The Topo Athletic Traverse is one of the best new trail running shoes for 2024. Most thru-hikers have switched to trail running shoes—even though they're made for runners, not hikers. In this case, however, Topo specifically designed the Traverse for thru-hiking long distance trails like the AT or PCT. That includes a lightweight yet robust base that can handle strings of 15-20-mile days, lightweight mesh that drains and dries quickly, and a roomy toe box that accommodates swollen feet and supports natural toe splay. On top of that, Topo Athletic is a brand that podiatrists praise for supporting healthy feet—evidenced by its Seal of Approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
What happens when a running shoe company intentionally creates a trail runner for hikers? This review lets you know why I have added the Topo Athletic Traverse to my list of the best trail running shoes for hiking.
This post includes a few affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and buy something, the retailer may share a small percentage of the sale with Hiking Feet. That's free for you—and gives you an easy way to support this site's free and indepedent content
Topo Athletic Traverse Review
My Topo Athletic Traverse review gives hikers a first-hand review of this brand new trail running shoe for 2024. My test hikes included several day hikes in the "Ridges and Valleys" region of Pennsylvania. I gauged my shoes' support on gnarly ridgelines of the Mid State trail that put a lot of pressure on hikers' feet and ankles. I trudged through snowmelt to evaluate how quickly it drains and dries and tested its traction on talus slopes and rocky scrambles in Rothrock State Forest, slick sidehill sections of the Allegheny Front Trail, and muddy slogs through the woods of Moshannon State Forest. Most test hikes were at least 11 miles since the Topo Athletic Traverse is designed for longer distances.
Here's what I have learned about this shoe's support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and overall value:
men's Traverse from Topo Athletic
Topo Traverse: Support
Moderate
You won't confuse the Topo Trailventure with a traditional hiking shoe. However, it has moderate support for a trail running shoe, thanks to a rock plate that adds some support underfoot and some lateral stability. This shoe feels solid underfoot with moderate flex—slightly stiffer than many trail runners I've tried (which can spare your feet some wear and tear on longer hikes). Topo built this shoe for big-mile days on long-distance trails. However, seasoned hikers can also pull off moderate to difficult terrain in the Traverse trail running shoe.
I inherited bad feet and ankles, but I felt confident negotiating the rock gardens and snarls of tree roots on Pennsylvania's Standing Stone and Mid-State Trails—trails that pummeled my feet in Altra Lone Peaks and lighter trail runners I've reviewed. The mesh uppers feel more protective than the average trail runner, too, making it a little easier to negotiate sharp rocks without them battering my hiking feet. The stability and support aren't bad, even though the Traverse leans into weight savings.
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 even 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 is 1/2 size bigger than my everyday shoe size.
The Traverse may be a good fit for standard to wide feet, thanks to that roomy 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 over the past ten days, I've enjoyed the combination of moderate cushioning + moderate support. I've especially appreciate the added room in the toe box. My hiking feet stayed relatively fresh on a 12-mile hike on the Allegheny Front Trail and didn't slip around on steep descents or sidehill contructions that put 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.
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 prevent 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. For me, traction is another clear plus for the Topo Traverse.
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:
For hikers, the Topo Athletic Traverse is one of the best new shoes for 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. I'm not a thru-hiker, but the Topo Traverse works well for my moderate to difficult day hikes, too. Plus, given how well it fits me, I'm considering wearing it 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 men and women with free and independent recommendations for the best hiking footwear for their feet and their hikes. If Hiking Feet hooked you up, I'd appreciate it if you hook me up, too.
Happy hiking!
