Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Phantom

I bought these to try after the magfly's didn't work out. I have worn zero drop altras for many years. They have been great but couldn't find a pair that worked this round so decided to try topo. These are a bit narrower than most side toe box shoes but seemed OK. Overall comfortable fit. The cushioning is not plush but adequate, better than the magfly's. However I don't know if I can get used to a 5mm drop. Makes my hips and back hurt more than normal. I wish topo had more in zero drop with high cushioning.

These are the shoes I wear for the bulk of the miles I put in each week. The extra cushion goes a long way considering the unforgiving surfaces underfoot. I've been relying on the Phantom for years now in this way. They're also not too heavy or bulky if you want to push the pace a bit but I do recommend less shoe if it's your speed work day or you're trying for that top 10k time.

I love the 5mm heel drop and the toe box space for my toes to splay! I only wished you all would put "Vibram" outsoles on all your shoes for grip on wet mossy pavement in the Pacific Northwest. Laces are a tad too short for me to heel lock them with my big feet, but other than that I love them. I got my whole family wearing them!

I use the shoes for both running & walking. The last fits and and have good amount of room in toe box. Fits as a Topo should. ( didn't experience the shoe running "short" as some reviewers have mentioned. My suggestions for improvement would be to increase the amount of outsole protection-too much midsole exposed. There's minimal weight savings by having so much exposed midsole, I don't understand designer logic when shoes are designed this way. Would also recommend making a more plush version of Zipfoam. Feels good but I believe there is some room for improvement. Overall a good shoe, am enjoying it.

I'm going to be honest. I love Topo shoes. The Ultraventure is the most comfortable trail shoe I've ever worn. I bought this pair of Phantoms because I was hoping they would be on the road for me what the Ultraventure is on that trail. They were super comfortable, with a high quality upper and soft sole for roads. Unfortunately, I've been battling some plantar fasciitis, and after 5 or 6 runs in the Phantoms, I started to feel those pains again, so I had to return the shoes. I've run in Altras Torin 4 Plush with a 0 drop and don't mind them. Their toe box is much like the topo, but I think that Altra wears too fast. The only shoe right now that keeps my plantar fasciitis from flaring up is the Hoka Clifton, but I find their toe box slightly too narrow. If I could get the cushion of the Clifton with the toe box and quality of the Phantom, I think I'd be in shoe heaven. So overall, the Phantom was great, just not quite right for me.

Based on Sandi Nypaver's videos I decided to give Topo shoes a go. The main reason I was looking for a shoes with a bit wider toe box. This is an important issue for me. After a few road runs, these shoes fit the bill well in that regard. I'm 5'10, ~150lbs and have mid - high arch. On the other hand, the Phantom is one of the more cushioned Topo shoes yet I found they provide a noticeable firmer/harder ride as compared to my usual road shoe the Hoka Clifton 6.

Active senior citizen here. Running, walking 60+ miles/week. Wide toe box, 5 mm drop, just right cushioning are perfect for my feet.

Shoe is has very comfortable upper. Shoe fits true to size just like the zephyr and the ultraventure. Heel cup area is very plush so it may make the shoe feel shorter than it really is. Midsole is soft but when going through your gait the foam seems to get a little firm and then slightly springs you forward. Outsole seems like it will be very durable.

I jog and walk 20+ miles a week. The shoe fits my foot well, is nicely cushy while also being supportive. However, after the first week or two, one shoe started to have an issue in its sole - as if two layers came unglued - and it feels like I have gum on sole, but it's inside. It makes a tiny noise with the stickiness.

While the midsole and outsole are very reminiscent of V-1, I found it very difficult to get a secure lockdown in the Ultraventure 2. I have changed the laces three times in an attempt to dial in fit. The microfiber band that goes around the midfoot is tacky but the heel area and fabric of the upper lacks the ability to keep me secure. The dual density upper is fairly thick but too stretchy and hot. Certainty not the greatest choice for hot weather running. Also, the lace loops are a paracord type(new to V-2). I do wonder if this contributes to the lack of security. The ortholite insole is super comfortable but it is a LITERAL sponge for sweat and water(also an issue in V-1). I rate this shoe as a 3 because i don't hate it...however, it needs to live up to, and/or surpass V-1 to recieve higher marks. I am hyper critical of this shoe because it has potential to be awesome. A positive feature of V-2 is it's loss of nearly 1 oz in my size 11. I will continue training in it but will not be able to race in the Ultraventure 2. Please change the upper on V-3.

I've got 32 miles on these, running on the PCT here in Tahoe. Want to love them and was bothering Topo to get my hands on a pair, but unless they do better over the next few miles they are going back. Likes, wide toe box, that is shaped like my foot. Very nice. Stable, as i have broken my ankle before, I'm always concerned. This was really nice. Dislikes. Typical slippery Topo laces. Liner appears to be odd shaped and does not go back in smooth nor flat. Topo specific gatter attachment. Come on, lets get some industry uniformity. 1st run was 6 miles. Was hoping for more comfort from new shoes. The cushion was not there, better then Altra's by far but still for the stack height, and all the talk about the new mid-sole I was hoping for more. Sure Im, 195 lbs but... What i really disliked is on the bottom of both heals, it was like I was running on rails. I'll add a photo below. Its like they put too much stability control into the show or the foot bed was made out of slightly harder places in lines. 2nd run. 6 miles. They felt better. Laces are still not great and I found myself stopping a lot. My ankles and legs felt tired. 3rd run. 20 miles with 3,500 feet gain. The hardness under the heals seemed to go away totally on my left foot. It went away for about 10 miles on the right then came back. I was surprised how tired my knees, quads and ankles got. Sure the PCT is rocky but I've run this section before with others and nothing like this. No way could I have worn them for a 50k. Feet and ankles hurt the next day. Maybe Im looking for the holy grail of shoes, and I thought this one would have it. Nice toe box for my flipper feet, combined with the structure to be a stable shoe but comfort is not there. After 32 miles, I'll try them again on a shorter run but anticipate sending them back.

I was really looking forward to this shoe coming out and had high hopes. Unfortunately this shoe does not work for me. It is a great looking shoe. Found the shoe to fit short on length and tight over the top of the foot. The width is fine, just lacks volume. The worst issue was there is something in the heel cup along the back of the heel that started causing a hot spot within 3 miles. Had the start of a raw spot at the end of my runs. Might work for some folks, just not me. Returning shoes to Topo for a refund.

Fine for walking but not a comfortable running shoe for me. Toe box is adequate, length runs a bit short

This was my first pair of Topo. I have been wearing Altra for a long time. I thought I would give Topo a try. I don't like the 5mm rise. I'm used to zero drop. Also don't like how it feels like you fall off the toe. Very stiff shoe. No forefoot cushion. Unfortunately, I am sticking with Altra. (I have the Topo Phantom)

Almost the perfect shoe. Unfortunately the new outsole design is hurting the outside of my foot. Where the softer part sist in the middle this creates a hard outer part that I'm stepping on. No point of having a wider toebox if the sole is buildt in like that. Should be the same platform overall that you step on. Also for a maximum cushioning it should be softer.

While the shoes are purportedly wider in the forefoot (for toe splay),, the lack of vertical depth of the forefoot defeats this supposed width. 1/2" to 1" of additional fabric for vertical depth would make these shoes significantly better. As it stands, this is my last pair of Topo's. The brush off email from a Topo customer service person didn't help.

I run 3 times a week.. 8-10 miles every run.. I'm not a compatitive runner. This is my first topo.. I needed a max cushioned shoe with a wide toe box.. (I ran with Altra torin.. Escalante.. skecheres gorun max road 4 and previous max models.. NB 1080). So.. The phantom has a wide toebox.. Max cushioned..BUT it's very firm and has no energy back what so ever!!results are tired feet and no fun. So the search continues for another brand.

A very comfortable shoe especially in the toe area unfortunately a bit too wide as the heel of my foot kept slipping out. Other than that, very fine footwear. Unfortunately, due to that reason, I will need to return the shoes.

Long time Topo fan and advocate chiming in on these shoes which I tested on a short run today at a local shop. My "NO" recommendation is based solely :) on confirming the narrow toe box as reported by several others here. I hope this is an anomaly since I have fairly wide feet (not hobbit wide) but I do need and want a roomy toe box for toe splay. I also tested the Ultra Fly 3 and Zephyr which both had the typical Topo just roomy enough toe box, sadly I didn't like how the felt on the road. Out of frustration I tried the Altra Torin 4.5 Plush and was very pleasantly surprised. I bought them and ran 3 miles in them today and so far they are proving to be a good replacement to my 3rd and sadly last pair of Fli-lyte 2's (the 3's didn't work for me). I am very happy that Topo is still killing it in the trail running arena since most of my miles are off-road. I love my Ultraventures, MTN Racers and will be getting the Ultraventure Pro later this Spring! I implore you Topo, please stay as true to your roots as possible by keeping the low drop (5MM or less) options on many if not all types of your shoes and keeping the wide, yet not too wide/super roomy toe box like Altra's have or dare I say maybe used to have! The toe box shape/volume on the Torin 4.5 Plush are very close to Topo and from what I've read many Altra super fans aren't happy with the change. One might assume, based on my purchase today :) that they are attempting to expand their market share by eating into yours! Sincerely, your (mostly) loyal unofficial ambassador! Dan

As other reviewers have noted but apparently not enough, the shoes runs short in length, is narrow overall and the toe box shape is narrow. Otherwise I feel like its a pretty good shoe. I dont know how the size rating overall for this shoe is True to Size. Probably a lot of fake or employee reviews. I manage to make it work ok by going to the thinner socks I could find. Even then though there is pressure on my pinky toes. But what can i do, i purchased it from a place where there is no trial period. Funny enough i initially order half a size down based on my experience with the Topo St3 which fits everywhere good except there is extra length in the toes. I was able to tell without running with it outside and exchange it for my regular size. The foam is very nice. It has that progressive new balance foam x type of feel. Soft and plush on initial contact then firmer and responsive. Having that said, it is a type of foam that requires more stack height compare to traditional eva. So instead of a very soft/plush daily trainer, you have here an intermediary cushioned and responsive daily trainer. Its not necessarily a bad thing but to many its different than what they expected. I'm ok with it. I'm also ok with a higher stack more cushioned version as well. Other than the glaring fit issues, the shoe does everything else pretty well. Laces are good, prefect length. tongue works well. Perfect length and thickness. The tongue on the other shoes like the st-3 where it comes flush with the top of your ankle doesnt work. It gets push down as you run. You wont have issues with that here. Little bit of slip in heel but gets better with break in and its has become not an issue for me right now. The highlight is the ride of the shoe. The rocker and toe off is fantastic (i am a forefoot striker). It works great with the cushion/responsiveness of the shoe as well. But again, it would still work well if not better if there was more cushion. Lastly the color options suck for this shoe. Only three colors and two of them are gang colors (I live in LA area). Note to Topo: always make a black/white option. Red and Blue are gang colors in a lot of metropolitan areas not just LA. Although this shade of blue is probably ok. The blue/gray is actually not too bad in person. If you get it a little dusty, the gray actually looks like a very light baby blue in contrast to the blue heel. Also, can you take out the medial post in the Ultraflys 3? i would have gotten that shoe but I supinate and have had bad experiences with stability shoes. The phantom shoe be the cushioned long mileage trainer while the ultrafly the speedier trainer/tempo days shoe. Right now the phantom and ultrafly are like the same in cushioning and you are lacking a longer mileage cushioned everyday trainer.

My toes feel like they are gripping in the front, and they get cold. My trailventures are more comfortable. I wish you made more shoes in size 12.5.

Feels half size too small compared to mountain racer

This review is coming from someone who has used Altra shoes for years, and have recently moved towards Topo after finding the recovery shoes. I recently purchased the Phantoms, look good, feels great on the bottom of my feel, but they are much more narrow in the toebox than I was anticipating. Looking at the photos, the toebox looked REALLY wide similar to Altra models. I have narrow feet, but loved the extra room in roomy toeboxes. However, these rub my pinky toe, not very spacious toebox.