The Topo MT-5. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
I’m not a stranger to Topo trainers — path and street — and I’ve discovered that the Topo MT-5 ($130) excels in each spheres. Newly upgraded, that is one in every of Topo’s hybrid footwear and has an distinctive capability to transition from street to path and again once more. It’s barely extra rugged and aggressive than the Topo Traverse (assessment) that dropped in late 2023 and can be a bit extra comfy. Just like the Traverse, the MT-5 is an distinctive selection for critical hikers. Its greater quantity, greater base, and talent to deal with light-to-moderate trails for lengthy and brief distances make it interesting to many various kinds of runners as nicely.
There are a number of adjustments within the latest model of this shoe, together with a rise within the stack top. It has a 28-millimeter stack top below the heel and 23 millimeters below the toe. That is in comparison with the 25-millimeter heel stack top of the earlier model. The drop has additionally elevated from 3 millimeters to five millimeters. These adjustments could be a supply of frustration for individuals who don’t essentially agree with bigger drops and stack heights in path trainers, which can disconnect the physique from precise underfoot circumstances. Nonetheless, some camps could discover this new stack and drop fall into a conventional shoe camp when in comparison with the brand new world of shoe skyscrapers.
Given this shoe’s function, the specs do make it extra inviting to many path runners. I’ll admit, although, that I’d desire Topo to maintain their footwear low, vast, and designed with agency but responsive cushion. Sneakers from Topo have helped me navigate each long-distance ultrarunning races with equal obligation on technical surfaces, singletrack terrain, lengthy forest street slogs, and targeted street marathon coaching. Regardless that this shoe is on the higher finish of drop for the model, it nonetheless scores excessive for match and efficiency for my common fashion of path operating. It’s designed for balanced efficiency with reasonable cushion and impartial help and weighs an precise 9.2 ounces (261 grams) for U.S. males’s 9.
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Topo MT-5 Higher
A lateral view of the Topo MT-5.
The Topo MT-5 has a brand new glossy but subdued aesthetic. The mesh is a tightly engineered weave with micro-stitched inlays. Just like the model’s different fashions, this higher design offers the shoe a extra built-in feel and look with no need a very constructed higher. The fabric is easy, breathable, and cozy, and after almost 80 miles of light-to-moderate path operating, the material hasn’t began to look worn or used. A few of the miles had been in wet and moist circumstances, and the footwear drained and dried shortly.
There’s a decently thick, though slim, toe bumper stretching atop the vast toebox, in addition to further small overlays on the toe flex joint for additional medial and lateral safety. It isn’t a lot, however it’s there. Once more, these footwear are constructed for mild-to-moderate path use, and Topo did an ideal job at balancing safety, safety, and weight.
The heel collar is gentle and reasonably cushioned. For additional heel help and whole integration, Topo makes use of a welded overlay to attach the laces, heel, and midsole. Comparably, it’s much less inflexible than different fashions, which can have contributed to the looser heel match. There are a number of potential causes for the looser heel, together with a deeper malleolus heel design, inner materials, and total foot match. It might even be attributed to the precise size of the shoe. I pulled out all of my different Topo fashions; certainly, this one is barely longer than the opposite footwear of the identical measurement.
The inside materials, whereas gentle and non-abrasive, has a sure slip to it, which was notable if the footwear weren’t correctly laced for enough lockdown. This was the primary Topo shoe I actually needed to anchor down for match. Regardless of this, the midfoot has a safe match. The shoe has the model’s authentic and conventional vast toebox.
Different accouterments embrace two tongue stays on all sides of a Ghillie lacing system to maintain the well-padded tongue centered and cozy for lengthy runs. Two further loops on the prime of the tongue safe the midfoot and lacing. In customary Topo style, the tongue is partially gusseted, which helps preserve out undesirable supplies. Curiously, there are two gaiter attachments behind the heel, however no corresponding loop attachment level on the base of the laces. I’m certain there’s a method to work round this.
Topo MT-5 Midsole
A medial view of the Topo MT-5.
The Topo MT-5 makes use of the model’s proprietary ZipFoam for the midsole. It has a gentle layer of froth straight underfoot and a firmer foam beneath using above the outsole. One of many largest attracts of Topo footwear, from my viewpoint as a really constant and typically aggressive path runner, is how the midsole meets each coaching and race day ambitions, and this shoe isn’t any completely different. The primary layer of froth supplies cushion and luxury whereas the second layer confidently tackles the bottom and outsole interface — affording the runner safety and stability.
The midsole ZipFoam design fantastically integrates extra cushion for individuals who need it whereas nonetheless providing a decently responsive journey on each the street and path for runners searching for that have. It’s comfy underfoot and isn’t too plush. By means of the gait cycle, the heel is gentle and guarded, the midfoot stays stiff and safe, and the forefoot feels versatile and in contact with the bottom.
Topo MT-5 Outsole
The outsole of the Topo MT-5.
Whereas historically Topo path footwear are keenly designed for dirt-focused runners and have the tendency to encourage some powerful and technical operating, the Topo MT-5 takes a distinct method to honor extra versatility and hybrid coaching fashions. The shoe’s new outsole design makes use of the model’s upgraded Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber and has much less aggressive lugs than many different fashions, leading to smoother trail-to-road transitions and decrease weight. It does all this with out compromising sturdiness and obligatory traction for significant path excursions. The sticky Vibram permits the shoe to carry out suitably on reasonable path terrain.
By means of these winter and early spring months, I logged low-to-moderate coaching mileage in these footwear and located them ideally suited on my native path system when every part is damp. Nonetheless, as soon as summer time hits and the granitic soil-based trails flip dry and unfastened, I believe this outsole could not carry out as nicely.
The shoe has a a lot wider base of help and touchdown pad than different fashions from Topo. As talked about above, it was designed with an extended final, however designers additionally constructed out the shoe’s rudder and midfoot arch help within the midsole. The uncovered midsole foam on the underside of the shoe provides flexibility, and the shoe sports activities a nifty nimbleness largely from the outsole design.
I additionally like the truth that the outsole design understands how a foot lands, rolls via mid-stance, after which toes off. It’s merely reliable.
Topo MT-5 General Impressions
A prime view of the Topo MT-5.
The mission of the design and manufacturing of the Topo MT-5 is evident — a gateway to different Topo path footwear and an amenable entry level into mild-to-moderate path operating with seamless road-to-trail efficiency. The shoe can supply stability and surety to any runner searching for a long-lasting versatile operating shoe that may kick across the grime and decide up some velocity if obligatory.
The shoe enters its fifth technology with across-the-board adjustments in an effort to maintain tempo with market calls for and the most recent shoe science. It additionally significantly elements in person consolation and help via the lens of practical footwear. The upgraded ZipFoam midsole and Vibram outsole are an ideal mixture for traction and sturdiness. With these adjustments and a revamped higher, the shoe is lighter than its predecessor and serves up some pep below the step.
The emergence of recent hybrids in shoe model repertoires is a perfect method to invite new runners to the paths and develop seasoned runners’ horizons. Versatility just isn’t solely a gateway — however a key to operating longevity.
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- Have you ever had an opportunity to run within the Topo MT-5 footwear?
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