Topo Traverse Trail Shoe Review

As someone who’s worn through more than a dozen pairs of Topo Athletic shoes on long thru-hikes, fast trail runs, and everything in between, it’s safe to say I’m deeply familiar with the brand’s philosophy: natural foot shape, low drop, and a fit that doesn’t fight you.

I first found Topos during my 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hike and have stuck with them ever since. So when I saw that Topo had released the Traverse last year, I was immediately curious. It’s positioned as a do-it-all hybrid shoe built to bridge trail running and hiking, with some crossover appeal for those who spend just as much time hauling a pack as logging vert on a lunch run.

After putting in over 500 miles across varied terrain — everything from slick granite in Acadia to arctic tundra in Alaska — I’ve developed a good sense of what this shoe does well, where it excels, and where it falls a little short.

Topo Traverse At-a-Glance

MSRP: $155
Weight: ~10.6 oz (Men’s 9)
Drop: 5 mm
Stack Height: 30mm (heel) / 25mm (forefoot)
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with 4mm lugs
Midsole: ZipFoam
Rock Plate: Yes (forefoot)
Upper: Abrasion-resistant mesh with reinforced overlays
Best For: Thru-hiking, day hikes, fastpacking, light trail running, hybrid trail use

Women’s Topo Traverse here

Circumstances of Review

I tested the Topo Traverse primarily in Maine, alternating between my home trails in Acadia National Park and the more remote terrain near Millinocket and Baxter State Park. I wore them on everything from casual morning runs to steep summit pushes with a 20-pound pack, and even a few days guiding day hikes and trail runs for clients. Conditions ranged from dry and dusty to full-on mud and slush — typical shoulder-season stuff in the Northeast.

I also wore them for two 7-day guided hiking trips in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska, where we navigated untrailed tundra, river crossings, glacial moraine, and rocky ridgelines in true wilderness conditions.

Topo Traverse Features

Fit & Comfort

Like most Topos, the Traverse offers a Goldilocks fit: wide in the toe box, snug in the heel, and just enough volume through the midfoot to feel secure without pressure. If you’ve worn the Pursuit or Ultraventure, this will feel familiar. But where the Pursuit 2 leans plush and protective, the Traverse feels more dialed-in and responsive by being firmer underfoot, and more stable, especially with a load.

I experienced zero hotspots, rubbing, or heel slip, even on steep descents. The gusseted tongue is beefy enough to block debris without feeling overbuilt, and the lacing system holds tension nicely.

Underfoot Feel

The ZipFoam midsole isn’t pillow-soft, and that’s a good thing. It’s firm but not harsh, responsive without being twitchy. It reminds me a bit of the Altra Timp 5 in that you feel connected to the trail but not punished by it. There’s more ground feel than in the Ultraventure or even the Pursuit, but the 30mm heel stack still takes the edge off hard landings.

The forefoot rock plate adds protection without compromising flexibility. You’ll notice it on rocky, uneven trails, where it helps smooth out sharp edges while still letting you stay nimble.

Traction & Grip

The outsole is what sold me. The Vibram Megagrip rubber is sticky in all the right ways. Over wet roots, slabby granite, mud, loose gravel, Alaskan tussocks — it holds on. The 4mm lugs aren’t super deep, but they’re well-spaced and aggressive enough for anything short of deep snow or gloppy clay.

One particularly telling moment was descending Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain in the rain. Where others in more minimal shoes were sliding around, the Traverse held firm. It’s rare to get this kind of traction in a shoe that still feels runnable.

Breathability & Drainage

I was surprised by how well the upper ventilated, even on warm, humid days. It’s not mesh-light like a race flat, but the reinforced synthetic material dries fast and breathes better than expected for a shoe in this category. It handled shallow stream crossings and wet grass like a champ as well.

Durability

After 500+ miles, the Traverse is holding up well. I’ve noticed some expected cosmetic wear on the outsole, but the upper, midsole, and even the toe bumper look solid. No stitching blowouts or delamination on the pair that I tested. Time will tell, but this feels like a 1000+ mile shoe, especially if you rotate it for heavier use.

Topo Traverse Pros

Excellent balance of protection, comfort, and ground feel.
The Traverse hits a rare sweet spot where you feel connected to the terrain without sacrificing comfort or underfoot protection, even on sharp, rocky trails.

Top-tier traction in wet and technical terrain.
The Vibram Megagrip outsole offers confidence-inspiring grip on everything from slick roots to slabby granite, performing especially well in adverse weather.

Foot-friendly fit with a locked-in heel.
Topo’s signature wide toe box allows for natural toe splay, while the snug heel and midfoot design keep your foot secure on uneven or off-camber terrain.

Rock plate adds real value without making the shoe stiff.
The forefoot rock plate is noticeable in the best way — it protects against sharp rocks and roots without compromising flexibility or trail feel.

Breathable, quick-drying upper.
The abrasion-resistant mesh upper handles water crossings and heavy dew with ease, drying quickly and maintaining comfort over long days.

Versatile: can handle hiking, trail running, and guiding.
This is the rare shoe that feels just as appropriate on a casual 5-mile jog as it does guiding clients on a 12-hour day hike in the backcountry.

Topo Traverse Cons

Firmer underfoot feel won’t appeal to those who like plush cushioning
If you’re used to the marshmallow-like comfort of something like the Hoka Speedgoat, the Traverse may feel a bit harsh, especially on longer days or runs.

Upper and side mesh durability may be inconsistent.
After some rugged days in Alaska, I noticed light fraying along the side mesh, especially where the shoe flexes. One client had a full side-panel tear after just six days in the Brooks Range, suggesting durability may vary based on use or possible quality control issues. As mentioned above, my pair fared much better.

Limited color choices (purely aesthetic).
If style matters to you, be warned: the Traverse’s current color options skew more utilitarian than flashy, with muted tones and a no-nonsense look. Only green and gray colorways are available.

Final Thoughts

The Topo Traverse hits a sweet spot I’ve been chasing for a while. It’s one of the few shoes I feel equally comfortable running in and guiding with. Most trail shoes either lean too far toward minimal and feel unstable with a pack, or they go full hiking shoe and feel clunky when you want to move fast. The Traverse doesn’t try to be either. It’s a true hybrid, and that’s where its strength lies.

Would I wear it for a 100-mile ultramarathon? No. But for long days in the mountains, fast-and-light missions, or even an overnight fastpack, this is probably the most versatile shoe Topo has made to date.

It’s replaced both the Pursuit 2 and Ultraventure Pro in my rotation for anything under 25 miles, and I’ve already recommended it to clients who are looking for one shoe that can do a little bit of everything.

Shop the Men’s Topo Traverse

Shop the Women’s Topo Traverse

Comparable Shoes

Topo Pursuit 2

• MSRP: $150
• Stack Height: 28mm heel / 28mm forefoot (0mm drop)

Altra Timp 5

• MSRP: $155
• Stack Height: 30mm heel / 30mm forefoot (0mm drop)

Hoka Speedgoat 6

• MSRP: $155
• Stack Height: 40mm heel / 35mm forefoot (5mm drop)

The Topo Athletic Traverse was donated for purpose of review.