Topo Athletic is designed for every trail and journey
Founded on the belief that comfort and performance should move naturally together, Topo Athletic designs running, hiking, and walking shoes that mirror the shape of the human foot. With its signature roomy toe box, secure midfoot fit, and low heel-to-toe drop, Topo empowers athletes of all levels to run farther, move more naturally, and enjoy every step of the journey.
In conversation with Fibre2Fashion, Product Director Russ Stevens shared insights on material innovation, sustainability, and growth opportunities in outdoor performance markets.
How does Topo Athletic’s foot-shaped design philosophy differentiate your products in a competitive performance footwear market?
Our design philosophy, what we call ‘The Topo Difference,’ delivers a unique fit by delivering a roomy toe box for toes to spread and splay naturally while maintain a secure fit through the midfoot and heel. This fit philosophy aligns with the shape of many feet, and we frequently hear makes our shoes some of the most comfortable in the industry.
What athlete insights most influence your product innovation roadmap?
Athlete insights are at the heart of our product development. Our products are designed to help customers enjoy the activities they love with comfort and consistency. Feedback from the athletes who use our products is essential—it helps us understand what is working well and where we can continue to refine and improve.
Whether it is the elite marathoner and ultra marathoner training and racing in our products, the first time runner who is just getting started, or the walker who uses our shoes to maintain an active lifestyle we take all of their feedback on the fit, function, and durability of our product seriously when considering the future of the Topo line.
How are new materials and construction methods improving the balance of comfort, agility, and durability in Topo footwear?
We are constantly exploring ways to enhance the materials in our shoes to deliver greater value to our customers.
Our approach begins with identifying real challenges our customers face and then sourcing the best possible materials to solve them.
We are fortunate to collaborate with some of the leading component suppliers in the industry. All our trail shoes feature Vibram soles, offering exceptional traction and durability that inspire confidence in every condition. Many of our road shoes also include Ortholite insoles, ensuring outstanding step-in comfort and long-lasting performance.
What sustainability goals are you prioritising across your supply chain and product lifecycle?
Our top priority is to make sure our products and the materials we use meet our performance, quality, and durability standards. We believe that durability is important in creating truly sustainable product.
Topo creates high-quality product, designed to last longer, and be replaced less often. When we do our job right, we help to minimise consumption by making products that last.
At the same time, we have been able to continue expanding our use of recycled materials across our product line. Most of our shoes now use recycled polyester in their uppers and liners, and recycled foam in our footbeds.
We are always looking for other areas we can continue to expand our use of sustainable and recycled materials, but quality, durability, and performance are our top priorities.
We thoroughly test any new materials, making sure they meet our standards, before using them in our shoes.
How do you evaluate and test performance features for distinct running styles and terrains?
We always start our material testing in the lab to make sure the material meets the standard we have set. However, we feel the most important testing is with athletes in the field, using the product in its intended conditions.
There is nothing more valuable than getting real world feedback from athletes pushing a product to its limits.
We always make sure to use a variety of fit and wear testers to make sure the feedback we receive is from several sources and accounts for differences in foot type, gait, and body type.
How did eVent’s plant-based stormST laminate shape the design and performance of Topo’s first waterproof road shoe, the Phantom 4 WP?
We are excited to be using eVent’s stormST in the Phantom 4 WP. When we learned about the laminate’s use of plant-based material without sacrificing eVent’s proven waterproofing, we knew it was the right material for our shoe.
What consumer segments or activities present the greatest growth potential for your outdoor products?
We see significant growth opportunities across the outdoor and trail running markets. Participation is rising across the board—from casual hikers and trail runners to ultra-marathon competitors.
Our focus is on developing products that meet the needs of all types of trail and outdoor enthusiasts, ensuring performance, comfort, and versatility for every experience.
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 20/11/2025
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
