Customer Reviews Topo Athletic ST-3

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.

I loved the ST-2s from top to bottom on road and trail. The uppers had numerous overlays to serve as reinforcement to the inevitable wear and tear of a well-loved shoe. The problem with the ST-3s is all with the knit upper: fewer reinforcement overlays, noticeably hotter, and a slow-to-dry sponge of water/sweat... And to top it off: added weight. Here's a pic comparing ST-2s and ST-3s. Notice the ripping along the midsole of the ST-3s. This was never a problem with the ST-2s. Please revert back.

Great weight and decent fit. However, after 225 km (that's 140 miles for you imperialists) they've already begun to break down and the insoles are sliding all over in the shoe necessitating stops to adjust them. Very annoying.

I love the Topo designs. The zero drop and wide toe box are what I'm looking for. With this particular shoe, however, I have trouble getting them tight enough around my heel and ankle while they're too tight around my toes. I've had better luck with their other models.

To be totally honest I am disappointed after my first couple of runs. Overall Quality seems great, but unfortunately I felt like the bottom of my feet could feel hole cut outs in the foam of the sole and the bottom of my feet were sore after my first run which in all fairness was 11 miles. My hope is if I break them in some they will get more comfortable, but I have been resistant to trying them again because they just didn't feel very comfortable and right now most of my runs are 10 miles. I want to like them and I will continue to try them and hope they will become more comfortable over time.

I cut away at the overlay to make it more comfortable. I have a big bridge and doing that made it fit almost perfectly.

Not very comfortable, they twist to much when you walk. Feels like they are made cheaply.

I bought these after loving my Ultraventrues so much. That was a comfortable shoe and hard wearing. These however are a poor relative. I recognise that they are not the same design as the Ultraventrue but I still feel compelled to give a poor review. The shoe itself does not have a good, firm feel to it. After just 2 months, they feel flimsy and the rubber around the base has separated from the upper shoe. They wore out far too quickly for the price. Topo have been pretty good about it and replaced them but I won't buy these again. Please, please bring back the Ultraventures in a better colour selection!

So I have ordered 3 of these in various sizes. The ones that are my size lengthwise are too narrow where the stitching is. The wider men's ones are PERFECT in the width but are way too long. I would give anything for a men's 7 which they don't make. You have no idea how badly I want to love these shoesthe sock like feel of the upper is awesome. You guys are really close to perfection...but definitely not there yet.

The MT2 is what brought me to Topo, and was my favorite pair of running shoes that I ever had. The MT3 doesn't feel like it has the same quality to it. The soles are a lot more slippery, which was kind of a bust to me. I'd look at other models, especially if you are running dusty and rocky trails in California and New Mexico.

I never had the ST-2, but I have the Magnifly2 and ST-3. The cushion is firmer than the Magnifly2 but the ST-3 shoe is much more flimsy. My foot did not feel secure in the shoe and was not confident doing a gym workout in them. ST-3 is definetely very breathable and travel friendly, but there's not much structure. I would use this more like a water shoe and take it when i do water sports.

I never had the ST-2, but I have the Magnifly2 and ST-3. The cushion is firmer than the Magnifly2 but the ST-3 shoe is much more flimsy. My foot did not feel secure in the shoe and was not confident doing a gym workout in them. ST-3 is definetely very breathable and travel friendly, but there's not much structure. I would use this more like a water shoe and take it when i do water sports.

Hi! I am a big fan of the ST-2 and so a little bit disappointed of the ST-3. At my size (US 10) it's almost 10% heavier. The new upper sucks quicker and more water when it rains. Also the distribution of forces feels uneven due to the small side lashes. The whole upper feels more insecure to me and is getting dirty much faster. As a successor it lacks real improvements, for example a more durable insole. Please bring the ST-4 as quickly as possible, thank you. :) Felix

Hi! I am a big fan of the ST-2 and so a little bit disappointed of the ST-3. At my size (US 10) it's almost 10% heavier. The new upper sucks quicker and more water when it rains. Also the distribution of forces feels uneven due to the small side lashes. The whole upper feels more insecure to me and is getting dirty much faster. As a successor it lacks real improvements, for example a more durable insole. Please bring the ST-4 as quickly as possible, thank you. :) Felix

These shoes lasted no more than 5 weeks before totally delaminating at the sides. I would not have done more than 5 km in these over 5 weeks. Just not acceptable for such an expensive pair of trail shoes. I have had a pair of Mountain Racers which are still going after 500 km but these runventures are just total rubbish I am afraid.

I am a loyal Topo fan, Having gone through at least 10 pairs of their shoes in the last couple years as a high mileage runner. Based upon reviews I had high expectations for the new Cyclone. The good: A relatively light weight hi Christian Shoe with great energy return, feels very snappy, and *could* probably be a great long run shoe if it weren't for the bad: a god-awful, rigid, blister-inducing heel!! My feet are not usually Becky, but I could not tolerate more than 2 to 3 miles in the these. Quite frankly the poor design is evident the minute you put them on, but I really really wanted to like these. My second and last run I have 8 miles left me in significant pain halfway through, angry and gritting my teeth to get home and throw these back in the mail. Topo, you have an otherwise great shoe here if you can fix the awful heel design. Please, do it!!!