TOPO ATHLETIC MAGNIFLY 5: a zero drop workhorse

[@bk4109]

I loved my Torin 5 (except the tongue). The Rivera 3s are a bit stiff. I am looking at TOPO now. This looks like a great shoe

[@its_Matt_B_]

These are super low key and comfy! The Torin 7 is also a good option!

[@thomasgraves2531]

Thanks for your review, spot on! Got them as well last week, put 10 miles in, and they feel good so far. I had problems transitioning from my long trusted Altra Torin 5 to Torin 7, when the Magnifly 5 came in as a game-changer. Appreciate your insights!

[@its_Matt_B_]

Good to hear they're working well for you! 👊🏽

[@robertgruber982]

I'm looking for an alternative to my new old stock Torin 5s and the 7s are too cushy for me. Might give these a try.

[@treadtyred9742]

I've always ended up injured after a couple of weeks of trying to run. I turn 50 and thought I'd give it another go and got some inov8 trailfly g 270s and now I'm tempted to call myself a runner! I think it was the all the popular shoes with high stack height. I might take a look at these Magniflys thx.

[@its_Matt_B_]

You are definitely a runner! If you're finding yourself getting injured after a few weeks of running, try running less during those first couple weeks. Remember the Terrible Toos of running: too much! too soon! too fast! All three lead to injury! Good luck and lmk how those Magniflys work out if you pick up a pair!

[@blackbelt2000]

I tend to over tighten my laces and always regret it later so a thick tongue might save me from myself. Also, a wide toe box is a plus for me. I wish more shoes had them.

[@its_Matt_B_]

I'm with you on the wider toe box being a huge plus. Even though I have narrow feet and don't usually have complaints when the toe box isn't wide, it's still a great feeling when there is more room!

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

Hmmm...I didn't expect the MFly 5 to weigh that much. My Cyclone 2 (10.5) weighs 7.2 oz. Anyhoo, as an Altra runner since 2009, I can honestly say that Topo is giving Altra a run for their money, both on the road and on the trails. The MFly 5 reminds me of the Altra One from over a decade ago. The One got me through my first three marathon training blocks, including my first Boston in 2015. Great review. Thanks, Matt.

[@its_Matt_B_]

This is my first Topo shoe and because I had nothing to compare it to within the brand, I didn't think it was heavy at all. I didn't run in the Altra One but I have to commend you on your excellent memory remembering what a shoe you ran in a decade ago felt like! I especially liked the minimal feel of the shoe without it being so minimal that I felt like I was missing something.

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@its_Matt_B_ I miss the One. They came out with the One 2.5, which was okay. Welcome to the Topo world. 👍

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@MyFatAdaptedLife I'm glad to be here! 😁

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@its_Matt_B_ Your fans are happy to have you :-)

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@MyFatAdaptedLife 😍

[@brokenfreddy1262]

I have couple of prs of the specters..find them good airy and relatively comfortable..1 thing I have never understood why would you put a sponge inside a running shoe..throw out those and put a closed foam cell insole in it..those open cell foam insoles are just for step in feeling cos they're completely squished flat in seconds..

[@its_Matt_B_]

The Specter is a shoe people have raved about to me for ages. I didn't get a chance to run in it but I hope to get a pair of the Specter 2 when they drop in the near future!

[@robertlynch4839]

How pronounced is the arch support?

[@its_Matt_B_]

Minimally.

[@Jbluedodge83]

Thoughts on wearing them as a daily wear shoe to the office and also wearing it at the gym for weight lifting?

[@its_Matt_B_]

They are definitely comfortable enough for daily wear and I think they'd work quite well as a secondary gym (after the primary use of running) shoe because of the 0 drop and firmer midsole.

[@Jbluedodge83]

@@its_Matt_B_ That’s kind of what I was thinking. How was the arch in them? Noticeable? Or not much at all? I have 2 pair Altra Escalante 3 and like that there is no arch in them and hoping the Magnifly 5 is the same or very minimal arch.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@Jbluedodge83 I had to check it before responding. The arch is very minimal. I didn't notice it at all.

[@TimJohnson-x1o]

"zero drop" with a huge rocker in the toe = not zero drop.

[@its_Matt_B_]

Well, it's still technically a zero drop, but it's for sure a cheat code! 🤣

[@RunnerdJK]

As the wise Yowana said in a recent video, if a reviewer calls a shoe a “workhorse,” you can bet that it’s nothing special!

[@its_Matt_B_]

🤣 That's a funny and very cynical way to look at the phrase. I use the term for a shoe that's going to last a long time and that is capable of being used as a daily trainer. Unfortunately, I think people associate daily trainers with being nothing special. Which makes me wonder, what makes a shoe "special?" (i;m going to pose that question in the community section!)

[@RunnerdJK]

@@its_Matt_B_ Light weight. A foam other than standard EVA. Rebel 4 and Mach 6 are good examples.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@RunnerdJK 🤔 Yes! Those two are good examples! Thank you!