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Topo Athletic started in 2013 around one idea: a shoe shaped like a foot. Every model has a roomy toe box and a low heel-to-toe drop, most of them 5mm and a few at zero, which puts the range between a conventional running shoe and a barefoot one. Topo makes road shoes, trail shoes and hiking boots, and the same fit runs through all of them. Wild Earth stocks Topo in men's and women's sizing, with free shipping Australia-wide (bulky items excluded) and 80 days to return anything, sale items included.
Two things decide whether Topo suits you, and both are worth understanding before you pick a model.
The shape. The toe box is wide and squared off so your toes can spread, but the midfoot and heel are held snug. It means the shoe feels roomy where your foot is widest without feeling loose when you run. If you have always found the front of running shoes tight but had heel slip in wide-fit models, this is the shape to try.
The drop. Heel-to-toe drop is the height difference between the heel and the forefoot. A standard running shoe sits around 8-12mm. Most Topo shoes are 5mm, and a few, like the Pursuit and the minimalist models, are 0mm. Less drop shifts load off the knees and onto the calves and Achilles.
If you're coming from a 10mm shoe, your calves will notice. Give it a few weeks of shorter runs before you commit to a long one. The 5mm models are a gentler step than going straight to zero, which is why most people are better off starting there. If you've worn zero drop before and liked it, the Pursuit will feel familiar.
The road range splits by how much cushioning you want underfoot and whether you need support.
Daily kilometres and long runs: Atmos 2
The Atmos 2 has more foam underfoot than anything else in Topo's road range, at 40mm in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot with a 5mm drop. It's the one to buy if most of your running is easy mileage, or if you're on your feet a lot and want the cushioning for walking as much as running. The trade-off is ground feel. You won't get much of it, so if you like knowing what's under you, look at the Specter instead.
Faster days: Specter 3
Nearly as much cushioning as the Atmos, at 39mm and 34mm, but it weighs about 218 grams in a men's US9 and has a rockered sole that rolls you forward. That makes it the shoe for tempo work, races and long runs where you still want to move. It's a neutral shoe with a lot of stack, so it's not the pick if you want something that holds your foot in line.
If you need support: Ultrafly 6
The Ultrafly is Topo's stability shoe. It has a firmer wedge on the inside of the midsole and a heel counter that wraps around the back of the foot, both of which slow the roll inwards if you overpronate. Same 5mm drop and same toe box as the rest, so you're not giving up the fit to get the support.
Less shoe: Connect
Low to the ground, light and flexible. The Connect is the one people buy for the gym, for short runs, or just to wear. If you want the Topo shape without much between you and the floor, start here.
In short: Atmos 2 for comfort over distance, Specter 3 when you want to run fast, Ultrafly 6 if you need support, Connect when you want to feel the ground.
On trail the question is how much grip you need and how long you'll be out. Every Topo trail shoe has a Vibram outsole and a gaiter attachment at the heel; what changes is the rubber compound, the lug depth and the stack height.
Most trails, most of the time: Ultraventure 5
35mm and 30mm of stack, and a Vibram XS Trek outsole with shallow lugs that roll well on hard ground. That makes it the one that handles a fire trail, a gravel road and the tar between them without complaint. It's the default choice for anyone whose running is a mix of surfaces rather than technical singletrack.
Steep, wet and technical: MTN Racer 4
Same idea, stickier rubber. The Vibram Megagrip outsole and deeper lugs hold on wet rock and loose dirt where the Ultraventure's outsole starts sliding. Worth the swap if you run the escarpment tracks in the wet, or anywhere the descents are steep enough to matter.
Long days on rough ground: Vista
The most cushioned trail shoe Topo makes, at 38mm and 33mm, with 4mm Megagrip lugs and a rocker through the sole. It's built for the point in a long run where your legs are gone and you want the shoe doing more of the work. The upper drains, so wet crossings aren't a problem. For a one-hour run it's more shoe than you need.
Zero drop on trail: Pursuit 3
The trail shoe with no drop at all, on a 28mm platform. It's the closest thing Topo makes to a Lone Peak, and the one to look at if you've come from Altra and want more structure through the midfoot.
In short: Ultraventure for mixed ground, MTN Racer when it's steep and wet, Vista for long days, Pursuit if you want zero drop.
The Trailventure 2 WP is Topo's hiking boot, in men's and women's sizing. It uses an eVent waterproof bootie rather than a membrane bonded to the upper, which keeps water out while still breathing, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole for wet rock. Underneath there's a full-length rock plate and a 33mm/28mm platform, so you get protection from roots and sharp rock without a stiff sole.
It's a light boot rather than a load carrier. For day walks and multi-day trips with a moderate pack it does the job and weighs a lot less than a traditional leather boot. If you're carrying 20 kilos across scree, you want something with more structure through the sole and a stiffer ankle.
Plenty of people skip the boot and hike in the trail shoes instead. That works well in dry conditions and on tracks that don't roll your ankle. Take the boot when you want dry feet and ankle cover, and take the shoe when you don't.
Running: road running shoes, trail running shoes, minimalist shoes.
Hiking: hiking shoes, hiking boots.
Accessories: gaiters, socks, footwear accessories, footwear care.
Free shipping Australia-wide on Topo, bulky items excluded, and 80 days to return anything, sale items included. Full detail is on our shipping and returns pages. If you'd rather try a pair on first, we have two stores, at Burleigh Heads and in Brisbane - see store locations for opening hours and stock.
What size Topo should I buy?
Topo is sized in US sizes, the same as most running brands sold here, and is generally true to length. The extra room is across the forefoot rather than in the length, so if you've been sizing up in other brands to get width, you probably don't need to in these. Check the measurements on our Topo size guide before you order, and if you're between sizes or unsure, contact us and we'll help you work it out.
Are Topo shoes zero drop?
Most of them aren't. The majority of the range sits at 5mm, which is lower than a standard running shoe but not flat. The Pursuit and the minimalist models are the 0mm ones. This is the main difference between Topo and Altra: same wide toe box, but Altra is zero drop right through the range and Topo mostly isn't.
Are Topo shoes good for wide feet?
They're roomy at the front and snug through the middle, which suits a foot that's wide across the toes. They're not a wide fit all the way through, so if you need volume through the midfoot as well, a proper wide-fit shoe will serve you better.
Can I hike in Topo trail shoes, or do I need the boot?
Trail shoes are fine for day walks and most tracks. Go to the Trailventure boot when you want waterproofing, ankle support, or you're carrying enough weight that a soft sole gets tiring.
Are Topo shoes good for walking and standing all day?
The Atmos is the one people buy for that, because of the cushioning and the room across the toes. What we can't tell you is whether a particular shoe will help with a particular foot problem. If you're buying footwear to manage pain or a diagnosed condition, see a podiatrist first and take their advice on what shape and drop to look for.
What's the warranty on Topo shoes in Australia?
Topo's warranty covers manufacturing faults, and the terms are listed on each product page. Wear from normal use isn't covered, and neither is damage. Separately, your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply to everything we sell regardless of what any manufacturer warranty says. If something has gone wrong with a pair, contact us and we'll handle it for you.
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