Topo Vista Performance Review

The Topo Vista introduces the first true max-cushion trail option to the Topo Athletic lineup. As a cousin to the well-known MTN Racer series, the Topo Vista takes Topo’s max-cushion road DNA and applies it to a trail archetype that’s becoming increasingly popular and important to running shoe companies. Did Topo nail it?

What is the Topo Vista?

According to Topo, the Vista is “[their] new max-cushioned trail runner, built for use on technical, rugged terrain.” Straight, to the point, and easily verifiable. Topo’s marketing language is a breath of fresh air.

Cushion/Midsole/Support

Sam: In case you haven’t picked up on it by now, the Topo Vista is a MAX-CUSHION shoe (*sarcasm! Haha!). It features 38 mm of ZipFoam under the heel, which is actually now on the lower side of stacks for max-cushion shoes. We’ve seen stacks slowly creep back up, so the Vista takes a somewhat modest approach here. That being said, it doesn’t lack cushion or comfort. 

The ZipFoam midsole is excellent on this shoe. It’s not overtly poppy or propulsive, but it is super soft and a little bouncy. I think the Vista does a good job of encapsulating the traditional max-cushion spirit: no gimmicks or over-the-top tech, just a foam that feels like a pillow underfoot. This is a welcome platform for me on high-volume training weeks when I just want to feel less impact and more comfort.

On top of the ZipFoam midsole is a Topo FKT insole that is essentially a beaded TPU footbed. This is not a new innovation (see brands like INOV8 and Norda), but it’s always a welcome addition when I come across it in a shoe. These insoles provide a little extra spring underfoot and make the ride feel a little faster. Couple this with a conservatively rocker-shaped midsole, and you have a shoe that feels like it runs surprisingly well.

Despite being labeled a max-cushion shoe, which implies a high stack, I don’t think this shoe feels too high off the ground. The wide base also helps here; but overall, the Vista is not too high or unstable. It’s fairly solid and supportive. Topo has built its brand on ergonomics and stability, which is what you get with the Vista. The overall fit of the shoe lends itself to solid ground contact and balance. This is a stable and balanced shoe.

Drew: I agree with Sam. The Topo Vista is surprisingly stable for a higher stack trail shoe. The wide base does most of the work. For example, the wide toebox allows the wearer to use their own feet to properly stabilize despite the underfoot softness. The heel does list slightly from side to side, but not enough to destabilize the shoe—just enough to feel it and be conscious of it.

This is by far the softest Topo trail shoe and has a good argument for Topo’s softest shoe overall (though it’s probably the Specter 2 that ultimately takes that title). I found the Topo Vista slightly softer in the heel, which, while not ideal for me on days when my form was breaking down, is better for trail runners who will spend the majority of their runs on their toes as they scream up and down big hills. And as Sam mentioned, the insole is fantastic and a small detail that makes a big difference in the step-in comfort.

The Topo Vista’s midsole is a combination of plush impact protection and just enough support. It’s exactly the kind of midsole you want on a trail shoe that labels itself “max cushion”.

Traction

Sam: The outsole is a Vibram Megagrip compound with 4 mm lugs. I’ve felt that the designs of other Topo outsoles lack a little bite, but the lug design of the Vista’s outsole does not. It’s burly and sharp and lends enough grip. 

I appreciate that the rubber is not all-encompassing, allowing for some weight savings and less clunkiness. I love the paneled approach. Most Vibram outsoles are going to get the job done to a satisfactory (or above) level. The same is true with the Topo Vista. There’s nothing crazy about the technology at play here, but it’s a mark that it passes and does so with satisfaction.

Drew: Like Sam, I found the 4 mm Vibram lugs gripped well in all the testing conditions. And while I wasn’t able to test in wet conditions, experience with Vibram Megagrip outsoles tells me it will perform well on wetter, muddier trail surfaces.

Upper

Sam: An engineered mesh makes up the Topo Vista’s upper. It’s on the heavier side but has a good level of breathability for a shoe this substantial. The upper is comfortable and soft, matching the overall direction of the shoe. I found a good lockdown, a secure heel closure, and a soft tongue with plenty of padding. 

As with all Topo shoes, there is ample room in the toebox. This is a plus for some and a minus for others, which is all dependent on the shape of your foot. If you have a narrower foot, you may find that there’s just too much room up front so that your foot slides around. If you’re wide-footed or somewhere in the middle, chances are the Topo shape is a welcome design in a sea of narrow shoe choices.

Drew: The Topo Vista’s upper provided a fantastic fit. I was able to lock down my heel and midfoot such that I didn’t slide around inside the cavernous upper. And as always with Topo, my toes enjoyed the ability to splay as wide as possible. The breathability is also solid without allowing in too much dirt, but it’s a thick upper that isn’t ideal for hot summer running.

The gaiter attachment points and heel tab are helpful details. The tongue is comfortable and gusseted; but despite having loops up high and down low for the laces to string through, the tongue can slip to the outside of the foot. This can likely happen due to the folded gussets which do a better job of keeping debris out of the shoes. It’s probably a good trade because the slippy tongue doesn’t cause any hotspots.

And finally, the upper has a great look. The Vista is one of Topo’s best looking shoes, and the colorwork on the version we received and on several other men’s and women’s colorways is awesome. I love that Topo is taking its style to the next level.

Is the Topo Vista wide foot friendly?

Sam: That’s an emphatic YES.

Drew: As you’d expect, the Topo Vista has a lot of room throughout the shoe and is a great option for wide-footers.

Is the Topo Vista worth $175?

Sam: While shoe prices seem to keep creeping higher, $175 is right around market value for a shoe of this construction and performance.

Drew: $175 for the Topo Vista is smack dab in the middle of the price range for max-cushion trail shoes. Check out our Best Trail Running Shoes list, and you’ll see some options below it and some above. It’s not a bargain, but it’s not too expensive either.

How to use the Topo Vista

The Topo Vista is best used for long days on rugged mountains when comfort is the number one priority. With plenty of soft and squishy foam underfoot, this is a perfect long-run option. That being said, don’t be afraid to take them out for short stuff when you want to feel the extra cushion and impact protection.

Topo Vista Summary

Sam: The Topo Vista is not a flashy shoe but revels in the ability to do exactly what Topo states as its purpose. This is a max-cushioned shoe with some minor tweaks to help it run quicker and ride less bulky. I really like the DNA of this shoe. Oftentimes, max-cushion options can feel lazy. Just piles of foam underfoot and not much else. The Topo Vista provides that and more, with a comfortable and secure ride.

Drew: The Topo Vista is “trail max cushion” done right. The comfortable foam below you serves a purpose and works well with the rest of the shoe. The impact protection comes in handy on rocky trails, and it surprisingly protects the bottom of the foot well without a rock plate. There are a couple minor issues—but overall, if you need something super cushioned for long days of trail running or hiking, the Topo Vista is a very good option.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Disclosure

While Topo did provide pairs of the Topo Vista to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.