Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 Review
Published: May 3, 2023
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 6.7 oz (size 9) Women's: 5.9 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | Heel Stack: 27 mm Forefoot Stack: 22 mm Heel-Toe Offset: 5 mm |
| Neutral |
How It Fits
| Sizing | Men's: True to Size Women's: True to Size |
| Men's: Wide Women's: Wide |
Individual Thoughts
BrycenOverall Score: 8.5/10
Overall, the Topo Cyclone 2 offers a blend of comfort and speed in a lightweight package. I saw faster times on all my runs in the shoe, but I did not have to sacrifice comfort for speed in this uptempo trainer/short-distance racer. The Topo Cyclone 2 delivered a consistent ride no matter how short or long my run was that day. With the new PEBAX midsole foam, the Cyclone 2 offers the highly responsive ride of a shoe with supercritical foam but in a low-profile, non-plated design that is still nimble and flexible. In a world where carbon-plated super shoe technology is dominant in race-day shoes and trickling into uptempo training shoes, the Cyclone 2 maintains simplicity without compromising performance. For fans of traditional racing shoes or those who prefer a non-plated shoe for training or racing 5K to 10K distances, this is a great option to consider.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Brycen: "The upper was extremely breathable and lightweight, and it disappeared on foot while I was running. The lightweight material gives the shoe a fast, race-like feel that was comfortable during easy efforts while offering a secure fit when picking up the pace. The toe box is unique in that it has a very roomy fit through the toes while being more snug in the heel and midfoot, making the shoes easy to lace up for a perfect fit with plenty of toe splay."
Midsole
Brycen: "I thought the energy return on these shoes was great. The PEBAX midsole has a fast and responsive feel that was still comfortable enough for my longer runs. The underfoot feel was a perfect balance of soft and firm, keeping my legs feeling happy while feeling fast and efficient when I wanted to pick up the pace. If you like to feel connected to the ground but don't want to feel beat up after your runs, the Cyclone 2 is a great option."
Outsole
Brycen: "The outsole consists of smooth rubber in the forefoot and heel with exposed EVA through the midfoot. Oval cutouts throughout the rubber help offer extra grip and further save on weight. Despite the absence of traditional lugs, I had no issues with traction, and I loved that the ride stayed consistent and smooth no matter what surface I was running on."
Comparable Models
Brycen: "There are very few super foam packed shoes on the market that do not have a firmer plate embedded in the midsole. This puts the Cyclone 2 in a very unique position. The closest experience to the responsive yet versatile ride can be found in the New Balance Rebel v3. While the Rebel has a little bit more stack, you still get an ultra bouncy experience that makes it easy to pick up the pace for workouts or daily training. The Rebel is fast, but it doesn't feel quite as nimble as the Cyclone and features a more traditional performance fit without the extra forefoot accommodation seen in the Cyclone 2."
Topo Athletic Men's Cyclone
The Topo Cyclone is a light and energetic running shoe. It comes alive at faster paces, making it ideal for tempo runs, intervals and even some races.
Topo Athletic Women's Cyclone
The Topo Cyclone is a light and energetic running shoe. It comes alive at faster paces, making it ideal for tempo runs, intervals and even some races.
