Intro

When considering a new running shoe, there are so many similar-looking shoes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.

So in our “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which shoe might work best for you.

In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.

See our other running shoe Brand Guides

Topo Athletic: Brand Background

Topo Athletic was founded in 2013 with the goal of combining the features of minimal, foot-shaped shoes with some of the elements of more traditional shoes. Nine years later, they have a wide range of road and trail shoes that are still built with this goal in mind.

You can expect Topo shoes to have a wide, rounded toe box similar to that found in Altra’s shoes. Unlike Altra, however, Topo makes shoes with a variety of heel-to-toe drops, ranging from 0–5 mm (though that’s still on the lower end compared to the market as a whole). Topo’s shoes also tend to have a slightly narrower fit through the midfoot and heel than Altra shoes. This makes them a good option for runners who love Altra’s wide toe boxes but want a tighter fit throughout the rest of the shoe, and/or don’t want a zero-drop platform. Some of Topo’s higher-cushion shoes might also be a good alternative for people who enjoy the cushioning of Hoka’s shoes but find Hoka’s fit too narrow and / or their heel-to-toe drops too high.

Topo offers shoes with a range of stack heights and heel-to-toe drops for both road and trail running. In this brand guide, we’ll go through the road and trail models separately, with each category ordered from highest to lowest stack height.

ROAD SHOES

(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)

Topo Athletic Specter

Most Cushion

The Specter is Topo’s first foray into the “super shoe” category and is intended to serve as a race-day option for fast efforts on the road, including marathons. It has the highest stack height of any shoe in Topo’s road line at 35 mm / 30 mm, and is the only one of their models to incorporate a Pebax midsole wrapped in EVA (instead of their customary “Zipfoam”). Unlike the modest geometry of the Ultrafly 4, the Specter has an aggressive heel and forefoot rocker designed to accelerate footstrike for faster-paced running. At 230 g in a US Men’s size 9, it’s slightly heavier than the Cyclone 2 but has an impressive 7 mm taller stack height, making it ideal for longer distances. The Specter’s leanness can be partially attributed to the single-layer engineered mesh used for its upper and its lightweight die-cut rubber outsole. Runners with high-volume feet looking for a more affordable super shoe for their next marathon should consider checking out the Specter.

Stack Height

Drop: 5 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $150.00

Topo Athletic Phantom 3

The Phantom 3 is Topo’s second most cushioned road shoe, behind the Specter. It has an updated engineered mesh upper made from recycled materials designed to provide structure and to hold the midfoot in place. The updated two-piece midsole uses Topo’s reformulated “Zipfoam” material and a softer step-in feel right below the foot to provide cushion for long road miles, while the rubber outsole pods increase durability without adding too much weight. The Phantom 3 has a slightly more cushioned ride than the Ultrafly 4 but shares its weight, which should make it a comfortable option for those looking for a max-cushioned shoe for longer days on the road.

Stack Height

Drop: 5 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $145.00

Topo Athletic Ultrafly 4

Like the previous version of the shoe, the Ultrafly 4 provides extra stability for runners who need more support. Topo continues to highlight their popular “Zipfoam” midsole material in the Ultrafly 4, which they pair with a recycled engineered mesh upper, a TPU heel counter, and an EVA medial post. All of these features result in improved motion control while running, but make the Ultrafly 4 a bit less flexible than other Topo models. With a stack height of 28 mm / 23 mm, the Ultrafly 4 is slightly less plush than the Phantom 3 — though it still has plenty of cushioning for long runs. If you’re in the market for a moderately cushioned shoe that offers some extra support and pronation control, the Ultrafly 4 could be worth checking out.

Stack Height

Drop: 5 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $135.00

Topo Athletic Cyclone 2

The Cyclone 2, still Topo’s lightest road option, received a complete overhaul between iterations. While the identity of the shoe hasn’t strayed — it’s still suited for short to medium-distance efforts on pavement — its redesigned upper and midsole give it a sleeker, performance-oriented profile that should translate to a faster feel. Lightweight, perforated mesh is used around the midfoot and forefoot area for support and breathability, and Topo swapped out their longstanding “ZipFoam” for a new “Pebax Powered” midsole that should feel more energetic. The Cyclone 2 also benefits from a rocker design similar to the Specter to aid in a faster transition between foot strike and toe-off, and the shoe’s die-cut rubber outsole helps keep weight down. If you’re looking for a moderately cushioned options for faster efforts on the roads, consider checking out a pair of the Cyclone 2.

Stack Height

Drop: 5 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $150.00

Topo Athletic Magnify 4

The Magnifly 4 caters to runners who want a shoe that promotes a forefoot-striking stride while still providing fairly high cushioning. It’s slightly lighter than the Ultrafly 4 and offers a similar amount of cushioning, but in the form of a neutral, zero-drop platform. The Magnifly 4’s dual-density midsole has been upgraded with “Zipfoam” and is designed to provide a cushioned yet efficient ride, which should make the Magnifly 4 feel a little faster than the Phantom 3. The Magnifly 4 has a new engineered mesh upper and new lace stays for a supposedly improved fit as well as minimal rubber outsole pods in high-wear areas for added durability. If you’re looking for a wide, medium-cushion, zero-drop road shoe, the Magnifly 4 might be a good fit.

Stack Height

Drop: 0 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $130.00

Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 4

The Fli-Lyte 4 is more minimal and flexible than Topo’s higher-cushion shoes. The latest version has a new engineered mesh upper free of overlays that’s lighter and more breathable than previous iterations of the shoe. The addition of new lace stays over the tongue help maintain foothold and Topo has swapped out their old midsole material for “Zipfoam.” With a lower 23 mm / 20 mm stack height and 3 mm drop, the Fli-Lyte 4 offers more ground feel than the Magnifly 4. The strategically placed outsole rubber pods add durability and traction without too much additional weight. If you want a flexible, lightweight shoe that still offers some cushioning, the Fli-Lyte 4 is worth checking out. It’s an especially good option for runners looking for a lower-stack shoe with a roomy toe box that isn’t zero drop.

Stack Height

Drop: 3 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $120.00

Topo Athletic ST-4

Least Cushion

The ST-4 is Topo’s most minimal road shoe. It’s built on a light, flexible, zero-drop platform for runners who want a shoe that promotes a completely natural, forefoot-striking stride. The knit upper is simple and minimal, with just printed overlays in place for increased security. The ST-4 ditches the hard heel counter found in most shoes, which reduces weight but may make the heel cup slightly less secure. Its low weight and low stack height make the ST-4 well suited to shorter, faster runs, but it won’t offer the more plush feel of the higher-cushioned shoes above during long runs. If you’re looking for a minimal, lightweight, zero-drop road shoe, the ST-4 may be the shoe for you.

Stack Height

Drop: 0 mm

Stated Weight

MSRP: $110.00

TRAIL SHOES

(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)