Australian Hiker | Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Men’s Trail Running Shoe

Weight per Pair - Size 15 US 775 grams
Sizes available (US) 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 14, 15
Sole thickness 28 mm
Drop 0 mm

Cost $240.00

Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Men’s Trail Running Shoe

Footwear

Rating

Rating:	8.8 / 10
Comfort	1.8 / 2
Durability	1.7 / 2
Support Stability	1.9 / 2
Weight	1.7 / 2
Value for Money	1.7 / 2

Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Men's Trail Running Shoe Review

Topo is a brand that I first came across in 2017 and at that stage it wasn’t a well known name here or in the US where it hails. Fast forward to 2025 and this brand has made big inroads into the US long trail circuit and is now a dominant brand and much more recognised on the Australian market. Since that time I have tested various models/version but not until earlier this year, the opportunity to get a hold of the Topo Athletic Pursuit 2, the second version of this shoe.

This model is new and it was only by sheer chance I managed to find a pair in my size, and boy was I glad that I did. I’ll pre-empt the review by saying that this model has now become my ‘go to’ hiking option and this review will explain why.

First up let’s talk generalisations. The two key reasons I love Topo shoes as a brand is in part in part due to the wide toe box that Topo is well known for. And secondly I usually get around 1000-1200km out every pair of Topo’s I have worn, they just keep on lasting.

Now for the specifics. In regard to the Topo Pursuit 2 this model is a zero drop shoe with 28 mm cushioning from front to back and as someone who has joint issues I find this depth provides a good level of comfort. The upper on these shoes is classed as ‘breathable’ which is a way of saying that if it’s raining or you are walking through wet grass, then you will get water into them however the reverse of this is that they will dry quickly.

One thing that seems to be standard in the Topo trail running range is good heel and toe protection more so than a lot of other brands but in doing so it doesn’t reduce the flexibility and comfort. The sole of these shoes is a robust Vibram sole with very good grip and on the walk that I use to test out shoes on I have confidence in the grip on a particularly treacherous section that will punish shoes that don’t have an aggressive sole! I’m also a big fan of rock plates in my trail runners which is a fancy way of saying a protective layer in the soil of the shoe that provides cushioning against sharp rocks. While a number of the Topo models have this feature, the Topo Pursuit 2 doesn’t. Having said that I haven’t found this to be an issue.

Topo shoes also have a dedicated gaiter system (Topo Performance Gaiter system) which isn’t transferable to others brands but if you are a Topo wearer then this isn’t an issue. If you really don’t want to use the dedicated Topo Performance Gaiter system you can aways use one the of lycra models such as the Dirty Girl Gaiters that can be adapted to just about any shoe. Speaking of gaiters, the design of the sole allows for use with the heavy long gaiters and it’s not unusual for me to use these on hikes where snake or mud is likely.

Topo doesn’t make a big deal out its shoe colours and tends to stay with fairly benign options on the whole so while these shoes come in green as a ‘standard colour’ you can also find the orange colour option if not as readily.

Price wise the RRP of these shoes in Australia is around AUD $240 which is very similar to other high quality trail runners and trail shoes. Based on previous models from Topo, I would expect these shoes to have a good lifespan with my previous versions lasting around 1,000-1,200 km without losing mid-foot cushioning. I have worn mine for around 250 km and the mid foot support continues to hold up and provide support which is what I would expect from Topo.

This model of shoe has just done everything right. It’s comfortable, supportive and shows the durability that Topo shoes have. At the time this review was first published in early 2025, this model has become my go-to hiking option and one I will gladly wear. However if you aren’t a fan of zero drop shoes, Topo produces other models that will meet your needs including the Topo Traverse which has a 5 mm drop.

We Like

Very comfortable with good support
A good degree of protection all round
Excellent durability
Stable over a variety of terrain providing good traction and stability
Reasonably lightweight which reduces the impact on the legs after a long day’s hiking
Zero drop which will suit a wide range of hikers
They breathe well so your feet won’t overheat and will stay dry in all but the wettest conditions but they will also dry reasonably quickly in warm weather if they do get wet
Brand specific gaiters that attach to these shoes very well and after you have put your shoes on
The sole on these shoes works well with heavy duty gaiters; they almost seem to be designed for it

We Don't Like

As someone with size 15US feet it can be a struggle to find my size but this issue seems to be getting better
Limited colour choice

Would I wear these shoes for hiking?

Yes, as of early 2025 these are my go-to shoes!

Best Use

This is a great show for hikers who want a good mix of comfort, durability and shoe protection
For hikers who have a wide forefoot

Buy One

You can purchase the Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Men’s Trail Running Shoe online at Amazon Australia, Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through on the above links and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!