Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Review
By Matthew Klein
The Topo Cyclone 2 was an outstanding shoe. In 2023, it won our Best Performance Trainer of the Year, which came as a shock to some people. It was a rare shoe, featuring a moderate stack height with a full length, non-plated PEBAX midsole, an anatomic toe box and an incredibly low, sub 7 oz weight. While some of our team (me) hailed it as one of the few options for those wanting a more traditional racing shoe with a super foam, others (David and Andrea) hailed its versatility to handle everything from fast workouts to long runs. For those who loved that shoe and are afraid of change, the 3rd version of this shoe returns as an upper update only. If it ain't broken, only slightly adjust it right?
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3Price: $150 at Running Warehouse (coming soon)
Weight: 6.9 oz, 196 g (men's size 9), 5.5 oz, 156 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 28 mm heel / 23 mm forefoot
Drop: 5 mm
Shoe Purpose: Performance Trainer / Non-Plated
Pros: Lightweight, Great for Workouts/Racing for Some, Flexible, Wide Toe Box
Cons: Slight medial bias at the heel
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 is a lightweight, PEBAX midsole performance shoe for those who want a non-plated racer, workout shoe or lightweight trainer. A wide, anatomic fit provides plenty of room for those wanting a wide toe box or more room. An incredibly lightweight is paired with a moderate stack height of PEBAX, making for a fast and flexible ride for those who want a fast, bounce but more natural feeling ride. As primarily an upper update, those who loved the Cyclone will also love the third as the newest version seeks to improve upper durability in an incredibly unique shoe in this market.
SIMILAR SHOES: New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, Nike Streakfly
PAST MODEL: Topo Cyclone 2
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Topo Cyclone 3 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. Initially I felt like this shoe was slightly long but that is due to the combination of the wide toe box and slightly higher volume. With a pair of socks with normal thickness and 1-2 miles into a run, this feeling goes away. The toe box and forefoot are quite wide, so those wanting as much to room as possible will be happy here. This transitions into a normal to slightly wider midfoot. There is a slightly thinner, non-gusseted tongue that stayed mostly in place. I did have to tighten down the laces to get a secure fit but did not have to lace lock the shoe. The instep is normal but is lower significantly with tightening the laces, so those with higher insteps and more narrow feet may not do well with this fit. The heel is normal in width with moderate heel padding and a flexible heel counter. Those with heel sensitivities will do well in this shoe and I had no issues. The inner aspect of the upper is extremely comfortable and sockless running has been great. The only challenge is that running sockless does make the shoe feel slightly long, so those wanting to use it solely for that may need to adjust their sizing unless they are running long enough to experience foot swelling.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Somewhat
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Somewhat
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Topo Cyclone 3 is a performance shoe that will be a workout/racer for some and a lightweight trainer for others. The midsole is full-length PEBAX and sits at a moderate stack height of 28mm in the heel. There is a 5mm drop, which may feel slightly higher or lower depending on where you land thanks to the midsole compression. The heel transition is a little clunky at first thanks to a little posterior flare and a sharp bevel. This breaks in quickly after 10 miles to a smooth transition and is also not noticeable at all when landing farther forward. The forefoot transition is easy thanks to a moderate to higher amount of flexibility up front. Those with toe mobility issues will not do well in this shoe as it requires a high level of toe movement for forward progression.
The midsole overall is decently flexible although the rearfoot holds mild rigidity to keep the shoe flexible up front. Pacing wise the Topo Cyclone 3 is most alive at faster paces. I have used this shoe for short track intervals, longer intervals and a tempo run. It did well at each one but did especially well at the shorter distances given that I am used to using super shoes for tempos. It is definitely a moderate stack height shoe and my feet got a little sore with longer efforts above 10 miles. Those used to moderate stack heights will do extremely well in this shoe, will easily be able to go longer (as Andrea did with version 2) and the transition is fast enough for it to easily be a racing/workout shoe for those who do not want a plated shoe. The PEBAX bounces really nicely without being unstable or mushy. The underfoot feel is well balanced and there is just enough cushioning to not feel bare bones.
The traction is good on smooth surfaces like track and road. This shoe is not a great option for trail as any rocks or difficult terrain will rip through the exposed PEBAX midsole. Durability wise this shoe has done well after 30 miles of use. I am seeing wear at the exposed midfoot but the outsole patches are doing great and I have not torn either one off. However, due to the exposed midfoot, I expect this shoe to have average durability for a lighter weight shoe.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Topo Cyclone 3 is a neutral shoe. There are no traditional methods of stability. There is a mild lateral heel sidewall, which creates some slight medial bias at the rearfoot. The midfoot does not have any sidewalls or stabilizing mechanisms. The midfoot is a tiny bit wider than other shoes but the softer foam makes it collapse mildly in whatever direction you go. The forefoot is wider but the softer ride offsets the slight sole flare. Overall this is a neutral shoe that isn't unstable but isn't stable either.
Thoughts as a DPT: Why We Need Plateless, Moderate Stack Height Superfoam Shoes
By Matthew Klein
The Topo Cyclone is part of a group of superfoam, non-plated racing shoes that have fortunately stuck around. While maximal stack height, carbon plated super shoes have gotten all the attention, we have early evidence that they may not work for everyone. For that reason, some variety in the market is important to make sure people have at least some options. The market for anatomic shoes with superfoam midsole is particularly small and those with wider feet or sensitive toes are often stuck running in extra long shoes or just being uncomfortable. Thus, shoes like the Cyclone 3 are critical to keep around and there are good reasons to do so. These reasons include the varied responses to stack height and stiffness. We know that different people respond better to different levels of midsole stiffness (Mcleod et al., 2020). Some people may respond better to stiffer shoes while others may do better in more flexible shoes. We also know that different people respond differently to the amount of soft midsole foam underfoot. Some people are able to utilize these taller shoes, while others may struggle with them.
This is still not fully understand but may be some kind of interaction between how much proprioceptive input the person needs to feel stable combined with their ability to work with large or small amounts of resilient midsole foams underfoot. The key is that not everyone responds the same way to shoes. We have discussed how so many training shoes have moved into max levels of cushioning, which makes finding moderate stack height training shoes difficult. Unlike training shoes, a group of moderate stack height, non-plated racing/workout shoes have stuck around like the Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Adios 9, Altra Escalante Racer 2, Nike Streakfly and the Hoka Cielo Road. These are great options not only for racing but as lighter shoes for those that want less in a trainer may be able to find. Perhaps this is my bias from my minimalist days, but having some variety in workout and training shoes may be helpful to create a well-rounded body. We do know having a rotation of running shoes may reduce injury risk (Malisoux et al., 2015). We do not know yet if doing faster efforts in a variety of types of shoes also may help some factors but given the dramatic different in muscle work between super shoes and these remaining moderate stack height racers, I would bet there may be some kind of benefit.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Topo Cyclone 3 is part of a unique group of shoes that must be maintained. I will not suggest additional stack height and for those who want that, Topo should consider a separate, higher stack height racing shoe to compete with the Altra Vanish Carbon 2. What I do suggest is extending the rubber outsole into the midfoot. The two reasons for this are to maintain mild rigidity in that area with and for durability reasons. The second one is an issue unique to me as I scuff my feet and have been known to tear off outsole designs that are only in the heel. I have not done this so far, but expect it to happen at some point. The first reason is that outsoles add stiffness to wherever they are in the midsole. Given the outsole coverage is only on the heel and forefoot, this will maintain some level of stiffness with additional wear while the midfoot may become more flexible as the shoe breaks down. Also from a mild guidance standpoint, I would suggest strips of outsole be added on the medial and lateral sides of the midfoot. Outside of that, this shoe should be kept the way it is.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Topo Cyclone 3 is for those who want a wide toe box, moderate stack height, superfoam midsole with flexibility for training, workouts or racing. The fit will be best for those with wider feet or who want a truly anatomic fit. The midsole will do best for those who want a bouncy ride that is not maximal, providing a little ground feel and a flexible ride. It is light enough for workouts and racing and the PEBAX midsole provides enough protection for those used to moderate stack height shoes to use for longer efforts (although I am not one of those people currently). I do appreciate this shoe's natural approach to speed and it has been something I have frequently grabbed when I need to give my body a break from super shoes.
The $150 price tag is awesome for a superfoam midsole shoe that can handle faster and training efforts in an era of >$180-$200 shoes. However, my only concern with this shoe is the fact that they are calling this version 3. The upper has received an update to improve durability, but I am not sure that warrented calling it v3. Those who have version two can continue to purchase more of that one until there are no more to be found because this is essentially the same shoe. The only ones who really should gravitate toward version three are those who struggled with the upper durability of the previous one. Outside of that, the Cyclone maintains its place as a solid and unique shoe. This category needs to maintain its place and the Cyclone 3 offers one of the rare anatomic/natural inclining fast options given that Altra has been quiet about a Vanish Tempo 2. So Topo whatever you do with version 4, be careful.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Wide fit especially in the toe box with a comfortable inner liner. Fits a tiny bit long but fine after a few miles)
Performance: A- (Bouncy moderate stack height shoe that will do well for uptempo runs, workouts and racing for those who want a flexible, moderate stack height superfoam midsole)
Stability: B/B- [Neutral] (Mostly neutral ride with mild medial bias at the rearfoot)
Value: A- (Excellent price for a versatile PEBA shoe and a unique ride that can handle both training and faster efforts for those used to moderate stack heights)
Personal: B+ (Great natural feeling shoe, although the slight medial heel bias shortens how long I can run in this shoe)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORTopo Athletic Cyclone 3Price: $150 at Running Warehouse (coming soon)
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FURTHER READING
A huge value racer/workout shoe at $100.
A much improved Zoom X trainer out of Nike.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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