Shoe Review: Soaring High in the Topo Magnifly 5

Topo Athletic has been flying somewhat under the radar for years, but the company has its faithful fans who enjoy the simplicity of its shoes. If you never jumped on the natural running bandwagon, Topo is known for relatively minimalist running shoes that encourage your natural running mechanics. The wider, anatomically shaped toe box allows your toes to splay and your feet to move naturally, and traditionally most Topo shoes have been firmer-riding, with a low heel drop.

Topo and I go way back to 2017 when I bought my first pair of the original Fli-Lyte. To this day, it remains one of the few shoes that for me, was perfect in every way. I also ran my very first marathon in the Ultrafly, and currently do all my trail running in the fantastic MTN Racer 2.

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In recent years, softer foams and faster-feeling plated shoes have drawn me elsewhere for my road running shoes, but I was excited to get the opportunity to test the new Magnifly 5 (available in February 2024). This was my first time running in Topo’s cushioned zero drop model, and I couldn’t wait to find out if that old Topo magic was still there.

Looks

Topo has always done color really well. Their shoes are understated in design while rocking some stunning colorways – subtle yet refreshingly different. I’m a sucker for all things teal, so these get two thumbs up from me.

You can tell just by looking at them that this is a zero-drop shoe. There’s no gigantic stack of foam. It feels very light, too. And let’s not forget Topo’s wider toe box; it’s there, but by no means excessively wide or clumsy-looking. It’s a simple, nice-looking shoe.

 

Function

Let’s get one thing clear: Topo shoes are not for everyone. The Topo range has moved with the times to include a few shoes with higher stacks and softer foams, but at its core this is still a brand that’s known for its natural-feeling shoes that let your feet do their thing. If you love the pillowy cushioning and stack of modern super shoes and don’t like feeling the ground under your feet, you probably won’t enjoy the Magnifly 5.

The Magnifly 5 is zero drop, and it feels like zero drop. It’s low, firm, but not harsh. If you’ve run in Topo shoes in the past, this feels like a Topo. Old school. 

Topo designed this shoe for daily mileage, recovery runs, and comfortable walking. That just about sums it up for me, as easy-paced and recovery runs are where this shoe shines. It disappears on your feet and lets your body do its thing without interfering in any way or forcing you to move differently. It doesn’t push you forward, it doesn’t make you bounce, it doesn’t alter your natural gait. If anything, it enhances it.

When I run in the Magnifly 5, I’m aware of how my foot lands, what my toes are doing (I can actually feel them all individually), and how my weight is distributed. It’s easy to land effortlessly on your midfoot, because the shoe doesn’t force you into a heel strike with a high drop or overly protect your feet with excess cushioning. There’s no numbness, you definitely feel the ground – and for your running form, this is a good thing. For this reason, the Magnifly 5 could be a great tool for working on your form.

I preferred the Magnifly 5 for easy-paced runs of up to an hour or so. I didn’t find this to be a shoe that particularly wanted to go fast, though strides felt good. 

Construction

There are nice little design touches like well-placed loops on the tongue that help keep the laces and tongue in place. The Ortholite insole is comfortable, and the ZipFoam midsole feels light and responsive. The recycled mesh upper is smooth and feels comfortable for winter running in Oregon; it remains to be seen if it’s breathable enough in warmer weather. There’s rubber spread throughout the outsole, which should make these pretty durable – though I did find the outsole a little slippery when cornering on wet pavement. 

Fit

The Magnifly fits true to size. The toe box is wider and anatomically shaped, and it has a fair bit of volume to wiggle your toes – however, don’t dismiss them if you have narrow feet. For me, the Topo fit has always been a thing of beauty. Your toes have all the space they need, but at the same time the midfoot is snug, secure, and there’s no lateral movement.

The laces tie securely and feel very comfortable – you don’t need to pull them tight to get a good fit. The heel fits well and doesn’t slip, and this shoe really disappears on your foot on the run. For my narrow feet with a medium arch and a narrow heel, the fit is wonderful. I never needed to stop and adjust the lacing on the go. 

Overall

The Magnifly could be a very good shoe as your first introduction to natural or zero drop running. The ride is not extreme, and the roomy toe box and secure midfoot will likely make these comfortable for many different foot shapes and sizes. As with any zero drop shoes, if you’re new to it your body needs time to adapt. Running in the Magnifly 5, I could feel my feet and ankles actively working; you need a certain amount of strength and mobility in your feet and lower legs for zero drop running, so ease into it.

If you already enjoy running in zero drop shoes, you may be wondering where this fits in with other options out there. For me, the Magnifly 5 sits somewhere between Altra’s Escalante and Torin. Compared to the Escalante, your foot feels better protected in the Magnifly 5; there’s a little more shoe, and the Magnifly 5 is not as soft and pliable as the Escalante. Compared to the Torin, the Magnifly 5 is lighter, more responsive and a little less cushioned. For a long run, I would perhaps pick the Torin, but for anything else, the Magnifly 5 is more fun to run in.

Final verdict? The Magnifly 5 has a permanent place in my shoe rotation for easy-paced runs when I just want to run and focus on how my body feels. It’s simple, comfortable, well-fitting, and easy to run efficiently in.