Topo Phantom 3 review

In our view, the Topo Phantom 3 is a great choice for:

• Runners who enjoy the natural feel of Altra shoes but prefer a slightly higher heel-to-toe drop.
• Those with high-volume feet seeking an accommodating upper that provides generous space both vertically and horizontally.
• Midfoot and forefoot strikers looking for a roomy daily trainer that allows for amazing toe splay.
• Anyone wanting to break away from mainstream brands!

We think that runners seeking a lively, high-energy midsole should look elsewhere—the Phantom 3 simply doesn’t deliver that propulsive, bouncy ride. For a more springy experience, we recommend the ASICS Novablast 5 or the PUMA Velocity Nitro 3, both of which offer softer, more energetic cushioning.  

In our view, runners with narrow feet will likely struggle with the foot-shaped toebox of this shoe. For some, the extra room may feel excessive, causing an insecure fit. If you prefer a snugger forefoot lockdown, we suggest looking at the Hoka Mach 6 or the Nike Pegasus 41—both provide a more contoured fit at a comparable price.

According to our digital callipers, the Phantom 3 delivers reliable rearfoot cushioning with a 32.6 mm stack height—offering a balanced mix of support and comfort.  

We believe this makes it a solid option for heel strikers seeking a moderately-cushioned daily trainer that isn’t overly thick yet still provides effective impact absorption for short and medium runs. For longer distances, we’d primarily recommend it for lighter runners, as its cushioning may not be substantial enough for heavier athletes tackling more than 13 miles.

The forefoot stack measures 26.8 mm, and thanks to the shoe’s moderate drop, it feels slightly more cushioned than, say, a Pegasus. In our experience, it provides adequate protection for most distances and suits a wide range of runners.

We just mentioned the moderate drop, and here it is. Topo lists it at 5 mm, but our measurements showed 5.8 mm—a negligible difference.

In our experience, this drop places the shoe in a comfortable middle ground between zero-drop models and conventional daily trainers with around 10 mm of drop, making it well-suited for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

Just to set expectations upfront—the Phantom 3 doesn’t provide a cloud-like or ultra-plush ride. Instead, it delivers a well-balanced feel that leans slightly firm, making it an excellent choice for runners who appreciated those no-frills daily trainers of some years ago.

What stands out is that, despite its moderate price and an exterior that doesn’t reveal much, the Phantom 3 packs a dual-foam setup beneath the surface. This is exactly why cutting shoes in half is so important—it unveils every hidden detail!  

Both foam layers in the Topo Phantom 3 utilise ZipFoam—a mix of EVA and TPU with slight responsiveness and solid durability, but high weight too. We measured the top layer at 19.7 HA, delivering a balanced feel rather than plush softness.

Beneath the first ZipFoam layer sits a denser piece, which we measured at 24.7 HA using our durometer. This firmer foundation contributes to the shoe’s overall stability and slightly reduces its energy return, making the ride feel more way more controlled than springy.

Since ZipFoam is an EVA-based compound, we weren’t surprised by its poor performance in our freezer test. After 20 minutes in the cold, our durometer recorded a 43% increase in firmness—a disappointing result, especially for a shoe that already leans toward the firmer side...

The Ortholite insole of the Topo Phantom 3 features a standard thickness of 4.4 mm.

While a flexible, non-maximalist daily trainer doesn’t need an exaggerated rocker, we found that Topo added a subtle toe spring that rises to 4 cm. This design choice feels reasonable—preserving a natural running sensation while subtly assisting forward motion.

The fit of the Phantom 3 is one of its most polarising, make-or-break features—some runners will love its unique design, while others may struggle with the anatomical toebox. With shoes like this, there’s rarely a middle ground.

To provide a precise measurement of how this Topo fits, we filled the toebox with our custom gel solution and let it solidify in the fridge. After quite some wait, we finally extracted the mould and took our first reading—a slightly misleading 96.5 mm. This number definitely doesn’t tell the full story.

In our experience, foot-friendly running shoes are designed to honour the natural shape of the human foot, and this Topo does just that.

With an 82.1 mm width in the big toe area, it boasts a generously rounded toe cap and a low-taper design, allowing for exceptional toe splay.

We also measured the vertical clearance of the toebox, which is impressively spacious at 29.2 mm, making the Phantom 3 an excellent option for runners with high-volume feet—in other words, those with not just a wide forefoot but also a tall one.

While some runners might have preferred a slightly softer midsole, the firmer feel of the Phantom 3 brings a key advantage—stability. Seriously, we believe even those with moderate stability needs can comfortably run in this shoe, as long as they are midfoot or forefoot strikers.

Despite lacking a plate, we found the Phantom 3 surprisingly rigid when attempting to twist it. In fact, it scored 4/5 in our test, which explains its above-average stability—though this comes at the expense of a more natural and flexible ride.

The heel counter is notably stiff, earning another 4/5 in our test.

This wasn’t surprising, as a rigid plastic piece wraps the heel. Fortunately, a generous amount of padding helps offset the firmness, making it more comfortable than it might initially seem.

The Phantom 3 never appeared bulky, nor did it feel that way on foot.

According to our digital callipers, the forefoot measured 113.3 mm—an average width that aligns perfectly with its role as a stable-yet-versatile daily trainer.

The heel measured slightly narrower than average at 86.4 mm, but we weren’t surprised. Topo shoes tend to favor midfoot and forefoot strikers, given their consistently low-to-mid drop. In this case, the slimmer rearfoot design feels completely in line with its intended purpose.

Our 90-degree bend test assesses longitudinal stiffness, and we only needed to apply 22.6N to flex the Phantom 3.

According to our research, this falls within the average range for daily trainers—low enough to provide a good experience while jogging or walking.

Weighing in at just 9.5 oz or 269g, the Topo Phantom 3 falls within the expected range for its stack height and dimensions, and we’re satisfied with this result. In our view, while its weight isn’t a standout advantage, it’s certainly not a drawback either.

The Phantom 3 has delivered average results across the board, and during our test runs, we suspected its breathability would follow suit.

Using our smoke-pumping machine, we observed slightly less ventilation than we had hoped, aligning with our field experience. This earned the Phantom 3 a 3/5 score—just below the average for road shoes, confirming our initial impressions of its airflow performance.

We then tested the upper’s transparency by shining a bright light through it. The forefoot and midfoot areas are relatively thin, allowing some light to pass through easily, yet the material wasn't airy enough to rival the most breathable models on the market.

Turning to the microscope, we observed dozens of ventilation holes, which ultimately helped the shoe avoid a lower rating.

The recycled engineered mesh is standard for its price point, and we weren’t expecting premium materials at this level anyway.

Overall, we found that the upper checks all the necessary boxes—offering decent breathability, a well-structured build, and comfort—but it doesn’t stand out in any particular area. Much like the rest of the Phantom 3, it performs solidly without excelling.

The ventilation holes play a crucial role in promoting airflow, but they also leave the upper more vulnerable to wear and tear.

We put the Phantom 3 through our high-speed Dremel test and discovered that its durability took a hit—earning it a 2/5 score.

On a positive note, the heel area demonstrated exceptional durability in our Dremel test, showing remarkable resistance to wear. This time, we were pleased to award it a flawless 5/5 score.

The outsole features some rubber across the rearfoot and forefoot, while the midfoot remains mostly exposed. This could raise concerns about durability, though it's not raw foam touching the ground—there's a protective layer. Still, for a daily workhorse, we would have preferred slightly more coverage.

When it comes to traction, our experience mirrored what we found with breathability—it gets the job done, but that’s about it, earning a solid yet unremarkable performance. After testing with our Shore C durometer, we recorded a higher-than-average 83.6 HC, which aligned perfectly with our expectations for grip.

We prayed for a good result in this test, given the limited rubber coverage on the forefoot. After lifting the Dremel, we measured the damage at exactly 1.0 mm—an average outcome that should still offer respectable mileage for the Phantom 3.

That said, we can guarantee you that this isn’t one of those ultra-durable, built-to-last running shoes.

To offset the limited rubber coverage on the outsole, we measured a thickness of 3.7 mm—slightly more than average.

The Phantom 3 is a no-frills daily trainer built to rack up miles reliably, and we believe it delivers solid value for its price. It’s not a game-changer, nor does it boast cutting-edge features like Pebax foam—but we can guarantee that its cost fairly reflects that.

We found no reflective elements on the Phantom 3, which isn’t a dealbreaker but feels like a missed opportunity. Adding them in future versions would be a practical upgrade for better visibility during low-light runs.

Topo kept the lacing system super simple—relying on punched eyelets and thin, flat laces.

We also tested the tongue thickness, measuring an average 5.9 mm, which we believe hits a sweet spot between comfort and weight. Perfect for a road daily trainer!

For a retail price of £150, we think a gusseted tongue would have been a logical addition to enhance the fit. In fact, we wouldn’t have minded a small price bump if it meant getting this upgrade!

The Phantom 3 skips a heel tab, but we never found it necessary. Instead, Topo added the model name and official drop spec to this area—a stylish detail.

The Ortholite insole in the Phantom 3 isn’t glued down, making it easily replaceable. However, since it’s one of the standout features of the shoe, swapping it out means missing out on its comfort and performance benefits.