Topo Athletic Phantom 4
Features
Looking for that perfect balance of cushion and comfort for your daily miles? The Topo Athletic Phantom 4 delivers exactly what you need to keep showing up day after day.
This versatile trainer has been thoughtfully updated to give you even more cushion while maintaining that distinctive Topo fit that gives your toes room to breathe. Whether you're logging your long run, fitting in a quick workout or just need comfortable shoes for a day on your feet, the Phantom 4 has got you covered.
Details:
- Upper: The improved design offers a more sleek look while maintaining that roomy toe box Topo is known for. This gives your feet the space they need to move naturally, reducing discomfort on those longer efforts.
- Midsole: The ZipFoam™ midsole has been enhanced with an additional 2 mm of cushioning, bringing the stack height to 35 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot. This responsive foam delivers that perfect balance of softness and bounce to keep your legs feeling fresh.
- Insole: The OrthoLite Performance insole provides a plush step-in feel that welcomes your feet from the moment you lace up, making every run start on the right foot.
Topo Athletic Phantom 4
| Weight |
7.6 oz (W), 9.3 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) |
35 mm/30 mm
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
5 mm
|
| Surface |
Road
|
| Category | neutral |
What's New
Who It's Best For
Why You'll Love It
Reviews
SO NICE!
I like them a lot. I wore them to work, and they are the perfect shoe for the job. They are light, fit well, and are extremely comfortable, even after 12 hours. Also, the color is awesome. I got the dark teal color, and it is super nice.
The Perfect Daily Trainer
Sits in that goldie locks spot of not to soft not to firm not to aggressive. Fell in love with these on the first run. Miles few by during my easy run. Found myself comfortably pacing between my easy zone and thru my marathon pace zone. Zipfoam is soft and comfortable in Z1 - Z3 for me. The foam does seem to resist a bit when getting near threshold pace. So not a fast tempo or race shoe but great for 80% of your training. Love the reasonable weight and not over padded or too warm. Wide toe box is perfect for me. Wish these weren’t made in China is my only negative. I plan to rack up a lot of miles in these shoes.
Didn’t Work For Me
The Phantom 4 caused significant pain to the inside of my right knee after only one seven mile run. My body mechanics require a truly neutral shoe and a low drop. The sore knee indicates that the 4 is very “stable neutral.” It was obvious after the one run that I could not wear the shoe. I appreciate Fleet Feat allowing for the shoes to be return. The Phantom 4 is an attractive shoe. It has a good fit and nice step in feel. My first impression was that the midsole was squishy but it firmed up some after a few miles. The shoe has a rocker that makes turn over easier compared to the Phantom 3 which had to be broken in. However, my run time was only seconds faster. I wore the Phantom 3 for almost two years. That shoe also caused inside right knee pain but it took many miles before the pain required a layoff. I iced, I went to PT, I had it x-rayed and scanned, and the doctors concluded that it was a soft tissue problem. I did PT exercises, experimented with other running shoes, yet the pain persisted. I determined that high stack (greater than 35 mm), high drop (greater than 4 mm), and pillowy soft midsoles made the knee pain worse. I think the rockers used with high stack shoes(40 mm) cause problems for my body mechanics. I decided to try Altra torin again, which was a shoe that I had much success with and ran many miles in for more than five years. My knee pain went away. My conclusion is that I need a truly neutral shoe, with a zero drop (up to 4 mm), on the firmer side midsole, moderate stack height (less than 35 mm), and a modest rocker. The torin is that, but it’s a slow shoe that makes me work, nonetheless I’m getting miles in without significant pain.