Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 Shoe Review

Individual Thoughts

KatieOverall Score: 7/10

Although the Cyclone 3 and I never really jived, I can see it being an excellent choice for the runner who mid-foot strikes or has high arches. I was honestly surprised that my foot didn’t slide around with the large boxy toe; however, the higher arch support and mesh upper acted as a cinch which prevented any movement. The downside of the higher arch was that it was uncomfortable and I worried about getting blisters with higher mileage. I did appreciate the highly breathable upper and the lightweight design that makes it feel like you’re wearing nothing. To round the shoe out, the outsole has excellent traction that performs whether you’re jogging the trails, road running in the rain, or tackling a difficult gym workout.

ConnorOverall Score: 8/10

The Topo Cyclone 3 is a fast and versatile trainer that is much lower to the ground than many of the more modern training options. While the stack height is more old school, the more modern midsole compound offers a fun, bouncy experience that makes you want to pick up the pace. I found the shoe best suited for my faster uptempo days and track workouts, while also having the ability to throw into some daily training efforts when I wasn’t too beat up. It’s actually a great travel shoe since it’s light and fast for speedy days while still having enough protection to use for some daily training. Even with only 22mm of stack in the forefoot, there is more protection underfoot than you may think, but for my true recovery days, I leaned towards more plush options.

The fit of the Cyclone is ideal for the runner seeking a snug midfoot wrap paired with a roomy toe box. If you’re a runner who needs the extra cushion or stack underfoot, there are definitely better options for you. But if you’re someone who likes a slightly more minimal design or wants to start adding lower stack shoes to their training lineup, the Cyclone 3 offers a great option with a fun feel.

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Katie: "One of my favorite features of the updated Cyclone is the comfortable, highly breathable upper. My feet stayed nice and cool, even during our warm California winter! I also appreciated that the mesh allowed air to enter, but not any dirt or debris, making the Cyclone great for either road or dirt fire roads."

Connor: "The upper of the Cyclone 3 is the only real change with the shoe and it’s not a major update. The fit is still fairly similar to the last version with a very roomy toe box and a more secure midfoot. The midfoot feels slightly more stable while the tongue seems to wrap a little more around the top of the foot. I also found the materials are quite a bit more breathable, which was great for both hotter days and shedding water weight. While the upper changes are nice, they really stayed true with what made the last version so good. Topo didn’t fix what wasn’t broken."

Midsole

Katie: "Let me preface, I am naturally a heel strike runner. So from the moment I slipped my foot into the Cyclone, I felt completely at odds with a shoe that forced me onto my mid-foot. It took a few runs of struggling until I had an “ah-ha” moment and changed my form. However, I still found the lower heel drop and high arch support not particularly comfortable and therefore, to avoid blisters, stuck to shorter runs during testing. I did find that the rocker design does naturally propel you forward; giving the Cyclone 3 a fast, smooth feel while the lightweight Pebax foam provides great energy return without adding any weight to the shoe."

Connor: "The midsole of the Cyclone 3 remains unchanged and honestly that’s not a bad thing. I really enjoy the bounciness of the PEBAX powered foam when picking up the pace and it makes for a fun ride on workout day. I don’t feel the material is quite as soft as some of the other PEBA compounds on the market, but it still has a little bit of squish at contact as well as explosive toe off.

The shoe is fairly low to the ground, especially compared to the ultra high stack heights that are common today, but I feel a lot of runners could benefit from adding a lower stack training shoe to their lineup to help build up some of the muscles that get forgotten when exclusively wearing ultra plush trainers. You definitely feel more connected with the ground and the reduced material helps keep the shoe super light. I will say, the shoe makes you want to pick up the pace but I found it didn’t feel as good for my slower, easier days when I just wanted a little more protection underfoot."

Outsole

Katie: "The outsole of the Cyclone offers exceptional grip, rain or shine! As I primarily run on the road, I had no issues with traction, even when I got stuck in a surprise rainstorm. I also wore the Cyclones for a couple of gym workouts and found they gave me a stable base whether I was doing a cardio workout or lifting weights."

Connor: "The minimal outsole design also continues forward and helps keep the shoe ultra lightweight. It’s not the grippiest or most durable outsole, but it makes sense for this shoe. It has just enough grip for your road running needs while offering no unneeded material. I didn’t have any major issues running on the road in light rain and even with some minor aesthetic wear, the thin material has held up decently throughout my testing."

Comparable Models

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 vs. Altra Experience Flow

Katie: "I found the Cyclone 3 to be most similar to the Altra Experience Flow. Both have large toe boxes, a low heel-to-toe drop, and a rocker that propels you forward. They also have “second-skin” feel that makes you believe you’re wearing nothing at all!"

Topo Athletic Cyclone 3 vs. HOKA Cielo Road

Connor: "Both the Cyclone and Cielo Road are in a very similar category as lower stack, plateless shoes featuring lightweight, super critical midsoles. While the Cyclone 3 is technically a little lower stack underfoot, I actually found it to be a more versatile training shoe that could be used for a wider variety of training. The Cielo Road feels a little more tuned for racing and has a much more narrow fit in the upper, especially in the forefoot."