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, by utilizing 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 nowadays, 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 via the midfoot and heel to forestall 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 know-how. 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 typically function versatile midsoles and outsoles that promote floor really feel and encourage the foot to perform because it was supposed, 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 Stability Insurgent v4 or Adidas Adios 9. It has a 28 mm/23 mm stack top and it prices $150. Its foremost 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: utterly completely 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 measurement and it’s extra suited to extensive toes than slender or regular ones.
The higher materials is basically skinny and porous so breathability is superb. The tongue is flippantly padded and so is the collar, so there are not any stress factors or sharp edges that irritate your ankle. Sadly, there are not any reflective components.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Sole Unit
Should you’ve been operating for a whilst you might 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 mild, agile and nimble. They didn’t have a lot cushioning as a result of their foremost goal was to be as mild as potential. The Cyclone 3 falls into the identical class as these velocity footwear of yesteryear.
Each 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 seems 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 comfortable, it doesn’t supply a lot shock absorption.
The longest run I did in it was 15 kilometres and I couldn’t look forward to the run to be over. Aside from there being loads 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.
Quick, 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 mild construct and minimal experience shone. It’s essential to be going quick, under 4:30 per kilometre to really feel the Cyclone 3 come alive however it takes loads of effort to carry it at that tempo.
The Pebax midsole is a beaded one, much 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 shouldn’t be 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 comfortable 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 will supply extra help. It could additionally supply extra resistance to bending so it will make it really feel sooner.
It has a low, 5 mm drop which feels even decrease in the event 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 clean 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 damage early on.
This isn’t a coach which 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 situations.
Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Conclusions
The Topo Cyclone 3 has an excellent higher and midsole foam however it nonetheless feels outdated. Only a few runners would favor the Cyclone over a modern-day velocity coach with a tall stack top and a plate in its midsole.
It requires wonderful operating kind and really sturdy ankles/calves/toes to have the ability to successfully use the Cyclone 3. It additionally doesn’t present velocity help like trendy velocity trainers accomplish that in the event you race in it, you’ll be at an obstacle.
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’ll be able to’t use it for lengthy runs or on a regular basis, straightforward miles. For a similar value, you may get the wonderful Adidas EVO SL which is quite a bit 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. After I’m in a marathon coaching block (which is a lot of the 12 months), I wish to use trainers that received’t beat my legs up. I need my legs to really feel recent for my subsequent run a pair hours later.
Should you crave a versatile experience 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 when you’ve got the persistence and the resilience.
