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1
Best for Road Racing
Topo Athletic Specter Running Shoe
1
Best for Road Racing
Topo Athletic Specter Running Shoe
Pros
- Snappy despite the lack of a carbon plate
- More flexible than other racing shoes
Cons
- Not as much energy return as most carbon-plated shoes
While most racing shoes have trended toward a carbon plate mechanism sandwiched between loads of foam, Topo opted to continue on the more traditional route to avoid creating an overly stiff shoe. With a midsole that masterfully hot-dogs a central layer of Pebax foam between two layers of less pliable EVA, your foot sinks into the center of the shoe more securely, which adds an improved sense of stability when compared to loftier shoes with a greater stack height.
In proper Topo fashion, the toebox is quite roomy, and some of our wear testers didn’t enjoy that extra space on their racier runs. Nevertheless, this is a Topo that’s meant to make races feel a bit less like torture sessions for your feet.
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Key Specs
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
2
Best Lightweight Trail Shoe
Topo Athletic Runventure 4 Running Shoe
2
Best Lightweight Trail Shoe
Topo Athletic Runventure 4 Running Shoe
Pros
- Great traction
- Super lightweight
Cons
- Doesn’t have a rock plate
As Topo’s most minimalist trail shoe, the Runventure has always been a mountain goat. The fourth edition of the shoe continues on this trend, offering a barely-there trail shoe that maximizes your ground feel with a thin, thin 20mm stack height.
The traction on this shoe is also phenomenal, thanks largely to the Vibram rubber outsole. Even when sharp rocks and roots might feel a bit rough under the skinny midsole, you can at least rest assured that you won’t lose your grip on them.
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Key Specs
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
3
Best Road Trainer
Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 Running Shoe
3
Best Road Trainer
Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 Running Shoe
Pros
- Efficient use of limited cushioning
- Peppy Pebax foam midsole
Cons
- Tread wears down quickly
The Cyclone 2, lightweight and cushy as it is, manages to maintain a competitively light weight while offering plenty of cushioning. We can thank Pebax foam for the economical squish this shoe delivers, and other touches like an airy mesh upper and a 1-ounce weight reduction from the previous model additionally help to transform this shoe into a comfort-loving weight weenie’s platonic ideal.
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Key Specs
| Weight | 6.9 oz (M), 5.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
4
Best for Technical Terrain
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 Running Shoe
4
Best for Technical Terrain
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 Running Shoe
Pros
- Big lugs and sticky sole for high traction
- Plenty of cushioning
Cons
- A bit roomy for race-paced runs
In the rocks, root, and mud, the Mtn Racer 3 means business. Take a look at the lugs on this thing to see why—they’re 6mm thick and spaced perfectly to dig into the rough stuff without making you feel like you’re walking on spikes. The wide sole helps add some stability to the platform, and the midsole in this iteration has an updated layer of cushioning that can make long distances feel like a breeze, regardless of the terrain.
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
5
Best Minimalist Shoe
Topo Athletic ST-4 Running Shoe
5
Best Minimalist Shoe
Topo Athletic ST-4 Running Shoe
Pros
- Minimalist design promotes natural stride
- Generous but secure upper
Cons
- No structure in the heel, which can feel unstable
Made to offer you little more than some added cushion and traction versus your bare feet, the ST-4 is a seriously slim shoe. The zero-drop sole sits at a mere 16mm stack height, almost entirely eliminating the gap between your foot and the road under you. Sure, it’s not the plush ride you’d get from the Cyclone 2 or Phantom 3, but you’ll certainly have an unhindered stride under this shoe’s breezy, malleable, sock-like upper.
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.3 oz (M), 6.1 oz. (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
6
Best Road-to-Trail Shoe
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Running Shoe
6
Best Road-to-Trail Shoe
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Running Shoe
Pros
- Versatile applications on- and off-road
- Good toe protection
Cons
- Not ideal for gnarlier trails
Topo’s Ultraventure is made for going the long haul. It’s one of the brand’s lighter trail shoes, but its outsole lugs are also short and broad enough that you can just as easily take it on a road run. There’s no rock plate in this shoe, rather an extra 5mm of foam for added protection that translates onto the tarmac as well as the dirt. It’s tricky to find a pair in stock right now, but it’s nevertheless a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a do-it-all shoe.
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Key Specs
| Weight | 10.1 oz (M), 8.2 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
7
Most Cushioning
Topo Athletic Phantom 3 Road-Running Shoe
7
Most Cushioning
Topo Athletic Phantom 3 Road-Running Shoe
Pros
- Has plenty of cushion without feeling too squishy
- Outsole can take a beating
Cons
- Runners with narrow feet will need to lace up pretty tight
Looking more like a standard daily trainer than most of Topo’s other road shoes, the Phantom 3 will keep you feeling the same on your arrival back home as you did on your departure. While a bit firmer than in other shoes of its kind—think the Hoka Clifton or the Saucony Triumph—the midsole foam is still quite comfortable, and that added stiffness does wonders for energy return and helping you maintain a consistent stride. It’s also near-bulletproof: The sole can last hundreds of miles in the best case, giving you plenty of time to get to know this shoe (or, better yet, forget you’re wearing it).
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.9 oz (M), 8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner’s World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam’s writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he’s also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he’s not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
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