Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Introduction
Topo Athletic was based in Framingham Massachusetts in 2013 by Tony Publish. Enjoyable truth: the corporate is called after him, through the use of 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 as of late, even in densely populated operating spots.
Topo Athletic’s design philosophy prioritises three key traits:
- a spacious toe field that permits 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 up to date shoe expertise. That is largely influenced by Tony Publish’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 possibly can view it as Topo’s model of the HOKA Mach 6, New Stability 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: fully totally different to the maximalist trainers I’ve been testing not too long ago.
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 trip of the Cyclone 3 a lot slower than plated velocity trainers. I additionally discovered the trip a lot slower than increased stacked non-plated trainers just like the ASICS Superblast.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Higher
The Cyclone 3 has a very 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, comfortable, velocity coaching uppers that I’m used to. It suits true to dimension and it’s extra suited to extensive ft than slim or regular ones.
The higher materials is basically skinny and porous so breathability is superb. The tongue is evenly padded and so is the collar, so there aren’t any strain factors or sharp edges that irritate your ankle. Sadly, there aren’t any reflective components.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Sole Unit
Should you’ve been operating 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 have been designed to be gentle, agile and nimble. They didn’t have a lot cushioning as a result of their principal goal was to be as gentle as attainable. 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 ft aren’t getting sufficient safety. My legs are too used to being pampered by 40+mm stack peak midsoles so the Cyclone 3 looks like a very harsh trip for any distance longer than 10 kilometres. The Cyclone has 28 mm within the heel however as a result of the froth is so delicate, 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. Other than there being a variety of floor really feel, it doesn’t really feel like a really environment friendly shoe as a result of there’s no rocker (regardless that 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 finest. 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 trip shone. It is advisable to be going quick, beneath 4:30 per kilometre to really feel the Cyclone 3 come alive but it surely takes a variety of effort to carry it at that tempo.
The Pebax midsole is a beaded one, much like Saucony’s PWRRUN PB. It presents a lighter, extra responsive trip than EVA/TPU midsoles however within the Cyclone 3, the low stack peak 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 delicate midsole, I believe the Cyclone wants some form of a shank or versatile plate to supply stability and forefoot rigidity. Some form of stiffener would make the trip extra versatile as a result of it might supply extra help. It might additionally supply extra resistance to bending so it might make it really feel sooner.
It has a low, 5 mm drop which feels even decrease if you happen to’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 towards 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 that you could get tons of mileage out of. There aren’t any protruding lugs on the outsole rubber so the Cyclone doesn’t grip surfaces properly in moist situations.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Conclusions
The Topo Cyclone 3 has an incredible higher and a great midsole foam but it surely 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 operating kind and really sturdy ankles/calves/ft to have the ability to successfully use the Cyclone 3. It additionally doesn’t present velocity help like fashionable velocity trainers achieve this if you happen to race in it, you’ll be at a drawback.
I believe $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 may’t use it for lengthy runs or on a regular basis, simple miles. For a similar value, you will get the superb Adidas EVO SL which is lots sooner, extra partaking 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. Once I’m in a marathon coaching block (which is many of the yr), I wish to use trainers that received’t beat my legs up. I would like my legs to really feel recent for my subsequent run a pair hours later.
Should you crave a versatile trip with minimal cushioning and a spacious forefoot, the Cyclone 3 ticks these bins. You could possibly additionally use it as a instrument to strengthen your legs you probably have the persistence and the resilience.
