Topo Athletic is one of the companies that you might not have heard of yet. You should probably check them out
though. I am a huge fan, not only of the
products they produce, but the thoughts behind the design of their shoes.
Topo Athletic was founded in 2012 by Tony Post.
Tony was the CEO of Vibram USA throughout the birth of the FiveFingers revolution
and has over 30 years in the shoe industry.
Tony left his position at Vibram USA to start Topo Athletic with the
desire to create a shoe company that would help you train smarter. He didn’t like how most shoes squished your
toes, which is where the wide toe box comes into play. He wanted to make a shoe that was nimble and
allowed you to stay connected with the ground (i.e. feel the ground as you
run).
Topo Athletic shoes fit snug in the heel and midfoot, while it they are loose in the
toebox. This wide toe box allows your
toes to spread out. This will not only
help you be more stable, but will also reduce foot injuries commonly caused by
shoes that compress your toes. The wide
toe box is also found in Altra and Skora shoes.
I have
tested 5 shoes from Topo Athletic and have been impressed with every one. Here are some of my past reviews.
Topo Athletic has always produced zero drop shoes in the past. They recently introduced the Magnifly, which
comes with a 5mm heel drop. If you are
used to running in a higher heel drop shoe (if you don’t know what heel drop
is, you are probably running in a higher heel drop) this would be a good shoe
to start transitioning to a lower heel drop platform. By running in a zero drop or low drop shoe,
you allow your body to be in a better alignment, which will help reduce
injuries.
I recently
developed Achilles tendonitis in my right heel and I was instructed by my
Podiatrist to wear a shoe with a little bit of heel drop (5-8mm) for a while to
let my injury get better. The Magnifly
came just in time. The look and feel of
the Magnifly fell in line with the rest of Topo Athletic’s shoe line. They were light weight at only 8.8 ounces and
is very flexible. The Mangifly has a
dual density foam midsole that allows zoned response and plenty of cushioning
without sacrificing that feeling that you are connected with the ground.
I love the
Magnifly! It took key features of the
Topo Athletic shoe line that I have become accustomed to and added the 5mm heel
drop instead 0mm. The shoes allow for a
fast, responsive ride. I can just go out
and enjoy my run. I can’t ask for
anything more from a shoe.
Pros:
Light weight
(8.8 ounces)
Wide toe box
allows toes to spread out
Dual density
foam provides responsive ride
Low heel
drop (5 mm)
Great price
($110 at the Topo Athletic website)
Topo Athletic’s Social Media Links:
I have not found
a Topo Athletic shoe that I have not liked.
The Magnifly is no exception. With
its 5mm heel drop, dual density foam midsole and durable materials, this is a
great shoe for the anyone, especially those who want to transition to a lower
heel drop. At $110, this is a shoe you
should definitely put in your shoe rotation.
You can get your pair at the Topo Athletic website.
Note:
I received this product in exchange for a review. The review is my
personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular
opinion of it. I am not a doctor, so
please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.
Can you compare / contrast with any altra shoes? I'm considering the magnifly but have been running in Torin 1.5 and 2.0 and one2 for about 18 months.
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline. As you know, I am a huge Altra fan. I love the Instinct (Intuition for women) shoes. I am currently running in the Instinct 3. I also love the One 2.5 as it is an awesome speed or race shoe. Both of those have more flex than the Torin, which is one of the Altra shoes I don't really like to run in as much as the others.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, the Magnify does come with a 5mm heel drop, and is fairly light at about 8.8 ounces. It is somewhat comparable to the Instinct 3 in cushion and has about the same amount of flex as well. It is a great shoe (I just ran in them today). If you have some specific questions as far as fit or cushioning, please let me know and I am more than happy to address them as well.
Hmmm.... Interesting. I'm concerned moving away from zero drop as it has been a game changer for me. That being said 5mm is not that high! I couldn't wear the instinct - the heel was too loose. I really need a shoe for looooong runs and am thinking of moving away from the Torin. The magnifly looks like a possibility. I'm also intrigued with the Altra impulse. Neither of which I can try on locally.... At any rate, thanks for taking the time to respond!
ReplyDeleteCorrection; I tried the Intuition 2.0 and the heel was too wide and slipped. Assuming the Magnifly has a narrower fitting heel? and nice aaaaaahhhh wide toe box? I do tend to like softer cushioning but not pillow soft. I could do a touch firmer than the One2. (which I think is similar to the One 2.5) How does the cushioning in the Magnifly compare?
ReplyDeleteIt is not as cushy as the One 2.5, but is decent. I really like the Magnifly. The One 2.5 is one of my favorite shoes, but I just wish it would last longer. I feel that the outsole wears kind of fast. The Mangifly is a better shoe than the Torin, in my opinion. Thank you for the questions, I really appreciate them.
DeleteAnd thanks for your answers! I'm going to try to find a place to try them on, perhaps in Houston. Thanks again!
DeleteYour review really piqued my interest on the Topo Magnifly! Can i know how's the fit like? Are they true to size?
ReplyDeleteE. I do feel that they run true to size. Just know that Topo Athletic shoes fit more snug in the heel and the middle of your foot. The toe box is wide so your toes can spread out. I think you will really like them. Enjoy and thank you for reading my blog.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great post. I love how athletic shoes has now been accepted as a lifestyle and with everyday outfits.
ReplyDelete