Topo Athletic Magnifly 5 Road Running Shoe Long-term Review
Zero-Drop Shoe with Moderate Cushioning for Running, Fitness Walking, and Weight Training
February 27th, 2025
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Our Verdict
The Topo Magnifly 5s are lightweight daily trainers ideal for runners and walkers who prefer zero drop and want a durable, versatile, road running shoe. With a snug fit, secure heel, and wide toe box, the Magnifly 5 is comfortable—perhaps even more comfortable and durable than its zero-drop counterpart, Altra.
After testing these shoes for over 700 miles on pavement for fast walks (4-4.5 mph) and more casual walks, along with weight training, I found the Topo Magnfly 5s to be versatile running shoes, great for all speeds and many activities.
If you’re looking for a daily trainer for walks and runs, prefer zero drop and a low stack height for more ground feel, and want excellent durability for an affordable price, the Topo Magnifly 5s are a great shoe to consider.
Men's
Women's
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Specs
Cushion: Medium
Stability: Neutral
Midsole: ZipFoam
Upper: Recycled engineered mesh
Weight: 8.7 oz (men's 9); 7.2 oz (women's 7)
Stack height: 25 mm
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Comparison tables
Men’s
| RUNNING SHOE | MSRP* | CUSHION | STABILITY | WEIGHT (per shoe) | DROP | STACK HEIGHT | IDEAL USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topo Magnifly 5 | $135 | Moderate | Neutral | 8.7 oz | 0 mm | 25 mm | Daily runs, walking, gym |
| Altra Torin 8 | $150 | Moderate | Neutral | 10.3 oz | 0 mm | 30 mm | Daily trainer |
| Hoka Clifton 9 | $145 | Max | Neutral | 8.7 oz | 5 mm | 24-29 mm | Daily trainer, active recovery |
| HOKA Bondi 9 | $170 | Plush | Neutral | 10.5 oz | 5 mm | 37-42 mm | Daily trainer |
| On Cloudsurfer | $160 | Plush | Neutral | 8.6 oz | 10 mm | 22-32 mm | Daily trainer, active recovery |
Women’s
| RUNNING SHOE | MSRP* | CUSHION | STABILITY | WEIGHT (per shoe) | DROP | STACK HEIGHT | IDEAL USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topo Magnifly 5 | $135 | Moderate | Neutral | 8.7 oz | 0 mm | 25 mm | Daily runs, walking, gym |
| Altra Torin 8 | $150 | Moderate | Neutral | 8.7 oz | 0 mm | 30 mm | Daily trainer |
| Hoka Clifton 9 | $145 | Max | Neutral | 7.3 oz | 5 mm | 24-29 mm | Daily trainer, active recovery |
| HOKA Bondi 9 | $170 | Plush | Neutral | 9.0 oz | 5 mm | 35.5-40.5 mm | Daily trainer |
| On Cloudsurfer | $160 | Plush | Neutral | 7.2 oz | 10 mm | 22-32 mm | Daily trainer, active recovery |
Best for
People who want a lightweight, zero-drop road shoe with a low stack height
Road running
Fitness walking
Weight training
People who like Altras but want something more durable
What we liked
Wide toe box
Just-right snugness in middle of shoe and heel
Minimal stack height for a natural, close-to-the-ground feel
Lace stays keep the tongue from moving from side to side
Versatility for running, walking, and gym training
What could be better
Breathability isn't the best
Limited color options
Performance
Fit
The Topo Magnifly 5 is true to size. The fit of this shoe may not be for everyone, but it was exactly what I was looking for. It’s relatively narrow at the feet, but the toe box is wide. The heel cup felt secure, which is often an issue for me due to my more narrow heel. The shoe felt snug but not too snug—if you have wide feet, you should try these on before purchasing.
Upper and breathability
The upper is made of recycled engineered mesh. It’s not the most breathable, but it is durable. After over 700 miles of fitness walking in these shoes through all conditions, the upper is still intact. The midsole and sole gave out, while the upper still looks relatively new—which is better than I can say for Altras.
Midsole and cushioning
The midsole is constructed of Topo’s proprietary ZipFoam, which is soft and offers balanced cushioning and responsiveness. These aren’t going to offer the same cushion as some of our favorite active recovery road running shoes, like the On Cloudsurfer, HOKA Clifton, or HOKA Bondi 8. Nor will they be as responsive as some of our favorite speed workout road shoes, like the HOKA Mach 6 or On Cloudeclipse. But they fall comfortably in the middle—cushioned enough and responsive enough for daily training runs and active walking.
Outsole and Traction
The rubber outsole offers sufficient traction for road running and walking. Some media reviewers note they aren’t the grippiest of road running shoes, noting its tendency to slip in slick conditions. However, I had no issues, even on steep hills and wet days in the Pacific Northwest.
Comfort
As someone with narrow feet who likes a roomy toe box, I found the Topo Magnifly 5s really comfortable. They offer just the right balance of cushion, ground feel, and support for my daily activities, like active walking and strength training.
If you have wide feet, or aren’t sure how you feel about a roomy toe box or zero drop, I recommend trying these on before committing to them, as they aren’t for everyone.
Stability and support
The Topo Magnifly 5 is a balanced shoe—not super responsive for quick turnover and faster running, but not so plush you feel like you’re sinking down with each step. It’s a relatively minimalist shoe, as far as road running shoes go, while still offering enough stability and support to keep your feet secure.
Versatility
While these are marketed as a daily trainer/road running shoe, we also found they worked really well for active walking and weight training. The zero-drop and low stack height, in particular, make them great for lifting weights. This versatility might be particularly useful for folks who plan to do a combination of walking, running, and strength training.
Break-in time
I needed no break-in time for the Magnifly 5. They were comfortable right out the box on my first fitness walk. However, I was already accustomed to zero-drop shoes. If you typically wear high or mid-drop shoes (i.e., about 5 mm or more), you may need to ease into zero-drop shoes like these. I recommend alternating between these and your old pair a couple of times before wearing the Magnifly 5 full-time, or starting out with much shorter walks or runs.
Durability
I’ve been impressed with the Topo Magnifly 5’s durability, especially considering recent disappointments with Altra’s upper construction. After over 700 miles, it may finally be time to retire them. However, that's 200+ more miles than I would get from my Altras. In fact, this durability is why I made the switch from my recent pair of Altra shoes to Topo.
Features
Roomy toe box
The roomy toe box of the Topo Magnifly 5 is one of my favorite features. In fact, I can only run and hike in shoes with big toe boxes, which is why I was so eager to test these shoes. In the past, I appreciated Altra shoes for their zero drop and wide toe box. However, the midfoot and heel of the Topos feel more secure than Altras. In general, the Magnifly 5s are more durable and thoughtfully constructed.
Heel-to-toe drop
This is a zero-drop shoe, which means the stack height at the heel is the same as the stack height at the toe. People who prefer their more natural gait tend to like zero-drop shoes, whereas folks who land too hard on their heels often like a higher drop to help ease the impact on their stride.
Stack height
The Topo Magnifly 5 has a stack height of 25 mm, which is among the lowest stack heights of all road running shoes we’ve tested. Its low height, along with the zero drop, provides more groundfeel with each stride. Runners and walkers looking to get away from the super-techy shoes, as brands like On and HOKA are known for, may appreciate the Magnifly 5’s more minimalistic yet supportive feel.
Weight
With a weight of just 7.2 oz per women’s shoe and 8.7 oz per men’s shoe, the Magnifly 5 is among the lightest daily training road running shoes we’ve tested.
Tongue stays
The tongue has two lace stays for the laces to thread through, which helps secure the tongue in place. This is a useful feature, as it ensures the tongue won’t slip around while you’re active.
Long-term testing notes
Number of blisters: Zero
Total mileage from one pair: 725
First point of noticeable failure: Midsole
Longest-lasting feature: Uppers
Favorite feature: Wide toe box and secure fit (ok, that's two)
Comparison of a Topo Magnifly 5 outsole after about 700 miles (left) versus a new pair (right).
How we tested
I have worn the Topo Magnifly 5 on fast walks (4-4.5 mph) for over 700 miles, primarily on pavement. The weather conditions ranged from heavy rain, cold temperatures, and hot summer days.
I have also worn the Magnifly 5s for weight training, suspecting their low stack height, zero drop, and general minimalist feel would work well for that (it did).
In addition to field testing, I compared the Topo Magnifly 5s side-by-side with Altra Lone Peaks and Altra Escalante. I also researched other media reviews to gain more perspectives on different testers’ experiences with these shoes. I also compared these shoes to others in our Best Women’s Road Running Shoes guide to see how they align with all the other shoes we’ve tested and reviewed.
As a comfortable, zero-drop road running shoe, the Magnifly 5 works well for running, walking, and weight training.
What's new with the Magnifly 5
Proprietary ZipFoam midsole
Less weight than Magnifly 4
Lace stays keep the tongue in the proper position
Where to buy the Topo Magnifly 5
Topos are popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership, easy returns
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Topo Athletic
If you purchase from Topo Athletic, you have a 30-day risk-free trial, with free returns. Shipping isn't free, however.
Advice on where to buy
In general, for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like Amazon or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Other running shoes to consider
We have a slew of other road running shoes we've tested in our Best Women's Road Running Shoes story, but here are some highlights:
Altra Torin 8
MSRP: $150
Weight (per shoe): 10.3 oz (men’s), 8.7 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 30 mm
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
The Altra Torin 8 is perhaps the closest comparison to the Topo Magnifly 5, as it also has zero drop and a wide toe box. The Torin has 5 mm more stack height than the Magnifly, and it’s the winner of Best Low Drop in our Best Women’s Road Running Shoe guide. However, we may need to reconsider the winner of the category, as we’ve found the Magnifly to be more durable and have a better fit. Plus, it costs $15 less than the Altra Torin. In any case, it’s not a bad idea to try them both on yourself, as fit and comfort can be personal.
Altra Torin 8
Men's
Women's
HOKA Clifton 9
MSRP: $145
Weight (per shoe): 8.7 oz (men’s), 7.3 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Where the Topo Magnifly 5 is a more minimalist shoe, the HOKA Clifton 9 adds more cushion, and a lot more stack height. It’s a mid-drop, neutral stability shoe, which can be a solid option for folks looking for a more middle-of-the-road daily training shoe. The Cliftons are very lightweight for a daily trainer, weighing about the same as the Magnifly.
The HOKA Clifton 9 is our pick for Best Active Recovery Shoe in our Best Recovery Shoes guide, and we wrote an in-depth review of the Clifton 9.
HOKA Clifton 9
Men's
Women's
On Cloudsurfer
MSRP: $160
Weight (per shoe): 8.6 oz (men’s), 7.2 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm
Cushion: Plush (between mid and max)
Stability: Neutral
On the other end of the heel-to-toe drop spectrum is the On Cloudsurfer with 10 mm of drop. This is a highly cushioned shoe that costs $25 more. About all it has in common with the Topo Magnifly 5 is its weight, which is about the same. However, it’s among our favorite road running shoes, earning Best Cushioned in our Best Road Running Shoes guide, and Best for Recovery Runs in our Best Recovery Shoes guide.
If a quality, cushioned road running shoe is your priority, rather than zero drop, then we recommend checking out this shoe. You can learn more in our in-depth review of the On Cloudsurfer.
On Cloudsurfer
Men's
Women's
About the author / why you should trust us
Naomi Hudetz is co-founder and director of analytics and digital innovation and leads business strategy and revenue operations for Treeline Review. She brings decades of private sector experience in project management, budget and pricing projection, and long-term business vision, strategy, and goals.
Naomi left her corporate career to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She received the Triple Crown award for hiking for completing the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails and has hiked numerous other distance routes including the Great Divide Trail across the Canadian Rockies (twice), Grand Enchantment Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Arizona Trail, (most of) the Idaho Centennial Trail, the first known thru-hike of the Blue Mountains Trail, and the Oregon Desert Trail. She recently bikepacked the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.
She previously served as Treasurer of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, and is based in White Salmon, Washington.
