Topo Cyclone 3 vs Phantom 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Topo Cyclone 3
Topo Phantom 4

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Nov 13, 2025 04:31 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 12, 2025 08:08 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Topo Cyclone 3

Topo Phantom 4

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.

0 

Variants

  • Cyclone 3 (Black/Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • Cyclone 3 (Lilac/Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • Cyclone 3 (White/Sunset - (Men - US 9))
  • Cyclone 3 (White/Sunset - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Blue/Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • Phantom 4 (Grey/Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Purple/Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Men - US 9))
  • Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Stone/Black - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.4
5.9

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

22.4 mm
30.4 mm

Heel Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
37.1 mm

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.6
3.7

Weight  

8.4
6.3

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.7
1.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.4
6.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

193.4 g (6.82 oz)
254.3 g (8.97 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
37.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

22.4 mm
30.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.8 mm
6.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
5.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Topo Cyclone 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
88 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

73 mm (2.9")
82 mm (3.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

111 mm (4.4")
112 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.16
2.37

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.96
3.68

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Topo Cyclone 3 3D Model Internal
Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

67 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

98 mm (3.9")
97 mm (3.8")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.7
1.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

73.0%
67.0%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.6
3.7

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

74.9%
70.3%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

4.5
7.1

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.53 J
3.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

6.32 J
8.73 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

10.24 J
14.32 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

4.6
7.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

2.86 J
4.52 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

5.08 J
7.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

7.51 J
10.75 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

8.0
6.2

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

75.1 N/mm
54.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

181.3 N/mm
130.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

423.0 N/mm
282.7 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

9.3
8.5

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

168.2 N/mm
113.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

331.1 N/mm
252.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

666.7 N/mm
498.8 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

5.98 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.87 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.80 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.74 J
Show Text 

Topo Cyclone 3

Topo Phantom 4

Comments

  1. Comparison

Topo Cyclone 3 vs Topo Phantom 4: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones