Topo Atmos review

The Topo Atmos stands out as a compelling daily trainer for:

• Runners seeking a max-cushioned shoe with a generously spacious toebox while avoiding a zero-drop platform.
• Longtime Topo fans excited for a high-stack workhorse to complement their rotation.
• Midfoot or forefoot strikers looking for a long-distance shoe with unmatched toe splay.

We believe that runners seeking an ultra-plush ride will find the Atmos underwhelming—its ZipFoam midsole lacks the soft, sink-in feel of some max-cushioned trainers. If comfort-driven cushioning is your priority, we suggest the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14, especially for those with narrow feet who need a more tailored fit.  

From our perspective, Topo fans accustomed to the brand’s nimble designs may also be disappointed. The Atmos is a bulky, rigid workhorse that sacrifices agility for stability. If that’s a concern, we recommend the Topo Cyclone 2, which delivers a more energetic and lightweight experience. 

Additionally, die-hard zero-drop runners will likely pass on this one—it has a moderate drop, making the Altra VIA Olympus 2 a better alternative.

A frequent critique of Topo has been its limited lineup, with no presence in key categories like supershoes (still absent) and max-cushioned trainers (finally here!).

Therefore, with a substantial 37.8 mm stack in the heel, the Atmos officially enters the maximalist market—offering Topo fans a well-cushioned, long-distance training option. We confirmed with our callipers that heel protection is more than sufficient, making it a solid choice for marathon training.

If the heel felt cushioned compared to the average shoe, the forefoot takes it even further—creating a significant gap from most daily trainers. We measured 32.5 mm under the ball of the foot, and for those prioritising impact absorption, the Atmos excels.

Does this feel excessive? It might—after all, it's over 30 mm! But if that seems too much, the Topo Phantom 3 offers a slightly lower stack height and could be a better fit for you.

Like other Topo shoes we've tested in the lab, the Atmos is designed with a 5-mm drop. Our measurements showed 5.3 mm—an impressive level of accuracy, as most brands rarely come this close to their stated drop.

With this moderate drop, the Atmos suits a wide range of runners, though we found it best tailored for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

ZipFoam has never been a plush midsole—Topo prioritises a balanced feel over an ultra-soft ride, which might not appeal to everyone. However, we think this approach makes sense for a max-cushioned trainer, ensuring stability without excessive compliance.

In the Atmos, we pressed our durometer against ZipFoam and recorded 20.0 HA, which felt just average underfoot. As for energy return, don’t expect a high-bounce sensation—it performs decently but falls far short of the responsiveness found in supercritical or PEBA-based foams like the Saucony Triumph 22.

A 28% change in softness after 20 minutes in the freezer is a solid result for an EVA-based foam, so we were pleased with its cold-weather resilience.

The insole contributes extra cushioning with its 4.1 mm thickness, enhancing overall comfort.

Another signature of Topo's design is its resistance to the ultra-rockered shapes seen in other brands. The Atmos follows this trend, delivering a more traditional ride without an exaggerated curvature.

One of Topo's biggest draws is its signature foot-shaped toebox, so we set out to create an exact replica to see if the Atmos lives up to the hype.

We took three key measurements, starting with the widest part of the toebox. Our callipers recorded 98.5 mm—an excellent start for wide-footed runners.

Here’s where the magic happens. With an impressive 85.0 mm width in the big toe area, we confirmed that the Atmos offers a truly anatomical toebox that respects the natural shape of the foot.

While it may not suit narrow-footed runners, the market is already saturated with tapered competitors, like the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Adidas Supernova Prima.

The toebox of the Atmos isn’t just impressively wide—it’s also remarkably tall at 29.8 mm.

This combination makes it an outstanding choice for runners with high-volume feet seeking extra room and comfort.

In our runs, we found the Atmos to deliver a decently stable ride, but we primarily recommend it for neutral runners or those with mild stability needs.

Its ultra-wide base, moderately supportive midsole sidewalls, and pronounced heel flare contribute to a solid platform, reinforced by a notably rigid build. However, despite these elements, runners who require a stability-focused design—like the Hoka Gaviota 5—should look elsewhere, as the Atmos doesn’t provide the structured support needed for severe overpronators.

We were genuinely surprised by how rigid this shoe turned out to be. Despite having no plate or added stiffening elements in the midsole, it still maxed out our manual test with a 5 out of 5 score!

The heel counter is also noticeably stiffer than what we typically find in a daily trainer, earning a solid 4 out of 5 rating. As we mentioned earlier, Topo clearly aimed to balance the shoe’s max stack with strategic design choices, and this is one of them. However, comfort remains intact thanks to the well-cushioned heel.

One of the most evident design choices in this shoe is its huge size, which, despite not being particularly heavy, gives it a somewhat bulky feel.

In our tests, we confirmed its oversized build in all directions—our digital callipers measured a substantial 119.1 mm in the first reading.

Our second measurement, this time at the heel, came in at an impressive 96.8 mm—wider than average relative to the forefoot. With its pronounced sole flare on the sides, this design suits heel strikers who prefer a low-drop setup.

The Atmos surprised us with its rigid torsional rigidity, so we expected a high reading in our 90-degree bend test. Sure enough, we measured 29.6N—placing it at the firmer end for a daily trainer. In our experience, this limits flexibility, making it less ideal for super-easy runs or walking.

Despite its bulky design and towering stack height, the Atmos defied expectations by weighing in at just 9.7 oz or 275g—surprisingly light for its dimensions. In our view, Topo did an impressive job here!

Right after unboxing the Atmos, we immediately noticed the abundance of ventilation holes across the upper. However, when we ran our hands over the engineered mesh, it felt noticeably thick—something that often limits airflow and reduces breathability.

Curious about its actual performance, we hooked it up to our smoke-pumping machine. The result? A decent 3/5 rating, ensuring solid ventilation for most seasons, though it might not be enough for super-hot summer days. On those occasions, we think pairing it with ultra-thin socks is the way to go.

We discovered that while the heel area is well-structured, the midfoot and toebox allow plenty of light to pass through. This suggests that Topo prioritised airflow in key areas while maintaining support for heel strikers—a balance we often see in daily trainers.

The engineered mesh itself isn’t particularly groundbreaking.

It follows the same dual-layer design found in most running shoes, aiming to enhance comfort and durability.

Overall, this upper plays it safe—Topo didn't push any boundaries here, instead opting for a reliable, no-frills approach in terms of design and materials. But if you ask us, we would have preferred just a bit more breathability.

We fired up the Dremel for the first test of the day and found the upper to be less durable than expected, scoring a modest 2/5.

However, it turned things around at the heel, where early wear is typically a bigger concern. Here, we were thrilled to give the Atmos a perfect 5/5 score.

The Atmos outsole sticks to Topo’s usual design, featuring ample exposed foam to cut weight—though this could compromise durability.

Even with less-than-usual rubber coverage, the 76.5-HC compound provided reliable traction on roads. However, we wouldn’t recommend it for dirt roads or gravel paths.

This test was crucial for the Atmos, as poor performance would have been a major concern given the minimal rubber on the outsole.

Fortunately, we discovered solid results with just 0.8 mm of wear, indicating that despite its foam-exposed build, durability should be around average like in most daily trainers.

We were relieved to find a generous 3.4 mm of outsole thickness, which is quite substantial—especially for a Topo shoe.

If performance is your priority, the Topo Atmos may feel pricey since that's not its main strength. However, for runners with high-volume feet seeking comfort and reliability for daily miles, it's a strong contender for its price tag. Plus, its niche status offers a unique alternative to mainstream options.

Topo left out reflective elements on the Atmos—a missed opportunity to enhance visibility and safety for night runs.

One of the cool features in the Atmos is its uniquely designed tongue. Topo uses two small loops—one on each side—near the last eyelet, instead of the single loop of most running shoes. We found that this unique design significantly improves lockdown for this shoe because it keeps the tongue centred at any pace.

We measured the tongue at a well-balanced 6.5 mm, providing the right mix of comfort and weight savings. In our experience, it offered just the right amount of padding and we never felt any pressure or pain.

Those two loops play a crucial role since the Atmos features a tongue that isn’t gusseted. In most running shoes, we’re not fans of this design, but we believe Topo pulls it off with this innovative approach, keeping the tongue secure without fixing it to the sides.

As with all Topo road running shoes, the Atmos skips a heel tab, opting for a clean, minimalist design in this area.

The Atmos comes with a replaceable Ortholite insole, but we found it to be a key component of the shoe’s comfort. Swapping it out means losing the plush feel and responsive cushioning that enhance the ride.