The Topo Athletic Traverse is one of the best new trail running shoes for 2024. Trail running shoes are extremely popular with thru-hikers, even though they're technically made for running—not hiking. At least, that was the case before Topo designed the Traverse specifically for thru-hiking long distance trails like the AT or PCT. What happens when a running shoe company crafts a trail runner just for hikers? My Topo Athletic Traverse reviews lets you know why I've added this newcomer to my short list of the best trail running shoes for hiking.
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Topo Athletic Traverse Review
My independent review of the Topo Athletic Traverse is based on more than 100 miles of hiking. I'm no thru-hiker. But I typically hike 1200-1400 miles per year and am no stranger to 15-20 mile days. So I picked a pair of Topo Traverses to test out as soon as they dropped in spring of 2024. My test hikes began in the "Ridges and Valleys" region of Pennsylvania, including sections of the 300-mile Mid-State Trail and 40-mile Allegheny Front Trail. Most test hikes were at least 11 miles since the Traverse is designed for longer distances. When I moved to New Mexico, I then subjected my Topos to desert trails and steep routes up and down the Sandia Mountains to test their support, fit, comfort, weather protection, and traction:
men's Traverse from Topo Athletic
Topo Traverse: Support
Moderate
You won't confuse this trail runner with a true hiking shoe in terms of support. However, it has moderate support for a trail running shoe, thanks to a rock plate that adds some stiffness and lateral stability underfoot. The shoe has moderate flex—slightly stiffer than some trail runners I've tried and reviewed.
For the most part, these shoes felt supportive enough on Pennsylvania's Standing Stone and Mid-State Trails—trails that pummeled my feet in Altra Lone Peaks and lighter trail runners I've tested. The mesh uppers feel more substantial than the average trail runner, too, making it a little easier to negotiate sharp rocks without them battering the edges of my hiking feet. At the same time, the Traverse doesn't seem to have the stability of the Topo Ultraventure Pro. Plus, I've experienced foot pain (tendons? ligaments?) and swelling (ankle) in the Traverse following steep descents. As a trail runner, it leans into weight savings more than support.
12oz for men's size 12
Topo Traverse: Weight
LIghtweight
Topo designed the Traverse for thru-hikers, who usually value weight savings more than anything else. My pair of the new Topo Athletic Traverse weighs 1.5 pounds (men's size 12). That's average by trail runner standards and lightweight by hiking standards—about as light as you can go for hiking purposes without durability being a big risk. (If you want to go lighter, try the Topo Ultraventure.)
Topo Traverse: Fit
"Natural" fit with wide toe box
The "Topo Fit" features low (5mm) heel-to-toe drop, a secure fit in the midfoot, and a wide toe box for a more natural landing than traditional running shoes (which have more heel cushioning and tapered toe boxes). Topos fit my moderately wide feet better than any other brand and don't feel as sloppy on steep terrain as Altra running shoes. My hiking size in the Topo Traverse is a 1/2 size bigger than my everyday shoe size—true to size.
The Traverse may be a good fit for standard to wide feet, thanks to that generous toe box.
Topo Traverse: Comfort
BEST FOR WIDE TOE BOX FANS
Comfort has a lot to do with fit (see above) and matching your footwear to your end use. Having hiked 40 miles in the Traverse the past ten days alone, I've enjoyed the combination of moderate cushioning + moderate support. I've especially appreciated the added room in the toe box. My hiking feet stayed relatively fresh on a 12-mile hike on the Allegheny Front Trail in spite of rocky ups and downs and sidehill contruction that puts more pressure on people's lower bodies and footwear. The responsive cushioning strikes a good balance between "float" and "feel" for me —soft enough to take the edge of rocky steps with enough trail feel for more precise foot placement on gnarly Pennsylvania trails.
many hikers prefer non-waterproof trail runners for water crossings
Topo Traverse: Weather Protection
Drying time > Waterproofing
Thru-hikers generally prefer quick-drying shoes over waterproof ones. They don't wear as warm and don't trap water when they inevitably get swamped with sweat or water. That's the MO of the Topo Athletic Traverse.
The Traverse is not available in waterproof. Instead, Topo has optimized it to dry quickly with ventilated mesh and closed cell insoles that don't absorb water. My feet got wet quickly on waterlogged sections of the Allegheny Front Trail, but the shoes slowly shifted from soaked to damp over the next five miles—and were dry the next morning. If you prefer ventilated, quick-drying trail shoes over waterproof ones, the Traverse makes sense for you.
Topo Traverse: Traction
Vibram MegaGrip
The Topo Athletic Traverse features Vibram Megagrip—arguably the best rubber on the market for traction on wet and dry surfaces. This is one of my favorite lug patterns, too. They're widely spaced (to limit caking mud) with aggressive edges that bite into soft and loose surface for steep descents. At the same time, those squared lugs have enough surface area to generate friction on rock, too. It's versatile tread that can handle a mix of trails without compromising grip. I've enjoyed this tread on muddy PA trails, rocky PA trails, and the weathered granite and scree of the New Mexico mountains in my (new) back yard.
Topo Traverse: Overall Value
FAIR
With a MSRP of $150, the Topo Athletic Traverse represents a fair value. That's the average price of premium trail running shoes right now, and the Traverse clearly is a premium trail running shoe. In my experience, Topo's durability is also average to above average for trail running shoes. The Vibram outsoles should last longer than most brand's proprietary rubbers, and the uppers aren't as flimsy as many other trail running shoes, either. Here are current prices on this new trail running shoe for 2024:
Topo Athletic Traverse: Pros vs Cons
Based on my first-hand experience, the pros outweigh the cons with the Topo Athletic Traverse:
Conclusion:
testing the Topo Traverse on a rocky section of Pennsylvania's Mid-State Trail
For hikers, the Topo Athletic Traverse is one of the best new trail runners of 2024. Based on my review, I have added the Traverse to my Top 10 list of the best trail running shoes for hiking. I agree that it's a solid option for thru-hikers, and it works well enough for my moderate to difficult day hikes, too. Plus, given how well it fits me, I'm considering wearing the Traverse for the Tour du Mont Blanc—the 180km, bucket list hiking trip that I'll be taking this summer.
You can learn more about Topo Athletic with my Topo brand review. If the Topo Traverse isn't a good fit for your feet or match for your hiking style, please browse my other hiking shoe reviews, which include several trail running shoes that I recommend for hikers.
If this review has sold you on the Topo Athletic Traverse, please consider purchasing your pair through the affiliate links above. That's free for you and sends a few shillings my way to keep this site afloat to keep providing free and independent recommendations for the best hiking footwear. If Hiking Feet hooked you up, I'd appreciate it if you hook me up, too.
Happy hiking!
