isn’t the shoe I’d reach for when I want to run fast, but that’s not the point. What Topo has created is a dependable workhorse for long, demanding days (upon days) that require comfort, protection, and durability underfoot. It feels equally at home hiking, fastpacking, or settling into all-day pace on the trail. At least my all-day pace…

The Traverse 2 is sturdy and durable enough to provide the protection and confidence you want for long days on most trails and strikes a solid middle ground between a hiking shoe and trail runner. It feels protective and stable underfoot, yet still really comfortable, breathable, and light enough to enjoy moving in. For hikers looking to ditch boots or runners who prioritize durability and stability over a super soft, bouncy ride, the Traverse 2 might be for you.

MICHAEL: Like its predecessor, the Traverse 2 stands out in the market as the “one true hybrid” by balancing hiking boot security and durability with the lower weight and agility of a dedicated trail running platform. Over the next few years, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this model begins to reach Merrell Moab levels of legendary outdoor footwear status. If you’re gearing up for the AT or simply looking for a shoe that can handle hundreds of training miles, the Traverse is a near-perfect pick.

You can pick up the Topo Athletic Traverse 2 for $155 in Fall 2026 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.