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Topo Athletic

MTN Racer 3

MTN Racer 3
Trail · Neutral
Above average (80/100)

Shoe details

Weight
10.1 oz
Release
2023 Q2
Stack Height
34mm heel - 29mm toe
Drop Height
5mm

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (80/100)

Better than about 61% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 61% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Above average (80/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (80/100)

Rank

Ranks above 61% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Excellent (92/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Excellent (92/100)

Rank

Ranks above 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Above average (86/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Good (74/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 45% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Good (73/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (73/100)

Rank

Ranks above 41% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (71/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (71/100)

Rank

Ranks above 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

100%

3/3

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Better than 61% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Above average (80/100)

Trail Shoes

Better than 63% of 391 trail shoes ranked.

63%

Topo Athletic

Worse than 54% of 53 Topo Athletic shoes ranked.

46%

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4
HOKA Speedgoat 6
MTN Racer 3
MTN Racer 4
Speedgoat 6
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest
Lightest / Lowest price / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Trail
Trail
Trail
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
10.1 oz M
—
8.6 oz M Lightest
Stack
34/29mm
—
37/32mm
Drop
5mm
—
5mm
Release
2023 Q2
2025 Q2 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
—
—
$155
Best price
—
$154.95
$108.97 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Above average (61%)
Bottom tier (16%)
Excellent (96%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (41%)
Below average (22%)
Excellent (91%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (45%)
Bottom tier (12%)
Exceptional (98%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (88%)
Average (52%)
Very good (90%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (33%)
Bottom tier (15%)
Good (71%) Best appearance
Value
Good (75%)
Average (44%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

6 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Good for fast running on moderate trails

Anonymous runner · Oct 29, 2024

5/5

Overall

Fast, responsive, stable and low to the ground trail shoe.  Keeps me up on my toes.  A little wide on the fit but then again I have a narrow foot.  Love the traction and the look of the aggressive outsole.  Good overall cushioning without the heaviness or bulk. Love this shoe except for one thing: it could use a rock plate. I run on gravel roads and the stones and pebbles bruise my feet but only while running fast on the downhills. I realize that this may make the shoe stiffer and add a bit more weight so I understand that there is a trade off. Overall, when I run and train on trails; it is shorter distances and mostly on flat dirt trails at a faster pace so I am pretty much okay with this shoe.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Best shoes iv ran in, no problems

Mike · Nov 29, 2023

5/5

Overall

I have gotten these shoes whenever I can. Durability means a lot, as well as toe space, comfort. On these three points they are excellent! I have never had a problem with them. When they do start to fall apart, they are falling apart from use; not from shady/failing construction materials/methods one week of daily use. Traction isn't super crazy like some other shoes iv used where if a spot touches a bolder your shoe will stick. Take that with a grain of salt, I dont like extra grippy shoes as I have better balance than most. But if your hopping from log to log or rock to rock you're not going to slip around like in street trainers.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

If you live, train and race in the mountains, this is the closest thing to a perfect shoe!

psprockett · Jul 29, 2023

4/5

Overall

Great shoe if you have typical runner bunions, thanks to the wide toe box. I like that the mountain racer is not a zero drop shoe, but a little more minimal than other popular trail shoes. They are the best mountain running shoe to combine cushion, and a firm sole that feels stable and is tough enough for rocky, single track terrain. The mountain racer can hold up to high mileage and variable terrain, without breaking down the structure of the shoe, or wearing out the materials around the forefoot. This is a true shoe for heavy trail use as it combines comfort, function and durability. The price is competitive and honest. The mountain racer will last longer than most other trail shoes I've tried. 

The only real downside to these shoes has been the color choices. However, having said that, the 2023 version has had the two best color options yet. In the past they've seemed to be on the boring side, but that is more of a personal choice that others might not care about.

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5