Topo Athletic emerged from founder Tony Post's vision for a new type of running shoe on the market.
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Tony Post worked at Vibram, creating the famous Five-finger shoes. He quickly saw the market demanded more cushioning than Five-fingers offered. This led to the birth of with three core pillars.
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Shoes with more room in the toe box, fitting the foot anatomy better. Helps toes maintain their natural position. |
Secured midfoot and heel, yet a quick and light shoe despite more room in the forefoot. |
Maintain a more natural, lower heel drop, making it easier to land midfoot instead of heel. |
With this formula, Topo has become a favorite among casual runners, ultra-runners, and those who want more cushioning for their toes. Topo Athletic is one of the running brands in the world with the most loyal fans.
Neutral road shoes
Topo Specter
Topo Specter is the newest and perhaps most exciting shoe from Topo Athletic. The newly developed midsole features a stable EVA foam outer frame, with a soft PEBAX core in the middle. This midsole design makes Topo Specter a truly versatile and fun shoe.
Compared to other neutral training shoes from Topo, the Specter excels in running at a higher pace without sacrificing comfort.
Use: Training and tempo runs.
Midsole height: 35-30mm
Heel drop: 5mm
Weight: 201g (W US7) / 252g (M US9)
Similar shoes: Asics Novablast, New Balance Rebel
Topo Phantom 2
2 is a very cushioned training shoe from Topo Athletic, with 28-33mm foam in the midsole and a 5mm drop. Best for long runs with top-notch cushioning throughout.
The midsole includes a stable outer shell foam and a softer, bouncy ZipFoam core. It also has a TPU heel cap for added stability. This makes Topo Phantom 2 a stable neutral running shoe, ideal if you want good cushioning without a too-soft, slow run.
Despite having a lot of cushioning in Topo Phantom 2, it's surprisingly light. This helps you run more efficiently on both short and long runs.
Use: Training and long runs
Midsole height: 33-28mm
Heel drop: 5mm
Weight: 241g (W US7) / 292g (M US9)
Similar shoes: New Balance 1080, Asics Nimbus, Brooks Glycerin, Altra Torin
Topo Magnifly 4
Most shoes from Topo Athletic have a relatively low heel drop, usually 3-5 mm. Topo Magnifly 4 is a max comfort running shoe with a 0mm drop. For those wanting equal cushioning under both heel and forefoot, Topo Magnifly 4 is an excellent choice.
With a 25mm midsole, Magnifly 4 is a light and versatile shoe suitable for everyday runs, long runs, and fast-paced runs. This is mainly due to the midsole's responsiveness, which withstands long runs' impact but also feels firm enough to increase speed.
Use: Training
Midsole height: 25mm
Heel drop: 0mm
Weight: 204g (W US7) / 255g (M US9)
Similar shoes: Brooks Ghost, Asics Cumulus, Nike Pegasus, Altra Torin
Topo Fli-lyte 4
Topo Fli-lyte 4 is the perfect training shoe if you want a shoe that excels on faster runs. Its light weight gives it agility and speed, making it a real winner for picking up the pace.
Compared to Phantom 2, Topo Fli-lyte 4 has a softer heel cap and a lower drop, giving your ankle freedom of movement when needed. Despite the lower midsole height, it can be used for longer runs, but only if you prefer a more responsive sole.
The Fli-lyte model was the first shoe from to feature the extremely comfortable, seamless upper, and Fli-Lyte 4 is no exception. With extra toe space, this shoe is a pleasure to run in.
Use: Training and tempo runs.
Midsole height: 23-20mm
Heel drop: 3mm
Weight: 196g (W US7) / 235g (M US9)
Similar shoes: New Balance Tempo, Asics Noosa Tri, Brooks Launch
Topo ST-4
If you want a minimalist running shoe or the perfect shoe for fitness, Topo ST-4 is an obvious choice. With its very low weight and midsole, this minimalist running shoe is a dream for those who love ground contact and want a truly comfortable shoe that doesn't restrict you at all.
With a heel cap that can be folded down, the shoe can be packed into your bag, taking up very little space. This makes it an indispensable training partner in the gym for both running and strength training. It can also be a fantastic shoe for fast runs on the track when you don't need spikes.
Topo ST-4 is the shoe from Topo closest to a barefoot running shoe. With a 0mm heel drop midsole and the lowest height of any Topo shoes, you get as close to the ground as possible with the ST-4.
Use: Minimalist running and fitness
Midsole height: 16mm
Heel drop: 0mm
Weight: 173g (W US7) / 207g (M US9)
Stability road shoes
Topo Ultrafly 3
If you want a bit more stability, 3 is a great choice. With a 5mm drop and dual-density Zipfoam midsole, you get both support and stability, along with superb cushioning on your daily runs. Due to the low heel drop, the need for stability is slightly reduced, making this stable shoe less controlling and just very comfortable.
Topo Ultrafly 3 shares many features with the neutral trainer Topo Phantom 2, and is an excellent trainer and distance shoe, perfect for days when you want comfort all the way. The seamless upper also makes this shoe a winner, especially if you have bunions or wide forefeet.
Use: Training and longer runs.
Midsole height: 28-23mm
Heel drop: 5mm
Weight: 218g (W US7) / 272g (M US9)
Similar shoes: Asics Kayano, New Balance Vongo, Brooks Glycerin GTS.
Trail shoes
Topo MTN Racer
Looking for a trail shoe for competitive runs in technical terrain? is a great option. It offers a 5mm drop anda Vibram Megagrip outsole, aiding grip when extra stability is needed. The TPU heel counter offers the necessary stability and the Zipfoam midsole feels responsive and light on paths.
Use: Quick and long trail runs, technical trail running.
Midsole height: 30-25mm
Heel drop: 5mm
Weight: 227g (W US7) / 284g (M US9)
Similar shoes: Altra Lone Peak, Scott Supertrac RC.
Topo Pursuit
Topo Pursuit is a new addition this year, a shoe with 0mm drop for technical trail routes. It features a 28mm midsole under both heel and forefoot, providing superb Zipfoam cushioning for longer runs. Designed for challenging terrain, it has a snug midfoot and heel fit for agility when needed. Plus, a Vibram Megagrip outsole ensures optimal grip.
Use: Longer technical trail runs.
Midsole height: 28mm
Heel drop: 0mm
Weight: 244g (W US7) / 306g (M US9)
Similar: Altra Timp.
Topo Ultraventure Pro
The last of Topo's trail shoes is Topo Ultraventure Pro, designed to excel on easy to moderate paths like gravel and forest trails with few direction changes. It's the perfect for longer runs where comfort is key, or on hikes where a lighter shoe is preferred. However, it’s not made for technical routes. The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides durability and grip for all long runs, and the built-in rock plate in the forefoot protects against sharp stones.
Use: Long trail runs and hikes.
Midsole height: 30-25mm
Heel drop: 5mm
Weight: 232g (W US7) / 295g (M US9)
Similar shoes: Hoka Speedgoat, Salomon Ultraglide, New Balance More Trail, Saucony Xodus Ultra
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