Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 6.7 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
5 reasons to buy
- Some runners commented that the shoe was flexible, breathable and grippy.
- A good number of reviewers mentioned that the Topo Athletic MT-2 was best for rod and rugged trail running sessions.
- According to some testers, the was comfortable and lightweight.
- A lot of consumers loved the roomy toe box of the shoe.
- Several buyers said that the shoe had an agreeable fit, especially for those who have narrow feet.
2 reasons not to buy
- Some runners experienced outsole durability issues. It easily tore apart after only several uses.
- A tester mentioned that the shoe retained water when soaked. It took a couple of days before it totally dried.
Bottom line
A lot of runners were impressed with the Topo Athletic MT-2’s breathability and flexibility. It was also lightweight and comfortable to use, according to them. The roomy toe box and the secure fit also gained praise. Although some users were disappointed with the ostensibly inconsistent durability of the outsole, this shoe was still able to gain recognition as a solid option for rugged trail running activities.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Expert Reviews
Experts are runners, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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89 / 100 based on 10 expert reviews
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85 / 100 by Gearist • Brandon Wood • Level 5 expert
I also felt that MT-2 is little bit more responsive than version one.
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92 / 100 by Gearist • Brandon Wood • Level 5 expert
The MT-2 is a shoe that, with its additional cushioning, could take someone easily over the distance of a full marathon and possibly beyond and for only $100, it’s kind of a no-brainer!
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91 / 100 by iRunFar • Tom Caughlan • Level 4 expert
The MT-2 is a very simple and straightforward shoe that has been a pure joy to run in.
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87 / 100 by Running Without Injuries • Brian Goldman • Level 4 expert
I have run in wet, but not extremely muddy conditions and I found that they performed well. I also felt that there was a decent amount of protection under your foot so if you step on a sharp rock, it shouldn’t leave you with a bone bruise.
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90 / 100 by Road Trail Run • Dominick Layfield • Level 3 expert
I would wear these on all but the gnarliest trails, and for races over distances up to 100 km.
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93 / 100 by Bonk Proof • Jordan Hull • Level 2 expert
I've even found myself taking it out on road runs because it is so versatile. Traction is still just as good and with no concerns about durability.
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93 / 100 by Tahoe Mountain Sports • Mike Tebutt • Level 1 expert
I believe I have found a shoe that I will stick with for this season’s racing and running adventures.
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92 / 100 by Run Far Girl • Sarah Canney • Level 1 expert
It performed really well on the road and was well-cushioned, providing a smooth ride. I’ve been running in them both on trails and road and they are a great shoe to choose if you run will include terrain on both.
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90 / 100 by Breaking Ultra • Breaking Ultra • Level 1 expert
They are not as pillow like as some other shoes, but they are still comfortable. I have run 20+ miles at a time in them over rocky terrain and my feet feel no worse than the more cushiony models out there.
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82 / 100 by Runner's World • Jonathan Durand • Level 1 expert
The MT-2 felt bulkier than some of my other trail shoes but was still amazingly light.”
Updates to Topo Athletic MT-2
- Topo Athletic MT-2 is a low to zero-drop trail running shoe. It features multi-directional lugs that enhance traction in a wide variety of terrains. The Rubber Outsole protects the rest of the platform and provides traction. A Full-Length EVA Midsole provides cushioning and protection against impact.
- It also features an Ultra Light Mesh that promotes a plusher feeling. The Anatomical Toe Box allows the toes to spread naturally, essentially encouraging a more relaxed running experience. Lastly, it has a Printed Upper Pattern that provides a snugger midfoot lockdown.
Topo Athletic MT-2 size and fit
Topo Athletic MT-2 is a neutral running shoe and it is best for those who prefer more rugged trail activities. When it comes to sizing, it has a standard running shoe length. The available widths are D – Medium for the men’s version and B – Medium for the women’s version.
Outsole
Topo Athletic MT-2’s outsole is composed of multi-directional lugs that deliver traction and protection against the aggressive nature of the trails. They make sure to hold onto the surfaces, giving confidence and sure steps when tackling the great outdoors.
The Rubber Outsole adds to the shoe’s durability and tenacious traction. It helps runners to accelerate on low-friction and slippery conditions.
It has Flex Grooves around the metatarsal area to provide flexibility. They are designed to promote forefoot flexion, which is important when it comes to the toe-off phase of the gait cycle.
Midsole
The Full-Length EVA Midsole of the Topo Athletic MT-2 provides enough underfoot protection and cushioning. This helps the runner’s foot from feeling hard items that can be found on different trails. Even without the Rock Plate, the midsole is still protective and resilient.
Upper
The Topo Athletic MT-2 is made up of an Ultra Light Mesh that is lightweight in structure. This material enhances breathability and comfort. It keeps the foot cool and dry during the runner’s activities.
It has Polyurethane Overlays that provide structural support. They hug the entire midfoot, giving a steady and secure coverage.
It has an Anatomical Toe Box, which allows the toes to splay out naturally throughout the running session.