Topo Athletic Magnifly 3 Review
Natural and Cushioned
Likes
- Wide toe box
- Lightweight
- Cushioned
Dislikes
- Wider heel fit
- Zero drop (only because my body hasn't adapted well to it)
What's New
The Topo Magnifly 3 builds upon the successes of previous versions, continuing to offer moderately soft cushioning with a natural foot shape. With the third version of the Magnifly, Topo simplified the upper by removing some of the overlays and giving this update a better fit, particularly in the forefoot and midfoot. The dual-density foam provides a soft step-in feel and a responsive ride once you start picking up the pace.
The Bottom Line
Runners who enjoyed the previous version will love what the Magnifly 3 has to offer. Staying with the zero-drop profile and dual-density midsole, runners will continue to experience that natural and protected ride. Our tester appreciated the feel of the cushioning as well as the improved breathability of the new upper. Although the zero-drop design didn't necessarily work for him, our tester is confident that runners looking for a zero-drop shoe will feel right at home with the Magnifly 3's natural ride.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Wide | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.7oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.3 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 21 mm (Heel), 21 mm (Forefoot) | 0 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Tyler: "The foam underneath the Magnifly felt surprisingly soft. However, I noticed that this shoe would start to lose its cushioning after runs lasting more than an hour."
Ride/Energy Return i
Tyler: "Even with its soft cushioning, the Topo Magnifly's initial ride feels reasonably bouncy. To make sure that this was not just a new shoe feeling, I took my test pair out on various runs and was pleasantly surprised. Anyone running for around 45 minutes to an hour will be able to get that bouncy feel."
Underfoot Protection i
Tyler: "The protection I got from this shoe is most comparable to the Altra Escalante. While it does offer decent protection, I still have a sense of what's happening underfoot. As mentioned above, the shoe starts to feel less cushioned on longer runs, but overall, I think fans of more minimalist shoes will enjoy it."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Tyler: "The Topo Magnifly 3 is one of the most flexible shoes I have worn in a long time. Wearing the shoe, I almost forget it's there as it moves with my foot through the gait cycle."
Upper Feel i
Tyler: "I like shoes with wide toe boxes. If a shoe is on the narrower side, my feet tend to get claustrophobic, or my toes will rub together and cause other issues. The toe box on these is on the wider side for Topo. Additionally, the soft, breathable upper kept my feet cool, allowing me to run comfortably, especially in the warmer weather."
Men's Topo Athletic Magnifly
Women's Topo Athletic Magnifly
Individual Thoughts
Honestly, I have had mixed experiences with the Topo Magnifly 3. While I enjoyed the shoe's cushioning and fit, my biggest issue was the zero-drop design. After runs, I had to stretch my calves a little more and slowly adjust to the lower drop.
With that in mind, I think runners who typically enjoy running in a lightweight shoe with a lower drop will love the Topo Magnifly 3. The cushioning was soft, and the upper was better structured than shoes made by some competitors. One issue I have with Topo shoes is that their heels tend to fit a little wide on me, and this Magnifly 3 was no different. I was able to remedy it easily enough with a runner's loop, though. Additionally, the Topo Magnifly 3 feels very durable, and I think I will get many kilometres out of my pair.