Topo - Ultrafly 5

Obsessed with the ultrafly and cyclone

easy day I would go for ultrafly or phantom!

The ultrafly has a TPU heel counter to limit pronation, yet it's so comfortable and doesn't weigh you down. If you don't need pronation support, just a daily runner with high cushion then I think you'll like phantom

Which of those styles do you like best with the bunion issue? I have them on both feet and I’m currently running in Topos ultrafly and they’re almost too roomy (lots of rubbing). I’d love to try another pair out

For Achilles and plantar issues you usually want a combination of moderate heel drop, a stable midsole, and a roomy toe box. Super soft high stack shoes can sometimes feel good short term but they often increase strain on the Achilles if the heel drop is low or the foam is too unstable. Since you want lightweight, wide toe box, and low arch pressure, I would look at shoes like Topo Phantom or Ultrafly, Altra Rivera or Torin, or New Balance 880 in wide. Those have flatter arch profiles and more natural midfoot shaping. If high arches cause pressure, avoid aggressive arch contouring in the insole and consider swapping in a flatter aftermarket insole. For Achilles specifically a slightly higher heel drop usually reduces tendon load, so something in the 8 to 10 mm drop range is a safe starting point. Also make sure the heel counter is not too stiff or high since that can irritate the tendon during daily wear. Shoes help but rehab matters more. Calf strengthening and slow eccentric heel drops are usually key for long term improvement. Lightweight, wide, neutral, moderate drop, and a flat arch platform is the combination I would aim for.

You’ll find that every brand’s wide sizes are wide in different places. Stores typically don’t carry a lot of wide sizes, so be prepared to order a bunch of shoes to try on and return most of them. I have a duck-shaped foot (normal heel and midfoot, very wide forefoot), so I’ll give you what’s worked and not for me. My rotation: - Mizuno Wave Rider 2E - higher drop but specifically made with a normal heel and wide forefoot (I’ve been told I have a Mizuno-shaped foot). - Topo Athletic Ultrafly Wide - I’m on my second pair. Love this shoe. Had to get it in a wide size since the midfoot runs a little narrow, but their regular width shoes are plenty wide in the toebox. - Hoka Speedgoat 4 2E (half-size up) - My trail runners. Love them so much I bought 3 pairs. They got way narrower with subsequent generations so I don’t know what I’ll do in another 300 miles. Saucony Peregrine wide - My other trail runners. Saucony used to make wide shoes for brick-shaped feet, but their newer shoes fit my duckfoot way better. Shoes I returned: - Altra everything - I am used to zero-drop shoes, so that didn’t bother me. But their rubber just goes dead two miles into my runs, and it felt like running barefoot. If you want wide toebox, Topo is a better run IMO - Hoka Clifton - Not wide enough. Hoka has wide sizes, but the shoes run narrow so a 2E is more like a generous D. I occasionally run in 4E Bondis, but they’re a little too max-cushioned for me. - On Cloud something - they have one 2E shoe but they run really narrow. Returned them instantly. - Brooks Ghost - They got really narrow, even in a wide, which is a shame, because I wore out some Ghosts back in the day. One more note: - ASICS and New Balance make several models in wide sizes. Haven’t ran in them, but I appreciate having options.

I used to wear only Lone Peaks and yeah, they wear out fast. I cannot handle zero drop anymore, so i moved to Topo for the 5mm drop. Anyway, my point being... if you order them directly from Topo, you can try them and return them within 30 days, so you should go for it. I find the Topos last longer.

Topos over Altras. They aren't zero drop and have better cushion so more like normal run shoes. But much wider toebox.

Did you ever find an answer? I don't like zero drop, but love a wide toe box, topo are my go to.

You might try Topo Athletic. Same foot shape/wide toe box, but better arch support and not zero drop (protect those Achilles tendons).

Topo Athletic, mountain racer, ultra venture and the phantom are my favorites. They easily last me 800 miles of comfort. The laces never come undone and the uppers have never gotten holes.

Just want to second Topo for a wide toe box, they are great! They also come in a variety of support levels, with the more cushiony ones providing me the arch support I need for running on harder surfaces.