The Topo Phantom 4 is a reliable, no-frills daily trainer that utilizes unique geometry to deliver a consistently solid ride. The most notable feature of the Phantom 4, as with all of Topo Athletic's shoes, is the wide toebox. The brand claims this is designed to allow for a more natural toe splay and accommodate foot swelling during a run. This spacious interior will certainly feel quite roomy to wider-footed runners who feel constrained in more established brands' shoes. The Phantom 4 also carries another distinctively Topo trait, with a very moderate heel-to-toe drop. While Topo is still a bit of an outlier in resisting the max cushioning trend, the Phantom 4 does have more stack than the Topo Phantom 3. The 4th version now feels like a classic daily trainer underfoot, but with a distinctly different fit around the foot, from its plush heel counter and thickly padded tongue to its spacious toebox.
Our Verdict
The Topo Phantom 4 is a sub-par shoe for a marathon. Its limited energy return means you will have to expend more energy to go the same distance as in a bouncier shoe. The cushioning is also inadequate for absorbing the cumulative impact of the marathon distance.
Very minimal bounce.
Cushioning bottoms out over long distances.
The Topo Phantom 4 is a suitable option for running shorter races. While it's nimble enough for some strides and pickups, the limited bounce from the ZipFoam midsole (which is an EVA/TPU blend) means that you will get back less of the energy you put into each stride versus a dedicated racing shoe.
Very firm forefoot.
Very minimal bounce.
The Topo Phantom 4 has poor energy return. The Phantom 4 is a no-frills shoe trainer that's designed to stay out of your way rather than give an extra pep to your step, and that's evident in the ride. The EVA/TPU blend in the midsole leans much more toward protection and stability than bounce, with the firmer EVA foam dulling impact forces more aggressively than the TPU bounces them back.
Very minimal bounce.
The Topo Phantom 4 has decent, well-balanced cushioning. Thanks to its relatively small heel-to-toe drop, the impact protection is fairly consistent between the heel and the forefoot. That said, the thinner midsole struggles to absorb heavier forces and isn't particularly resilient over long distances.
Even cushioning between forefoot and heel.
Cushioning struggles to keep up with higher impact forces.
The Topo Phantom 4 has good lateral stability. The wide toebox and firm forefoot provide a stable, planted push-off with each step. Topo's unique outsole geometry provides the shoe with a wide platform, creating a solid and reliable base for every stride.
Wide toebox and outsole.
Very firm forefoot.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the Topo Phantom 4 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Blue/Lime colorway. The shoe is also available in numerous other colorways, depending on your region. Wide versions are available for both men and women.
The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Topo Phantom 4 is a newer brand's take on a classic daily trainer, and a reminder that innovation in running shoe design isn't just about making cutting-edge super shoes faster and lighter, but also about making daily trainers more comfortable and approachable. In terms of use cases and performance, the Phantom 4 is comparable to legacy trainers like the Brooks Ghost 17 or ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27, yet it looks and feels nothing like these more traditional running shoes. The most comparable shoe from another brand would be the Altra Experience Flow 2, which has a similarly wide toebox and footbed geometry, but lower stack height and less cushioned ride.
As a relatively new entrant to the market, Topo Athletic still offers a smaller selection of shoes. The Phantom 4 is the brand's most versatile shoe, suitable for walking and everyday running. The Topo Specter 2 is a more premium daily trainer, with similar geometry, but a more premium foam that provides better cushioning and energy return. The Topo Cyclone 3 is a low-stack, lightweight trainer that feels closer to an old-school racing flat, but with the same wide toebox as the other Topo shoes. Finally, the Topo Atmos is the brand's newest shoe line, and it's the only max-cushioned model.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The Altra Torin 7 and Topo Phantom 4 are both daily trainers that share a similarly shaped, wide toe-box, which differentiates them from most other brands. While their footbed geometries are similar, the Altra shoe has zero heel-to-toe drop, whereas the Topo does at least have 5mm. The zero drop of the Altra, combined with its thin cushioning, makes it feel more like a last vestige of the minimalist trend, while the Topo shoe feels more like a classic daily trainer with a roomier forefoot.
The Brooks Ghost 17 and Topo Phantom 4 are two daily workhorses that prioritise a smooth, predictable ride, but they cater to different runners. With its 10mm heel drop and dense midsole, the Brooks is a classic choice for heel strikers and is also a better choice for heavier runners, as its cushioning holds up better as force increases. The Topo has a much less pronounced heel drop, and its cushioning performs better at lower forces, so it will be better suited to lighter runners and mid- to forefoot strikers.
The Saucony Ride 18 and Topo Phantom 4 are two daily trainers that promise a smooth ride with minimal fuss or bells and whistles. The distinguishing feature of the Topo shoe is its wide toebox, which allows more room for toes to splay, so this shoe will be of interest to runners who like a roomier forefoot. On the other hand, the Saucony shoe is much more energetic and slightly better cushioned and more stable, so for runners whose toes don't get cramped, the Ride has more to offer.
The Topo Cyclone 3 and Topo Phantom 4 are two of the more established shoes in the relatively new brand's lineup. Both have Topo's distinctive wide toe box, and the same advertised 5mm heel-to-toe drop. But the Cyclone sits much lower to the ground, with 10mm less stack height under the heel. As such, the Cyclone is a nimbler, lighter, but noticeably less cushioned shoe that's good for shorter, faster workouts, while the Phantom provides better protection and has a bit more range.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The Topo Phantom 4 manages to keep weight quite reasonable for a daily trainer, weighing in at less than the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27, Brooks Ghost 17, or New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15.
Topo's anatomical toebox is one of the brand's most distinctive elements. Runners who feel their toes pinched by most legacy brands will particularly appreciate the Topo's roomy interior. Because the shape is different than many brands' canoe-shaped forefoot, our measurements don't fully capture the extra width of the toebox.
The energy return in the heel of the Topo Phantom 4 is abysmal. Heel strikers who need spring from the midsole to help get onto their toes will find the ride of the Phantom 4 flat and lifeless.
The energy return from the Topo Phantom 4's forefoot is better than the heel, but still rather poor. Nevertheless, it outperforms some legacy daily trainers, like the Brooks Ghost 17 or ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27.
The Topo Phantom 4 provides a decent amount of cushioning in the heel. At walking or light running effort, it actually provides better protection than many other daily trainers, but at harder efforts, it lags behind.
The forefoot of the Topo Phantom 4 is satisfactorily cushioned. The low drop means that there is still a decent stack under the forefoot, so it's better protected than in classic daily trainers like the Brooks Ghost 17, Nike Pegasus 41, or ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27.
The heel of the Topo Phantom 4 is firm enough to feel secure underfoot for heel strikers, but not so firm as to feel overly harsh. At lower force levels, it's more malleable than the Brooks Ghost 17 or ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27. At even a moderate level of force, though, it will feel firmer than these other shoes.
The forefoot starts out quite firm already and becomes even firmer as you push harder. This helps give the shoe a stable, grounded feeling, but could be too harsh for some.
The Topo Phantom 4's cushioning is inadequate for long runs. The forefoot becomes much less absorbent after 10k, and steadily less thereafter. That said, it does actually hold up better than the Nike Pegasus 41 or Brooks Ghost 17.