Customer Reviews Topo Athletic ST-5

perfect balance of support and minimalist feel

Upgraded from the ST-4, which I love and have become my favorite gym shoes I've ever owned. The ST-5 looks and feels great right out of the box. Super lightweight. Can hardly feel them on my feet. I love the black/charcoal. Only downside is that the toe box seems like it will be less durable than the previous version since the exterior is all fabric. Only time will tell, but so far I love these shoes just as much as the others. Don't see myself going back to the other brands any time soon.

Great lightweight minimalist shoes.

I have a hard time finding shoes that work for my foot. I have a high instep and also need a wide toe box. Topo are the best shoes I found for walking and workout. The only reason I put four stars instead of five is because I have to break them in more than Id like or they'll put pressure on my big toe. As soon ad they're broken in they are amazing shoes that I wear until they fall apart. For me better than Hoka, NB and five other brands Ive tried. Great shoes!

The fit and style work for me. I love the shoes. My body feels very stable wearing these shoes and the ST-5 does not have any of that sponge/high springy feel of other shoes and brands.

I wear ST-5s for most of the running I do. As a veteran of minimalist shoe wearing, these are some of the closest shoes I've found to the NB Minimus Road Zero as far as light weight and flexibility go. One of the only criticisms I have is that I wish the outsole rubber was tougher. The wide toe box is great, as is the lack of a hard plastic heel counter (a godsend for those of us with insertional Achilles issues). #sweepstakes

I'm trying out this pair for golfing. I like to feel connected to the ground, especially on my drives, and most golf shoes feel overbuilt. The tread works fine on dry grass, but may not be sufficient for wet conditions. A little more lug and they'd be perfect. The fit is great, and the shoes are comfortable, so I'm likely to try another style for hiking.

These shoes fit so nice but run small.

I primarily use ST-5 for easy runs. I really enjoy the fit through forefoot and midfoot, though the heel doesn't fit snug as I would like. I also like the minimal stack height for a close to ground running experience.

I use these primarily for the gym and strength training. For me personally they do not provide enough cushioning for any type of road running.

love the fit and stack height and true zero drop nature of these shoes. That said they are pretty firm with ground feel in true minimal fashion. After having tried the Cyclone 2 which I loved but couldn't handle the 5mm drop I want the ST to have a baby with the Cyclone and have a zero drop Pebax foam child.

I really wanted to like the product, but because of the hotspot behind the heel I had to return them. The rest of the shoe feels like a topo shoe with good arch support and mid/heel foot lockdown and roomy toes. I didn't go with the phantom 4s as all the new shoes keep adding stack heights and I want to be lower to the ground. Phantom 3s are beautiful. I hope the future STs and/or phantoms stay lower stacks (15-20mm) and quit adding foam to the base. Go back to the phantom heel cradle.

REALLY loved my ST2. Current model too much heel counter and 'arch' support. Like the stack ht of BOTH. And zero drop of course.

I wish these had zero arch support. They are light, comfortable and look great but the arch was a deal breaker

The arch support was an issue. It was digging into my feet and became uncomfortable after a long walk. I had to return the shoes. It's unfortunate as I liked the simplicity and style of the shoes but I'm surprised by the excessive arch support for a neutral shoes.

The rubber on the outsole in the midfoot region separates and drags the ground. This has been an issue with thr ST-3, ST-4, and ST-5. I've owned pairs of each and they all have the same issue. This shoe would be perfect if not for the pitifully designed sole. Others have complained about this problem but Topo continues to use the same sole for some reason.

The outsole is not durable. The tread pattern in the ball region of the foot separates from the outsole after 20-30 miles. The ST-3 had the exact same issue and a huge annoyance when the rubber binds underneath the shoe while running. I love the Topo ST however, I'll likely never buy another pair as the design team cant seem to get an outsole on thia show that actually withstands the high mileage of your average runner. I recommend you dont buy this shoe if you are an actual runner that logs miles.

The struggle for wide/natural toe box, wide width, zero drop shoes that don't feel like pillows CONTINUES. This is a nice shoe that hits on a few cylinders; not wide even. I wouldn't recommend for anyone with wider feet.

The sole thickness and cushion are perfect. The minimal feel without a complete lack of cushion are exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, comfort and usability are limited by two issues. 1) As others have mentioned, the arch support feels intrusive and quickly becomes uncomfortable. It is tolerable for runs up to 3 or 4 miles, but not longer runs and never for more than about half an hour of walking or standing. 2) It appears that the arch support is made necessary by a strangely narrow design through the arch, especially in the sole under the arch. Without extra arch support the shoe would like collapse inward over the arch. The narrowness adds to the pinching, strained, cramping feeling in the arch. I hope that someday Topo will make a version of this shoe that adds sufficient width through the arch and drops the uncomfortable support.

Please make size 15

There is too much arch support for a near minimalist shoe but also, the arch suport isn't even well done. It somehow sticks up too far but doesn't fit the curvature of a foot arch so it's just uncomfortable. There also isn't enough heel lock to feel secure. And my final compliant is that they were somehow able to ship to me at a USPS only address but were unable to provide a return label for USPS so I had to pay $20 on return shipping.

I use these as cross trainers for doing workouts that involve running + other moves. I have low volume foot but these fit well, the midfoot and heel are secure and toe box is roomy. I can wear toe spacers inside the shoes with no issue. Main complaint is the arch support is excessive. Even after breaking in, it is uncomfortable (I have average height arches). Other issue is the sole. The foam is not grippy, and the rubber parts glued onto it don't cover enough of the sole to prevent slipping in many situations. A piece of the rubber has begun to peel off, I can feel it when I do pushups. I really like the fit and the low stack height though. I hope the next version of these shoes has a better arch and sole.

Zero profile shoes should not have art support.

Make them EXACTLY like the ST-2, as others has requested. Too much arch (I shaved off the mid foot sole to make the ST4 work). The heel counter is too focal. I think if I kept these I would get tendonitis. Returning these. :( Also, why SO many TOPO with LOTS of cushion and now heel drop. Get back to your sweet spot please.