Sunday, March 14, 2021

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2 Initial Video Review: All Around, Any Surface, Foot Friendly Trail Runner

Article and Video by Sam Winebaum

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2 ($145)


Update: Read the full written multi tester review HERE

Releasing in April 2021, the MTN Racer 2 gets a lively layer of Zip Foam underfoot, more flexibility, and a new debris mesh upper in place of the v1's warm and stiff ripstop upper. It also gets a full coverage Vibram MegaGrip outsole.
It retains the 30/25 stack height and 5mm drop. It weighs approximately 10.4 oz /295g in a US9 based on my US8.5 sample which came in at 10.12 oz / 286g.  

And for sure has Topo's foot friendly yet secure anatomical fit!  

Watch the Initial Topo MTN Racer 2 Video Review (10:24)

Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No other compensation was received by RTR or the authors for this review from Topo. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes

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10 comments:

Jesse said...

Thanks for the initial video review-
How’s the cushion on these, same as Ultraventure 2?

Sam Winebaum said...

HI Jesse,
While I did not run Ultraventure 2 Jeff says and in the review that they are considerable softer and better cushioned, in large part due to the Zip Foam.
Sam, Editor

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Curt said...

Love the color. Don't love the logo placement unfortunately. Still, I'll probably give these a go.

Thom said...

Hi Sam,
Any thoughts after your initial runs in the Mountain Racer as a shoe for longer trail runs and ultramarathons? Thanks for great reviews. Thom

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Thom,
I think a strong option for long. But what works for you now?
Sam, Editor

Thom said...

Hi Sam, Have run shorter trail runs (less than 20 miles) in Topo terraventure2. For longer I have a pair of Xodus10 that have worked well although I do wish the toebox had a bit more room. Curios because I do like toebox and fit of topo but hadn't really found the trail shoe I would really want to do longer miles in. Value your thoughts around this shoe and any other thoughts or suggestions. Thanks thom

Unknown said...

Great review! Wondering if that zip foam runs to the front of the shoe for us forefoot landing runners. Loved the original Ultraventure, sad they changed it so much. Concern that this tongue is less padded, I run a lot of steep technical courses where the laces need to be clamped down, thin tongues lead to lace bite and worse. Though it looks like it has those same round soft ropey high quality Topo laces that should help. thanks.

Sam Winebaum said...

Thanks Unkknown!
Zip Foam does run to the front. See also our full multi tester review: https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2021/03/topo-athletic-mtn-racer-2-multi-tester.html
Sam, Editor

Jeff Emanuel said...

While the wide toebox and vibram sole are awesome, the quality of the upper is dreadful. I have less than 70 miles of trail running/hiking on mine and the mesh above the big toe has torn wide open on both shoes. Additionally, chunks of the zipfoam have come out of the midsole and the cuff has torn open on one of the shoes. This is a *huge* issue for a $150 shoe, and such a disappointment with an otherwise amazing model.

Has Topo discontinued these? It looks like they might have removed them from their website altogether...

Jeff Emanuel said...

The wide toebox and vibram sole are awesome, but the quality of the upper is dreadful. I have less than 70 miles of trail running/hiking on mine and the mesh above the big toe has torn wide open on both shoes. Additionally, chunks of the zipfoam have come out of the midsole and the cuff has torn open on one of the shoes. This is a *huge* issue for a $150 shoe, and such a disappointment with an otherwise amazing model.