Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Introduction
Topo Athletic was based in Framingham Massachusetts in 2013 by Tony Submit. Enjoyable truth: the corporate is called after him, through the use of the primary 2 letters of his first title and his final title. He was additionally the CEO of Vibram USA and he helped launch the FiveFingers footwear which you not often see today, even in densely populated operating 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 the midfoot and heel to stop slippage,
- and a minimal heel-to-toe drop that encourages a extra pure gait.
This design method goals to mix the advantages of pure foot mechanics with modern shoe expertise. That is largely influenced by Tony Submit’s background and relationship with Vibram, an organization identified for its emphasis on pure foot motion.
Consequently, Topo Athletic footwear usually characteristic versatile midsoles and outsoles that promote floor really feel and encourage the foot to operate because it was meant, whereas nonetheless offering the cushioning and responsiveness wanted for operating 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’ll be able to 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 top and it prices $150. Its fundamental 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: fully totally different to the maximalist trainers I’ve been testing just 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 help and stability.
I discovered the experience of the Cyclone 3 a lot slower than plated velocity trainers. I additionally discovered the experience 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 snug 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 dimension and it’s extra suited to vast toes than slim or regular ones.
The higher materials is de facto skinny and porous so breathability is great. The tongue is evenly padded and so is the collar, so there are not any strain factors or sharp edges that irritate your ankle. Sadly, there are not any reflective parts.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Sole Unit
If you happen to’ve been operating for a when 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 gentle, agile and nimble. They didn’t have a lot cushioning as a result of their fundamental goal was to be as gentle as potential. The Cyclone 3 falls into the identical class as these velocity footwear of yesteryear.
Every 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 top midsoles so the Cyclone 3 appears like a extremely harsh experience for any distance longer than 10 kilometres. The Cyclone has 28 mm within the heel however as a result of the froth is so mushy, it doesn’t provide a lot shock absorption.
The longest run I did in it was 15 kilometres and I couldn’t anticipate the run to be over. Other than there being a whole lot of floor really feel, it doesn’t really feel like a really environment friendly shoe as a result of there’s no rocker (though Topo advertises it as one of many Cyclone 3’s options). There additionally isn’t a lot help 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 gentle construct and minimal experience shone. You have to be going quick, under 4:30 per kilometre to really feel the Cyclone 3 come alive however it takes a whole lot of effort to carry it at that tempo.
The Pebax midsole is a beaded one, just like Saucony’s PWRRUN PB. It gives a lighter, extra responsive experience than EVA/TPU midsoles however within the Cyclone 3, the low stack top isn’t 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 mushy midsole, I feel the Cyclone wants some form of a shank or versatile plate to offer stability and forefoot rigidity. Some form of stiffener would make the experience extra versatile as a result of it could provide extra help. It will additionally provide extra resistance to bending so it could make it really feel quicker.
It has a low, 5 mm drop which feels even decrease should 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 easy and in addition very versatile. The rubber sits flush in opposition to the midsole, so the uncovered foam on the high-wear areas just like the outer heel present indicators of wear and tear early on.
This isn’t a coach you can get tons of mileage out of. There are not any protruding lugs on the outsole rubber so the Cyclone doesn’t grip surfaces effectively in moist circumstances.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Conclusions
The Topo Cyclone 3 has an incredible higher and a very good midsole foam however it nonetheless feels outdated. Only a few runners would like the Cyclone over a modern-day velocity coach with a tall stack top and a plate in its midsole.
It requires glorious operating kind and really robust ankles/calves/toes to have the ability to successfully use the Cyclone 3. It additionally doesn’t present velocity help like fashionable velocity trainers accomplish that should you race in it, you’ll be at a drawback.
I feel $150 is an excessive amount of to pay for a distinct segment instrument just like the Cyclone 3. Whereas it does really feel premium and well-built, you possibly can’t use it for lengthy runs or on a regular basis, simple miles. For a similar worth, you will get the wonderful Adidas EVO SL which is quite a bit quicker, extra participating and extra versatile.
I gained’t be utilizing the Cyclone 3 in my rotation as a result of it doesn’t provide sufficient safety from pounding. Once I’m in a marathon coaching block (which is many of the yr), I need to use trainers that gained’t beat my legs up. I need my legs to really feel recent for my subsequent run a pair hours later.
If you happen to crave a versatile experience with minimal cushioning and a spacious forefoot, the Cyclone 3 ticks these containers. You could possibly additionally use it as a instrument to strengthen your legs if in case you have the persistence and the resilience.