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 21, 2025 06:40 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 12, 2025 08:08 PM

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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.

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Variants

  • Cyclone 3 (Black/Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • Cyclone 3 (Lilac/Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
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Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

N/A
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight 
 

Lock g (Lock oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
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Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Stack Height Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Topo Cyclone 3 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

SAMPLE

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Topo Cyclone 3 3D Model Internal Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 3D Model Internal Sample

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Internal Length 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Locked
Locked
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Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Other Features Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Other Features Photo Sample

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Locked
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return  

Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return  

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Heel Cushioning  

Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Forefoot Cushioning  

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Firmness  

Topo Cyclone 3 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Heel Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 550N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Firmness Sample

SAMPLE

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Firmness At 800N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

Topo Cyclone 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Topo Phantom 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

SAMPLE

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

Lock J
Show Text 

Topo Cyclone 3

Topo Phantom 4

Comments

  1. Comparison

Topo Cyclone 3 vs Topo Phantom 4: Main Discussion

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