Topo Phantom 4 Review | Consistently Good Feel

Since its inception in 2019 the Phantom has develop into considered one of Topo Athletic’s top-selling street trainers. The Phantom 4 appears to be like to be sufficient of an replace to lure in curious new runners, whereas not a lot an overhaul that it’s going to flip away devoted followers of the shoe.

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The Phantom 4 is a excessive stack day by day coach with the power to go lengthy. Its foot-shaped toe field and softer midsole additionally make it a succesful restoration run choice.

With the Specter 2 turning into Topo’s tempo coach and the introduction of the max cushioned Atmos, the Phantom 4 has moved away from a firmer really feel to extra of a comfort-oriented one, whereas nonetheless sustaining the power to allow you to run effectively at reasonable paces.

Topo Phantom 4 Overview

I might contemplate myself considerably acquainted with Topo’s choices. Prior to buying the Cyclone  – considered one of my present favourite brief distance velocity trainers – I attempted out the Phantom 3 and Atmos.

I used to be popping out of a marathon coaching block and I had some points with trainers with extraordinarily slender toe containers and wanted some respiration room for my toes.

The comparable look and aesthetic of the New Balance Rebel v2 from just a few years in the past, however with a pleasant PEBAX midsole made the Cyclone the winner over the Phantom and Atmos. I’ve usually referred to this as my mid-life disaster shoe buy; I went with the Porsche 911 after I possibly ought to have gotten the Honda Civic.The midsole was the place I seen the largest change from the Phantom 3.

Topo has up to date this yr’s Phantom 4 with a softer formulation of their signature ZipFoam midsole compound.

The softness is a bit deceptive, nonetheless. When giving it the squeeze take a look at it feels nearly as tender as the unique New Balance “Fuelcell” foam (variations 4 of their Fuelcell line are completely different compounds), however underfoot it responds a lot in a different way.

On the run you get a pleasant tender touchdown with only a trace of bounce to it. When working on the sooner finish of my straightforward tempo vary I seen a firmer trip, however a softer trip at slower paces.

I did, nonetheless, discover it fairly straightforward to set a tempo and lock in. The rocker is gentle, its predominant operate is to maintain you rolling by way of your stride relatively than launching you ahead.

The outsole protection is completely different from earlier variations. Gone is the segmented rubber protection, changing it’s the single piece with very refined flex grooves that permit some flexibility whereas holding sufficient stiffness to go with the rocker.

There are additionally 2 rubber strips on both facet of the heel for a little bit of traction for heel strikers. Grip was good, and the uncovered midsole within the midfoot nonetheless appears to be like largely unscuffed after testing.

Topo’s latest coloration choices have seen some enchancment. I actually just like the Navy Blue and Citrus colorway I acquired.

It’s not fairly the loudness I want however it beats the Black or Orange from high to backside of previous iterations. The elevated midsole heel flare provides a little bit…flare…and model synergy because it brings the silhouette nearer to the present appears to be like of their street fashions such because the Specter, Cyclone, Aura, and Atmos.

Topo Phanton 4 Fit

I may inform immediately Topo prioritized mixing consolation with their traditional Topo match.

It match true to dimension in my males’s dimension 11. The toe field is spacious and roomy, providing you with loads of room for toe splay, whereas the heel and midfoot are cosy however not constricting. The step-in really feel gives consolation throughout.

The higher is extraordinarily tender but holds the foot snugly with a barely offset lacing system that leans in direction of the medial facet of the foot, not almost as aggressively because the Vaporfly 2, however it’s noticeable.

The tongue isn’t gusseted, however Topo’s use of lace loops retains it from sliding round.

The tender padding across the ankle collar amps up the consolation. The molded plastic heel counter helps maintain your heel in place with none undesirable stress or rubbing.

I’m not one who’s delicate to heel counters, however if you’re, take be aware that the padding below the heel collar isn’t as plush and is likely to be seen. Topo added an exterior molded layer masking the heel and lengthening all the way in which as much as the final 3 lace holes, including a little bit construction.

My one large knock on the higher is the shortage of airflow. No matter the climate or the thickness of my socks, my toes had been at all times heat.

Very slight sidewalls hug the midfoot on each side, though it’s extra noticeable on the medial facet. I imagine this to be partially because of the raised arch help present in most Topo sneakers.

Who Tried it?

I’m Tim, a 44-year outdated Clydesdale runner traversing the roads and seaside paths in Sunny Long Beach, California. After a few years of brain-damaging contact sports activities I discovered a love for working later in life. My favourite distance is the half marathon, however for some motive I’ve a healthy disdain for the 5k/10k distances. A typical week includes discovering time to run 15-25 miles per week after I’m not in coaching. When I’m not out working you will discover me with my important different. You can discover me on instagram @thetimharrison.

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