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Topo’s Big Year: Tariffs, Trail Running & Staying Authentic
Episode 423
Today on The Rock Fight, Colin, Eoin, and Producer Dave sit down with Tony Post, founder and CEO of Topo Athletic, live from GOA Connect in Kansas City, to talk about the booming trail running market and Topo’s big year.
Topo has quietly become one of the most talked-about brands in trail running. Growing 70% last year and expanding into 25 countries all while staying true to its specialty roots and never running a sale on its website in 12 years.
In This Episode
- Trail Running’s Not New: Why today’s hype is really the second (or third) wave. From Leadville in the ’90s to the Born to Run era to now.
- Surviving 145% Tariffs: How Topo shifted production from China to Vietnam without sacrificing fit or durability.
- A 13-Year Overnight Success: Why Topo focused on authentic growth, not blowing up fast.
- Run vs. Outdoor Specialty: Why the brand refuses to choose.
- Silent Flex: Zero discounting… ever
- The Up-and-Comers: Tony weighs in on Speedland, Norda, and Mount to Coast and why entering the category is harder than it looks.
- Why Topo Will Still Be Here in 10 Years: Tony’s philosophy: deliver a better experience, every time.
For The Parting Shot presented by Garage Grown Gear, Colin struggles with the glut of poorly executed maximal midsoles.
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Published on 15 hours ago