Topo Athletic ST-6 Review: Like There’s Nothing There

Introduction to the Topo Athletic ST-6

JOHN: Considered one of my favourite non-running documentaries is Pumping Iron with legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. There’s some nice trash discuss, unusual and hilarious Arnold quotes, and throughout, it’s a compelling sports activities doc about bodybuilding! After I obtained harm earlier within the yr, I watched it for motivation, and it undoubtedly helped me begin desirous to be part of gymnasium tradition and total get more healthy. Rising up, I regarded like McLovin in Superbad, and the gymnasium actually scared me as a result of I assumed I’d get bullied.

I’m completely an unintended gymnasium man. I ran so many ultras that I reached some extent the place I used to be exhausted and weak. I’m 45 years outdated and must carry weights and cross-train to stop harm and preserve my skill to run lengthy distances. Earlier than I grew to become actually critical concerning the gymnasium, I used outdated, worn-out trainers.

I’ve been lucky right here at Imagine In The Run, having the chance to make use of the Topo Athletic ST-5 and the Altra Solstice XT3. I actually noticed the sunshine that having a superb, versatile gymnasium shoe to do exercises and light-weight treadmill runs is extraordinarily helpful. Particularly now that I’m wholesome once more, I run most weeks — normally two races a weekend or one lengthy one which spans Saturday and Sunday. In the course of the week, I solely do 3-6 miles a day, together with weights, PT, core, swimming, and cross-training, so I’m contemporary for the weekend. It’s extremely time-consuming to get these items in throughout the week, so having a flexible gymnasium shoe undoubtedly helps.

I like the Topo Athletic ST-6 as a result of it’s mild, straightforward to journey with, and works nice for a wide range of exercises.I used this shoe coming off the PB&J 50k and Marine Corps Marathon weekend since I used to be good and beat up and needing to get myself proper within the gymnasium. Let’s see the way it did.

BRADY: I, too, share a love for Pumping Iron. The 24/7 industrial gymnasium the place I work out performs the documentary on a relentless loop. Actually. Regardless of the place you might be on this planet, or what time it’s while you’re studying this, there’s a gymnasium in Baltimore exhibiting clips of a California governor making enjoyable of the Unimaginable Hulk for grunting an excessive amount of.

Whereas John and I each admire the influential documentary, our expertise with lifting weights has been barely completely different. Slightly below a decade in the past, whereas John was operating a number of ultras a yr, I used to be competing in powerlifting competitions, and the concept of operating an ultramarathon would have appeared laughable.

In 2025, when photos of unsalted hen breasts and “mass gainer” shakes are a distant reminiscence for me, I firmly consider that runners ought to incorporate common resistance coaching. Whereas the query of what footwear to carry in doesn’t have a “one-size-fits-all” reply, Sally McRae, in her interview on The Drop, asserts that runners ought to be capable to steadiness underneath load of their trainers. Meaning doing single-leg workouts, corresponding to break up squats. Now, I wouldn’t advocate doing so in a Nike Alphafly, however how does the Topo Athletic ST-6 stack up as a “do-it-all” coach?

What we like concerning the Topo Athletic ST-6

JOHN: The higher is best than the ST-5. It looks like a sock, large and very snug. The ZipFoam, as minimal as it’s, has some pop to it and feels good for operating, strolling, and all kinds of exercises. I put on a US M11.5, and it suits my foot completely. It was extraordinarily snug throughout the hours I spent on the gymnasium.

I additionally love the look and shade of the ST-6. It’s plain and purposeful, with a pointy look that matches just about any outfit, which is nice for me as a result of I don’t give a lot thought to my gymnasium apparel. I additionally really feel that the worth of the ST-6 makes it an incredible deal. It retains miles off the sneakers you’ve got in rotation for sooner runs, and many others., and does every thing you want on the gymnasium.

Minimal, handsome, cheap, and bolsters shoe rotations — throughout, the ST-6 is a profit!

BRADY: I didn’t have the prospect to attempt the Topo Athletic ST-5, however this summer time I logged extra miles within the Topo Athletic Phantom 3 than every other shoe in my rotation, and it’s clear the Topo Athletic ST-6 is sort of just like the Phantom 3’s little brother. I’ve comparable grey colorways in each sneakers, and each have comparable outsoles and a ZipFoam midsole. Should you’ve worn a Topo Athletic highway shoe earlier than, this shares the identical traits that you’re used to. The toebox is large sufficient for a pure splay, and it has some arch assist that makes the shoe really feel extremely snug. Given the form of my foot, it looks like I’m sporting a slipper.

The Topo Athletic ST-6 is marketed towards “pure operating fans and gym-goers,” which places me squarely in its audience. That stated, I normally favor a bit extra stack peak or perhaps a slight drop in my trainers, so I spent a while contemplating how I’d actually take a look at this pair. Consolation-wise, the ST-6 excels — it’s extremely light-weight at just below 7 ounces, and its minimalist design makes it straightforward to put on casually (which I’ve completed). Nonetheless, whereas it really works nicely for on a regular basis use, it feels extra like a gymnasium/life-style shoe than a devoted operating shoe to me.

The ST-6 is the sort of shoe you put on for a pre-work stairclimber session on the gymnasium, then pair with chinos afterward for a straightforward business-casual look. So, I put it to the take a look at by bringing it as my one shoe on an extended weekend bachelor journey. I wore it out to dinner with slacks and a button-down, after which put it on the subsequent day to play sports activities. Now, this isn’t the path you thought I’d go along with this assessment, I do know, however I wore this shoe for 4 hours of indoor soccer and basketball that was far too intense for a bunch of 30-year-olds, and it held up superbly. That is completely not what the shoe is constructed for, however I’m impressed at how the outsole and higher have held up.

Would I take advantage of it as my principal day by day coach? For my operating type? Most likely not. However, I might see this because the gateway for somebody to start out operating in fully “barefoot” sneakers from Xero or Vivobarefoot. The arch assist is pleasant, and having that little little bit of ZipFoam underfoot is very nice.

What we don’t like concerning the Topo Athletic ST-6

JOHN: This shoe is sort of restricted to the gymnasium. I don’t suppose that’s totally a unfavourable, although. It’s comparatively cheap and the proper shoe to only preserve in your locker or gymnasium cubby; nevertheless, for those who take it on the highway, you’ll really feel even small rocks. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that is an indoor operating shoe solely, nevertheless it’s greatest fitted to treadmill and indoor observe use. Nevertheless, if you should run exterior, it’s serviceable.

BRADY: I’ll sum up my largest qualm with the Topo Athletic ST-6 with a query: What is that this shoe greatest at? Topo Athletic qualifies that it’s for “day by day operating, gymnasium & coaching,” which I don’t essentially disagree with. Nevertheless, after I put my shopper hat on, I need to know precisely why I ought to select this shoe over different choices within the $120 worth vary.

The ST-6 is a foot-shaped, zero-drop coach with solely 14 mm of stack peak, putting it in a class virtually by itself. For $20 extra, the one different direct competitor you’d think about can be the Altra Solstice XT 3, however that shoe is marketed as a gymnasium shoe and boasts a further 9mm of stack peak. For an additional $60, you possibly can seize the Notace Yama T1, which shares basically the identical stack peak, however it’s focused in direction of path runners.

I could be entering into the weeds right here, however the Topo Athletic ST-6 looks like a shoe that would simply fly underneath the radar except you’re deeply loyal to the model. Throughout the large toebox operating group, opinions fluctuate — some runners reject any shoe with stack peak, whereas others embrace carbon plates and heel-to-toe drops so long as their toes keep blister-free. The ST-6 sits someplace in between. It’s not excessive in both path, and whereas it’s one other well-fitting possibility from Topo Athletic, I think solely a small area of interest of runners will likely be actively on the lookout for a shoe like this.

Last ideas on the Topo Athletic ST-6

JOHN: It is a comparable shoe to the ST-5 however has a significantly better higher. I really feel that this shoe is an enchancment, however the powerful a part of reviewing it’s that it’s an all-around nice shoe {that a} gymnasium one that lives, eats, and sleeps there would love. Nevertheless, the typical runner could really feel that it lacks performance.

I’m continuously on the go, being a busy dad who runs plenty of races, so throughout the week, being primarily on the gymnasium, the ST-6 works nice for me.

Mainly, for those who don’t just like the gymnasium to start with, you in all probability received’t like this shoe, however I encourage you to offer it a attempt! Don’t run your self into the bottom and get injured like I did. Get the ST-6, go to the gymnasium, eat some protein, and hulk out! I extremely encourage you to step exterior your operating consolation zone if you’re caught in that bubble and begin figuring out on the gymnasium. Holistically, you’ll get more healthy, look higher, and meet an entire new group of associates who you possibly can persuade to run ultras with you!

BRADY: Name me old style, however I prefer to have my sneakers do one job and one job solely. I carry in lifting sneakers, run in trainers, and reside in life-style sneakers. As athleisure continues to take over, the traces are getting blurrier and blurrier, however throwing apart my biases, I really actually like this shoe. That is my third pair of Topo Athletic sneakers I’ve owned, and I simply suppose they constantly hit the nail on the pinnacle for match. It received’t be the shoe for everybody, and that’s okay.

The Topo Athletic ST-6 is a flexible shoe that excels in a number of particular areas. Do you put on foot-shaped trainers and cross-train with a stairclimber typically? It is a nice shoe for you. Do you practice with weighted plyometrics to complement your weekly mileage? Look no additional. Are you a Topo Athletic loyalist trying so as to add a low-stack choice to your shoe rotation? I believe you catch my drift.

You’ll be able to decide up the Topo Athletic ST-6 for $120 in Spring 2026 from Operating Warehouse (that includes free delivery and 90-day returns) through the use of the buttons under.

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