Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Multi Tester Review: 6 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski and Renee Krusemark

Topo Pursuit 2 ($145)

Introduction

Mike P: I used to be fairly stunned after I examined the unique Pursuit. My Pursuit V1 in dimension 10.0 weighed 11.1 oz, however I nonetheless discovered it fairly agile and runnable, even in average techincal terrain. The zero drop platform was noticeable, not essentially splendid for me, but very snug underfoot for lengthy miles. I discovered the toebox to be exceptionally large, and on the time, wider than the Topos that I’d run up to now. It was primarily a direct Altra competitor. With many footwear in for take a look at, the Pursuit V1 fell out of my working rotation, but it surely’s been my go-to post-race consolation shoe, to today. The brand new Pursuit 2 has some noticeable modifications, so will it get again into my working rotation? Please learn on.. 

Execs:

All day consolation: Renee, Mike P

TPU insole makes the zero drop really feel extra snug Mike P

Extra responsive than V1 Mike P

Nice midfoot maintain as standard from Topo Mike P/Renee

Comfy well-padded tongue Mike P

Supportive, well-padded ankle/heel collars Mike P/Renee

Protecting underfoot and not using a plate Mike P/Renee

Cons:

Heavy for working: Renee 

Appears to have misplaced some softness from V1 Mike P

Not as versatile as V1 – outsole feels much less elastic Mike P

Please discover the testers run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Weight: males’s 10.5 oz  / 299g (US9)  ::  ladies’s 9.2 oz / g (US8)

  Samples: males’s 10.8 oz / 306g US 9.5

                  ladies’s 8.98 oz / 255g US 7.5

Stack Top: 28mm heel / 28mm forefoot (0 drop spec) 

$145.  Out there June 2024

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Renee: The Pursuit 2 makes use of the Topo recipe:  grippy outsole, a cushty higher, and a midsole for lengthy efforts. Topo followers will discover the Pursuit 2 on par with different footwear within the model’s lineup. If it’s not damaged, I suppose don’t change it. 

For sizing, I wore a ladies’s 7.5. I at all times put on a half dimension smaller in Topo as in comparison with most of my different footwear. If between half sizes, I counsel the half dimension down. For those who’re a Topo sporting common, your standard Topo dimension can be wonderful. 

The higher is up to date with a tightly woven recycled mesh materials. I discovered it snug and had zero points with it when mountaineering for hours. The overlays present ample safety with out being restrictive. As standard for Topo, the heel and midfoot safety are implausible. 

The heel collar sits low, under my ankle, which is nice for being nimble on uneven surfaces. The shoe isn’t heavy, however heavier than I want for sooner working efforts. For lengthy efforts, particularly mountaineering or run/hike combos, the Pursuit 2 labored nice. 

Mike P: I’ve a barely totally different tackle the match than Renee. I discover that the latest iterations of Topo’s fashions match completely true to dimension. Up to now (a number of years in the past) I discovered Topos ran a contact brief (ex- Ultraventure 1, MTN Racer 1), however they appeared to have up to date the match. I examined the Pursuit 1 in a ten.0, which was fairly spacious – so I went again to a 9.5 for V2 and it’s good.

The width throughout the forefoot has been reined in a bit in comparison with V1 (see the pic within the comps part under). I do have a smaller dimension, however that a lot distinction in width can’t be chalked as much as going simply ½ dimension down. They positively appeared to have tightened it up a bit, and that’s for the higher. 

Safety from the heel by way of the midfoot (Topo’s signature) is ideal, however now the forefoot/toebox additionally has the identical stage of safety. I don’t get as a lot foot motion as I did in V1. 

One other standout characteristic of Topo is the final consolation of the tongue design and the ankle/heel collars. The tongue has simply the correct quantity of cushion – not too skinny and never too thick. Zero strain factors, simply what you need. The ankle/heel collars are also nothing particular, properly cushioned, seating the heel properly, no strain factors, no inflexible spots on the ankle, simply nice. 

The engineered mesh utilized some wavy underlays for midfoot maintain and the fabric itself is sort of breathable. There’s not a lot stretch to it, but additionally no rigidity, so it wraps the foot properly and feels nice with no fuss. A gaiter loop up entrance and hook factors for Topo’s proprietary gaiter are a welcome inclusion.

Midsole & Platform

From the Topo product supervisor:

“When match testing the Pursuit 2 we used the up to date TPU bead footbed and have been cautious to make mandatory changes to the match of the shoe to make sure the Pursuit 2’s match was in line with different merchandise within the Topo Athletic line. When testing the Pursuit 2, and the Traverse final 12 months, we discovered that the distinction between the Ortholite footbed and the TPU bead footbed was not the quantity of froth underfoot, however that the TPU bead footbed compresses much less when weighted.

 

The TPU footbed does weigh barely greater than Ortholite, however in a shoe like Pursuit 2 or Traverse the good thing about the TPU insole not holding water outweighs (no pun meant) the small price of the elevated weight.”

Renee: I’m a fan of the insole being TPU beaded as a substitute of the Ortholite.  TPU beaded insoles appear to assist with consolation for distances and responsiveness. I typically take TPU insoles and put them into different footwear. The Pursuit 2 is a zero drop shoe with 28mm of whole stack. The stack plus the TPU insole give all day consolation. I discovered the Pursuit 2 to work finest for me for mountaineering efforts off path or on ungroomed terrain. 

Mike P: To be trustworthy, the brand new TPU insole was the very first thing that I observed concerning the Pursuit 2. I’ve been hoping for Topo to improve their insoles for some time now, and at last my prayers have been answered. Hopefully they will use this insole, and related midsole lodging, in all of their fashions going ahead.

The TPU insole modifications the texture of the shoe a lot. I’m actually not a fan of Ortholite insoles in any shoe. They boring floor really feel, make the shoe “really feel” softer than they’re, and have a tendency to wrap across the edges of the foot – inflicting hotspots. After all the “absorbing water” issue is one other apparent challenge.  I requested Topo immediately in the event that they accounted for the added firmness of the insole within the basic design of the shoe, they usually did say that was the case (see Topo’s response above).

On the whole although, I believe the insole does make the shoe trip barely firmer. As with different Topo fashions, they frequently tweak their Zipfoam formulation, typically within the path of being each extra responsive and lighter. It’s arduous to inform within the Pursuit 2, because the really feel straight underfoot (from the insole) is so totally different from different Topo fashions. The mushy squishy really feel of the Ortholite has been changed with a extra direct really feel/connection to the midsole and on by way of to the bottom. Extra on that within the Experience part under.

Outsole

Renee: Topo followers know the drill: Vibram MegaGrip. The outsole is similar as most different Topo path footwear. The grip and traction are nice. I wore the footwear for lengthy efforts  mountaineering with some working on ungroomed terrain. In a mixture of snow, mud, and particles lined terrain, the outsole performs properly. I’d want a extra mellow outsole on something easy or groomed. 

Mike P: Sure, as Renee describes, typical Topo outsole right here – just like most Topo fashions, exterior of the most recent Ultraventure 3. Stable, properly spaced lugs add some chunk in unfastened terrain, and there’s a basic flex cutout sample beneath the forefoot which permits a pure foot flex. Once more, I’ll level out that the width beneath the forefoot has been narrowed in comparison with V1. It does really feel just like the outsole is stiffer than V1’s as properly – maybe that is as a result of rubber simply being a bit extra concentrated throughout a less-wide space. I typically felt extra flexibility beneath the forefoot in V1 – maybe the outsole performs a small function in that feeling.

The outsole is designed for extra technical/rugged terrain, which does match the goal description of the shoe. It positively could be a bit a lot for groomed, arduous packed surfaces or door-to-trail utilization. One factor to notice although is that Topo outsoles do “put on in” a bit over time. The sharp edges of the lugs spherical out a bit they usually are inclined to really feel smoother after placing some miles into them.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Street Scoring Rubric

Renee: The 28mm stack back and front is nice for lengthy efforts, and the TPU insole provides an additional enhance of enjoyable (I really like TPU insoles). 

The shoe is surprisingly versatile underfoot and it may be nimble because of the low sitting heel collar. 

Topo markets the shoe for technical terrain, and the trip and outsole work properly for that objective. For something extra mellow, I’d want a lighter shoe. I’m wonderful with zero drop on a shoe that’s light-weight, however for the Pursuit 2, the zero drop appeared to sluggish the trip some. 

For mountaineering or sluggish working on particles lined terrain, that’s not a difficulty. I’d counsel the Pursuit 2 for anybody cruising on ungroomed or technical terrain throughout all-day efforts.  

Renee’s Rating: 8.9/10 (-.60 weight, -.25 zero drop not for everybody, -.25 extra hiker than runner) 

😊😊😊

Mike P: I’ve talked about all the differing components from V1 above – slight narrowing within the toe field (nonetheless Topo-wide, and foot formed), large insole improve (beaded TPU), new lighter extra responsive Zip Foam and a barely much less versatile really feel underfoot. However what’s the total results of these modifications, taken collectively as an entire? For me, an enormous step ahead for the Pursuit. 

I discovered V1 to have a distinctly zero drop really feel – that’s, feeling flat at occasions, maybe overly mushy, and in addition overly large within the toebox. The TPU insole actually tightens up the trip right here and in addition provides a lot higher underfoot really feel and help. It nearly feels prefer it’s not a zero drop shoe – that’s a superb factor.. What I imply is that it’s such a cushty trip, with seemingly much less “pull” on the decrease legs, Achilles, and heel insertion space. 

They’re so snug on the run, to the purpose the place I’d positively contemplate them as a every day coach, at the least for as much as average terrain. That’s probably not a sense I get from most zero drop footwear. I have a tendency to make use of them considerably moderately. I’m undecided if it’s simply the brand new insole, or if it’s a mix of the insole/new Zipfoam method, however the shoe feels extra responsive, and fewer mushy underfoot. It feels totally different from the Pursuit 1, MTN Racer 3 and Ultraventure 3 – all of these are softer and extra versatile. I do know some runners do discover these footwear overly mushy.

If I needed to give one draw back, it might be that the firmer, extra responsive really feel does sacrifice some flexibility. It’s particularly noticeable in case you’re evaluating A/B with V1 or the MTN Racer 3. At occasions I may discover some inflexibility on uneven terrain, however it is a minor draw back. The responsive really feel greater than makes up for this, and in addition you achieve some safety. 

The shoe feels fairly protecting underfoot, with none plate within the combine. Between the TPU insole, 28mm of stack, and full protection Megagrip outsole, the Pursuit 2 has consolation for lengthy miles.

Topo has a winner on their arms but once more. For those who like zero or low drop, it’s best to positively give these a protracted look. For those who just like the Topo match and luxury, however not essentially the softer really feel of a few of their different fashions, the Pursuit 2 is once more a superb possibility to have a look at. Please Topo – let’s see this insole within the subsequent MTN Racer 3, Ultraventure 3, and others! Learn on under within the comps for extra trip particulars in comparison with different Topos and rivals..

Identical scoring as V1 for me, aside from a slight bump within the Match class

Mike P’s Rating:  9.15 / 10

Experience: 9 – Loses some softness & flexibility, however extra responsive

Match: 9.5 – Toebox has been dialed in for a greater, safer match

Worth: 9 – Stable, versatile zero drop possibility

Type: 9 –  The inexperienced engineered mesh colour appears nice out on the paths

Traction: 9 – Glorious, acquainted setup from Topo

Rock Safety: 9 – The TPU midsole appears so as to add one thing right here, higher than V1

Smiles 😊😊😊😊

Comparisons

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE 

Topo Pursuit 1  (RTR Evaluate)

Mike P (10.0): I already talked about that I’m testing a ½ dimension smaller in V2, and I additionally talked about that the toebox nonetheless appears slimmed down. V2 is noticeably narrower within the toebox, however match by way of the midsole and heel is similar. The snug tongue can be successfully the identical. V2 now makes use of a beaded TPU insole and new extra responsive Zip Foam which provides higher really feel underfoot and fewer mush. The trip of the Pursuit 2 total feels “tighter” with much less flex throughout. I believe it’s a lot improved until you will have an excellent large foot. “Regular large” toes will nonetheless be wonderful within the Pursuit 2.

Topo MTN Racer 3 (RTR Evaluate)

Renee: The MTN Racer 3 is barely lighter in weight however not by a lot. It does really feel like a lighter shoe with a midsole that has extra softness but extra rebound. For working, I’d select the MTN Racer 3. For mountaineering or rougher terrain, I’d select the Pursuit 2, simply be aware the zero drop shouldn’t be for everybody. Sizing is similar. 

Mike P (9.5): My MTN Racer 3 is 0.6 oz lighter than the Pursuit 2. It has a softer, extra versatile really feel. I just like the trip for basic coaching, however some really feel that it saps vitality. I suppose I’d agree considerably as I’ve by no means thought-about it for racing. However it’s a enjoyable throughout shoe that handles most all the things. The Pursuit 2 feels barely firmer and in addition extra protecting underfoot. After all it’s zero drop as properly, however with superb underfoot help. The MTN Racer 3 toe field is just a little bit wider.  I’d like to see the TPU insole and an identical stage of responsiveness within the subsequent MTN Racer.

Topo Ultraventure 3 (RTR Evaluate)

Mike P (9.5): The UV3 has extra stack at 35/30mm, 5mm of drop, but is 0.5 oz lighter. The UV3 is constructed for simple/gentle path cruising with its larger, softer really feel and light-weight responsibility outsole. I actually love that shoe for precisely these kinds of trails and simple miles. The UV3 additionally has a wider toebox, Topo’s widest in any path mannequin. If you wish to simply cruise in consolation, UV3 is a good shoe, however if you wish to combine it up a bit extra (and also you’re happy with zero drop), Pursuit is a extra versatile shoe.

Altra TImp 5 (RTR Evaluate)

Mike P (9.5): That is probably the most direct competitor for the Pursuit 2. Curiously, each footwear went in the identical path with their newest replace – narrowing the toebox a bit, and in addition tightening up the trip. Pursuit 1 was similar to Timp 4, and now Pursuit 2 can be just like Timp 5. 

Each footwear run the identical by way of sizing (true to dimension), however the Timp 5 could be very barely wider within the toebox, and  additionally has a extra inflexible higher materials. The Pursuit 2’s higher is extra versatile and positively extra breathable. Pursuit will get the sting in total consolation – the tongue and collars aren’t any fuss and really feel good. The Timp 5’s tongue doesn’t fairly sit as properly and there’s some edging that presses in opposition to the edges of the foot. It’s not an enormous deal, however noticeable compared to the no-fuss Topo match. 

I do suppose Altra’s EGO Max foam is healthier although – it’s extra responsive and the shoe feels faster and extra agile. A extra stripped down outsole additionally helps, and does lighten the load – it’s 1 full ounce lighter than the Pursuit. 

Usually I’d choose the lighter, sooner feeling shoe, however this one is actually shut for me. Whereas the Altra appears like a greater shoe, the consolation of the Topo actually stands out. Most likely a subjective name between the 2.

Nike ZoomX Zegama (RTR Evaluate)

Renee: Topo has the Pursuit 2 akin to the Terra Kiger but it surely jogs my memory extra of the Zegama by way of consolation underfoot. The Pursuit 2 has extra flex underfoot and is way more nimble. If zero drop isn’t for you, the Zegama may work higher. The Zegama is a couple of tenths of an oz lighter in the identical dimension. I wore a 7.5 in each with way more width and size within the toebox on the Pursuit. 

Mike P (9.5): The Zegama is just a little heavier, and for me, feels a lot bulkier underfoot. Pursuit is zero drop so you will have a pleasant streamlined heel, whereas the Nike has a extra conventional beefed up rear to accommodate heel hanging. If that’s interesting for you, nice, but it surely’s a completely totally different trip setup from the Pursuit, and in reality, most Topo path footwear.

Brooks Cascadia 17 (RTR Evaluate)

Renee: Each footwear are extra for mountaineering to me with some working blended in. The Pursuit 2 has a greater floor really feel and is extra nimble with out compromising cushion. For  mountaineering solely and the good thing about a couple of mm of drop, the Cascadia may work higher. I wore a half dimension shorter for the Pursuit. 

Tester Profiles

Mike Postaski at the moment focuses on lengthy mountainous ultras – wherever from 50K as much as his favourite – 100M. 5’10”, 138 lbs, midfoot/forefoot striker – he sometimes averages 70 mpw (totally on trails), ramping as much as 100+ mpw throughout race buildups. A latest 2:39 highway marathoner, his simple working tempo ranges from 7:30 – 9:00/mi. From 2022-23 Mike has received the Standhope 100M, IMTUF 100M, and Scout Mountain 100M path ultras. He additionally set a CR of 123.74M on the Pulse Endurance Runs 24H and accomplished the Boise Trails Problem on foot in 3 days 13 hours, besting the earlier document by 7 hours. Mike’s shoe preferences lean in direction of firmer, dense cushioning, and footwear with narrower profiles. He prefers additional forefoot house, particularly for lengthy ultras, and he strongly dislikes pointy toe packing containers.

Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of working and writing began. She isn’t that superior of a runner, however she tries actually arduous. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles happen on rural nation roads in Nebraska, which means mud, gravel, filth, hills, and the occasional area. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and three:26:45 for the marathon.

The Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 can be accessible June 2024