The Topo Cyclone was already a favorite for its lightweight feel and natural fit, so why mess with a good thing? Thankfully, the Topo Cyclone 3 kept everything runners loved, with just a few small tweaks but the real test is to see how it feels on the run.
With this update, Topo stayed true to its signature design, keeping things light, responsive, and fun to run in. They made some subtle fit adjustments to this uptempo trainer, keeping it a solid pick for interval sessions or speedier miles.
As always, we’re here to give you the pros, the cons, and our honest assessment of this shoe. No one running shoe is going to work best for every runner! The goal of our reviews is just to help you decide if this shoe is a good one for you to try.
If you’re hoping to try out a speedier trainer or even a non-plated 5K/10K race day shoe, the Topo Cyclone 3 could be the shoe you’re searching for.
Let’s dive in!
Who is it Good For?
Who is the Topo Cyclone 3 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: It’s not a wide shoe, but accommodating for wider feet.
- Heavier Runners: Not ideal for providing enough cushion.
- Long Runs: Will work well up to 10K.
- Front of the Pack: Faster runners will enjoy these for easy runs to quick workouts as a non-plated option.
This shoe is a fun ride if you’re looking for a light, speedy trainer for your interval workouts and tempo runs that can take you over short, fast miles.
Topo shoes are great if you want a little more ground feel but without going to a zero drop shoe. This trainer has made it’s way to our best low stack running shoes for that reason!
Who tried it?
Hi! I’m Coral, a sales exec who runs a small business and runs out all my deep thoughts and big ideas on the roads and trails of Denver, Disneyland, or wherever I’m traveling next. I started running as a competitive sprinter and found myself falling in love with marathons and half marathons over the last 20+ years.
I typically run 20-25 miles a week, and when I’m not running or traveling, I’m usually out with our 2 dogs or cheering on my 3 kids at their next sporting event! You can catch me on Instagram at @CoralSC.
Topo Cyclone 3 Overview
If you haven’t tried a Topo Athletic shoe before, the brand is known in the running shoe world for their shoes’ anatomical toe box and lower heel to toe drop. One of the reasons it’s often on our best wide toe box shoes list!
My first impression of the Topo Cyclone 3 is that it’s extremely – I mean, extremely – lightweight, yet supportive enough to carry you through your workouts and even shorter distance race days.
This shoe is so light, fast, and a ton of fun.
In the couple weeks I’ve had the Cyclone 3, I’ve taken this shoe out for a couple 3-5 mile tempo runs, shorter interval workouts, and even a few 2-5 mile easy runs just to get a feel for it. I’ve tried this shoe on the road and treadmill, indoors, and in the snow during an arctic blast!
I prefer this speedster out on the road over the treadmill, but its lightweight upper was far more suited indoors than out on the road once the temperatures dropped below freezing.
I was thrilled to have these shoes to demo for some faster workouts. I found myself excited to see just how fast they could take me as I was playing around with them.
Topo Athletics shoes typically feature a wider, more anatomical toe box. This means the shoe’s toe box doesn’t come to a point like a lot of traditional running shoes and stays wider to accommodate your forefoot width.
While the Cyclone 3 does have a wider toe box than your typical running shoe, it’s not so wide that it looks or feels awkward.
The toe box feels just right in size and gives your foot a little wiggle room. This feels nice, especially when you’re running speedier workouts and your feet are striking toward the front.
Topo Cyclone 3 Specs
- Brand: Topo
- Usage: Uptempo trainer
- Previous Model: Topo Cyclone 2
- Weight: 6.9oz Men’s, 5.5 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 5mm
- Stack Height: 28mm
- Not available in wide
- 2 colors
- Available at REI for $150
This shoe has a 5mm drop, which could be an adjustment for anyone unfamiliar with lower drop shoes.
We love to see runners playing with heel drop in their running shoe rotation as it can often help with knee pain and other issues.
From a design perspective, this shoe is fairly minimalist compared to a lot of its competitors.
It’s certainly not a flashy trainer, but that doesn’t mean it’s not pretty! The minimalist design on the shoe’s upper reflects the brand’s logo, and I loved the crisp white colorway I tried.
Topo Cyclone 3 Fit
After running in a few other wide toe box shoes, this one felt like a normal size length and width. The shoe feels true to size overall but can likely accommodate some wider footed runners given the toe box but if you have a wider midfoot, it could feel snug.
I liked that the light mesh upper felt so fitted through the midfoot, especially as my pace picked up and I needed that stabilization. My heel felt secure in place when I was striding, but I still got the added comfort of the wide toe box at the front.
The shoe’s heel collar is quite padded but never in a bulky way – the shoe feels plush in the heel and was comfortable immediately on first wear.
Like the rest of the shoe, the tongue is light and has a lot of flexibility. It wraps around your ankle to keep your foot locked in.
These took no time to break in and felt comfortable on foot from the first time I tried them on.
The upper is made with some of the lightest mesh I’ve tried making it breathable and not weighing the shoe down. I brought these out for a quick run in freezing temps, and the mesh doesn’t keep your feet very warm without some heavy socks. So this may be a better shoe for fair weather miles.
Speaking of socks, if you like to wear funky patterns you may not want to do that while wearing the Cyclone’s. I was wearing some silly socks and could see the full dinosaur design right through the upper!
The lacing on these felt pretty standard with two eyelets at the top of the shoe and laces long enough to let you play around with how you lace up for your runs.
Topo Cyclone 3 Feel
I’m not sure how much I can reiterate just how light this shoe feels! The midsole on these are made of Topo’s signature Pebax Powered foam, which gives you great energy return and one of the lightest rides I’ve tried so far.
My only concern at first glance was the durability of the Pebax over the miles, but so far it’s held up well.
You can see on the outsole that Topo added a light rubber sole that gives you a little grip on the road, although certainly not enough for the trails or a slippery day on the streets. I took these out in the snow and struggled a bit to stay stable on ice, but the shoes felt perfect on clear roads and the treadmill.
The rubber on these feels like just enough to give you some grip but not so much that it adds weight to this breezy shoe. The strategic placement of the rubber on the outsole also seems like it would increase the durability of the shoe over the miles, helping to protect that Pebax foam over time.
Inside the shoe, Topo added in OrthoLite Performance insoles. These feel supportive without feeling bulky and help up the comfort factor without upping the weight of the shoe.
While I’d probably stick to something more cushioned for long run days, this shoe’s low stack height and the responsive midsole make it a great option for shorter and faster runs.
So many brands are going for max cushion or higher stack height shoes, the Cyclone 3’s low stack height of 28mm felt more like the old school running shoes I started training in years ago.
With that stack height, you feel the ground beneath your feet, so if you like to feel the road yet still have some protection, you’ll probably like the feel of this shoe.
That being said, you’ll likely want more cushion for longer miles. I personally like a little less grounding for anything over a couple of miles, especially out on the road.
Similar Shoes to the Topo Cyclone 3
What’s currently out there to rival this uptempo trainer? We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel v4 – (Higher stack height, similar drop)
- Brooks Hyperion – (uses Nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 cushioning)
- Altra Vanish Carbon 2 – (does incorporate a carbon plate)
This shoe was such a fun ride – light, nimble, and airy while also supportive and responsive for several types of workouts.
It’s a terrific option for anyone looking for a quick lightweight trainer that will get you through your uptempo miles while being something a little off the beaten path. I hope you found this review helpful!
Ready to run? Go check it out on rei.com for $150
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB Review | Shaving Minutes