I was excited to try the Topo Phantom 3. I haven’t run in a Topo shoe in the last few years, but I do remember I really enjoyed the ride. The Topo Phantom is a versatile and highly cushioned daily trainer. The 5 mm drop, lightweight, and rocker make it a good option for several different kinds of runs. It’s not limited to an “easy run” or “workout.”. The newest version is lighter and more responsive than previous ones.
Topo Phantom 3 Quick Facts:
- Weight: 7.5 oz
- Heel to Toe Drop: 5mm
- Price: $145
Topo Phantom 3 Fit:
The Topo Phantom 3 features a redesigned mesh upper made with 30% recycled materials. That’s equivalent to three 16 oz. plastic water bottles! You guys know I get excited when brands use recycled and reusable materials, so I was excited to see this. The big question is, is the upper good? The answer is yes! I’ve used several brands that do use recycled materials and the upper isn’t breathable and way too thick. Thankfully, I haven’t had that problem with Topo.
Topo is known for their wider last shoes, and the Topo Phantom 3 is no different. It has plenty of space in the forefoot and heel without having “too much space”. It has high step-in comfort and you don’t worry about anything suffocating your feet. They aren’t the lookers of the running shoe world, but they are comfortable.
In running shoes, I tend to wear between a women’s size 10.5-11 wide, and I’ve found the Topo Phantom 3 size 10.5 fits well. I have nothing to complain about with the upper; it fits and feels great.
Topo Phantom 3 Ride:
The Topo Phantom 3 has a distinct rocker to it that you can feel yourself being rolled through your gait cycle. Per Topo, they upgraded the two-piece midsole with a “ZipFoam™ formula”, which features a softer step-in feel right below the foot but a more firm ride against the ground.
Immediately I felt that when I first tried on the Topo Phantom 3, I thought: wow, that is soft. I loved how cushioned it is. As I started running consistently in it, I thought it was much more responsive than I first anticipated. Not in a bad way because you are able to pick up the pace easier.
I wasn’t sure how the Topo Phantom 3 would fit in my running shoe line. Would it be an easy run shoe? A faster workout shoe? I’ve found it’s a great daily trainer, especially when I have no idea what kind of run I’ll do for the day. If I’m definitely looking for a faster run shoe, I would use a workout shoe, but for daily miles, it’s a great option. I appreciate how soft but responsive it is. I’ve found I can pick up the pace without it feeling too heavy. Now would I use it as my track workout shoe? No, but it’s fairly easy to pick up the pace in daily runs.
Outsole:
There isn’t a ton of information about the outsole of the Topo Phantom 3, but it appears to have blown rubber covering most of the bottom. I’ve used it on both trails and rainy weather with no issues of sliding around. I’ve already put about 50 miles on the Topo Phantom 3 with no signs of slowing down. My guess is that it will last between 300-400 miles.
Topo Phantom 3 Conclusion:
I’m a big fan of the Topo Phantom 3, and really I don’t have any complaints. I appreciate the wider last and the high cushion. It’s a shoe you can pack when you don’t really know what kind of run you’ll do for the day or you need a multipurpose shoe.
Who should buy the Topo Phantom 3? If you need a wider toebox or are looking for a highly cushioned shoe, this is a great option. It’s a workhorse trainer that can do a bit of everything.
Who should not buy the Topo Phantom 3? There are no major reasons unless your body prefers a higher heel to toe drop or you have a narrower foot.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Topo Phantom 3, Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12 , Newton Gravity 12, 361 Degrees Centauri, ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: Hoka Solimar, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Brooks Caldera 6, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro , Nike Vaporfly 3 Hoka Rocket X 2 ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite running shoe?
Have you tried Topo?