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? I hiked more than 100 miles in this shoe to find out. 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
Support
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—average to slightly stiffer than the other trail runners I've personally tested 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 ankle swelling in the Traverse following steep descents. As a trail runner, it leans into weight savings more than support.
12oz for men's size 12
Weight
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.)
Fit
The "Topo Fit" features (1) low (5mm) heel-to-toe drop, (2) a secure fit in the midfoot, and (3) a wide toe box for a more natural landing than traditional running shoes (which typically 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. At the same time, they're not quite as roomy in toe box as Altra. My hiking size in the Topo Traverse is a 1/2 size bigger than my everyday shoe size.
The Topo Athletic Traverse may be a good fit for standard to wide feet, thanks to that generous toe box. At the same time, many podiatrists recommend that many people could benefit from wider toe boxes—wide feet or not.
women's Topo Athletic Traverse
Comfort
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 off 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
Weather Protection
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 lightweight mesh and closed cell insoles that don't absorb water. On my recent backpacking trip in the Gila Wilderness, these shoes performed well on a hike with approximately 104 water crossings. Obviously, my feet got wet, but the Traverse drained water in between crossings, keeping my feet from feeling completely soaked and preventing trench foot symptoms. If you prefer ventilated, quick-drying trail shoes over waterproof ones, the Traverse makes sense for you.
Traction
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 mixed terrain 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.
Value
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:
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. I almost chose the Traverse for my bucket list hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc this summer (before going with a waterproof hiking boot) and continue to alternative it with my other hiking shoes.
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!
