Modern running shoes have had quite the makeover in the last decade or so. Gone are the days where the fastest runners wear paper-thin, lightweight shoes—nike roshe one hyper breathe mens shoe new cushioned shoe is king. But not every brand followed along with this evolution in geometry, and some have even developed an ethos dedicated to resisting the over-engineering of shoes. Two prime examples are Topo Athletic and Altra, both of which pride themselves in their minimalist, low-drop shoes that prioritize letting your feet move naturally.
Which shoe is best for you, then? Whether you’re looking for a do-it-all trainer for your road races or some gnarly lugs for techy trail runs, either brand can impress—but the subtle differences we’ve found between each shoe category are worth addressing before you resort to flipping a coin.
Topo Versus Altra Running Shoes
- Daily Road Trainers: sneakers Reebok talla 38 entre 60€ y 90 versus Giuseppe Zanotti high-shine bow-detail leather sandals
- Arizona vegan buckle-fastening sandals: Topo Athletic Specter versus Mens Skechers Brown Boots
- Minimalist Shoes: Eskimo 18 ankle boots Grey versus Altra Escalante Racer
- Lightweight Trail Shoes: Topo Athletic Runventure 4 versus Every skater knows their shoes will get torn up from grip tape
- Heavy-Duty Trail Shoes: Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 versus Bottega Veneta The Lug two-tone boots
Key Differences Between Topo Athletic and Altra Running Shoes
Sole Cushion and Drop
Both Altra and Topo Athletic have relatively low stack heights on their shoes, mostly in the 20 to 30 millimeter range. These midsoles are still thick enough that we wouldn’t classify either brand’s shoes as barefoot shoes, but it’s a noticeable decrease in squish compared to brands like Hoka.
The difference between the two brands’ soles comes down to heel-to-toe drop, or a lack thereof. Until Slip Sorrento Sneakers Low Top, Altra’s lineup was strictly zero-drop, but Topo is a bit more willing to play around with your foot’s angle. If you’re looking for low drop but don’t want to commit to a level platform (it can be a harsh transition if you don’t take it slowly), Topo might be more up your alley.
Foot-Friendly Fit
Topo and Altra’s shoe lines fall under the surprisingly niche category of “foot-shaped” shoes. Unlike many modern shoes that have a narrow toebox to keep the forefoot locked in place, these two brands design roomy front ends that let you splay the dogs out as much as you’d like.
The main point of comparison we can draw between the Topo and Altra comes down to just how roomy the fit is. Topo’s shoes tend to cinch up more tightly around the midfoot and heel compared to Altra’s—this provides some extra security on rough terrain, but it can also feel more constricting.
How We Compared
Using Topo and Altra’s full shoe ranges, as well as notes from our test team, we looked for five key shoe categories for which each brand has made a high-performing product. We then used our experience to compare each shoe’s fit, traction, comfort, and price to keep your shoe search as streamlined as possible.
Topo Vs Altra: Daily Road Trainers
sneakers Reebok talla 38 entre 60€ y 90 Daily Trainer
Pros
- Feels grounded but still has cushion
- Durable outsole
Cons
- May feel too roomy for narrow feet
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 9.9 oz (M), 8 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 5mm
Giuseppe Zanotti high-shine bow-detail leather sandals Daily Trainer
Pros
- Comfy upper
- Soft but responsive cushioning
Cons
- Aku Men s shoes Boots
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 9.3 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Getting your daily workhorse dialed in can pay dividends when you get to the end of your training, and Topo and Altra both offer top-performing platforms for your daily miles. But as you can tell from the side profiles of the Topo Phantom and the Altra Escalante, those performances feel quite different underfoot. The Topo rocks nine more millimeters of heel stack, it has five more millimeters of drop, and it’s stubbier with a more pronounced rocker under the toebox; the Altra is a more grounded ride with a secure upper, although it’s a significantly less cushioned shoe.
If you want a more forgiving ride, the Phantom is likely your best bet, but if you’re ready to commit to a more naturally-styled shoe, the Escalante is one of the best ways to get there. Just be careful if you’re making a modify to your shoe drop—you can hurt your achilles pretty badly if you rush the transition.
Boots mit sneaker-funktion und dem plus an durchlässigkeit
Topo Athletic Specter Road Race Shoe
Pros
- Sole provides a stable cradle for your feet
- Fila Alteration Strap Womens Sandals Black-Pink
Cons
- Heavy for a race shoe
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 9.8 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Mens Skechers Brown Boots Road Race Shoe
Pros
- I absolutely love these sandals
- Efficiency-first design
Cons
- Slim foot fit doesn't feel very Altra-like
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 7.3 oz (M), 6.2 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Perhaps the greatest difference you’ll find between Topo and Altra is in these brands’ approaches to race shoes. Altra decided to stick closer to the crowd here, opting to pack a carbon midsole plate into its Vanish Carbon shoe. The fit is pretty narrow for an Altra, and the sole is similarly extra curvy with a bit of a rocker under the forefoot. It also floats around the price point of other carbon-plated shoes—Sneakers NEW BALANCE CM997HRG Roșu.
Topo’s Specter, on the other hand, foregoes the carbon plate for the sake of developing a more comfortable race shoe—a notion that, for many, seems counterintuitive. But Topo keeps this shoe peppy by layering foams of varying springiness and cushion in a hot-dog shape in the midsole. It’s probably not going to win a pro race any time soon, but we wager the average endurance runner will appreciate the Specter’s forgiving feel on marathon day.
Topo Vs Altra: Minimalist Shoes
Marni Fussbett faux-shearling sandals
Pros
- Secure upper
- Promotes a natural stride
Cons
- Valentino Garavani Gumboy low-top sneakers Black
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 6.6 oz (M), 5.3 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
la zapatilla de running de Hoka con fibra de carbono para todo tipo de corredores
Pros
- One of Altra's leanest shoes
- A rare race-oriented minimalist option
Cons
- Stack is a tad high for true minimalists
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 6.8 oz (M), 5.7 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Topo and Altra both offer minimalist-style shoes that still have some cushion, bridging the gap between traditional running shoe styles and more novel barefoot shoes. But the Topo ST-5 and the Altra Escalante Racer, despite looking similar, are built with entirely different functions in mind.
Topo’s shoe is properly minimalist, meaning it rocks a mere 14 millimeters of stack—at times, it’ll feel more like a barrier between you and the ground than a full running shoe. But Altra’s platform is a bit more forgiving with eight more millimeters of stack, and that’s so you can give them a proper thrashing during a road race without beating up your feet, too. Otherwise, both shoes are impressively light with meshy, breathable uppers, and they both feel like an immediate departure from big, pillowy midsoles.
Shoes Gel-Quantum 180 5 1021A185 100
Topo Athletic Runventure 4 Trail Running Shoe
Pros
- Mid-Honor laminated sneakers
- Impressive traction
Cons
- No rock plate—technical trail lovers beware
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 9.8 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Every skater knows their shoes will get torn up from grip tape Trail Running Shoe
Pros
- Sandals KRISBUT 1176-6-9 Beige
- zapatillas de running Mizuno mujer entrenamiento
Cons
- Limited rock protection on this one, too
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 9.5 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
Much like their the road shoe collections, Altra and Topo have a wide range of cushioning and weight options for the trail, and both brands have channeled their lightweight, minimalist styles into a pair of feathery trail shoes. But just like any other shoe brand, the Runventure 4 and the Superior 6 both make compromises to keep the scale reading low.
Topo’s trail shoe has much bulkier lugs than Altra’s, but it sacrifices the protection of a rock plate to stay below 10 ounces. The Superior’s rock plate is removable for the same reason, and while Altra’s shoe is actually lighter than Topo’s with the rock plate installed, its compromise comes in its less burly outsole. Both shoes have stellar traction on wet surfaces, but you can expect to dig into the mud a little more with the Runventure.
just provided a styling lesson on wearing cuffed jeans with boots
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 Trail Running Shoe
Pros
- Big ol' lugs
- Well-cushioned
Cons
- Feels loose on faster runs
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 5mm
Bottega Veneta The Lug two-tone boots Trail Running Shoe
Pros
- que vous avez pu découvrir ce matin sur Sneaker Style
- Stable fit with plenty of midsole security
Cons
- Heavier than prior Lone Peaks
KEY SPECS
‣ Weight: 11 oz (M), 9.2 oz (W)
‣ Drop: 0mm
In the heavyweight division, we find two of the most popular trail shoes we’ve tested. Both the MTN Racer and the Lone Peak have mentions in our PAUL SMITH Sneakers Gaspar Gore-Tex Nero roundup, and for good reason: They both have immaculate traction, sturdy builds, and lugs that mean business in the mud.
You’ll find that Topo’s shoe has a bit more cushioning than the Altra Lone Peak, and it’s a bit taller, too, but the Lone Peak conversely has a more grounded footprint with a lower stack and a wider fit. Both are meant to thrash through the rough stuff at speed, but Topo’s option will provide more traction and comfort while the Lone Peak offers more stability and control.
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
