Topo’s path operating and mountain climbing footwear are a wholesome steadiness of innovation, reliability, performance, and predictability. I really feel assured that with any tried-and-true mannequin, and even with a brand new shoe idea, Topo is not going to stray removed from what works for outside movers who gravitate towards Topo’s mission and engineering. Enter the Topo Traverse ($150) — an thrilling new efficiency hybrid that may adequately deal with the technical and the tarmac.
I don’t sweat traversing the pavement with this contemporary work horse as a result of it integrates Expanded Thermal Polyurethane (E-TPU) know-how into the extremely sturdy and waterproof insoles, and it additionally works effectively as a long-haul mountain climbing and operating shoe.
The Topo Traverse debuted in October, 2023. I acquired my advance pair within the mail simply previous to sweeping the primary 28 miles of the Pine to Palm 100 Mile held in Southern Oregon. I laced them up early on race morning, and over an extended day of volunteering, I didn’t take into consideration my footwear or toes as soon as — solely to acknowledge that after seven hours of laborious work they excelled throughout the board.
The Traverse is designed with a forefoot TPU rock plate, has a 5-millimeter drop, has claimed 30-millimeter heel and 25-millimeter stack heights, and comes gaiter-ready. It has an precise weight of 10.5 ounces (298 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9, and nonetheless permits for enough technical operating when wanted, in addition to safety and safety for longer outings.
In comparison with the Topo Pursuit and Topo Terraventure 4, the Traverse has a barely narrower toebox, a degree of concern for some. You’ll be able to learn our Topo Pursuit evaluate and Topo Terraventure 4 evaluate to match for your self.
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The Topo Traverse. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Topo Traverse Higher
The Topo Traverse higher is a tightly woven mesh extending from the toebox again to the beginning of a properly padded heel cup. The designers opted for micro-stitched underlays as an alternative of any exterior aesthetic and structural parts. This provides the Traverse an built-in look.
A notable characteristic of the Traverse higher is the bolstering of the welded rubber toe safety, which extends significantly down the size of either side of the shoe. To not fear, there are drain holes within the double layered rubber on the medial aspect to permit for fast water launch. The holes work.
The rubber fortification additionally replaces the standard stitched cloth for the eyelets of the Ghillie lacing system. Besides — one other skinny rubber layer guards the highest of the low profile and unshifting tongue. It’s possible you’ll not assume you want it, however the Traverse tongue boasts additional padding down the midline. When you’ve got ever soccer-kicked a stone or a department on an extended a run, maybe that little cushion will prevent some metatarsal ache.
The low profile heel cup is properly padded and related in really feel to many different Topo path footwear. It locks within the foot by way of the gait cycle with out fear of abrasion or undo slippage.
Designers once more use skinny rubber, which extends from the highest of the laces and connects to a thickly stitched piece of material, pulling the heel collectively. The material features a liberal pull tab — an amenity I rarely use on any sort of shoe. It appears good on the Traverse, and if you wish to cling your footwear on hooks, you could possibly. To make sure additional structural help and roll management, a skinny piece of TPU anchors the heel higher to the midsole.
A lateral view of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse Midsole
The Topo Traverse midsole is the unique dual-density injected Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) known as ZipFoam. The twin-density design gives a comfortable layer of froth straight beneath the foot, however is barely stiffened with firmer foam beneath it — driving above the outsole. The double layer gives a average cushion whereas the second layer confidently tackles the bottom — affording the runner help and stability on harder terrains.
What Topo uniquely does with the Traverse, as I commented about above, is that they added the E-TPU beads into their insole, which can be water-resistant. The beaded insole provides softness and elasticity to the midsole, with out compromising weight or power return. I’ve a sense shoe corporations can be integrating this know-how into midsole designs extra continuously over the following couple of years.
Importantly, the combination of a TPU rock plate on the forefoot bolsters the protecting help for runners and hikers in search of extra technical adventures. Among the best issues concerning the rock plate is that the majority runners don’t even know it’s there, nevertheless it will increase the sturdiness of the shoe.
A medial view of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse Outsole
The Topo Traverse has the usual and reliable Vibram Megagrip outsole, like most fashions now within the Topo path operating shoe line up. Topo has totally embraced this full-length outsole development with a well-spaced and multi-directional lug structure. It permits for distinctive grip and adaptability over technical terrain and throughout climate laden substrates.
I’ve been constantly operating in Topos for the final 5 years — particularly on this outsole design — and it has confirmed itself time and time once more to work throughout the spectrum of climate and path circumstances. In case you are frightened about weight from the outsole whereas operating technical terrain, and whereas in maddening releases from the heavens, the safety and grip the place the rubber hits the paths issues far more.
Notably, I like the truth that it’s a design that understands how a foot lands, rolls by way of mid-stance, after which toes off. It’s merely reliable. The corporate’s shoe designers found one thing that works, so they’re sticking to it, as a result of it sticks while you want it probably the most.
The outsole of the Topo Traverse.
Topo Traverse General Impressions
For those who can’t inform, I’m an enormous proponent and supporter of Topo trainers. I’m all the time looking out for a reliable, snug, and most significantly a flexible hybrid path operating shoe. The Topo Traverse actually is a exceptional and unremarkable shoe to have in my rotation.
For clarification on the latter, it’s seldom that I slip on a shoe for the primary time and instantly run practically 30 miles with out excited about my toes, ankles, or footwear for that matter. That I used to be in a position to do that with the Traverse instantly made them my dependable sidekicks.
The Traverse is meant for each lengthy gradual path operating and through mountain climbing, they usually functionally carry out for these functions. With that being mentioned, the mixture of the additional stack top, forefoot rock plate, insole, Vibram Megagrip outsole, and protecting layers on the higher pushes the Traverse over technical trails with confidence when needed.
The Traverse could lose somewhat floor really feel and pace with this mixture, whereas additionally not catering to the maximally cushioned crew. Since I’m additionally an enormous fan and every day wearer of Topo’s restoration footwear with OrthoLite 3D Wave Sense restoration foam, the brand new embedded TPU beads underfoot within the Traverse add a breath of contemporary air. Thanks — it’s time to Traverse.
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A high view of the Topo Traverse.
