Products
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Jul 23, 2026 07:16 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Jul 24, 2026 12:19 PM
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Amazon
Heel Stack Height
27.2 mm
Weight
193.4 g (6.82 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.8 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
25.3 mm
Weight
260.0 g (9.17 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
0.2 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Topo Cyclone 3
Altra Torin 9
The Altra Torin 9 and Topo Cyclone 3 are both low-stack shoes with roomy toeboxes, but they suit different runners. Get the Altra if you're already comfortable with zero-drop shoes and prefer a firm, grounded ride. Get the Topo if you're newer to more minimal footwear, since its low drop is easier to adapt to. It's also the better all-around shoe because its stable platform is paired with a lower weight and more energetic platform, which makes it more versatile for daily training and faster running.
Variants
- Cyclone 3 (Black/Lime - (Men - US 9))
- Cyclone 3 (Lilac/Purple - (Women - US 7))
- Torin 9 (Black/Black/Castlerock - (Men - US 9))
- Torin 9 (Black/Black/Castlerock - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
5.4
4.8
Forefoot Energy Return
6.6
3.6
Weight
8.4
6.0
Plate
None
None
Heel Energy Return
5.7
1.7
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.4
6.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
193.4 g (6.82 oz)
260.0 g (9.17 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
27.2 mm
25.3 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.4 mm
25.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.8 mm
0.2 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
0.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
86 mm (3.4")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
73 mm (2.9")
71 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
111 mm (4.4")
115 mm (4.5")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.16
3.32
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
4.96
4.58
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
282 mm (11.1")
Internal Heel Width
67 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
98 mm (3.9")
98 mm (3.9")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.1
Forefoot Width Photo
Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
2.8 mm (0.111")
Toe TTS Deviation
6.1 mm (0.242")
Forefoot Fit: Height
8.7
Forefoot Height Photo
Toe TTS Deviation
-1.8 mm (-0.072")
Arch Fit: Width
9.1
Arch Fit Photo
Arch Width TTS Deviation
-1.7 mm (-0.067")
Length Fit
10
Toe Clearance Photo
Heel Rocker Geometry
7.3
Heel Rocker Photo
Heel Spring
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
17.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
21.2°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.6
Forefoot Rocker Photo
Toe Spring
45 mm (1.8")
Toe Apex Position
65.0%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
P35X
Primary Foam Type
Unknown
Secondary Foam Name
P35X
Secondary Foam Type
Unknown
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
Stretch
8.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
5.7
1.7
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
73.0%
67.2%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.6
3.6
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
74.9%
70.1%
Heel Cushioning
4.5
4.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.53 J
2.32 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
6.32 J
5.90 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
10.24 J
9.53 J
Forefoot Cushioning
4.6
5.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
2.86 J
3.61 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
5.08 J
5.93 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
7.51 J
8.55 J
Heel Firmness
8.0
9.6
Heel Firmness
Preview Graph
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
75.1 N/mm
65.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
181.3 N/mm
84.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
423.0 N/mm
122.3 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.3
9.5
Forefoot Firmness
Preview Graph
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
168.2 N/mm
74.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
331.1 N/mm
100.3 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
666.7 N/mm
141 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
5.61 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
5.52 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
5.46 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
5.41 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
82 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
3.9
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
53.1%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.6
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
10.3 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
250 N
Heel Compression Depth
3.8
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
8.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
13.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
15.5 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.5
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
10.7 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
13.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
14.6 mm
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Topo Cyclone 3
Altra Torin 9
Comments
Topo Cyclone 3 vs Altra Torin 9: Main Discussion
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