Love Topo for years now. Foot shape platform is great for me. I am super excited for these new shoes to hit the market and for the updates to the Phantom and Mt Racer, I have multiple pairs of both and love them. Topo is a true hidden gem in the industry.
Another very interesting insight into what the TOPO rep will be no doubt showing us in person soon for stocking in The Complete Runner next year. Topo is rapidly becoming a key brand with us here But of course the Topo Difference as they call it it is becoming blurred. Altra always had a similar anatomical toebox but have now added increased drops to their range as Topo always had as well as zero drop. . We are seeing the forefoot shape being adopted by brands other than Topo and Altra like Inov 8. But Topo have in turn adopted Inov 8's Boomerang insole! Thanks, Sam.
Excited about the Phantom 4. My Phantom 3 has served me well, with over 312 miles and counting. I'll retire it at 500 and replace it with the P4. My Atmos and Cyclone 2 are also going strong.
Topo needs to pare down their offerings, some of the models and updates make no sense. Also, why tease new models that aren’t available until June? Who is even going to remember? Stuff needs released in Dec/Jan so people can choose what they’re committing to for the race season. While I’m complaining, I have to voice my opinion that most Topo color schemes look like they would be popular in a retirement community. All that being said, I love my Mountain Racers and I look forward to the Vista.
No major update for MTR4 over the 3, which is very disappointing, but expected, with 2year turnaround time the norm now. The MTR3 upper was a sloppy mess with no midfoot hold and sliding all around in a wildly altra-wide voluminous forefoot; the forefoot bolsters don't work at all for pronation support, and resulted in bigtoe joint pain for me with all the twisting and motion inside the shoe. Do any of these complaints apply to the MTR2? Nope: they threw it all away. Even Russ admits the name no longer applies.
Agree with the upper issues on the MTR3. I was looking for a wide forefoot and got it (maybe too wide?) but the midfoot hold issues make this shoe unusable for me in ultra distances. My foot is just slipping all the time and I’m fighting with the laces during the whole race. Also, the platform is so wide that I keep bumping into rocks in technical terrain. The grip is excellent though.
The Phantom is going to replace my HOKA Cliftons, now that HOKA has bodged and ruined the new Clifton. About 4 pairs anually. Have used the Mountain Racer 2 for the last year on all trails and ultras (50 to 80K) and it has been absolutely fantastic.
Ughh, Topo makes great shoes, but Zipfoam is just so bad. Out of the box, they feel incredible, but that's as good as they'll ever feel, and within 200 miles, the foam is flat. I get it, it's not a big company, but they offer PEBA in some models. Ditch the Zipfoam and adopt PEBA across the whole line, with the exception of perhaps two 'trainers', one for road and one for trail.
They have an updated Zipfoam that I believe rolled out starting with the Atmos and it’s utilized in the recently released Ultraventure 4. The updated Zipfoam is very nice & I haven’t experienced any long term issues with it. I didn’t care for the Zipfoam found in Phantom 3 or MTN Racer 3.
Sam you need to mic these guys in such a loud room like this. Topo is amazing, thank you.
Love Topo for years now. Foot shape platform is great for me. I am super excited for these new shoes to hit the market and for the updates to the Phantom and Mt Racer, I have multiple pairs of both and love them. Topo is a true hidden gem in the industry.
Same here! Specter and Atmos I find great. Especially since Altras durability is a bit of a gamble...😊
Another very interesting insight into what the TOPO rep will be no doubt showing us in person soon for stocking in The Complete Runner next year. Topo is rapidly becoming a key brand with us here But of course the Topo Difference as they call it it is becoming blurred. Altra always had a similar anatomical toebox but have now added increased drops to their range as Topo always had as well as zero drop. . We are seeing the forefoot shape being adopted by brands other than Topo and Altra like Inov 8. But Topo have in turn adopted Inov 8's Boomerang insole! Thanks, Sam.
Holy crap! Topo stole Inov-8's boomerang insole.
Already had it in the Pursuit 2.. it's great!
Any update with the Atmos? or at least an ETA for an update?
A good job. Where is the Magnifly 6??. Like to RoadTrailRun. Happy Friday.
News Atmos 2 and Cyclone 3?
Cyclone 3 is due February and looks to be a very minor update. I’ll be looking for the 2 on sale!
If the Vista Max Trail comes in a 15, that'll be my new golf shoe for dumpy courses.
Excited about the Phantom 4. My Phantom 3 has served me well, with over 312 miles and counting. I'll retire it at 500 and replace it with the P4. My Atmos and Cyclone 2 are also going strong.
Topo needs to pare down their offerings, some of the models and updates make no sense. Also, why tease new models that aren’t available until June? Who is even going to remember? Stuff needs released in Dec/Jan so people can choose what they’re committing to for the race season. While I’m complaining, I have to voice my opinion that most Topo color schemes look like they would be popular in a retirement community. All that being said, I love my Mountain Racers and I look forward to the Vista.
No major update for MTR4 over the 3, which is very disappointing, but expected, with 2year turnaround time the norm now. The MTR3 upper was a sloppy mess with no midfoot hold and sliding all around in a wildly altra-wide voluminous forefoot; the forefoot bolsters don't work at all for pronation support, and resulted in bigtoe joint pain for me with all the twisting and motion inside the shoe. Do any of these complaints apply to the MTR2? Nope: they threw it all away. Even Russ admits the name no longer applies.
Agree with the upper issues on the MTR3. I was looking for a wide forefoot and got it (maybe too wide?) but the midfoot hold issues make this shoe unusable for me in ultra distances. My foot is just slipping all the time and I’m fighting with the laces during the whole race. Also, the platform is so wide that I keep bumping into rocks in technical terrain. The grip is excellent though.
New MTN Racer has no gaiter inserts on the heel?
Standard velcro now - you can use a non-Topo gaiter
Fli-lyte 6, Magnifly 6??
I wish Topo would go back to making more lower stack shoes. I also think earlier Topos looked much better aesthetically.
Phantom 3 is nice, Magnifli 5 not so much. Hopefully, the Phantom 4 continues with the updated phantom 3 characteristics. Thanks for the look.
Cyclone 3?
We have test pairs and running them so review and release soon!
The Phantom is going to replace my HOKA Cliftons, now that HOKA has bodged and ruined the new Clifton.
About 4 pairs anually.
Have used the Mountain Racer 2 for the last year on all trails and ultras (50 to 80K) and it has been absolutely fantastic.
Haha so they took the Inov8 Boomerang insole and added it in 😂😂
Many brands are doing TPU insoles now. For me it's a no brainer upgrade, just have for factor the properties of the insole into the midsole design.
Ughh, Topo makes great shoes, but Zipfoam is just so bad. Out of the box, they feel incredible, but that's as good as they'll ever feel, and within 200 miles, the foam is flat. I get it, it's not a big company, but they offer PEBA in some models. Ditch the Zipfoam and adopt PEBA across the whole line, with the exception of perhaps two 'trainers', one for road and one for trail.
They have an updated Zipfoam that I believe rolled out starting with the Atmos and it’s utilized in the recently released Ultraventure 4. The updated Zipfoam is very nice & I haven’t experienced any long term issues with it. I didn’t care for the Zipfoam found in Phantom 3 or MTN Racer 3.