REASONS TO BUY
High-volume toe-box
Comfortable fit
Decent ride
REASONS TO AVOID
Warm upper
Firm foam
No pop
Topo Magnifly 5 Review
A decent option for runners who want a lower ride, zero-drop shoe
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Topo Magnifly 5 is a comfortable daily trainer for runners who prefer “natural” or zero-drop rides. It has a relatively low stack height but still passable cushioning for pavement running. Topo's anatomical fit feels comfortable and relaxed on foot. While this isn't a shoe that's winning any awards for speed or comfort, it's a good choice if you value zero-drop above all else. However, if zero-drop is only one of many checklist items that you're looking for in a shoe, we think there are better options to consider.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Topo Magnifly 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Running Shoes for Uptempo Training | Best Overall Men's Running Shoes |  Excellent Performance without a Plate |  Best Bang for Your Buck | |
| Price | $135 List $134.95 at Amazon | $167.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $109.97 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 3 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $135 List $135.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Zero-drop runners may appreciate the comfort and low ride of this shoe | An all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workouts | A daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortable | Bouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatile | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price |
| Rating Categories | Topo Magnifly 5 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Asics Novablast 4 | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specs | Topo Magnifly 5 | Saucony Endorphin S... | Asics Novablast 4 | New Balance FuelCel... | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 |
| Measured Weight | 9.52 oz | 9.03 oz | 9.76 oz | 7.98 oz | 10.07 oz |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 26 mm | 38 mm | 43 mm | 30 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0 mm | 11 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 11 mm |
| Plate Type | None | Nylon | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 25.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 22.5 deg | 19.5 deg | 18.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 70.3% | 67.7% | 66.5% | 62.2% | 66.7% |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Upper | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh/knit | Engineered woven/knit | FantomFit | Engineered knit |
| Midsole | ZipFoam | PWRRUN PB | FF Blast + Eco | FuelCell | NITROFOAM |
| Outsole | Rubber | Rubber | AHAR Lo | Rubber | PumaGrip |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | Finger loop | None | None |
| Sizes Available | 8-14 US, regular | 7-15 US, regular | 6 - 15 US, regular | 7-16 US, regular & wide | 7 - 14 US, regular |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
There aren't a ton of zero-drop road shoes out there, but there are some runners who prefer that type of ride above all else. We think the Magnifly 5 is a decent choice for those runners.
Performance Comparison
The Magnifly 5 is an okay shoe. Runners who prefer zero-drop shoes will be most likely to enjoy it.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Landing Comfort
Topo markets the Magnifly 5 as a cushioned zero-drop shoe. That's true in the sense that it has some foam under your foot, and sure, it has more cushioning than some other options. But in comparison to our lineup as a whole or even just to other low-drop trainers we've tested, calling it a cushioned daily trainer is a bit like sticking nails through the sole of some hiking boots and then calling them track spikes. The ZipFoam does protect your feet from the road, but the shoe lacks the dampening that many other lower-stack daily trainers have. The foam is firm but not resilient.
The Magnifly has a low, zero-drop ride.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
We noticed our legs felt significantly more “pounded” after longer runs in these shoes compared to similar options. That said, landings are firmer than we prefer but still comfortable in the Magnifly 5. Heel-strikers will likely bottom out the foam when running faster, but overall, we think the shoes provide decent comfort and protection. Ironically, we love to wear them when we aren't running, as the comfortable fit and low platform feel very natural.
Calling the Magnifly a cushioned daily trainer is a misnomer - it's comfortable, but can't compare to a daily trainer with more stack and modern foam.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness
For a light and firm-feeling shoe, the Magnifly 5 has below-average responsiveness. It's fine, but it's not a shoe we would choose for fast sessions. We found that the Magnifly 5 requires significantly more engagement from the lower leg than a more typical running shoe. That's due to a combination of low drop and low stack height. Short bursts at faster paces felt okay, but we started to notice premature fatigue over longer efforts. We enjoyed the low and planted feel of the shoe during mile-paced strides but felt that the foam sapped some power and wasn't up to the task.
The foam of the Magnifly felt lifeless and absorbed too much energy during faster efforts.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
The Magnifly 5 is a zero-drop, neutral trainer. It feels low and planted thanks to the firm, low stack height and wide platform, but runners who need extra stability or support will likely find that this shoe doesn't provide that. As usual, runners who seek out stability in their shoes are unlikely to do well with a more minimalist trainer, which requires significantly more muscle engagement to run in.
It's low and wide, but the lack of support is noticeable.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
Runners who are familiar with the fit of other Topo shoes or that of similar brands like Altra will feel right at home. The heel provides good lockdown and is reasonably snug. The midfoot widens up a bit while still fully locking down the foot. The toe box is wide and roomy, with plenty of room for your toes to splay out.
The toe box is comfortable and has plenty of room for high-volume forefeet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
While we didn't experience any rubbing, we did notice that our forefoot slid around more than we liked when running faster. The upper materials, while comfortable, don't breathe well.
The Magnifly struggles to breathe as well as competitors.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
The Magnifly 5 weighed in at 9.52 ounces per shoe in a US men's size 10.5. That's average for a daily trainer, but we found it surprising. It feels lighter on the foot, and there isn't much material on the shoe compared to other shoes that have similar weights. We would love to see the Magnifly 5 with a lighter, more breathable upper and a more modern, highly resilient midsole foam. That would reduce weight significantly and make the ride more enjoyable.
We think the Magnifly 5 would benefit from both better, more resilient foam and a lighter/more breathable upper.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
The shoe has cutout sections in the midsole and outsole to help direct motion and provide some flexibility. While we found they aided the shoe's natural feel and functioned as lugs that aided in overall grip, we also found that they were rock magnets on gravel paths.
Low and wide, the Magnifly provides a well-grounded ride with reasonable traction - though these large spaces between lugs can be an annoying gravel magnet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Topo Magnifly 5?
If you're just looking for a comfortable daily trainer, we think you should look elsewhere. Other models have more versatility and comfort. However, if you love Topo's upper fit and are set on a low-stack, zero-drop shoe, you might enjoy this shoe.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Altra Torin 7 is a significantly better low-drop shoe with better cushioning and responsiveness. It has 2 mm of drop, so it isn't technically a zero-drop trainer, but it comes pretty close. If you're just after a solid daily trainer to take you through a variety of paces and workouts, we highly recommend the Asics Novablast 4.
—
Nathaniel Bailey
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