Topo Atmos 2 review

We analysed the Topo Atmos 2 and concluded that:

• It's a great upgrade over the original Atmos, especially if you wanted a softer and more comfortable ride.
• The roomy, anatomical toebox is an excellent match for runners with high-volume feet.
• Midfoot strikers with wide feet will enjoy this shoe for easy daily miles.
• It's also a great choice for anyone looking for a mid-drop running shoe that works well for all-day wear.

The extremely spacious toebox of the Atmos 2 may feel overly roomy for runners with narrow feet, making it harder to achieve a secure lockdown. Instead, we recommend the ASICS Novablast 6 and the Saucony Triumph 23.

We also found that the Atmos 2 lacks the energy return needed for a truly versatile ride, which could be a deal-breaker for some runners. Instead, the Adidas Ultraboost 5 combines a wide-foot-friendly fit with a noticeably more energetic and responsive underfoot feel.

The Topo Atmos 2 reinforces its position as the most cushioned and protective shoe in Topo Athletic's lineup. It also improves upon its predecessor in shock absorption, reaching an impressive 145 SA in the heel and 123 SA in the forefoot.

We highlighted the low energy return as the biggest weakness of the first-generation Topo Atmos, and we were hoping to see a meaningful improvement here. Unfortunately, version 2 retains the same EVA-based ZipFoam compound, which still lacks bounce, and our lab results were once again disappointing.

Recording just 48.3% energy return in the heel and 52.6% in the forefoot, the Atmos 2 remains a shoe best suited for easy-paced runs. It never felt particularly lively during our faster efforts, and at this price point, we believe that a more responsive ride should be expected.

Topo Athletic has long been known for catering to runners who prefer lower-stack shoes, offering standout options like the Cyclone 3. However, the Atmos 2 heads in the opposite direction. We measured a 1.8 mm increase in stack height over its predecessor, bringing it to 39.6 mm, just shy of the 40 mm limit.

This is unquestionably a max-cushioned shoe and the go-to option in Topo's road lineup for runners seeking an extra-thick layer of foam underfoot.

Since Topo doesn't offer any high-drop shoes in its lineup, we expected the forefoot to sit well above the 30 mm mark. Sure enough, our measurement confirmed exactly that, reaching an impressive 32.7 mm.

Topo claims a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop for the Atmos 2, but our measurements revealed a slightly higher 6.9 mm.

We believe that this gives the shoe a bit more versatility across different footstrike patterns, although midfoot striking remains the ideal technique like with most Topo shoes.

One of the biggest updates over the original Atmos is the reformulated ZipFoam compound, which Topo has made noticeably softer. The first generation measured 40.0 AC on our Asker C digital durometer, whereas this version came in at just 30.1 AC, making it 25% softer.

We know that the firm ride of the original was a deal-breaker for some of you, especially considering that this shoe is often chosen for recovery runs. Well, that's no longer an issue.

Topo has also slightly refined the rocker geometry, making it a touch more pronounced than before, although the difference is barely noticeable on the run.

We believe that this adjustment mainly compensates for the higher stack of the second generation, preserving the smooth, controlled, and predictable ride without introducing an aggressive rocker sensation.

From the moment we slipped on the Topo Atmos 2, we could tell it remained an excellent choice for runners with high-volume feet. Now it's time to back up that impression with our lab measurements.

Our very first measurement already comes in well above the average at 97.5 mm, immediately confirming just how spacious this shoe really is.

As expected from a Topo Athletic shoe, the anatomical toebox shape remains a defining feature, offering generous room for natural toe splay.

Our measurements confirmed this with an impressive width of 82.0 mm.

This is where Topo truly sets itself apart. Very few running shoes offer this much vertical space in the toebox, and we measured an outstanding 30.7 mm, giving the toes exceptional freedom to move.

This is definitely a polarising design choice. Runners who appreciate a roomy fit with virtually no pressure from the upper will likely love it. On the other hand, those who prefer a more secure feel may find the extra clearance a real issue.

The outsole has been completely redesigned from the ground up. It now features two small rubber pads in the heel and one large pad in the forefoot, along with several strategically placed cutouts that enhance flexibility and help offset some of the inherent stiffness that comes with such a high-stack design.

To be fair, those cutouts in the redesigned outsole (plus the softer foam) really paid off. Despite gaining stack height, the Atmos 2 required just 14.1N in our flexibility test, improving on the 15.1N recorded by the original Atmos. And we say improving because most Topo users seek a flexible build instead of a stiff shoe.

Although most of the updates in the Atmos 2 move the shoe in the right direction, this is one area where it takes a slight step back. The taller stack inevitably adds weight, and the Atmos 2 tipped our scale at 10.1 oz (286g).

That's only a 4% increase over its predecessor, but it's still an increase nonetheless.

Runners who found the original Atmos provided just enough support may want to think twice before upgrading, as version 2 delivers a less stable ride. We believe it's now best suited exclusively for neutral runners.

The platform is slightly narrower, making the shoe feel more agile, but it also features a higher stack and a softer midsole. Together, these changes reduce the overall level of stability compared to its predecessor.

The Atmos 2 is noticeably more comfortable than its predecessor. It no longer feels as rigid underfoot, and the various updates make it a much better option for runners who also spend long hours standing or walking.

That improvement is reflected in our torsional rigidity test, where it recorded just 13.3 Nm, placing it below the average for road running shoes.

Topo also dialled back the heel counter stiffness. While the original Atmos featured a notably rigid heel, we rated this version at just 2/5 in our manual assessment. The result is a more natural and forgiving ride, although it comes (again) with a slight reduction in overall support.

We mentioned earlier that the Atmos 2 feels more agile and comes with a slimmer platform, and our measurements back that up. The forefoot width came in at just 114.3 mm, making it 4.8 mm narrower than the original Atmos.

The same trend continues at the heel. We measured a width of 92.5 mm, making the Atmos 2 4.1-mm narrower than its predecessor in this area as well.

Despite featuring dozens of ventilation openings across the engineered mesh, the Atmos 2 held up surprisingly well in our first Dremel durability test, earning a respectable 3/5 score.

On the other hand, the heel padding delivered a disappointing result in our Dremel test, earning the lowest possible score of 1/5. It's clear that this area still leaves plenty of room for improvement.

Outsole durability is arguably the most important of our three Dremel tests, as this is the area that usually wears out first. However, with just 0.8 mm of damage, we found that the Atmos 2 delivered a strong result that should translate into excellent long-term durability.

Topo clearly played it safe with the Atmos 2, equipping it with a generous 3.5 mm layer of outsole rubber.

We believe that this amount is more than enough to deliver plenty of reliable use without significant wear.

The insole is manufactured by Ortholite and has a thickness of 4.1 mm.

The insole is removable, although the unique shape of the Topo Athletic Atmos 2 means that most aftermarket insoles won't match the anatomical toebox perfectly. However, if you have a thicker insole, it can be a smart way to slightly reduce the generous toebox height if you find the fit too roomy.

We placed the Atmos 2 in the freezer for 20 minutes, and we were pleased to find that the midsole became only 13% firmer afterward. We consider this an excellent result, highlighting impressive cold-weather performance.

We found no reflective elements anywhere on the Atmos 2. We think that's a missed opportunity, as adding a few reflective details is both inexpensive and easy for brands to implement.

Topo sticks with its signature two loops to keep the tongue perfectly centred, instead of the single loop used by most running shoes. The lacing system is simple and effective, featuring a traditional eyelet chain with punched eyelets that makes dialling in the fit quick and straightforward.

We also found the tongue to strike solid comfort. Measuring 6.9 mm thick in our lab, it provides ample cushioning for pressure-free lacing while remaining plush enough for all-day wear.

Like every other Topo Athletic shoe, the Atmos 2 comes without a gusseted tongue.

The heel of the Atmos 2 features a clean, tab-free design that won't turn heads, but we found it neatly finished and fully functional.

The Atmos 2 offers a combination of features that's still rare in today's market, and that uniqueness likely allows Topo to command a higher price.

However, we think the shoe is a bit overpriced. In our opinion, a more advanced midsole foam would go a long way toward making its price feel fully justified.