Topo Athletic
MTN Racer 4 Running Shoe – Women's
$155.00
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The Grivet Take
The MTN Racer 4 is Topo's technical trail racer: lower stack than the Ultraventure, sturdier midsole, and Vibram Megagrip lugs aggressive enough for steep climbs, rocky descents, and rugged single-track. The signature anatomical toe box gives toes room to splay through long efforts, and the v4 refinements to lacing, heel counter, and gaiter compatibility make the fit notably more secure than the v3. Two trade-offs to flag: the v4 toe box reads snugger than the v3 (still wide by trail-shoe standards but less roomy than the Ultraventure), and the 33/28 mm stack is not built for runners who want a max-cushion ride. Runners who want a wider, plusher trail shoe should look at the Topo Ultraventure 4; runners who want a softer rocker-rolled max-cushion trail should consider the New Balance Hierro v9.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.5 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.3 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.4 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.3 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.2 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.3 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
Neutral shoe with a wider, steadier base
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Standard platform
How it fits
Length runs true to size for most runners. The toe box is the standout for a technical trail shoe: anatomically wide with full toe splay, though noticeably snugger than the Ultraventure and the v3. Midfoot lockdown is excellent thanks to the v4's denser lacing pattern with punched eyelets and a more secure tongue arrangement. The heel counter is slightly higher and firmer than the v3, which improves rearfoot lockdown on technical descents. Women's sizing is offered only in B (standard); runners needing wider should look at the Ultraventure 4 (D and 2E) or a different model. The velcro gaiter attachment is now compatible with Kahtoola and similar third-party brands.
How it feels
ZipFoam 2 midsole reads balanced firm rather than soft, with enough cushion at 33 mm heel stack to absorb long-effort impact while keeping the foot connected to technical terrain. The rocker geometry is minimal; the shoe flexes through the forefoot rather than rolling on geometry, which suits the foot-shaped last and natural-movement positioning. The wide platform and 5 mm drop keep the foot stable on off-camber sections and rocky descents. On dry rock, dry dirt, and damp single-track the Vibram Megagrip lugs grip reliably; on wet rock the rubber compound's signature stickiness shines. The lower 33 mm stack gives up some plush long-effort comfort compared with a max-cushion trail shoe but improves agility and reaction time.
Quick specs
- Category
- Long run trainer
- Surface
- Mixed terrain · Technical trail · Smooth trail
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 33.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 28.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 5.0 mm
- Weight (women's 7)
- 9.1 oz · 258 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 4 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Standard platform
- Midsole
- ZipFoam 2 (softer periphery vs v3)
- Outsole
- Vibram Megagrip
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- No
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- B
Tech, translated
ZipFoam 2 is Topo's EVA/TPU blend midsole, refined for the MTN Racer line with a slightly softer periphery tuning on the v4 while keeping the firmer core that gives the shoe its technical-trail character. The foam is tuned for ground feel and stability rather than plush bounce; runners coming from a max-cushion trail shoe should expect a more connected feel.
Vibram Megagrip is the industry reference for sticky rubber on wet rock and varied trail surfaces. The MTN Racer 4 carries the v3's outsole forward unchanged, with lugs aggressive enough for steep climbs, rocky descents, and rugged single-track while still spaced to shed mud. There is no rock plate; the firm midsole and wide platform handle underfoot protection on rocky terrain.
The FKT insole is new on the v4 and replaces the Ortholite from the v3; it embeds TPU beads in foam for more underfoot response and better water resistance during stream crossings or wet trail efforts.
What changed from the previous version
The v4 keeps the v3's ZipFoam 2 midsole and Vibram Megagrip outsole essentially unchanged. The upper, lacing, and heel counter all get refined: a denser lacing pattern with punched eyelets replaces the v3's sewn loops for better midfoot security, the heel counter is slightly higher and firmer, and the velcro gaiter attachment is reworked for compatibility with third-party brands like Kahtoola. A new FKT insole replaces the v3's Ortholite, adding TPU beads embedded in foam for more response and better water resistance. Net effect: the same technical trail racer character with a more secure fit; v4 reads slightly snugger than the v3 in the toe box and midfoot.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Compared with the Hoka Speedgoat 5, the MTN Racer 4 has an anatomically wider toe box and a more grounded ride; the Speedgoat has more stack, more cushion, and a more pronounced forefoot rocker. Compared with the Saucony Peregrine 15, the MTN Racer 4 has a roomier anatomical toe box and a slightly higher stack; the Peregrine 15 has more aggressive PWRTRAC lugs and a snugger performance fit. Compared with the Salomon Sense Ride 5, the MTN Racer 4 has a wider anatomical toe box and deeper Megagrip lugs for technical work; the Sense Ride 5 is a more nimble smooth-to-mixed terrain shoe with Salomon's snugger performance fit. Compared with the Topo Ultraventure 4 in the same brand, the MTN Racer 4 is the technical trail option with lower stack and better rock performance; the Ultraventure is the roomier road-to-trail cruiser with a taller stack.
Buyer's guide
Read our trail running shoes guide
Lugs, rock plates, stack height, and fit for everything from gravel to technical singletrack.
Read the guide
