Topo Athletic Magnifly 5 ($135)
Introduction
Mike P: I used to be very impressed with the earlier model of the Magnifly (RTR Overview). A clean and cozy zero-drop each day coach – I ended up placing in an honest quantity of largely straightforward highway miles in them. V5 encompasses a considerably redesigned higher together with a brand new, softer taste of Topo’s ZipFoam. The outsole stays unchanged. Topo all the time impresses with their refined but efficient enhancements from model to model. Right here we appear to be following the pattern..
Professionals:
strong 12g weight drop from v4 Mike P
acquainted, plush, snug higher Mike P
new Zipfoam 2 feels a bit extra energetic Mike P
simpler on the legs than v1 – maybe the newer foam? Mike P
trip appears to transition higher, feels much less “flat” Mike P
Cons:
Stats
Weight: males’s 8.7 oz / 247 g (US9)
Pattern: males’s 8.9 oz / 252g US 9.5
Stack Peak: males’s 25mm heel / 25mm forefoot (0 drop spec)
$140. Obtainable February, 2024
First Impressions, Match and Higher
Mike P: Traditional, no-nonsense Topo match right here – snug across the heel, safe via the midfoot, opening up a bit to a spacious (however not overly so) toe field. I largely check Topo’s path fashions, and among the current fashions such because the such because the MTN Racer 3 and the Ultraventure 3 appear to have wider toeboxes -. The Magnifly’s is extra reasonable in width with loads of snug area, however not a lot that your foot could be transferring round, particularly throughout highway runs.
The engineered mesh higher materials itself appears to be barely refined from the earlier model. V4’s materials was very plush, seemingly gentle and soft, even on the outdoors. Onerous to say definitively, however I get the impression of a extra streamlined higher development. We do have fairly a strong weight drop (-0.4 oz, 12g from V4), so maybe along with the reformulated foam, some weight has been shaved within the higher supplies.
Tongue padding, and heel/ankle collar padding hit simply the best notice for consolation. No hotspots or irritations anyplace towards my foot. The tongue is non-gusseted, however the two lace loops alongside the tongue do a superb job conserving it centered. Stretchy laces mean you can cosy up the match as you’d like, whereas nonetheless permitting a slight little bit of stretch for consolation, a really complimentary lace selection right here from Topo.
One noticeable addition to V5 is a wraparound part of soppy foam alongside the decrease heel on the outside of the shoe. I’m unsure what the design impetus is on this, however I can say that I didn’t discover it in any way on the run. Maybe a great factor? I’d not say that it supplies any noticeable stability impact. Perhaps the brand new softer ZipFoam required a bit extra inherent heel stability?
Midsole & Platform
Mike P: Stack peak stays unchanged at 25mm (zero drop), however the large function replace here’s a new softer and lighter ZipFoam system.
The evolution of the froth is a bit arduous to maintain monitor of throughout Topo’s fashions – they name the whole lot “ZipFoam” and solely point out whether or not it has been up to date or not when new fashions come out. I’d say primarily based on my testing of various fashions, each highway and path, that that is the third noticeable iteration.
The preliminary ZipFoam and the “Subsequent Gen” model (V2?), tended to really feel a bit on the dense facet, extra shock absorbing and affect dulling versus responsive. I detect a little bit of enchancment right here with the Magnifly’s model of ZipFoam. It does really feel lighter on foot, and that lighter weight can be noticed on the size. However there’s additionally a little bit of “quickness” and dare I say “responsiveness” to the texture underfoot that simply wasn’t there with their earlier foam formulations.
As seen above, there’s a little bit of an upward tilt within the outsole on the lateral heel touchdown space. I examined out a couple of “heel strikes” throughout my check runs (not pure for me) and I used to be shocked by how agency the landings felt. That is no concern for me in any way with my regular foot strike sample, however I’m curious to listen to if any of our testers who heel strike have an analogous feeling.
One other typical Topo facet is the arch assist. In the event you’ve run in Topo sneakers earlier than, you’ll bear in mind that there’s a slight contour beneath the arch. It feels refined for me – and I prefer it, however different runners have discovered it to be too noticeable.
Outsole
Mike P: The outsole stays unchanged from V4 – each in structure and so far as I do know, rubber system. V4 moved to a softer, lighter rubber and the identical is used right here in V5. I discovered it to be an enormous enchancment over rubber present in Topo’s very early fashions. Regardless of claims of being simply as sturdy, I did discover that it appeared to put on a bit sooner than the more durable rubber of previous fashions. It wasn’t something out of the odd, and consistent with most highway outsoles. I did put in 175+ miles with none concern.
The segmentation of the outsole works effectively for this zero-drop mannequin, because it permits the forefoot to flex properly and allows a pleasant and straightforward roll on the finish of the stride. There’s rubber within the excessive put on touchdown areas – particularly for me within the lateral midfoot/forefoot space.
Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions
Mike P: I discussed in my intro how Topo all the time appears to make minor enhancements from model to model. All through the evaluate up to now, I’ve touched on lots of the optimistic components which might be holdovers from V4, which proceed to work effectively. The not-so-minor enchancment that I discover within the new Magnifly is within the trip division.
The brand new Zipfoam appears to allow a faster really feel on the highway and a extra dynamic stride turnover. I harped on the forefoot flex grooves in my V4 evaluate, however now the brand new ZipFoam provides one other dimension to the trip. I discover much less of the inherent “flat” really feel that sometimes comes with most zero drop sneakers. When touchdown successfully on the midfoot, my floor contacts really feel only a contact faster and smoother.
For me, it actually makes it much less noticeable that I’m working in a zero drop shoe. I’ve been lately logging all of my highway miles within the Cyclone 2 (RTR Overview) since I just like the responsiveness of its PEBA midsole and the shoe simply feels so gentle on foot. Now I’m sure that I’ll be utilizing the Magnifly 5 for many of the “each day” or “coaching” miles (8:00 – 9:00/mi -ish), and reserving the Cyclone for barely sooner stuff.
The trip of the Magnifly 5 simply feels that efficient, and I don’t get the robust feeling of my decrease legs being over labored by the zero drop. It’s an enchancment over V4, the place I discovered the zero drop extra noticeable on the decrease legs. This can be a really helpful choose within the cushioned zero drop each day coach class. I’d even suggest it as an entry level to runners who could also be zero-drop curious. But once more, Topo does the trick-effectively pushing a mannequin ahead!
Mike P’s Rating: 9.63/10
Journey: 9.5 – New ZipFoam provides a faster and lighter really feel on the highway
Match: 10 – Safe, but consolation centered. Plush, with out extra
Worth: 9.5 – A top quality cushioned, zero drop coach
Fashion: 9 – Some new gradient results, however nonetheless modern and refined
Smiles: 😊😊😊😊😊
5 Comparisons
Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE Roadtrailrun
Topo Magnifly 4 (RTR Overview)
Mike P (9.5): In contrast all through the evaluate – the large distinction is the brand new lighter ZipFoam and the related total lighter weight of the shoe. V5 loses a full 0.4 oz from V4 with a redesigned, however successfully related higher. So the brand new foam underfoot does make the trip really feel faster and livelier, particularly for forefoot/midfoot strikers.
Topo Cyclone 2 (RTR Overview)
Mike P (9.5): The PEBA midsole of the Cyclone 2 may be very dynamic, a lot softer, and bouncier than the extra “common” feeling ZipFoam of the Magnifly 5. The Cyclone 2 higher has the identical related Topo match, however a bit much less stretch to it, and safer feeling for sooner paces. I used to be doing each day miles within the Cyclone 2 since I favored it a lot, however I’ll doubtless use the Magnifly 5 for these now as I believe they’re gentle sufficient and the froth is vigorous sufficient, whereas being a bit extra secure for simple mileage.
Topo Fli-Lyte 5 (RTR Overview)
Mike P (9.5): A special shoe from the Magnifly in that it has a slight 3mm drop, and a bit thinner foam underfoot. The 3mm is noticeable in the event you’re evaluating it to the Magnifly, however when working up on the forefoot within the Magnifly, it doesn’t “trip” as flat as different zero drop sneakers. I’ve really been utilizing my Fli-Lytes solely on the treadmill, racking up a whopping 254M since I bought them – largely doing velocity work. The thinner midsole works for me on the softer treadmill and the 3mm is sufficient to take some pressure off the decrease legs at velocity.
Topo ST-5 (RTR Overview)
Mike P (9.5): Much like the Magnifly in that it’s zero drop, however a lot thinner underfoot. Probably not a each day coach choice until you’re virtually within the barefoot camp. I like them for informal use and fitness center/power work, they usually’d be okay for brief runs in a pinch. If I wished to place extra working miles in a zero drop shoe, I’d go along with the Magnifly.
Altra Escalante (RTR Overview)
Mike P (9.5): I haven’t run on this shoe in a very long time, however I believe the Escalante tends to have a a lot flatter really feel underfoot, with lots much less assist beneath the arch. Topo’s contouring arch assist feels higher for me. Altra’s foams, particularly within the Escalante, are extra bouncy and energetic, however maybe much less secure. Their higher additionally are usually stretchier until you go along with a racer model. I desire the safer, but snug, higher of the Topo, particularly on prime of their newer extra energetic ZipFoam.
The Topo Athletic Magnifly 5 can be accessible February 2024
