What You Want To Know
- Weighs 10.8 oz. (306 g.) for a US M9 / 8.6 oz. (244 g.) for a US W8
- Zero drop, however be not afraid all ye who enter right here
- A Topo favourite for two/3 of our reviewers (and a Topo first for the opposite)
- Megagrip and 28mm of revamped Zipfoam, what else do you want?
- Out there now for $140
TAYLOR: By now, the Topo Athletic title shouldn’t be new to anybody. We’ve given fairly a number of fashions prime marks within the efficiency class over the previous few years (the debut MTN Racer received Greatest Path Shoe of the Yr in 2019), and we’re by no means shocked when a brand new shoe impresses us. Evidently, it was all heat fuzzies when the Topo Athletic Pursuit landed at my door.
Topo Athletic sticks to a easy design platform that sometimes goes a good distance in efficiency. All its footwear are low drop (between 0 and 5mm) and foot-shaped for a pure working really feel. It sounds an terrible lot like one other favourite path model of ours, however Topo Athletic footwear nonetheless handle to supply a singular expertise that stands by itself.
The Pursuit is a brand new member of Topo’s lineup — mainly, a combination between the Ultraventure and Mtn Racer. That’s music to my ears as a result of these two footwear are my prime picks from your complete Topo household. The distinction is that the Pursuit presents a zero drop platform (28mm stack), kinda like a Magnifly for the paths.
I do know the zero drop tag sometimes turns runners proper on or off, however don’t let it scare you this time. The Topo Athletic Pursuit falls near the Altra Timp, Hoka Speedgoat, and Saucony Xodus, with loads of cushion and sturdy development constructed to go lengthy. I’m right here to say that the Pursuit additionally belongs within the efficiency dialog with these heavy hitters.
MATT: Topo Athletic and Merrell really feel like cousins at this level. They’re each manufacturers that, for some motive or one other, appear to fly underneath the radar on the path scene. However when folks discover them, they know. We’ve been doing our greatest right here at BITR to right that, and hopefully, you’ve seen. Each manufacturers have constantly delivered top-notch merchandise that may simply tackle the large names in path working.
The Pursuit is the newest within the Topo path line and is the primary to come back with a correct zero-drop design. Aesthetics apart (I’ll admit to not at all times loving the designs and colorways), Topo has but to come back up quick with the efficiency of footwear I’ve reviewed (Mtn Racer, Ultraventure, Terraventure).
At first look, the Pursuit doesn’t scream zero drop like different manufacturers. It seems to be equally as voluminous and cushioned as Topo’s earlier fashions, so I used to be instantly eager about how this was going to work out. However it did, little doubt.
MELISSA: I’ll be upfront and allow you to know that this was my first expertise working in any Topo Athletic shoe. I had no expectations for the Pursuit outdoors of what I’ve for any long-distance path shoe or every day coach. I usually search for a comparatively gentle shoe, however I’m at all times prepared to compromise weight for consolation, sturdiness, and grip. Once I opened the field, I jumped proper in with socked toes and an open thoughts.
I ended up logging 50 miles within the Pursuit. My fast impressions are that it seems to be and appears like Altra Lone Peak however with extra cushioning. It’s a refined zero drop with an anatomical toe field and tremendous grippy outsole. The Pursuit carries just a little further weight (about an oz), however I contemplate it a good commerce for its easy, cushioned experience.
Taylor and Matt coated most of it, so for those who’re in pursuit of listening to extra of our ideas, let’s proceed.
The Good
TAYLOR: Despite the fact that this shoe sticks to the classically simplistic pedigree of Topo Athletic, the Pursuit has loads to like. As talked about, it is similar to a number of the most sought-after path footwear, however I consider this shoe fills some gaps within the Topo Athletic line.
One factor that can stick out to runners is the step-in really feel. The foot-shaped toe field is dialed in all the way in which round. Whether or not you might have a large foot or not, this shoe ought to please your toes. The rounded toe field feels roomy, but I had zero points with motion within the forefoot due to the safety within the again two-thirds.
The Pursuit offers a locked-in expertise. It has a safe midfoot because of a refined gusseted and padded tongue, structured engineered mesh higher, and lacing chain. The heel can also be comfortably safe like a cockpit with a well-padded/structured collar — an important a part of this recipe. That is how I hoped the Ultraventure 2 and MTN Racer 2 would have match, truly. It jogs my memory of the unique Ultraventure (I’ve likened its match to the Speedland footwear), and that’s an excellent factor in each sense.
Underfoot has tones that remind me of the opposite Topo footwear talked about, because it appears like a mashup of the 2. It additionally jogs my memory of one of many royalties of the path, the Hoka Speedgoat. A 28mm stack offers a softer, extra protecting, and extra cushioned really feel than any of the earlier variations of Topo’s Zipfoam (EVA). The midsole’s density is fairly middle-of-the-road, I’d say. I’m unsure what’s been altered, however I get pleasure from it. It received’t be the very best in any class, however just like the Hoka Speedgoat 5, it has sturdy sufficient notes to make a distinction in a runner’s expertise. The sort of midsole is an all-arounder that you would tackle any path, at most speeds, and for any distance.
Delicate and pure stability can also be a comforting piece of the puzzle. The Topo Athletic Pursuit has a wider-than-average base, very like what’s present in most Hoka and Altra path footwear. Nothing feels pressured in regards to the steering and further stability, both. I prefer it.
Vibram’s Megagrip is a typical on all Topo Athletic footwear. By now, readers ought to know the way a lot we love Megagrip. The claw-like 6mm multidirectional lugs present grip on any floor with ease. Moist, muddy, and unfastened terrain is the place it stands out, although. Actually, the wonderful outsole is without doubt one of the causes I’m tempted to achieve for the Topo Athletic Pursuit over Altra’s Timp.
As a complete package deal, that is as robust as they arrive. At 11.5 ounces for a US M10.5, it’s very common in weight, however it packs plenty of goodness into each ounce. I’ve by no means had a problem with the sturdiness of Topo Athletic footwear. The Pursuit is an efficient instance of easy tech like welded overlays and engineered mesh, permitting the shoe to strip again the variety of parts with out stripping again sturdiness. This mesh higher, specifically, appears as indestructible as any. The outsole would possibly actually be the very first thing to interrupt down, and that’s nonetheless Megagrip.
MATT: My expertise may be very a lot in keeping with Taylor’s. We now have related Rolodexes of shoe critiques, and he in contrast the Pursuit to the identical footwear I had in thoughts.
What jumped out to me at first was the match of the higher. Regardless of having nice evaluate experiences with a number of Topo and Altra footwear, I nonetheless are likely to seize historically formed footwear as my coaching and race day go-to’s. The Topo Athletic Pursuit could lastly push me to the anatomically right aspect. The match is roomy the place it needs to be (toe-box) however safe and locked the place it must be (heel and mid-foot).
Taylor made a comparability above that I’d additionally been fascinated with. I’m glad he mentioned it as a result of I assumed possibly I used to be going a bit nuts. The Pursuit jogged my memory of a zero-drop Speedgoat. Possibly it’s a chonky goat that’s not precisely gentle and nimble, however the comparability is apt in a number of different methods.
Amble cushion (28mm) and a re-engineered model of Zipfoam midsole offers a tender, squishy experience that I are likely to favor, mixed with a large base for a steady and assured vibe as you roll over the paths. Drool.
One factor we’ve grow to be spoiled with from Topo is the usage of Vibram Megagrip for his or her outsoles. They didn’t disappoint with the Pursuit and added some beefy 6mm lugs to make sure this shoe is a real all-terrain car.
For people who should still be caught on the zero-drop platform, I’d like so as to add a observe primarily based on my private expertise working within the shoe. I’m not an everyday zero-drop person. I’ll combine in my Altras often, however I cycle by way of totally different footwear with stack and drop measurements.
I’m unsure if it’s as a result of 28mm stack or possibly the comfortable midsole, however I didn’t discover something drastic when switching to zero drop, nor did I’ve any nags or ache factors all through the 20+ miles I placed on the footwear. That is simply my anecdotal expertise right here, and I simply needed to share it as a result of I feel there’s a stigma with zero drop footwear the place runners consider they should be all-in or all-out.
MELISSA: I really like how easy this shoe is. It has a fundamental, comparatively easy design and will get the job executed. As an extremely runner, consolation and further room in the appropriate locations are essential. The Pursuit accomplishes each because of an anatomical foot design. It suits true to dimension and presents an extremely safe and steady experience. I used to be initially involved about breathability, however my doubts proved mistaken — I had no points and ended up with zero sizzling spots.
I’m a midfoot striker, and it’s like this midsole was designed only for me. It’s a dream to run in, offering one of many softest impacts I’ve ever skilled on the path. The traction is great because of the Vibram Megagrip outsole and well-placed lugs that maintain onto a wide range of surfaces.
Total, the Pursuit has all the appropriate options you want for a profitable lengthy path run or race.
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The Dangerous
TAYLOR: As with virtually all of my Topo Athletic critiques, I don’t have a lot to say right here. The model appears to hit its targets constantly. I’m not saying that is the perfect shoe on the market, however once more, it’s laborious to knock a shoe if it meets its supposed objectives.
With that being mentioned, I’m right here to be nit-picky. Let’s speak about lacing just a little to start out. The pursuit offers a really safe match. To get that no-move lockdown, I did must crank down the laces, inflicting some strain excessive of the foot. Due to the strategically padded tongue, there was some discomfort that I had to determine. As miles barely softened the Pursuit, the lacing grew to become rather more snug when discovering that safe match.
As talked about beforehand, sturdiness is a nonissue. Nevertheless, that does sometimes imply that this might be a heat package deal. I can verify that this engineered mesh and further padding does, although snug and safe, not breathe all that properly in comparison with a extra open mesh or knit higher. Put on a pair of thinner socks on these heat path days within the Pursuit, not crew medium thick wool. Belief me.
Zero-drop is at all times one thing to contemplate for runners too. Many know that their our bodies crave the zero-drop components. It’s not for everybody. Personally, a number of runs per week is sufficient for my calves to really feel a distinction. I hope that Topo Athletic can come out with the same shoe to the Pursuit with a number of millimeters of drop in it. Despite the fact that the Ultraventure and MTN Racer would fall on this realm, the Pursuit is the following step in high quality for the corporate.
MATT: I briefly talked about my not-so-thrilled emotions above about Topo’s stylings, so I’d prefer to develop on that right here. The excellent news is that after I’m main off this part with my gripes about aesthetics, that doubtless means I’m nit-picking, and now we have a strong shoe on our fingers.
Traditionally I simply haven’t cherished the styling and colorways throughout the board for Topo. The Pursuit hasn’t executed something to maneuver the needle. It seems to be just about service trade or mall walker designed, despite the fact that it’s neither. That is all private style, and I ought to caveat that possibly you don’t need model recommendation from a dude who only recently chopped off his mullet or who could or could not suppose that midriff tops are past due for a comeback.
The fact is that the bar is excessive for path footwear proper now. If two fashions carry out equally, I’ll attain for those that look cooler—finish of story.
My solely different knock is in settlement with Taylor’s feedback round breathability. I examined the shoe on a few tremendous humid Mid-Atlantic days, and my toes virtually roasted. In cooler temps, this can be optimistic, but when it’s sizzling, definitely bear in mind and pair with skinny socks.
MELISSA: I agree with Tyler and Matt that there’s little to say right here.
Total, the Topo Athletic Pursuit is a strong path shoe and one I’d really feel assured sufficient to put on to a 50k or longer race, however not for a shorter, quicker race. It simply doesn’t really feel like a quick shoe — the only feels extra designed to soak up influence fairly than spring you ahead, and I want an excellent stability of each.
The one different merchandise I’ll point out is that the rounder laces come undone simply, which is a tad annoying. I normally double-knot my laces, however this was a problem with laces that in all probability needs to be about 2 inches longer.
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Topo Athletic Pursuit Conclusion
TAYLOR: Pretty much as good as Topo Athletic has been during the last couple of years, the Pursuit is well its stand-out mannequin on the path aspect. It’s not totally totally different from the standard mildew, however it takes up an additional diploma.
The Pursuit is what I hoped for in each the Ultraventure and MTN Racer updates. There’s an excellent stability of cushion, safety, and a easy experience from the revamped Zipfoam. There’s additionally the identical stage of consistency and sturdiness on each prime and backside with the engineered mesh higher and Megagrip outsole.
That is in all probability my favourite expertise in a Topo Athletic shoe, and that’s saying one thing. It joins the ranks of footwear just like the Speedgoat, Mtn Racer, Timp, and Xodus, which may do virtually all the pieces and do it properly. The Pursuit actually will present up on all the pieces from usually easy to terribly rugged terrain. After all, the best-case state of affairs is discovered someplace in between.
For what it’s value, if we had a zero drop class for our end-of-year awards, the Topo Athletic Pursuit would doubtless discover itself on the prime.
MATT: I agree with Taylor that the Pursuit will be the prime path mannequin within the Topo Athletic line this yr, and people different footwear aren’t any slouches.
The Pursuit feels prefer it’ll compete in that all-rounder division of path footwear with the likes of the Hoka Speedgoat, Saucony Xodus Extremely, and Merrell Lengthy Sky 2. These are footwear that you would be able to belief and can carry out throughout numerous terrains and distances. Don’t overlook in regards to the zero-drop platform and watch out as you slowly combine it into your rotation.
MELISSA: When you’re pursuing no-frills consolation throughout your lengthy path runs, look no additional.
The Topo Athletic Pursuit is a wonderful shoe for learners and seasoned path runners alike, however remember to transition slowly if that is your first zero drop shoe.
You may choose up the Topo Athletic Pursuit for $140 at Operating Warehouse (that includes free 2-day transport and 90-day returns) by utilizing the store hyperlink beneath.
Store Topo Athletic Pursuit – Males
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Taylor Bodin is a path and ultrarunner dwelling in Estes Park, CO, along with his spouse and daughter. He and his spouse each love working the paths in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. When not working, Taylor is a Kindergarten/1st grade instructor, working coach, and youth chief for his church.
