Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Introduction

Topo Athletic was based in Framingham Massachusetts in 2013 by Tony Submit. Enjoyable reality: the corporate is known as after him, by utilizing the primary 2 letters of his first identify and his final identify. He was additionally the CEO of Vibram USA and he helped launch the FiveFingers footwear which you not often see lately, even in densely populated working spots.

Topo Athletic’s design philosophy prioritises three key traits:

• a spacious toe field that enables the toes to splay naturally,
• a safe match by way of the midfoot and heel to forestall slippage,
• and a minimal heel-to-toe drop that encourages a extra pure gait.

This design strategy goals to mix the advantages of pure foot mechanics with up to date shoe know-how. That is largely influenced by Tony Submit’s background and relationship with Vibram, an organization recognized for its emphasis on pure foot motion.

Consequently, Topo Athletic footwear typically characteristic versatile midsoles and outsoles that promote floor really feel and encourage the foot to perform because it was supposed, whereas nonetheless offering the cushioning and responsiveness wanted for working and different athletic actions.

In 2022, Topo Athletic was acquired by Designer Manufacturers Inc (DBI), who additionally personal Le Tigre, Keds and Hush Puppies. Since then, Topo has seen an upward gross sales trajectory. In 2024, the model grew 70% and accounted for greater than 10% of DBI’s model portfolio gross sales.

The Cyclone 3 is Topo’s light-weight, unplated velocity coach for exercises and races. You possibly can view it as Topo’s model of the HOKA Mach 6, New Steadiness Insurgent v4 or Adidas Adios 9. It has a 28 mm/23 mm stack peak and it prices $150. Its principal promoting level is that its midsole is 100% Pebax.

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 First Impressions

The primary time I ran within the Cyclone 3, it was a barefoot-like expertise: utterly totally different to the maximalist trainers I’ve been testing lately.

It jogged my memory of the Nike Free RN 5.0 that I examined 5 years in the past. It had a really versatile forefoot with a ton of floor really feel. It had little or no assist and stability.

I discovered the journey of the Cyclone 3 a lot slower than plated velocity trainers. I additionally discovered the journey a lot slower than increased stacked non-plated trainers just like the ASICS Superblast.

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Higher

The Cyclone 3 has a extremely comfy higher with the spotlight being its spacious forefoot and toe-box. That is the widest forefoot and toe-box I’ve ever skilled and it’s a pleasant change from the traditional, cosy, velocity coaching uppers that I’m used to. It suits true to measurement and it’s extra suited to broad toes than slim or regular ones.

The higher materials is de facto skinny and porous so breathability is great. The tongue is frivolously padded and so is the collar, so there aren’t any stress factors or sharp edges that irritate your ankle. Sadly, there aren’t any reflective components.

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Sole Unit

When you’ve been working for a whilst you may need run in conventional velocity trainers or racers just like the Adidas Boston (model 9 and earlier), Adidas Adios and the Nike Streak. These minimal flats had been designed to be mild, agile and nimble. They didn’t have a lot cushioning as a result of their principal goal was to be as mild as potential. The Cyclone 3 falls into the identical class as these velocity footwear of yesteryear.

Each time I run within the Cyclone 3, I really feel like my toes aren’t getting sufficient safety. My legs are too used to being pampered by 40+mm stack peak midsoles so the Cyclone 3 appears like a extremely harsh journey for any distance longer than 10 kilometres. The Cyclone has 28 mm within the heel however as a result of the froth is so comfortable, it doesn’t supply a lot shock absorption.

The longest run I did in it was 15 kilometres and I couldn’t anticipate the run to be over. Aside from there being a number of floor really feel, it doesn’t really feel like a really environment friendly shoe as a result of there’s no rocker (although Topo advertises it as one of many Cyclone 3’s options). There additionally isn’t a lot assist or construction to make medium or lengthy runs nice.

Brief, quick sprints are what the Cyclone 3 does greatest. My favorite run was a hill sprints session consisting of 15 x 100 m intervals up a steep hill. That’s when the Cyclone’s mild construct and minimal journey shone. You have to be going quick, beneath 4:30 per kilometre to really feel the Cyclone 3 come alive however it takes a number of effort to carry it at that tempo.

The Pebax midsole is a beaded one, much like Saucony’s PWRRUN PB. It affords a lighter, extra responsive journey than EVA/TPU midsoles however within the Cyclone 3, the low stack peak shouldn’t be thick sufficient to really feel the bounce and power return of the froth. It feels a lot much less energetic than any of Saucony’s PWRRUN PB trainers and racers.

With such a comfortable midsole, I believe the Cyclone wants some type of a shank or versatile plate to offer stability and forefoot rigidity. Some type of stiffener would make the journey extra versatile as a result of it will supply extra assist. It will additionally supply extra resistance to bending so it will make it really feel sooner.

It has a low, 5 mm drop which feels even decrease in the event you’re a heel striker as a result of the froth compresses a lot. This makes the Cyclone extra appropriate for mid or forefoot strikers than heels strikers.

The Cyclone 3 has a full floor contact outsole with very skinny, flat rubber- this makes transitions very clean and likewise very versatile. The rubber sits flush towards the midsole, so the uncovered foam on the high-wear areas just like the outer heel present indicators of damage early on.

This isn’t a coach you can get tons of mileage out of. There aren’t any protruding lugs on the outsole rubber so the Cyclone doesn’t grip surfaces effectively in moist situations.

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Conclusions

The Topo Cyclone 3 has an incredible higher and a great midsole foam however it nonetheless feels outdated. Only a few runners would favor the Cyclone over a modern-day velocity coach with a tall stack peak and a plate in its midsole.

It requires wonderful working kind and really sturdy ankles/calves/toes to have the ability to successfully use the Cyclone 3. It additionally doesn’t present velocity help like trendy velocity trainers accomplish that in the event you race in it, you’ll be at a drawback.

I believe $150 is an excessive amount of to pay for a distinct segment software just like the Cyclone 3. Whereas it does really feel premium and well-built, you’ll be able to’t use it for lengthy runs or on a regular basis, simple miles. For a similar worth, you may get the wonderful Adidas EVO SL which is rather a lot sooner, extra participating and extra versatile.

I received’t be utilizing the Cyclone 3 in my rotation as a result of it doesn’t supply sufficient safety from pounding. After I’m in a marathon coaching block (which is a lot of the 12 months), I wish to use trainers that received’t beat my legs up. I need my legs to really feel recent for my subsequent run a pair hours later.

When you crave a versatile journey with minimal cushioning and a spacious forefoot, the Cyclone 3 ticks these containers. You might additionally use it as a software to strengthen your legs when you’ve got the persistence and the resilience.