The RW Takeaway: The Ultrafly 3 is for runners who have been searching for that ideal lightweight shoe with stability features.
- Zipfoam midsole provides moderate cushioning
- An external heel counter and a medial post for support
- More breathable upper
Price: $130
Type: Road
Drop: 5mm
Weight: 9.6 oz. [M], 7.7 oz. [W]
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When it was released in 2016, the Ultrafly departed from what we usually expected from Topo Athletic. Instead of having Topos typical minimalist profile [company founder, Tony Post, used to be Vibrams CEO when its barefoot-style FiveFingers were all the rage], the midsole was beefier, andmuch to the delight of plush-craving runnerscushier. We liked the change of pace so much that we awarded the shoe Best Debut for its slipper-like fit.
The 3 has flipped the script on the original and 2 as the lightest Ultrafly yet. Though not as soft as the triple-density midsole found in its predecessors, the new Zipfoam is sufficiently cushioned; the material was supportive enough for our testers who racked on double-digit mileage. The slipper-like fit is also preserved, with a snug saddle and spacious toe boxbecause crammed toes on long runs are anything but ultra-fly.
A Dual-Density Midsole
Topo shaved weight by replacing the triple-density midsole of the Ultrafly 2 with dual-density ZipFoam. Introduced two years ago in the Phantom, ZipFoam is a TPU- and EVA-based foam thats more resilient than standard EVA. It has a Goldilocks-feel: not too firm, not too soft.
This shoe has excellent cushioning, and I would wear it for marathon distances and probably even ultra distances, said a tester. For me, it is a perfect all-purpose shoe.
Runners used to a plusher platform, however, may desire more midsole foam. Another tester said: With less cushioning than Im used to, I would not feel comfortable going over 10 miles. On shorter runs, I felt very fast with the light weight. The softer New Balance 880 was more their jam.
Stability Features
Unlike with other shoes in the category, Topo managed to bake stability featuresa slim external heel counter and non-intrusive medial postinto the Ultrafly without adding a ton of weight for the sake of guidance. The shoe reminds me of Brookss Asteria, a discontinued lightweight stability option that scored highly in our wear and lab testing.
This Ultrafly is also consistent with the comfortable fit the line is known for, with a few tweaks, such as a molded heel collar. The upper has more perforations for breathability, too, alleviating excess heat buildup that some testers said plagued version 2.
This shoe did not feel sloppy at all, said a tester. The light stability was perfect for my running style. Someone might think the roomier toe box would make the entire shoe feel loose, but the midfoot design keeps your foot secure.
More Tester Feedback
Beth P., tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
This shoe was a favorite right out of the box. I love Topo for its wide toe box, which makes the shoe extremely comfortable. I have worn several Topo models including the Ultrafly 2. This model is very similar to the last version. I think the main improvement is the thinner fabric of the upper. It made the shoe feel a bit less stiff, and a little more like the Zephyr.
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