The RW Takeaway: This cushioned trainer isn’t too heavy on the plush and has Topo Athletic’s spacious toe box to stop blisters from forming.
- New Zipfoam midsole is supportive without negating ground-feel
- External heel counter for some stability
- Spacious toe box may cause sliding for narrower feet
Price: $130
Weight: 10.0 oz (M), 8.4 oz (W)
Type: Road
Joining the ranks of the Brooks Glycerin, Altra’s Paradigm, and every other Hoka One One shoe is Topo Athletic’s Phantom, the brand’s most cushioned road shoe yet. The shoe is by no means heavy on the plush, however; the new Zipfoam midsole provides a supportive ride with just enough ground-feel. “It was a comfortable ride but not artificial,” said a tester.” I could still feel the surface under my feet.” With Zipfoam you get the best of both worlds: You’re not running on a mushy marshmallow midsole that zaps energy return or puncturing the pads of your feet on a rocky stretch.
The Phantom provides a locked-down, secure fit around the ankle, while an external heel counter offers some stability. Characteristic of a Topo shoe is the wide toe box, which drew divisive comments from our testers. Those who liked the toe box appreciated how the ample toe room resulted in no blisters. Testers who took issue with the toe box said it made their forefoot slide as they ran. Also, in the words of one tester, “It looks silly.”
Longer Lasting Cushioning
The Phantom’s Zipfoam midsole provides full-length cushioning with adequate bounce. One wear tester, who previously ran in Brooks’s Glycerin and Altra’s Torin, put the Phantom in the middle of the spectrum, saying it’s not as bouncy as the Brooks, yet definitely had more energy return than the Altra. “I really enjoyed longer runs with this shoe,” he said. “However, I had some great quick runs too because it wasn’t a heavy lug of a shoe; it gave me a soft but not hard ride.”
Speedsters may desire a lighter trainer, but the Phantom ensures a cushioned long run, with a roomy toe box to accommodate swollen feet when you’re past marathon distance—as one of our testers found out. “This is the ultrarunner’s dream,” said the tester. “The cushioning was wonderful; I ran for hours without any discomfort anywhere on my feet.”
A Wide Fit
On the flip side, the toe box may pose a problem for stability, especially for runners with narrower feet. The external heel counter provided a firm hold on downhills and turns, but there was less support on runs where we tried to push the pace. “I like the large toe box but wonder if it would affect me on a faster race, like a 5K,” said a tester.
Wear Tester Feedback
Lisa W., tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“The shoe is roomy yet stable. I normally rotate my sneakers for runs, but I kept wanting to wear the Topos. They were used primarily for road running and I also used and loved them for walking because of the comfort in different parts of the shoe. I felt the midfoot and toe cushioning while running and the comfort in the heel while walking. I never had any foot discomfort or toe irritation. I compare the weight, traction, and comfort to many of the Brooks popular models.”
Beth P., tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“This shoe was a huge winner for me. It is a shoe for someone who likes a wide toe box and lots of cushioning, and doesn’t care so much about running fast. I’d recommend it for someone who is marathon or ultratraining, as well as for someone who does most running on roads.”
Pros
- Firm cushioning
- External heel counter for support
Cons
- Wide for narrower feet
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
