Top 28% in review

Top 28% in review

Have a seat. Let’s talk about Topo Athletic for a moment, shall we? Don’t worry, this isn’t a history lesson, so I’ll spare you the comprehensive run-down of this budding company and jump straight to Topo’s general mission statement.

Simply put, Topo’s aim is to design a shoe that allows runners to access the important benefits of natural running while incorporating choice features found in traditional running shoes. Essentially, the goal is a combination of natural running shoe performance with traditional running shoe comfort.

Now, I have no problem admitting that upon beginning this review, I had very little faith in the 8-year old company Topo. This is no fault of Topo’s, as the blame lies squarely on my shoulders. As a runner and a consumer, I tend to choose my shoes the same way many choose their electronics.

Apple reigns supreme in electronics, as do Nike and Adidas in sports apparel. This is undoubtedly as a result of brand recognition. Even as an experienced runner, who has run in numerous shoes, I have a tendency to fall into the trap of making purchases based solely on brand recognition. For this reason, I find it paramount to warn against this type of consumerism. Just DON’T do it (poor Nike joke intended).

Moving past the fallacy in my tendencies as a consumer, let’s talk about New Balance etc., brands like Topo have to offer an exceptional product at a significantly lower price, independent of the pomp and pretense. For this reason, I was immediately intrigued by the shoe.

Over the course of this review, I am going to explain to you the value in the UltraFly 2, and tell you about what a liked, and where I feel there is room for improvement. So, was the UltraFly everything I hoped it would be? Let’s find out…

It is comfortable

In all of my reviews, I begin with a general overview of the comfort offered by the shoe. I do this mainly because I feel a general overview of the comfort offered by a shoe is just as desirable as a breakdown of the midsole, heel, or upper. This was especially the case when I was an inexperienced runner. That being said, do not let the simple design of this shoe fool you. This thing is comfortable.

Upon first inspection of the Ultrafly 2, I was a little concerned. The thing looks pretty basic. It really doesn’t look like there is much shoe there.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite the minimalist stylings, the Ultrafly is a pretty substantial shoe. It offers excellent cushioning, with exceptional padding, particularly in the heel.

The midsole is made of three different EVA layers. More specifically, there is a firmer, more rigid medial EVA layer around the arch of the foot, with softer more accommodating EVA around the forefoot, with the most cushion being in the heel.

Excellent upper fit

The upper is pretty standard fare (breathable mesh) but it does the job well and holds the foot in place, making for an excellent fit.

All of this in unison with the EXTRA-large toe box, made for an exceptionally comfortable ride. Now that we’ve discussed overall comfort, touching on all the moving parts of the Ultrafly 2, it’s time to break this thing down.

Very wide toebox

So, let’s discuss the elephant in the room; the toe box. I call it the “elephant” in the room, because that’s how big the toe box on this shoe is.

In all honesty, when I first saw the Ultrafly 2, I thought it looked silly. I mean, it’s almost obnoxious how wide the toe box is, and I absolutely LOVE IT. Ultrafly 2, where have you been all my life?

As of writing this review, I have logged over 200 miles in the shoe, and not once (seriously) has a single toe been inconvenienced by unwanted compression, overheating, or friction. Remember y’all, we aren’t talking about a house slipper here. This is a shoe that is great for impact. Still, it has not, in 200+ miles, bothered my toes.

Added footbed

The Ortholite footbed of the Ultryfly 2 is also a welcomed addition lending to the comfort of the shoe while moderating effects of odor-causing bacteria.

As I stated previously, the upper material is standard fare. That’s actually a pretty good thing. No need to reinvent the wheel on this one.

The breathable mesh isn’t heavy, it doesn’t retain heat and it does everything generally well. The tongue is soft, and the collar of the shoe left my ankles callous and blister free.

My only complaint with the upper is concerning the laces. Believe it or not, the laces are actually too substantial for an upper that has such little rigidity.

Depending on how stiff you tie your shoe, the laces themselves might actually dig into your foot through the tongue. That being said, some may find the upper of the Ultrafly 2 a little too flimsy (I’m looking at you trail runners).

Breathable mesh upper

Stable ride

As previously stated, the midsole of the Ultrafly 2 is composed of 3 layers (varying density) of EVA foam. This effectively guarantees cushioning that is softer against the foot (adding to the overall comfort of the shoe) with a firmer midsole material against the road (adding to the snappiness and performance of the shoe).

More specifically, compared to the main white midsole of the shoe, the medial portion of the midsole is roughly 10% harder, with a heel that is roughly 10% softer. The benefit of this medial stiffness is the addition of some stability to the shoe.

Rigid medial layer

I am really KEEN on the medial support located right under the arch of the foot of the shoe. The benefit of having this rigidity centered in the middle of the shoe is light guidance and added stability.

Unfortunately, there is no noticeable enhancement to the arch support of the shoe as a result of the rigid medial layer. This is unfortunate, as my high arches sure could have used some of that support.

For me, however, the most noticeable benefit of the rigid medial layer was a smooth and snappy midfoot to forefoot transition at all speeds.

Heel of the Ultrafly 2

I like the heel of the Ultrafly 2. As previously mentioned, the heel is the softest and most cushioned part of the midsole and is most responsible for the comfort and impact reduction offered by the shoe.

A lot of the comfort comes as a result of the softer EVA heel insert. This is to be expected, as the heel of the shoe has 28mm of cushioning to work with. In tandem with the insert, there is also an EVA Strobel board under the sock liner of the shoe ensuring a super plush ride.

I find it necessary to mention that it is most common for shoe companies to opt for a lighter, more rigid heel board, OR a slightly firmer insert. The benefits of this are a snappier transition from the heel, as well as a lighter shoe.

Not necessarily heavy

Weighing in at around 10 oz, the UltraFly is not necessarily a heavy shoe, but it could have benefited from choosing one form of cushion over the other. As a distance runner, however, I can appreciate a heel that provides maximum comfort.

As previously stated, the heavy amount of cushion in the heel may be a deal breaker for some, as transitions from heel to the firmer medial portion of the midsole are labored. This will be particularly frustrating for heel strikers that are looking for a snappier ride.

If it’s any consolation, at faster speeds the cumbersome transition from heel to midfoot feels less invasive. For a shoe that boasts this much cushion, it sure wants to go fast.

Forefoot flexibility

The forefoot of the UltraFly boasts 23mm of cushioning, which is a very welcomed addition when transitioning from the harder medial portion of the shoe to the toe off. For the amount of cushion available at the forefoot of the shoe, all of my transitions were smooth and responsive.

Furthermore, while the cushioning is a priority in the forefoot, the UltraFly does not compromise on flexibility. During toe-off, the UltraFly never felt stiff, and never pinched or inconvenienced my strides, even at faster paces.

Sturdy all-terrain outsole

There really isn’t much to say about the outsole of the UltraFly. It is perfectly serviceable.

The selling points of this shoe are its extra-large toe-box, 3-layer midsole, and price. To its credit, however, the outsole of the shoe is remarkably resilient and is effective in a variety of settings (road and trail). Truly the construction of the shoe, in general, is exceptional. The pair I’ve been running in look almost as good as they did when I first pulled them out of the box.

Plush, comfy ride

The ample cushioning of the UltraFly ensures for a plush, comfortable ride. It also provides some stability, but not an inordinate amount. I was never overcome by the stability provided by the shoe. The UltraFly offers a pretty natural ride.

In terms of impact reduction, the bulk of the burden is dealt with through the cushioning I mentioned earlier. However, an excessive amount of cushioning is required for this, which makes the shoe less responsive, sluggish and heavier.

That being said, I would have preferred to have some of the impact reduction accomplished through an articulated heel, like what is available in the Mizuno Wave Sky. I find this to be a more effective way of dispersing energy across the midsole of a shoe, which also cuts down on weight.

Modest design

Now this will undoubtedly be a point of contention, but I really dig the look of the UltraFly. It’s very simple in design and color scheme.

There is nothing shiny or reflective on the UltraFly. It boasts no bells, no whistles, and nothing extravagant to speak of. Even the available color schemes are modest with a matte finish to them. This is exactly what I love about the shoe, and what lends itself well to my first point in the foreword. This is not a flashy shoe.

This is not a shoe that possesses trendy looks or street cred. You will not see advertisements in neon lights for the Topo UltraFly 2. What you get with this shoe is substance over style. Knowing this, I immediately appreciated the modest look.

Good value for money

As I mentioned in the foreword of the review, I was hoping that Topo was a company that offered an excellent shoe at an unprecedented price. I’m pleased to report that this is undoubtedly the case. I firmly believe that if this shoe was the Nike UltraFly 2, it would be retailing for $150-$180. There is an obvious reason for this.

Companies with established reputations can bank on the reputation to sell shoes. Topo is a small company. So, how does a company like this generate hype? How do they attract consumers to their product? They do so by offering the very best at a price that beats the competition.

As of right now, on Topo’s website, the UltraFly 2 is retailing for $120. The shoe is well worth the money. However, just take a glance at any other 3^rd party website selling Topo shoes. The prices are marked down significantly. I found the UltraFly 2 priced at as low as $80 at some retailers. This is madness! There is absolutely no good reason for such a markdown in price on a product that is this inspired.

Bottomline

As mentioned throughout the review, the UltraFly 2. This shoe is the real deal. In a market dominated by long-established mega-companies, Topo Athletics is the underdog. To compensate for a lack of visibility, they simply make the best shoe they can and sell it at an excellent price. Simple right?

Well no, not so simple. It is impressive to see a company with such conviction. They are not chasing any fads or appealing to any one’s vanity. They are making running shoes, for people who love to run. They are the proverbial “David” to Nike and Adidas’ “Goliath.”

Believe me, it’s understandable if at first, you underestimate this shoe. I know I did! But I have come to find that Topo truly belongs in the big leagues. They belong in your daily shoe rotation. They belong in the conversations you have with your running buddies. Don’t sleep on these guys y’all, they are filet mignon at a ramen price, NOW FILL UP!