Topo Phantom 4 Assessment | Constantly Good Really feel

Since its inception in 2019 the Phantom has change into certainly one of Topo Athletic’s top-selling highway trainers. The Phantom 4 appears 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.

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

With the Specter 2 changing 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 flexibility to allow you to run effectively at reasonable paces.

Topo Phantom 4 Overview

I might take into account myself considerably accustomed to Topo’s choices. Prior to buying the Cyclone  – certainly one of my present favourite quick distance pace 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 packing containers and wanted some respiratory room for my toes.

The same look and aesthetic of the New Stability Insurgent v2 from a number of 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 observed the most important change from the Phantom 3.

Topo has up to date this 12 months’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 check it feels nearly as mushy as the unique New Stability “Fuelcell” foam (variations 4 of their Fuelcell line are completely different compounds), however underfoot it responds a lot in another way.

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

I did, nonetheless, discover it fairly simple to set a tempo and lock in. The rocker is delicate, its most important perform is to maintain you rolling via your stride moderately 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 delicate flex grooves that permit some flexibility whereas holding sufficient stiffness to go with the rocker.

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

Topo’s latest colour 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 somewhat…flare…and model synergy because it brings the silhouette nearer to the present appears of their highway fashions such because the Specter, Cyclone, Aura, and Atmos.

Topo Phanton 4 Match

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

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

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

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

The mushy 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 notice that the padding underneath the heel collar just isn’t as plush and is perhaps observed. Topo added an exterior molded layer masking the heel and increasing all the way in which as much as the final 3 lace holes, including somewhat construction.

My one huge knock on the higher is the shortage of airflow. Regardless of the climate or the thickness of my socks, my ft have been all the time heat.

Very slight sidewalls hug the midfoot on each side, though it’s extra noticeable on the medial aspect. I consider this to be partially as a result of raised arch assist present in most Topo footwear.

Who Tried it?

I’m Tim, a 44-year previous Clydesdale runner traversing the roads and seashore paths in Sunny Lengthy Seaside, 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 cause I’ve a wholesome 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. Once I’m not out working yow will discover me with my important different. You could find me on instagram @thetimharrison.

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