The Topo Phantom 4 May Be One of the Best New Daily Trainers
This is a first run review of the Topo Phantom 4.
This is a first-run review of the Topo Phantom 4. We will be posting some first run reviews in addition to the YouTube videos, follow-up articles about how the shoes hold up over the miles, as well as different perspectives from Supwell team members.
Topo Phantom 4
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Brand Background
Topo was founded in 2013 and is based out of Framingham, MA. Their mission has always been to merge the anatomical benefits of minimalist footwear with the comfort of traditional road and trail shoes.
They’re best known for three things:
- A roomy, platypus-style toebox that lets your toes splay naturally
- A snug midfoot and heel with good arch support for a secure fit
- A lower heel-to-toe drop than most traditional brands
Specs & Initial Unboxing
Category: Daily trainer (Topo’s most popular neutral shoe)
Foam: EVA/TPU blend called ZipFoam – no plates or stiffening agents
Weight (Men’s 9.5): 276g (L) / 274g (R) – nice QA!
Drop: 5mm (35mm heel / 30mm forefoot), 2mm higher heel than the Phantom 3
Insert: Thick and well cushioned—reminds me of Saucony’s PWRRUN+ insole
Upper: Breathable mesh with a smooth, padded heel and ankle collar
Tongue: Not gusseted but held in place with interior loops; soft underneath
Lacing System: Simple, secure, no issues
Fit:
- Wide and high-volume toe box (true to Topo's DNA)
- Slightly rigid toe cap that might or might not be noticeable in longer runs
- Narrower midfoot and heel provides great lockdown without fancy lacing
Outsole: Solid rubber coverage—TBD on traction/durability, but looks promising
Sizing: True to size in Men’s 9.5
Price: $145 — launching May 2025
First Run Review
- I took them on a 9 mile easy run right out of the box and I was pleasantly surprised—especially by the ride quality and foam feel.
- It’s on the firmer side, but not dead or harsh
- There's a subtle responsiveness that keeps the ride feeling smooth
- Not as fun/bouncy as something like the Mizuno Neo Zen or Asics Novablast 5
- But not as soft as the New Balance 1080v13, or as dull as the New Balance 880v15
- Even though this isn’t marketed as a true MCG-style shoe, it still has solid forefoot protection and at 30mm up front, it doesn’t feel low. The geometry makes it feel stable, nimble, and well-balanced, which made it easy for me to extend my run, even though I was coming off a small injury.
Final Thoughts
So far, it’s shaping up to be a versatile daily trainer—not flashy, but very runnable and efficient. I’ll post more as I get deeper into testing, especially around:
- Durability and outsole performance
- Longer efforts and moderate paced runs
- How it compares to other daily trainers on the market
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