Topo Ultrafly 5 review

In our opinion, the Topo Ultrafly 5 is a good buy for those who:

• Have wide feet and want a stable daily trainer that feels secure without being stiff.
• Are looking for a rare mix of a wide toebox, low drop, and a moderate stack height.
• Need one shoe that works for easy runs and everyday use, with light support built in.

We do not recommend the Ultrafly 5 for runners with narrow feet. We found in the lab that its extra-roomy fit feels overly spacious, and that can be a problem for some of you. Check the ASICS GT 2000 14 or the On Cloudflyer 5 instead!

We also think it’s not the best choice for runners chasing maximum cushioning. During testing, we noted the midsole feels clearly thinner and less protective than expected. We believe there are better choices for those seeking top-tier shock absorption in a stability shoe, such as the Nike Structure 26 or the HOKA Arahi 8.

With 111 SA of shock absorption in the heel and 96 SA in the forefoot, the Topo Ultrafly 5 sits slightly below many modern daily trainers. As a result, we believe it works best for runners who are not planning long runs in this shoe, or for those with a low to moderate body weight.

While Topo uses the excellent Pebax foam in models like the Specter 2, the Ultrafly 5 relies on a lower-tier, EVA-based ZipFoam compound that is clearly less energetic. But of course, this shoe is cheaper too.

Instead of delivering a lively rebound in the mid-sixties, we measured just 54.6% energy return in the heel and an even lower 48.6% in the forefoot, confirming its more muted and comfort-focused ride.

The heel of the Ultrafly 5 will appeal to runners who dislike max-stack shoes. Here, we found the exact opposite of the current trend, with just 30.2 mm of material underfoot and a ride that feels closer to trainers from a decade ago. Believe it or not, there is still a market for that, and the Ultrafly proves it with a 5th edition.

The forefoot feels closer to an average trainer thanks to the Ultrafly’s moderate drop and its 25.2 mm stack. That said, you really need to be looking for a shoe with less cushioning than usual to enjoy the Ultrafly 5, and we made that clear.

In most shoes, the drop we measure is usually close to what the brand claims, often within 1 or 2 mm. After testing the Ultrafly 5 ourselves, we were surprised to see it land exactly at 5.0 mm, with no deviation at all. Woah! 

This drop works very well for midfoot strikers, yet it should suit most runners, except maybe extreme heel strikers who may prefer a shoe with a higher offset.

The EVA-based ZipFoam compound in the Ultrafly 5 measured 18.1 HA in our durometer test, showing again that this shoe aims to be dependable rather than exciting.

During our test runs, it felt exactly like that: there is no plush cushioning at all, but it also never feels harsh or brick-like underfoot.

The Topo Ultrafly 5 features a very distinct midsole design. The heel has a clear bevel that helps the foot touch down earlier and smooths the stride for heel strikers, which makes sense given the 5 mm drop.

Up front, the forefoot curves up a bit but delivers a more classic running feel and a predictable ride that, based on our runs, works especially well for beginners and slower-paced runners.

Many runners choose Topo Athletic because of its well-known wide fit, so we were keen to check if the Ultrafly 5 still deserves a spot in the Wide Foot Friendly club.

After completing our gel mold and taking the first measurement, the results looked very promising. With a width of 98.8 mm, it clearly sits above the average. Let's keep going.

The unusual shape of the gel mold hinted at a very high result, and we confirmed it with a measurement of 81.2 mm.

Runners looking for massive room for toe splay will find it here, no doubt.

The toebox also offers more vertical clearance than most running shoes, giving the toes extra freedom to move without pressure.

At 30.1 mm, this height confirms that all three toebox measurements are more generous than average, making the shoe a strong match for runners with high-volume feet.

A shoe built around dependability also needs solid traction, and Topo delivered on that front. In our wet concrete test, the Ultrafly 5 scored 0.66, which is not easy to achieve and adds real value, making it a reliable option even on rainy days.

We found that the Ultrafly 5 outsole combines some exposed midsole foam with solid rubber coverage. The central midfoot is mostly bare foam, with a long cutout that reveals the midsole and reduces full-length rubber use.

In the forefoot, the rubber is segmented and angled to improve flexibility, while the heel uses a larger, more continuous coverage. It is also worth noting that some parts of the medial area skips rubber and instead uses reinforced grey foam from the medial post.

As all shoes keep getting stiffer, it is refreshing to see Topo focus on flexibility with the Ultrafly 5 despite being a stability shoe. It measured just 9.7N in our 30-degree test, making it a great option for daily wear or long walks, and it really is noticeably more comfortable than many stiffer daily trainers for that.

In our view, the weight of the Ultrafly 5 matches the shoe’s character well. It is neither groundbreaking nor impressive, but it is also far from a disaster. At 9.6 oz or 272g, it clears the bar by a narrow margin.

If Topo introduces a better foam next year, even a supercritical EVA version, the weight could easily drop by around 10%.

Topo often designs uppers that feel very different from what most brands offer, which comes across as fresh and intentional.

The Ultrafly 5 continues that trend with a recycled engineered mesh that avoids the usual small ventilation holes that most daily trainers have. Instead, it uses long airflow channels that run across the forefoot and extend into the midfoot.

This design earned a 3/5 score in our breathability test. It may feel a bit warm in very hot climates, but it should be fine for most runners.

Looking closer under the microscope, the mesh shows a unique structure that should help improve durability, which we will verify later.

Overall, it is a solid upper for the price. There is padding around the heel, added reinforcements where needed, and ventilation that (in most cases) gets the job done.

During our tests, we found solid stability in the Topo Ultrafly 5, which was expected since this model is built with support in mind. A large heel clip does most of the work, while a medial post helps limit inward rolling.

However, it's important to note that the shoe remains easy to use for neutral runners because these stability elements never feel intrusive.

This is a clear example of why the Ultrafly 5 works well for runners with mild stability needs as well as neutral runners. Rather than using a very rigid platform, it feels about as flexible as most neutral daily trainers, earning a 3/5 score.

With another 3/5 score, the heel counter stiffness feels closer to a neutral HOKA Clifton 10 than to a stability-focused ASICS Gel Kayano 32.

It is no coincidence that so many measurements land close to the average. Topo Athletic clearly aimed to create a shoe that simply works by avoiding extreme design choices. This approach shows in the midsole width as well, which measured 114.6 mm.

The heel measured 87.9 mm. It may look slightly narrow, but with their moderate drop, Topo shoes are naturally better suited for forefoot and midfoot strikers anyway.

Using channels instead of full-sized ventilation holes worked well in our Dremel test, with the Ultrafly 5 earning a 3/5 score that sits above our current lab average.

This is not the first Topo shoe we have tested where the heel padding falls short in durability. Our 2/5 score is far from ideal, and we hope Topo improves this area in future versions, as it remains one of the shoe’s few weak points.

We ran the Dremel at double speed to really stress the outsole, and we were pleased with the result. Just 0.8 mm of rubber wore away, which points to solid outsole durability and a long life for the Ultrafly 5.

To play it safe, Topo added 3.0 mm of rubber under the midsole. This is close to the average and in line with most daily trainers—no risks taken, but no surprises either.

The insole also matches what we see in the competition, with 4.1 mm of thickness and nothing that really stands out.

The Ultrafly 5 uses an Ortholite insole labeled as High Rebound Foam, although our testing suggests that the meaning of high rebound can vary quite a bit depending on who you ask.

The ZipFoam compound is mainly EVA, but Topo blends in polyurethane to improve specific properties. One clear benefit is cold resistance, as we measured only an 8% change after 20 minutes in our freezer, which is a wonderful result.

The Ultrafly 5 has no reflective elements, which we truly hope Topo addresses in the next version. What’s the harm?

The lacing system sticks to a simple and proven setup, using punched eyelets and flat laces. Nothing here feels fragile or prone to failure, but also lacks excitement. Yep, like the rest of the shoe.

We also measured a reasonable 6.3 mm of padding. It is not excessive or weight-adding, yet it is enough to deliver a comfortable step-in feel for running and everyday use.

One thing we can say about Topo is that they stand by their design choices. Using dual loops on the tongue to keep it in place, instead of a gusseted tongue, has become a clear part of their design identity.

The Topo Ultrafly 5 is priced in line with daily trainers from competing brands and does not feel overly expensive to us. That said, we believe a foam upgrade is needed to add real value and help it compete better with newer options on the market.

Topo did not include a finger-loop heel tab on the Ultrafly 5, which was no surprise given their usual approach with road shoes. However, we appreciated that the heel design shows some extra thought and feels refined.